The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-22


going somewhat particularly into his past history in
nexion with the subject OF slavery Ia the early days OF
young and blooming manhood, the honorable senator
from Kentucky was betrayed as think, into gross
but rather ianlascal in relation to slavery from
which be has been able relieve his mind since
These errors seem TO have been theoretical merely they
were not OF nature, al any rate, potential 10
induce the honorable senator to emancpate his own
slaves TO persuade his neghbors and rendsto the
ecuiion OF any such iancul scheme OF philanthropy.
In subsequent life he became known as member, as
president of the Colonization Society," and such has
delivered more than address, in which he has borne
eloquent testimony TO the evils OF slavery On several oc
casons in Congress the honorable senator has been
known in former years 10 exhibit himself more or less
decided dsapprover OF the system OF domestic slavery
in the South Last summer ne took another STEP and rec
commended to the people OF Kentucky, IN deeply inter-
esting letter, the adoption OF system OF prospective
emancipation The publication OF This letter brought on
contest in that State which was wased most heatediy
and actively for several months and not without some
Dloodshed, but which has happily now terminated IN the
utter defeat oil this plan OF emancipation.
short time since the freesoilers OF Ohio and be.
eve OF several other States held convention at Ceve
land at which they adopted resolutions objectlona
BILE to the South than any which had aniecedenty appear
ed committee Of this convention wrote letter 70 the
honorable senator from Kentucky, 10 which he replied,
approving fully the objects OF their assemblage and Civ
ing his assent 10 their general doctrines Such was the
predicament Of the honorable senator when he came
among al this sessions and what has been his course
here Why, sir, feel bound to admit that the honorable
senator has been quite consistent His first important
the introduction OF his resolutions OF CON-
them is formally decaratve OF the hated Wlmot Proviso
principles another brings in CALIFORNIA; another, by iney
table implication, asserts the power Of Congress 10 abol
sh slavery in the District OF Columbia; another proposes
TO abolish the slave trade in the District OF Columbia and
all this is be conceded by the South without any COM
pensatng advantages whatever. am certainly not q
great deal surprised that such terms oil adjustment should
have been brought forward The honorable senator IRON
Kentucky taking into consideration the events OF his pub
lie life already referred to- but shall certainly always
remain unable TO perceive in his resolutions any OF the
features OF genuine compromise.
And what Sort Of speech was that by which these
resolutions were accompanied! Why, sir undertake
to say that there is more the sentiments and language
Of that speech, to mortfy southern sensbites 70 ava
ken dissatisfaction and TO provoke resentment too as
well among all who are not quite convinced as am OF
the purity OF the honorable senator's motives, than we
find in any speech OF poessed aboitonss, not except
ing the aramed Garrison, and Philips and Doug
lass Certainly speech at all approximating to this
been delivered before in either house OF Congress will
not partcuarize; but am sure that all who have read
that speech will admit that have done but simple Just
ice. Why, sir, speech repete with offensive doc
trine-so dogma,icaI and overbearing in its tones
menacng in its spirit. no man but one possessing
the moral prowess which so ,emnently distinguishes
the honorable senator from Kentucky, could ever
have been able 10 enunciate am sure that the non;
oable senator from New York MR. SEwARDl will
dare to deliver such speech here; The honora,
that rhetorical herosm which he displayed among us
the other day, would reco from the uterance OF much
that fell with easy grace from the lips OF the honorable
senator from Kentucky; and the honorable gentleman
from Ohio MIR CHAsEl am confident is too moderate
and forbearing in his temper ever to deliver such
philippe as this against the whole system OIL do
nestle slavery, and against the efforts OF the southern
States OF the confederacy TO protect themselves against
menaced aggessons. Sir, feel that no other member
Of the Senate besides the senator from Kentucky couA
have pronounced such speech in the hearing OF south
men without calling forth response full OF indigna-
ton and asperity And yet we have listened TO the hon.
orable senator's haangue with GOODNESS, WIN 9reas-
ance, with respect and with feelings OF kindly al
lowance. OF all this the honorable senator IRON Ken
lucky seems be insensble and he complains that
he has not been treated with fitting poeness BY several
southern senator's myself included Let beg the hon.
orable 10 consider calmly all the facts which
have stated TO bear in mind the harassment to which
have been subjected the ndgnities inflicted upon u.s.
the injuries ercely threatened the horrors which are
clearly dscerned in the future, and then let him tell
me he is not amazed at the meekness and moderation
which have heretofore marked the demeano oil southern
senators towards himself Let him, pray, not COM
plain OF harshness incivy, but be ready TO acknowl
edge the most wonderful instance oil efresirain amidst
enormous wrongs and prosecutions that the Pa5liamena
that he will in future spare us all necessity Tor com
plant or censure II the honorable senator at all doubts
The evil tendency OF his resolutions and speech esseec6
him TO read few OF the northern papers He will ind
that both his speech and resolutions were repaoished
with the warmest Communications, in all except few oil
the ultra abolition papers, such as the Loeraior OF u
rson whilst the honorable senator himself was most ex-
Mr. D0bGE, OF Iowa Will the senator from Misss-
spp allow me to interrupt him!
Mr. FOOTE Certainly.
Mr.. DODGE Mr. President, wish TO ask the
tor whether he has and read the causlc article IN
late number of the New York Evening Post, over the
signature OF John Jay the writer OF which, northern
man, and evidently OF ordinary ability takes up
and argues the resolutions OF the senator from Kentucky
lMr CLAY,1 scrid, pronounces them all pro. slavery,
and manifesy unjust to the North; scouting the idea
that they should be accepted by that section OF the Union
as a compromise. OF like tenor many II not most
OF the comments have IN the press from the East
where the anti. slavery feeling is strongest
confess Mr. President, that when read these bitter
animady ersons from the North and East upon what
regard as the patriotic exeroHs OF the senator from Ken
lucky to pour oil upon the troubled waters, and listened
here to the merciess denuncatons which both he and
his resolutions received from my friend from Mississippi,
could not but feel for the senator from Kentucky sym
awakened in me.
Mr. FOOTE. Yes, sir; saw the letter OF Mr.. Jay TO
which the honorable from Iowa refers read IL
from beginning TO end and acknowledge 10 be true
that in this letter the honorable senator from Kentucky
most dscourteously most bitterly, mercilessly de-
nounced and he is thus denounced chiefly because OF his
resolution in regard 10 the recapure OF fugitive slaves
and his remarks in support thereof But this Mr. Jay is
single ndivdualhe evidently abolitionist OF the
man of hui little influence over the minds OF any not
infatuated himself on the subject OF slavery But sr
what the letter Of Mr. Jay pray you, compared with
the whole northern wing and reesoil pressi To show
how the speech of the honorable senator from Kentucky
stands approved by the class OF editors named will spe
city single paper, and that shall be the Albany Evening
Journal. This newspaper is edited by gentleman
somewhat celebrated in the country, known as
Thurlow Weed, esq He is. as you well know.
Mr. President, another OF the "6rm, unwavering
friends' OF the honorable senator from the Empire
State mir SEwARp.l whose devotion TO the abolition