The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-02-14
CONGRESS.
THIRTY.PIRST CONGRESS- FIRST SESSION.
FEBRUARY 5ru, orn, and 7rH, 1850.

occupied chiefly with MIR. Clay's speech on his
Slavery resolutions.
On the 5,h, during the morning hour, Mr.
Hale withdrew his amendment to the resolution
of General Cass respecting diplomatic intercourse
with Austria, to allow Mr.. Foote 10 submit two
amendments, which General Cass sccepted-one
providing for grant of land to the Hungarian
refugees the other proposing that the President
should intercede with the Government Of Turkey
for the Liberation of Kossuth.
On the 9th, numerous petitions we're presented
for the reduction Of postage.
Mr. Mangum took occasion to present the pro
ceedings of meeting at Wilmington, N. C, de
nouucing the fauaticism of the North, proposing
measures for the representation Of that State IN
the Nashville Convention and threatening dis
solution of the Union in a certain contingency.
Mr. Mangum seconded the views presented in
the report and denounced all projects of compro
mise He regarded the North as the aggressol
continually. and announced that North Carolir0
was prepared to resist, at all hazards and to the
last extremity He would abide the decision o.
his countrymen, and put his old frame upon the
altar in the common cause
IMr. Mangum, hitherto regarded as a moderate
man, with some expectations of Wing nomna
ton for the Vice Presidency, was exceedingly vio
lent on this occasion-as ultra as South Caroins
and Mississippi members. He had been an atten
tentive listener few days before to the extrava'
CANT speech of Mr.. Clingman, who, having failed
by the aid of his new allies, the Democrats, to
GUST Mr.. Badger from the Senate, is suspected OF
design to secure, if possible, the place of Mr.
Mangum who, naturally anxious to retain his
comfortable seat is not willing to have it thought
that he is a whit behind Mr.. Clingman in his sup
port of the EXTREMIST pretensions of the South
Mr.: Hale MIR President, object to the re-
ception Of the paper. suppose in that case the
question must first be taken ON its reception.
The Vice President. The reception Of the
paper is objected TO- The question is on its re-
ception
Mr.. Hale | wish to say a word or two on this
motion. When first took my seat in the Senate,
and was charged by my constituents with the pre-
sentstion of petition asking any action or ex-
pressing ANY sentiments favorable to any aGttf91
on the subject of slavery in the District of Co.
lumbia, or anywhere else, objection was made TO
It's reception and a motion made 10 lay the ques-
ton on the table, which motion prevailed. And,
sir, one of the first individuals who expressed his
opinion as to the course of proceeding in present
ing petitions or memorials of that character was
the Senator from North Carolina, who has just
now taken his seat He took occasion, sir upon
the presentation of papers of that character by
myself to say that up to that time so jndcious
had been the course of the Senate-adopted, |
think he said, after consultation among the lead
ing men on both sides of the Chamberlain they
had come to an understanding that when any
petition or memorial Of that character, looking TO
the action of the Government in any way in rela-
ton to the subject Of slavery, was presented, the
question of reception should be considered as
raised at once, and motion made to lay it on the
table and thus they got on quietly, peaceably, and
tremendously And he said, too, that he regret
ted that there had been such revolution in any
remote State of this Union as, by accident had
thrown such firebrand as myself into this Sen
ate Well, sir, heard it all, and submitted 10 il
and such has been the course Of the Senate Thus
far, every paper looking in the remotest degree TO
any action of the Government, or presenting here
any opinions of individuals adverse to the instiu-
ton of slavery, has, the question Of reception
being raised been laid on the table Now, sir, if
such is the rule to be applied to us north of Mason
and Dixon's line if it is improper, unconstitu-
tional, and reprehensible, to bring petitions and
memorials here from the North country ex expressing
opinions unfavorabe to the institution of slavery
ask If it is not equally proper that petitions and
memorials coming from south Of that line, and
looking to different action on the subject should
receive the same fate am not mistaken about
the character of these resolutions, although they
are not so definite in their terms as they when
appended to the speech Of the honorable Senator
in explanation Of them. He says they all look to
o..J % NH oh
divide this country. They declare, sir, that the
good State of North Carolina, which has had sc
high euiogium passed upon her, and from which
do not feel any wish to detract that same loyal old
North State has at last walked up to the aggres-
sions of the North. Sir wish that the ntelli-
gence of North Carolina had given it's attention
to the inquiry, and pointed out what are those
aggressions | wish if it could, that it had laid
its finger on single word letter, or line that was
spoken or written at the North that contemplated
any aggressive action by this Government on this
institution. The honorable Senator seemed to
say and he did say most distinctly, that the South
in its position only occupied the defensive. /
confess, sir am not 80 well versed in the diction-
aries as are some gentlemen but if the course of
the North on this subject is aggressive, while that
of the South is defensive merely, confess ] am
poorly skilled indeed in this chapter of defni-
tions He says that all they ask at the South is
I" hands OFF, That is all we want at the North,
sir, "hands OFF, Talk about our being aggres-
sive. The history of this Government viii show
that the course of the North, from the first insti
tuition Of the Government, from the first adoption
Of the Constitution down TO the present time, has
been concession, and concession until now very
women and children reproach us with the pusil-
lanimity which permits our rights to be trampled
upon here by the action Of this Government
We have conceded and conceded, and yielded,
until nothing is left to yield and now we told
in substance that if we do not come toward and
take hold with our own hands, and help in extend
ding this institution Of slavery--that if We do
not identify ourselves, soul and body in oil the
responsibility belonging to its existence perpetu
ity, and eternity, we are aggressive, and that the
Union is to be dissolved
| raise the question Of reception, and to move to
lay that question on the table, and ! shall vote
against it, raise it merely that the Senate may
have an opportunity of administering the same
Justice to the South that we of the North have
had to take, whether we would or not. | ask for
the yeas and nays on the motion.
Mr. Mangum. Will the Senator withdraw the
motion TO lay on the table for moment
Mr.. Hale assented
Mr. Mangum | have but one remark to make.
AS to ell this affair of concession on the part Of
the North, the merest schooboy in our history
knows that there is very little in it, The differ
ence between this case and those ref rred to by
the Senator, where the question of reception is
raised and that motion is laid on the table, just
this and it will be seen that they present two dis
tinct questions These memorials from the North
invoke action on the part Of Congress these res
outions invoke 10 action whatever That is the
distinction. Those from the North ask for an in
terposition of Congressional acton to do-what
What nearly one-half of this Union, If not more,
believe Congress has no right to do under the
Constitution. These resolutions are designed as
q mere notification, and ask no action on the part
Of Congress.
Mr. Hale. renew the motion to lay the ques-