Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-09-21


and who may offer il for SALE
But, Mr. President what is the occasion for any legislation
upon this subject at this time The Senator from Kentucky
tells US that the institution Of slavery in the District Of Co
umba Is crumbng away under the operation of time
and events Well then, leave the destruction Of 10 time
and expeenceand time and experience have their lessons
of wisdom, which admonish interfere with settled
interests which, if left to time and experience, may cease to
exist To interfere with this institution may be the Of
trouble and discod in the action Of this body and Of the other
branch of Congress and will seriously affect the interests
Of those who live in the South for you cannot limit the ope
ration Of your action to this District.
It Is said that Congress has plenay, exclusive unlimited
power OF legislation over this District do intend to 60
into discussion Of that question. So far from il, shall
make but single remark. What may be the constitutional
power In the shall not undertake to discuss
have my opinion upon that subject But sir said that
has right to burn down his house. suppose
he has perfect right to do SO but if his house is
the house Of another that will communicate the flames
to the dwelling of his neghbo what becomes Of his abstract
right! He may talk Of his abstract right much ne
peases but be take notice of his relations to others
before be exercises it, Yet that is the power which gentle
men cam-,his aper juris Of the constuton-when, if
they undertake to exercise in any way they must inevitably
destroy the rights Of other people To suppose that will
not bo resisted under such suppose that
man will suffer his dwelling to be burnt down because
another claims the abstract right destroy his
You might well tell me, that fire put in the centre Of dry
prairie, would not extend by its own laws until it consumed
every particle grass which the flames could feed that
safety the interests Of the savehodng communities around
you. The powe-yes, sir, the constitutional power, to
abolish slavery here is evoked continually And for what
purpose Some gentlemen say, that though there Is con-
stulonal power, would be ne1pedent and improper to
exercise it at this time This discloses the fact that there
those in this House who have objection other than
the of expedency. understood the Senator from
New Jersey, Mr DArTos, and the Senator from Massa-
chuses (Mr WIsrHRoP, and the Senator from Connec-
cut (M BALDwIs,) openly to take the ground that,
far as regards the power there difficulty and with
regard to the time Of exercising it. that that matter Of
legislative discretion depending upon the suggestions Of
pediency Now, when am told this, should be Blind
wuly blind if did that this bill, if passed. is but
the entering wedge and that others will be introduced
perhaps not altogether upon the principles Of those who
the advocates of this BILL but this bill will offer pretex for
others, and men will be found to advocate them.
Mr. President this discussion has reached further than this
Senate chamber The public mind is in sensitive state at
this tme and venture to say that far it regards the
hundred people in this District called saves-I say called
slaves for they hardly much the free persons Of
color called eemenyou may compare them with six hum
dred of those persons of color called eemen taken ndscm
naely from any part Of the District and you will find them
better clothed better fed conened and happy, and in
natural condition for the black The free per-
of color here in critical situation they cannot get
Bread and they hardly known community, except
the subjects Of the tribunals Of justice. The Senator from
New York. in the scope Of bis philanthropy, willing to set
them all free by Of money, but not to give them Bread
and they would not have bread Why sir the negroes
States have been driven from the States in which they thought
they had right to take refuge at the point Of the bayone
And, sir, it will be in this District Why, since have
been the Judiciary Committee have had occasion con-
with Of the most intelligent portion Of the popula
ton and of those who inclined to favor the
Iteration Of the black but they say that has
crisis that they have decide whether the white children
shall remain here the black That alternative that
will be forced upon them, and the policy will yet be pursued
here that has been pursued in other Saesthe policy
cudng them altogether. And what can you do with them
Will you send them back to Africa Why, they would be
condition there than they would be- slaves here
Can you colonize them any part of the public lands
suppose that has been suggested What you do with
them II does like sporting with the feelings of
free people questions which do practical good
Pass this bill, and, you could limit it TO this District
it would be mschievous in its operation. But for myself
will say openly, that whilst believe the interests Of the
black better subserved condition of bondage than
other, yet from hereditary feelings on this subject have
always had great aversion to the traffic in exposure Of
slaves merchandise Still is necessary incident Of the
institution ITSELF and you cannot interfere with without the
certainty Of doing mischief fear the operation of this bill
yet it will pass in form another. If the bill proposed
by the Senator from New York should pass you will
the people, and make them think and perhaps decide upon
their in defence of their constitutional rights II you
pass the other BILL will be but another Of the descend
ing screw, and people will acquiesce long does
produce actual pressure to crush the thing upon which
il bears.
Perhaps were disposed to favor agitation and to keep
up the angry feelings which have been excited should have
in silence and let this bill be passed. any other bill
this subject but sir my duty to the constitution and to my
self have thus far prompted me express sentiments and
having acquitted myself of that duty, have done.
Mr. FOOTE. rise to apologize to the Senate and to the
country for having participated at all in this debate. cer
anly do feel humiated-yes sir profoundly mortified, that
uttered single word in the discussion Of this question
But sir, can explain very readily how came to doso The
Senate will recolec that absent from the body when
this amendment brought forward and acting upon inac
curae information in reference to the source whence this pro-
position originated rose up supposng myself bound to
spond to remarks that being made at the time that
entered the Senate by gentleman who supposed the
author Of this proposition. If had known, sir that this
amendment had originated with the Senator from New York
Mr SKwARD) should not have noticed at all. could
have noticed it. without entire loss of respect
The PRESIDENT. The Chair will really have to call the
Senator to order.
Mr.. FOOTE. mean nothing personal. But, with my
knowledge of the history of the times, could have done
regret most sincerely that participated all in this
debate which has walked up great excitement here, and is
likely produce excitement elsewhere that be other
wise than mschievous-at least in one respect by adding
extent to the diminished consequence Of certain nd
vdua am for letting the evils Of the times terminate
possible and amongst these evils the public
quence of certain gentleman whom permitted
refer wish him TO sink at once to his true level and
predict that he will do so if notice him entirely
when he undertakes to debate the subject Of slavery.
The PRESIDENT. The Senator is again out of order.
Mr. FOOTE. Well, sir, then will conclude by express
ing an earnest hope that those Of who opposed
further agitation OF this question: those Of who desous
hereafter OF having more quiet concord and being al
lowed to respect the rules of parliamentary de-
corum will refrain from saying word in reference any
thing that may emanate from the honorable Senator from the
Empire State" [Laughler.l @
Nh. DICKINSON. shall vote against this amendment,
haya