The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-04-11

settled judgment and conscientious convictions of
the people are against slavery legislation within con-
situuonal limits must follow that judgment and
those convictions
And, so far as these complaints resnec, the former
action Of the National Government. they who make
them complain of themselves. For where has re-
sided the practical control Of this Government ?
Let few facts answer this question. At the close
Oh me current Presidential term the slave States
WIZ have held the Presidency fifty 1.-TWO years. the
Tree States only twelve years or the gentlemen
VINO nave hlled the Department of State, fourteen
nave been from the slave States and five only from
me Tree. Thirteen of the Judges of the Supreme
Court have been taken from the slave States from
the free States, twelve NoNorthern man has filled
the ONCE OF Chief Justice during this century; and
Notwithstanding the population Of the free States is
more than double the free population Of the slave
States, The latter have always been represented by
majority OF The Judges upon the Supreme Bench.
j vi the Speakers of the House of Representatives,
twelve have been from the slave States, and eight
only from the free States; thus giving TO the slave
States the control of the appointment of the COM
mlttees and consequently, of the business of the
House. Sir, II cannot be denied that the power OF
| this Government, in all its departments has been
for many years, practically aud substantially in the
hands OF Southern men, and has been used to adj
vance the Interests, real or supposed OF the slave
section of the country.
These are not my assertions merely. They are
the assertions Of our public history, confirmed by
the testimony of Southern gentlemen. beg leave
| October 30, 1874
Our past experience has shown that the weight OF th
South has been heavily felt in the political balance, and ha
almost always monopolized high federal office.
The Southern or saveholdng States have given SIX
OF ten Presidents 10 the Union the Northern nOnsaye
holding States have given but four and out of these Ou
the TWO last were chosen by large majority OF Southern
votes aud the last was native Virgniau flally devoted
j 10 the rights aud interests Of the land OF his BIRTH anC
| even the two first enlisted strong southern support.
Again, Of the six Southern Presidents five reelect
ed TO their high Offices and each occupied Tor eight years
and only will have occupied but four years giving il
al TO The slavehodng Interest the possession and contro
OF the Presidency for forty -four years cut Of hiy SIX while
Of the four non savehodng Presidents three occupied m
Presidency but four years each, and one only little month
giving IN all 10 the non ayeholdng interest the possession
ana control of the Presidency for only twelve years OUT oil
fifty six
$50 ofhe Chief Justices the Union the South has had
three and the North but two out OF the hve ncumDehts OIL
AT this moment October 30, lsiD the southern or
savehoding interest enjoys monopoly oil hgh ieuer1'
Office executive, judicial legislative, military, and naval
John Tyler Virgi a is President; and his Cabinet con
ssts OF John C. Calhoun, South CarJhlh secretary OF
State George NJ Bibb, Kenuckian. Secretary OF the
Treasury: John Mason a Virgnian, Secretary Of the
Navy; Charles Wickle. Kenucklan, Postmaster Gen.
era: John Nelson Marylander, Attorney General and
| William wilkins a Pennsylva the single exception on
the list Secretary ofWar Roger H. fancy Maryander,
is Chief Justice Of United States Willie Mangum
North Carolnan President of the Senate and John w.
Jones' Nrginan Speaker of the House OF Representa-
tiy.s and southern men stand AT the head of the mosi inn
portant committees Of both branches OF Congress Winfield
| Scott, Nirginan IS Major General Of our army and
James Barron Nrgnian senior oiheer of our navy and
10 crown all, Henry Clay, Kenuckan, " ny W.. ~a1
James X Polk Tennessean, the Democratic candidate
for The next Presidency securing to us the future as well
II this be the lion share OF political power words
have lost their meaning fths be not enough TO satisfy the
South, she must be Unsuitable indeed"
All this, Mr.. President, with unimportant modif-
cations, is as true of 1850 as it was of 1874 The
President and majority of his Cabinet are slave
holders; the Speaker of the House is a stakeholder
the committees of both Houses are constituted
that the slave interest may receive no damages and
the slave States have now, ever, a majority of the
Judges of the Supreme Court. The Executives
Legislative and Judicial Departments are in the
hands of the slave power. What more can they
desire?
Having referred, Mr. President, TO the Supreme
Court, desire to say something further in this place
OF the regard paid to the security of slavery in the
organization Of that tribunal No one Joins more
cordially than | in respectful Acknowledgements of
the probity learning and ability of the distinguished
men who occupy its seats. But, eminent and up
right as they are they are not more than other
exempt from the bias Of education, sympathy and
interest 1t was but the other day that the hOnora-
BILE Senator from Mississippi, Mr.. DAVIS speaking
of the adjustment of the Texan boundary of this
Government, said
In referring il the Senate, Texas referel il TO a body
in which al that time one half the members had interests
like those she desired TO maintain. In referring il the
President she referred to Southern man, whose educa
ton and association warranted reliance both his nOr
NATION and his sympathies"
What more natural than that gentlemen from the
slave States, in view of the questions likely to come
before the Supreme Court, should desire that ma
JOrty OF its members might have interests like
those which they would desire TO maintain 2" Ger
tain il is that some has been taken TO secure
such constitution of the court, and not without
success. | have prepared a table showing at one
view the circuits, the States composing them, and
the aggregate free population in each, (which will
now submit
n CIT AIpR