The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-15

NOW, sir, adopting TINS language or that emf
Inent statesman, let me apply il TO the course
which the Executive has pursued IN relation to
California. Abstanns from all interference with
the functions of the Legislative branch of the gov
eminent as he was pledged TO do, he ought TO
have left 1t TO the wisdom of Congress TO decide
IAN questions relating 10 the establishment of
government in that territory Surely, this above
all others was subject belonging excusivelyto
the legislative department. will venture to say
that there can be found nowhere parallel TO the
course OF the administration in this instance.
asBut perceive, Mr., Chairman, that my brief
hour is nearly consumed, and your memorable
hammer must soon fall. | have dwelt thus long
upon the subject OF California, because | regard
her admission rs the most vitality important OF all
the questions before US. In it involved most
momentous issues, and every effort which has
been taken in excluding the South from this
magnificent domain, from thevery commencement
down to the present moment, is neither more nor
less than series of usurpations, unjustifed by
necessity, unsustained by precedent, and INSANE
toned by law.
l was prepared and desirous to express my
views on several other questions which have been
brought into this discussion, but time will not
permit, and must devote my few remaining mo-
ments to subject which is now the theme Of uni
Iversal INTEREST," | mean the proposed ''compro-
mise, " as il is called ' .7.
Whilst am prepared, Mr.. Chairman, to say
for myself and my constituents, that we are sin
cerely DESTROYS of permanent and constitutional
adjustment Of our differences; vet wish il to be
understood, that hold no commission to nego-
tate a hollow truce, or to patch up deusive
peace. On all sides we are told that the country
needs repose. | admit it.. But by repose do not
mean the fevered rest of a mere narcotic sumber
but that repose which, like the refreshing sleep
that visits the weared man, uuets the nerves re-
stores the circulation, vigorates the whole frame,
and gives enjoyment to life.
Before speak of the compromise let me ask
what is the obstacle that stands in the way of our
reconciliation. The answer is brief-your war
against slavery. If TIT Constitution has failed to
arrest this war, can compromise effect it? Can
lay my hand upon my heart and say to my con-
stltuents, that believe returning sense of justice
has taken hold of the public mind at the North
that our ri gifts will be respected, our property
protected, our equality acknowledged. No, sir, !
have seen nothing since have taken my seat on
this floor to warrant any such declarations On
the contrary | solemnly believe that the tide of
opposition is daily rising. and that each successive
wave breaks nearer to our feet. The anti slavery
feeling ~ hourly increasing, and the purpose to
restrict the institution within its present limits,
and ultimately to abolish il, is openly avowed.
Our advcrsaries tell us, that the institution of
slavery is curse-that they have mission from
on high to extirpate it as moral, social, and
political evil. They claim to convert this Govern
men into an ecclesiastical tribunal and to sit in
Judgment our morals, and control our CON
sciences They deny us the protection of the
bible, and when we claim the protection of the
Constitution they repudate its authority, and
appeal to law higher than that sacred mstru-
ment. And thus rejecting all appeals, they
sacrlleglously usurp the judgment seat OF the
Deity himself
'Snatch from his hand the balance and the rod
, Rejudge his justice, are the God Of God"
True it is, we are gravely, shall | not say, in
} sulGngly told, that they do not claim the right TO
.T. H.. Il.
States to denounce the institution of slavery itself
to hold up our manners, our morals, our customs
and our laws to public experimentation spread dis
content among our slaves and weaken our author.
ity as masters--to draw distinctions between our
citizens, and with fendish malignity to set the
non-slaveholder against the Shareholder, and fin
ally to call upon us, ourselves, by all the obiga-
tons of religion, of justice, and OF law immediate
y to emancpate our slaves ard to clear our skirts
Of this polluted institution. And here let me gay,
in passing, that this attempt to create hostile rea-
tons between our citizens is wicked as ii is
futile, for | tell you that if il should ever be.
come necessary to defend our rights by arms,
e there is no portion of our people who will be found
e more ready and more resolved to obey the call
{ than the non-slavehoders of our community -
They understand this question well. They know
that the Liberation of the slave will bring neither
: honor profit to them. They never will con
sent to elevate the negro to equality with them
selves and thus willis" they reject your sympa.
thies, they know and despise your purpose This
sir, whie mans overnmen--founded by white
men, as they have expressly declared, "to secure
TO themselves and their posterity the BLESSINGS of
liberty" and all history attests that no son of
Ham ever shook sceptre over the head of Japeth
But to proceed: If our assailants really believe
all that they say Of slavery, how easy is it for
them to assert that 1t is an anti-republican nstu
tion, and fit be So then that they have the right
under the Constitution TO refuse admission to anv
uIn Sfafp ffar
1t to others to carry ont the commentary on this
suggestion.
Having thus stated briefly the views and pur-
poses Of our adversaries, let me refer to our own
We deny that slavery Is evil a curse, and we
appeal to the condition Of country to prove our
assertion. From whom must the curse proceed
Must it not come from God alone, and yet | ask
what portion Of the habtable globe holds a more
interesting relation to the rest Of the world than
the slaveholding States of this confederacy: Is
not one Of the most powerful nations in the world
actually dependent on us, and would not the fail
ure OF single crop Of our great staple, bring meal
cuable suffering and distress, if not revolution in
its tran' Can any people live more Independently
i of others than we can Can it be then that God
\ has cursed people and land like this Never,
never! And whilst we do not claim to be the OBJ
jects of his peculiar favor, yet feel that have
abundant cause for gratitude to Him, for as much
prosperity and happiness any other people
Again We contend that this Government was
founded by shareholders, that slavery was recog-
iized, extended, and guaranteed by our Constitu-
tion---that we have improved and elevated the con-
dition Of our slaves, and their emancipation having
become physical, social and political impossible
ity, we intend TO hold them in servtude and leave
the future TO be controlled by that power who. we
believe, governs the world in wisdom and in JUS
tice.
Such is our relative position and we are ap-
preaching every day nearer to the solution of the
.l,,,l, NH
ing States can i've together in continguity under
! the same Government Whilst minority may
safely trust those interests which are common to
all, TO the protection Of a majority, how, ask,
can they trust them the protection Of a sectional
institution which that majority, according to their
own declarations, are bound, by every obligation
both human and divine, to overturn aud destroy
l. Mr. Chairman, very sensible. writer has re-
marked, that "the single principle into which all
the conceivable causes Of human contention resolve
themselves, is, that of intercourse rithou synpathy;
and what then shall We expect when audacious
strength is made Immediately contiguous TO naughty