Richmond palladium., 1850-05-08

In the convention which formed the
constitution the same cry was heard
South Carolina and Georgia declared
they could not come into the Union un.
less they could have the privilege OF inn
porting slayesI And, notwithstanding
that the sense Of the convention was
strong and almos: unanimous against the
traffic. fort sake of the Union another
compromise was agreed on. Slavery
was allowed all it demanded for twenty
wears; after which Congress might sup
press the trade if il should see tit.
In 1920 the Union was again menaced.
The cry now was "admit Missouri as
slave State or we will dissolve the Union.'
Great alarm was excited. Propositions
for compromise were multiplied. and the
contest finally terminated as usual by
conceding to slavery all il then demanded.
with a set off to freedom in the prohibi
ton of slavery in all the territory acquired
from France north of So deg. 80 min.
except that within the limits of the new
Stale.
The same play was enated in 1882
and 1888. Then the ground of COM
plain, was the tariff. South Carolina
pushed her disunion remedy TO nulliGca-
ton. Gen. Jackson was at the head OF
the Government. unterriiled. l'ut IN
Congress great apprehension was mani
tested. and a desire to concede almost ev-
cry thing rather than to risk the conse-
quences Of decided course. Another
compromise was effected. The protect
i've policy was abandoned by its great
champion. and a scale Of reduction of du
tics adopted. which in ten wears over.hrew
the tariff For one. Mr.. President. | do
not complain Of the reduction Of duties;
bu, would prefer to see plan Of reduc-
ton adopted calmly, considerably, not
under the dictation of any cry, but III
conformity with a sound and liberal judg
ment
Well. sir, between 1880 and 1885 the
anti-slavery agitation commenced. and
soon became formidable. Then again
we heard the cry Of disunion. The de-
mand now was suppression Of the free
dom Of speech and the press, and Of the
right Of petitions: 10 brief. silence on the
subject Of slavery, and forbearance Of all
action against it. The alternative de-
nounced was dissolution Of the Union
The agltatioE. however. was not suppress
ed: anti slavery societies increased and
multiplied; they made themselves felt ev
erywhere. Well, was the Union dissolv-
ed! Not at all. 1t stands yet. and will
stand, trust. forever. The menace was
as earnest. as emphatic. as violent as ev-
er, but it came to nothing. 1t had the
same termination which would have at
tended all similar preceding menaccs,
had they been calmly disregarded.
In 1914 the annexation of Texas was
demanded by the slave States. 1t had
been a iavoriie object for many years, and
i: seemed brought within their grasp
They became, accordingly. extremely ur-
gent. and resorted to the South Carolina
specific. They raised the cry, Texas or
disunion" The distinguished Senator
from Missouri. ALWAYS devoted to the
Union, took the trouble to direct public at
tention. in an appendix to speech of his
on the subject Of Texas. delivered in thai
year, to some samples Of these thre eats
They are worth looking at now. Well,
sir. under these influences. in part. Tex
was brought into the Union. | say
lin part" be cause am we'll aware that
other influences contributed largely to the
result.
And now. sir. we have the last republ-
cation Of s!is cd story. Now we are
threatened with dissolution Of the Union
unless we will consent to what no repub-
lican government ever did consent TO;
what is in direct opposition to the princ-
pies and spirit of our institutions, and is
condemned BIZ the earliest and best pre-
cedents of our history; namely. the ex-
tension OF slavery into Territories now
free! Shall we yield to this outcry! For
one, | say. never, In my Judgment it is
time to pause. We have Welded point
after point: we have crowded concession
on concession. until duty. honor. patriot
ism, shame demands that we should stop.
In conclusion. Mr.. Chase said:
Mr.. President. honesty is the best poll
cy; justice. the highest eypediency; and
principle the only proper basis Of union
in political organization. Holding fast as
] do to democratic principles; believing
firmly that all men are created equal. and
are endowed by their creator with inaien-
able rights to life and liberty, desire TO
earnestly. resolutely in the practical adj.
ministration of affairs. | wish TO see the
powers of III s Government exercised for
TIVE great objects which the constitution
indicates: for the perfection Of our Union:
for the establishment Of justice; for a COM
mon defence: for the security Of liberty.
st the same time | do not desire to see
this Government under the influence Of
any zeal. however honorable. for freedom,
transcend at all the sphere of its consti-
tutonal powers and duties. While.
therefore. shall steadily support all prop
er legislation for the establishment and
security of freedom in the territories and
elsewhere within the States. In this line
of action shall feel myself supported by
tine precepts of the sage. Of the revolu.
tionary era. by the example Of the found
ers of the Republic. by the original policy
Of the Government. and by the principles
of the constitution.
canno, believe that there is danger in
such a course. Least of all does the
stale cry Of Gisunion alarm raa Nan