The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-07-18

federacy, and Of all the places in this Republic,
this high place should be the last, in which they
should be expressed. The Consultation is in NO
danger. 1t has survived many a shock, and it
will survive many more. IL is yet fresh in its
strength. No infrmity has come to tell US that
its dissolution Is near IL is no longer expert
ment, but experience-no longer q promise, but
performance II has fulfilled all, and more than all
its most sanguine advocates dared predict. II is
at this moment stronger in the affections Of the
American people, than at any other period Of its
existence Like the cliff of eternal granite which
overlooks the ocean, and drives back the ceaseess
waves that assail its base viii the Constitution
resist the assaults that may be made upon it.
come how or when or whence they may.
These were the eloquent courageous words Of
statesman, which found a ready response in the
hearts Of the people They were uttered at
time when strong party organization was op-
posed to the prosecution Of the war. Now that
the war Is over, when nothing agitates the coun-
try but the simple question of organizing Gov
ernments for the acquired country, cannot the
| Constitution stand as rude shock2 Aud was
not the same distinguished Senator frightened
from his propriety and does he not tamey sur
render to the dictation Of an insolent minority,
when he writes for publication sentiments like
| the followine2
Whatever impressions may prevail elsew here,
|
seat Of Government who is not seriously disturbed
at the present state of things. Whether the dan
ger is greater less, nearer or more remote, are
know no lover of his country who does not view
the crisis an alarming one, and does not see, in
the signs Of the times the approach Of one Of
those political commissions which, If not ayerted
by wise and timely measures, may be fatal to US,
and to the cause Of freedom throughout the
world
1.-THE Union is in DANGER The first step TO-
wards safety is 10 believe that the danger exists
and when the Waterman asks, What of the
night p he who does not sound the alarm, is
neither true TO his own duty, nor to the interests
of those who have committed part of the for
tress of their liberty to his keepingn-Fs5ruary
10, 1850
Sir, in the days of Andrew Jackson this U MON
was really in danger Then a sovereign State
threatened to nullify the laws, and prepared to
carry that threat into execution. But the brave
old soldier, who had met the enemies of his coun-
try, and saved the beauty and booty Of New Or
leans nothing daunted issued his mandate: The
UHon-n must, and SHALL be preserUedW Those
memorable words produced a talsmanc effect ;
and the disturbers of the peace-the agitators
the nullifers, gvaiied before the fash of his
daunted eye and bis imperious will These same
agtators these same nullifers-threaten the
w
renderf Shall slsveholding minority always
control the destinies of this Republics Shall
that cursed institution be permitted 10 march on,
like g -esis,ess currents across the continent?
Do they not already possess much the larger and
better portion of the soil of these States? The
treasures of JreenpH were freely given to acquire
this new territory-wby should il not remain the
abode of freemenl The blood of freenlen was
freely poured out 10 enrich its soil-why should
| he wi he Of fha
Mr.. Chairman, the Union is in no danger
| The will of the majority must be obeyed; the free
| soil OF the country must be preserved as the in
heritance Of the free laborer and his children
If their Representatives are aithless to the trusts
confded to them, the people must rally in their
might, and assert their rights and their true dig
nifty. Calfornia-the free State of California
must be admitted and if all other leaders desert
us, the intrepid BENTON is here-the same who
grappled with, and triumphed over, the monster
United States Bank the same who so persever-
| ingly guarded the fame of Andrew Jackson, and
carried the "expuBgingn resolutions the same
who labored SO zealously to give the people a
sound specie currency, by the passage of the gold
BILL the same who has always fearlessly de-
nounced notification, whenever it has shown its
demon head, as he does now, in the following ex-
| tract:
The time has gone by for HOLIDAY professions
in favor of the Union-the time has come for
works. The condition of the country requires
new tests for the Democratic party. Reputation
Of the Nashville Convention-repudiatio of null
| LITIGATION and disunion, as remedies for political
| evils-submission TO the laws of the land until
repealed by the people or invalidated by the Jul
dietary. These are the tests which the times re-
quire, and no communion with any one who will
not adopt them and work up to them
Mr.. Chairman, brighter day win soon dawn
upon US. This deep-seated hostility, this des-
/ perate opposition to the admission Of the free
State Of California, is one Of the dying throes Of
the slave power 1t has controlled the destiny of
this country. 1t has dispensed its patronage 1t
has grasped the Executive Judicial, and Diplo-
matte functions of this Government Our North
ern politicians have bowed down before its shrine
and worshipped; and it has moulded them like
clay in the hands of the potter But its dream
of great slave mart on the shores of the Pacific
will never be realized-henceforth it is shorn of
its power. The fiat Of the people has gone forth
No new slave territory, no new slave States y
is the popular cry and he fingers far behind the
progressive spirit of the age who doubts its literal
fulflment. Henceforth, as in California, new
countries are to be seized and controlled by free
labor, and its dignity will be asserted. Let us
hope that slavery the only stigma upon our great
Republic, the living libel upon the Declaration of
Independence, will gradually disappear, and that
the day will soon come when the buying and SELL
ing of human beings will be known only like re-
ligious intolerance, or the burning of witches or
the African slave trade-among the things which
an enlightened age condemns.
Mr.. Chairman, have spoken frankly and
earnestly the promptings Of my judgment and my
heart. If upon this momentous question, it is
my fortune to differ with Others have no dispo-
sition to question the purity of their motives or
the sincerity Of their patriotism. Coming, as
do, from the laboring classes, should have failed
to discharge my whole duty if had not spoken
and acted, when thought their interests in
jeopardy. As the Representative of free white
laboring men, mean to defend their rights |
have no desire for political preferment | have
no ambition for fame. shall be content if
leave no stain upon my memory and if hereafter
my descendants should, perchance refer to the
records Of these proceedings, trust il will inspire
them with an honest pride, to be able to say, lie
opposed the extension Of Stapayn