Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-04
THE SLAVERY QUESTION.

THE SLAVERY QUESTION.
| MR. CLAWS PROPOSITION TO COMPRO-
MISE
In Srnate, Thursday January 20, 1850
DEBATE CONCLUDED
| Mr.. RusK dislike to be drawn again into the dis
cussion and it is only for the purpose OF making sin
gle statement that now rise, and think am justified
in making few remarks, inasnuch as it has unfortu-
nately happened that whenever this subject Texan
boundary has been discussed heretofore it has been
upon some abstract question: and very frequently
der TO manufacture public opinion for party purposes.
! Mr. CLAY. Does the honorable Senator impute TO
me any such motive?
| Mr.. RusK No, sir. But | mean to say this: the
resolutions OF the Senator will go forth the world
companied by the declarations OF the distinguished Sc
nator twice repeated here adverse to the claim Of
Texas Can he be ignorant that there thousands upon
thousands these United States who will not ask Tor
proof when they have his opinion? Will all this have
no effect? Would it not more or less influence the pub
lie mind lido charge the Senator with intending
any thing improper; but is he not that such will
be the effect of And have not received sort of
rebuke from the Senator Tor simply stating in this
nection what conceived to be the rights of my State?
MIR. CLAY. Not at all rather applauded the Sc
nator
Mr. RUsK. Sir, have not ha6 here discussion
in which the and arguments of the Senator
on side only have been made and will go out to
the community And, whatever may have been in
tended, submit, will it have effect on public opnion
do not deem 1t proper, now, to 90 into an argument
in answer to the Senator'S position; but has the Sena
tor investigated this subject! Does he not know that
appended to the treaty with Mexico, Of which he
speaks, signed and sealed by the Commissioners who
negotiated it, and expressly made part of the treaty.
there is map which defines all the territory Last OF the
Rio Grande and to the AZ deg Of north latitude, as
Texas, and that the territory of that river as ex
plicitly designated as New Mexico? The boundary
thus defined IS made part oil the treaty ITSELF and
lar Interpretation can permit any body to assume dit
terent Can this fact be argued out OF the treaty
ct as the resolutions OF the Senator would indicate,
| such must be the case.
| desire nothing, sir but fair investigation of this
presenting stubborn facts, if [ do not show that the
United States Congress has much right to interfere
with the jurisdiction and limits OF Kentucky as has
interfere with those of Texas Texas has agreed to the
exercise OF no such power the part of Congress- and
carried out 1t will be an assumption OF power by the
Government by which it can annhilate the State OF
/ Texas any other State in this Union.
The object have in view present is merely to pre-
vent the propositions contained in the resolutions sup
ported they have been by speeches from the dis
t1nguished Senator from kentucky, with the immense
influence which any thing that emanates from him
rles with it, from going out as settled and established
facts. becomes my duty, therefore, this occasion,
to assert the rights OF Texas and to say that when the
proper time arrives intend to maintain those rights.
And will say another thing sir, for feel myself bound
| to do it; and that is, that if there fewer
abstract resolutions brought in here provoke de-
bate, Il there were fewer questions made for purpo-
| SEES OF display ii Senators were willing to
come up to the point of action, to introduce bill
which would BRING up this question Distinctly for the re-
sponslble action OF the Congress OF the United States,
and debate 1t, we should be likely accomplish
some good purpose.
But so long as every one comes forward with sepa-
rate and distinct proposition, the form OF abstract
solutions, though actuated by patriotic motives doubt
we SHALL In my opinion, arrive at just result From
the course that we are at present pursuing, have
expectation that we shall arrive any satisfactory con.
cluslon-although trust in God we may-and so long
such resolutions discussed instead OF taking up
the subject in tangible form, shall accomplish
nothing. Pass the resolutions your table by
unanimous vote, and there abiding force and eff
feet In them. The next day you may pass bill upon
the same subject OF an entirely different character.
| MIR. CLAY. propose that these resolutions be made
the order OF the day for Tuesday next
| MIR. Downs. | do not intend, Mr. President, to dis
cuss this subject at length; but desire simply make
few remarks with reference the puport of these re-
solutions, before the Senate shall pass from their con-
sideration. No could have heard with greater
pleasure than myself the announcement which has been
made heretofore by of the daily PRESS in anticipa
on and which has since been realized that the dstn-
guisted Senator from Kentucky preparing com
promise bill upon this agtating question OF slavery.
desired particularly that he should take up this subject
because OF his long services to the country in the
TONS councils and because of his residing in slave
State, and being fully acquainted with the character
and operations OF the institution OF slavery but above
all because OF the decided part which he had taken
some years ago upon another important occasion similar
to this, which, OF course would the country to
look upon his movements upon this question with great
attention and interest. His great fame and eloquence
his high position and influence in the public mind natu-
rally induces the belief that what he suggests upon the
subject will have great weight and that any prospective
plan oil compromise would very appropriately come
from him. But, sir, have been greatly mistaken. I
must confess that, in the whole of my life, my
establishment has been greater than it was when
saw this proposition brought forward compromise;
and rise sir, not Tor the purpose OF discussing
all but to protest mostsolemny aganstt Iconsder this
compromise as no compromise at all. What, sir does
q It grant to the South! can nothing at all The
first resolution offered by the honorable Senator pro-
poses to admit the State OF California with provision
relative slavery which embraces all our possessions
on the Pacific. 1t is true there may be new regua-
ton OF the boundary hereafter but if there were to be
such regulation, why was not embraced in this re
luton! AS no boundary is mentioned, we have right
to presume that the boundary established by the const
tuition OF California was to be received as the estab-
lished boundary What concession then is it from the
North that we admit State embracing the whole of
possessions on the Pacific coast according to these
resolutions! II they had simply contained the provi-
sion that constitutional government shall be established
there, without any mention of slavery whatever it would
have been well enough But inasmuch as it affirmed
that slavery does not exist in these Territories does
not absolutely preclude its admission there; and the re-
solutions therefore might Just we'll affirm that slavery
should be prohibited in those Territories The Senator
from Alabama if understand him Alright maintains
that the proposition is Of the import as the Will
mot Provso and in view OF these facts, would ask is
, there any thing conceded to US OF the South!
1t may be contended, with reference the resolution
relating to the District OF Columbia, that it comedies
great deal, in declaring that it is nexpedient for Con-
gress to interfere with slavery the District without the
consent OF Maryland and OF its citizens | moht
attach some weight to this statement were it not thai
long ago, when there was much greater excitement
upon this subject, similar resolution passed by the
Senate. And what did it amount to? Did it calm the
agitation at ALL or answer the ends OF those who were
raising this excitement amongst us? Has it STAYED the
hand OF the North that was raised against us! Can the
gentleman suppose that we of the South are 50 tame
that will accept boon that which gives nothing
to the South whatever! What will be the effect of these
resolutions and OF the compromise proposed allowing
this to be COMPROMISED In the first place then it viii
admit another free State into the Union that certainly
is not very great concession. In the next place if Is
to be decided by the high authorities OF the Senate o
the United States that slavery is not tolerated bv law
| in New Mexico and California. And yet am told that
there already four five hundred slaves there
and is ndsputable fact that large portion of the
population poems, which is only another name for
slavery and slavery, too, much degrading than
that Of the Africans in the United States What con-