The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-01-27

pTOpOsed TtguIdtt
Congress- was with reference to the northwest TERRITORIES
previous to the passage of the ordinance OF l7s7 S IN
enumeration OF these encroachments OF the NORM, we
have been reminded of the exclusion OF slavery from the
northwestern territory. and the peopng of tina; territory
with population who would put an m'efuic' upon
slavery. u B..ptl s ~ -
the first man 70 propose the exclusion q slayery IRON
that ientoy' y The same individual, Mr. President,
whose sentiments this subject have had occasion 70
s G as Se ordnanse
adopted and was adopted by the unanimous yole oi ne
States. including the States OF the South Now, slr'
encroachment upon the rights Of the South, who is the
offender Why, sir Mr. Jefferson, the original protector,
and the representatives Of the South in that Congress
who sanctioned II BY their unanimous vote SIR, are we
Of the North 10 be reproached because slavery excluded
from that territory, when it turns out that the original
projectors and those who adopted it, the representa-
lives of savehoding constituency Louisiana came
into the Union and what was done with louisiana Sir,
this has been done We have in that territory three
slaveholdnS States Louisiana, Arkansas and Mis-
Sir, lei me advert to another fact AT the time OF the
Missouri compromise there probably not slave to
be found north OF 800 3 Well sir, the result was that
that compromise to exist So far this species OF prop
ery had found its way into the territories, far il was
recognised and protected by this compromise but sir BY
that same compromise i was excluded north Of 800 3V
Sir, was this an encroachment! Why, sir, it was a
compromise in It's terms and compromise in fact; and
will gentlemen assert that compromise assented to on
Of either paryi II compromise Of this description TO
be converted into an encroachment," confess know
not what meaning to attach to the expression The next
step, sir the introduction of Florida, where slavery
was permitted to exist Was that an encroachment
Texas followed It was permitted there, too. Oregon
followed and there it was excluded, with the concur.
renee OF southern members, with the appreciation OF a
southern Presidents and il excluded from convic
ton that, law law the institution never could find
its way into that Territory Sir. think no man will in
duge the slightest suspicion that slavery was either de-
sirable in Oregon, that if il permitted to find its
own way, it would ever find oothold there Sir, was
this an encroachment! Was this trampng on the rights
OF the South Sir don't understand the meaning OF
such terms.
Then came New Mexico and California. What is the
encroachment with respect 10 them They have seen ft
to abolish the institution and they come 10 US with pro-
hibon in their fundamental laws. Now, sir, IT we OF
the North let these people alone, and leave them where
their own legislation has has seen f to place them, we
hardly be taxed with encroachng on the rights OF the
South.
Sir, if the reverse prove rue if the power Of this
country exeed to conquer these Territories is to be
exerted again Tor the purpose of planting amongst them
an institution which they repudiae, that would be case
calling for the most plain and papabe application OF the
term encroachment Sir more egregious encroachmen
on the rights and liberties OF any people cannot well be
imagined than to attempt to impose upon them an nsu-
ton offensive TO tbeman institution which they have
in their fundamental law rejected
Sir, this is species OF encroachment that protest
against. have listened TO many homies about the in
rights and the inalenable rights Of men but have
just learned, for the first tme if understand Alright some
are independent OF us we own the land but we have no
right to control the people II it be SO. think we are
relieved from all responsibility on this subject 4 we
free people, and do not impose upon them institutions
which they have rejectedl might, perhaps say, had re-
jected with horror.
Well, sir, there is another complaint which deem it
my duty to notice. II is said that we have refused to aid
in the recapture Of ugiyes Sir is this violation OF
the constuonl believe il has been settled by the Su
preme Court that the free States under no obligation
at all TO aid BY their State legislation in carrying out this
provision of the constitution. Ii, them the constitution
does not require them to do it, how they be guilty Of
their aid II becomes therefore, matter oil courtesy
between the States. II the constitution requires it, and
Ho ws @ Il ae
it, how they be in fault for not discharging duty
which is not imposed upon theml l am aware, Mi.
only ha the 1 free @ States have refused their aid but that
they have enacted laws with view OF defeating this pro-
vision OF the constitution Sir if any laws exist in the
caated to defeat this provision, those laws clearly
unconstitutional. That is proposition which may be
termed iruism. Il is not my purpose TO defend any
such legislation. leave the authors OF such laws II
such laws exist, to their own vindcaton can assent
nothing intended to violate this instruments so long
we profess 10 adhere TO il and to be governed by IT,
Another cause of great complaint is the existence OF
these incendiary publications. WE'LL Mr.. President it is
the misfortune OF country that we have all little
taste for the "progress e ne ags; we are all Little
thousand visionary theories, based upon the assump
lion that God in his providence created all things wrong,
and that belongs 10 the progess OF the age in which
live to make all things right Thus, sir the institu
ton OF slavery is assaied-he constitution itself is
sailed Why, sir, have had two or three copies OF a
paper sent recently in which there is form OF petit
on 10 Congress abrogae the constitution The church,
too, is assailed. There is sect in my neghbor-
hood who are determined to pull down the pillars oil the
church They have got sick OF all religion, and, for
aught know, they will be prepared in the end TO dsown
their God. We have Sect too, who think all the insi
tuiions OF society wrongthe domestic institutions all
wrong. Man was made 10 live as the animals do, and
the very best disposition OF US all would be turn
sheepfold, as gather sheep at the North. Why,
sir, have little patience with this philosophy, ii you
can call philosophy, as any man in the Union-as little
taste for the teachings OF these philosophers who start
ing the principle that their Maker did not understand
his business, are working to create all things anew
Why. sir, these persons are not satisfied with correct
ing the institutions Of the South they determined to
correct the institutions of the North also. Things the
North offensive; the very organization Of society
offensive; the church OF God is offensive; and il these
gentlemen could succeed and have their way, should
have, the fullness OF time, the perfection OF the pro.
gress OF the age" But what to be done with these
personsi What can you do with them Sir il will not
do 10 pass sediton laws. That experiment has been
tried 1t is not likely TO be repeated What,
then, can you de with theml Why, sir, let them phos
ophze; let them shed the light OF their peculiar phoso
Judge OF II and dispose OF it. We cannot stop it, Mr..
President would be idle for 10 attempt TO suppress
all the nonsense we have at home; and il would be
equally idle to attempt to suppress great deal of the
sense that we find abroad Legislate to cure their
wreiched theones-egslate to give men brains enough
understand the folly OF it Why, sir 1t is not in the
power OF human Legislation TO cure this folly Nothing