Washington telegraph., 1850-04-03

that if there were any of the Northern
democracy, who now desired to put a
Wllmot prOviso into an acI, giving gov
ernment to California, he supposed the
same men would feel it necessary to assert
the same principle. for the purpose OF
saving the snow clad hills of Canada from
the foot Of The slave. in case she should
be annexed. Laughter. The provision
would be Just as necessary and proper in
one case as in the other.
In the next pace Mr.. Webster pro.
ceeded to consider the complaint made
by each section Of the Union against the
other beginning with the complaints of
the South, and passing over that in rela-
ton to the manner Of collecting and dis
bursting he revenue. He alluded to the
difficulty arising from the failure of the
North tt give proper aid to the capture
and delivering up OF fugitive slaves. In
this he thought the North was in the
wrong, and the South right. 1t was
cause of complaint upon the part of the
South, and one which the North ought
to remdve. This duty was imposed by
the constitution, and it was not consistent
with nprallty for northern men and legis-
laturesto attempt to evade this provision
Congrtss ought to pass some law remov-
ing the evil; for one. he designed support
ing ths bill. Measures were Low pend.
ing III the Senate having that object in
view.
In connection with this point he made
some emarks upon the proprlety of legis-
latlve Instructions, objectiug to them, and
sayingn effect, that if instruction should
be SEN to him in relation to any matter
afectitg the interests of the country, he
shouldpay no more regard to them than
he would if appointed an arbi;er to de-
eide some matter in dispute between in
dlviduas to the instructions of him who
appointed him.
Considering, in the next place, the agita-
ton in he North, complained of in the
South, ne said he had no doubt that dur
ing the last twelve years, money enough
had been subscribed III the North for
abolition presses, societies and lectures,
to purchase the freedom of every slave in
the land; but, unfortunately, he believed,
the sympathies of these societies had
never been extended in that direction
He valued highly the freedom of the press.
yet 1t was unfortunately true that the
press was frequently prostrated to evil.
Articles were frequently found in the
papers having mischievous, irritating
tendency, as there were such expressions
in many speeches made in the House of
Congress Indeed, he must say, that The
vernacular of the country had been greatly
vitiated and depraved by the character of
the speeches in Congress. Laughter.l
After administering rebuke TO persons
for having compared the absolute igno-
rance of slavery with the independent,
educated, free labor of the North, he
eloquenuy considered the question of dis
solution OF the Union, scouting the idea
of peaceful secession. Could any man,
he asked. be so foolish as to expect
miracle! Could any one dream of the
breaking up of this great country without
convulsioEs! How could the upheaviug
of the waters of the mighty deep take
place without disturbing the surface?
But what was to be the result of dsunion?
Where and how was the line to be drawn!
What was TO become OF the States.
What TO become of him! Where was
the flag to remain-Where the Gag e to
soar! or was ii to shrink aud fall to the
ground! The spirits of our ancestors,
our very children and grandchildren
would cry "shamc," if we allowed these
ensigns of our national glory TO trail III
the dust. For one, he would rather hear
of national blast and mildew, OF war;
peslience and famine than to hear men
talk of secession.
81. tt,,r ',,t,-
vention. He was bound to believe gen
slemen designed such an assembly for the
purpose of considering matters for the
safety, perpetuity and prosperity of the
republic. If they had any design of COLI
sidering any projects of secession. he
would only say. that they had been in
appropriate in their choice of place OF
meeting, when they selected Nashville.
1t was said once, tina. if KING William
"could nave heard of the conclusion of
the peace of Amiens, he would have turn
ed in his coffin" The same expression
mighs well be applied to the proposition
OF secession talked of over the bones OF
Andrew Jackson.
The following are MIR. Webster's con-
cluding remarks:
Sir | wish to make two remarks, ard
1 hasten 10 conclusion. / wish to say,
in regard to Texas, that if it should be
hereafter at any time the pleasure of the
Government Of Texas to cede to the u.
States portion, larger or smaller. OF her
territory which lies adjacent to New
Mexico and north OF the "a deg of north
latitude, for fair equivalent in money,
or in the payment of her debt, think 1t
an object we'll worthy the consideration
of Congress. and shall be happy to con-
cur in it myself, if should be i'll the public