Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-05-25

very has been abolished within the limits Of Mexico by the
constitutional power OF Mexico So far that goes there
fore, there cannot be the shadow Of doubt in the mind o
any one that the Mexican law prevails slavery already
abolished and utterly eradcated.
Mr. CLAY understood the Senator TO be assailing the
opinion which entertained and expressed.
Mr.. SOULE. certainly did not.
Mr.. CLAY. Be that it may, the honorable Senator
contends that which equivalent the non-aboon
slavery by the Mexican awthat the right TO carry slaves
into the ceded Territories restored by virtue of the coRs
tuition of the United States.
Mr.. SOULE. That is it.
Mr.. CLAY That then, is what the Senator contended for
Very WELL then IT. by the Constitution OF the United States
there is right the part every STAKEHOLDER in this country
to carry the ceded Territories (Which certainly
do believe admi) what does the Senator want
He talks about the statu quo. The sfau quo precisely
what should suppose him to want But, superadded to that
that be with him. is the Constitution Of the United States
And yet he satisfied Does he wish the constitution
be reenacted Can the paramount authority be strengthen
ed by act Of subordinate power Would he recommend
the introduction of the WiImot proviso into the BILL or egs
laive enactment admit slaves because the plan of the
mlee silent upon subject The Senator salts
fled with this compromise. Will he tell us now in SO many
words what he would put into act Of Congress satisfy
himself on The subject Of slavery should be extremely hap
py TO hear it.
Mr.. sOULE. am ready to answer the honorable gentle
at will be satisfied with this section of the bill
if the amendment proposed by the Senator from Mississippi
prevail That is all want. am willing 10 abide by that
secon provided the amendment proposed by the Senator
be adopted will also be satisfied with other portions Of the
bill, if reasonable amendments shall be made.
Mr.. CLAY. am happy to find that there is pos
siblity that the Senator may yet vote with Perhaps
should have been less if had despaed Of OBJ
tanning bis really thought that, from the Of
his argument and from the in which he treated every
proposition contained in the report, he gone that
he hopeless that nothing could reconcile him any
scheme that the committee could propose regret, however,
perceive that the Senator announcing what would sas
y him, restricts himself this section But. now, should like
know what other law the Senator upon the subject Of
slavery than the paramount law of the Constitution Of the
United States
Mr.. sOULE. Protection.
Mr.. CLAY. The paramount law Of the constitution af-
fosds that protection. " ..
Mr.. SOULE. think it does not afford tha protection
MIR. CLAY. Will the Senator be satisfied with striking
out the clause }
Mr.. SOULE. will be satisfied with the cause provided
i be modified proposed By my friend from Mississippi
Mr. CLAY. But that amendment the Ssnatox knows
cannot to, because it fact e existence of
which deny assumes the fact that slaves there.
maintain that there are none there except re and there
body servant that has been carried there BY those who are
sojourning or travelling through the country.
If the Senator will be satisfied with striking the clause
will vote to strike il out because voted gainst putting
n Or would consent to its being modified declare
hat the Territorial Legislature shall neither admit nor exclude
avery, which will leave open to police regulations If
he Senator will be satisfied with that, content. But, if
he Senator desires by any indirect eans by any clause
which goes beyond its proessed Object by any implication
which can result from that clause either that slavery
xsts now in that country, or that it is lawful to carry it
here under the constitution of the United States for one
annot agree to IT, If the Senator will agree the modica-
ion of the clause to declare that the Territorial Legis-
ature shall pass laws either to admit or exclude slavery
Mr.. WEBSTER. Respecting the establishment excIu-
ion Of slavery.
Mr.. CLAY. Certainly. If the Senator will agree to
Modify the clause declare that the Territorial Leeis-
ature shall pass laws respecting the establishment ex
luslon Of slavery, will go for it with pleasure.
MrrS Txr,,L ~
SENATOR but if understood his argument to imply
hat the amendment proposed by the honorable Senator
Mississippi the existence of slavery there. cannot
oncur with him in that. The amendment assumes that
laves may be there, but it certainly will carry them there
they be not already there And any right exists under the
tate of things which that assers conceive what
erou tons be entertained the part the honor
BILE Senator to the amendment proposed by the Senator
ssssppi It only projects whatever rights may exist there
does not give any right 1t only seeks protect such
lights under the constitution of the United Saes may
hereafter exist For these shall for the
beg the pardon Of the honorable Senator for
ntenupting him.
Mr.. CLAY WE'LL sir, if the honorable Senator will be
aished with such amendment have suggt sed and
which understood the other day satisfactory most
Gentlemen that side of the house-an amendment decla-
that the Legislatures of the Territories shall neither
lish exclude savery-I am content. Then il will leave
pen all these questions Of right be settled under the con-
uon of the United States and all those matters police
which stated to be desirable But cannot agree to an
mendment which, in point OF fact, that slavery has
existence there at this time, and in point of law
hat under the constitution of the United Sa.es there
light to carry slaves there. cannot for either po o
repeat that am ready to vote to strike out the clause
retain the clause, or to modify the clause the way that
esuggesed which will accomplish all the objects sought
on the other side of the house. if understand them
Now, Mr.. President, going, at this time Of the
esson and at this stage Of the progress of this measure
iscuss the question Of the validity of the laws of Mexico
he question whether the opinions expressed by and by
theirs, or the opposite be right only be decided by
Supreme Court Of the United States upon proper case
rough before that tribunal We 60 far as can to set
all these questions We establish there and
ourts there, from which courts appeals may be taken
ordng to the express provisions of the BILL the Supreme
court Of the United States. question whether not
Mexican law prevails in these Territories whether the
onsttuon admits slaves TO be taken there only be de-
ided by that tribunal.
Mr. President, will not say any thing with respect
the able Ingenious and eloquent argument of the Senator
louisiana but will proceed the other subjects wcn
propose to discuss not of those who either at
ne commencement OF the session any time during its
ogess have believed that there any present actual dan
er to The existence of The Union. But of those
Who believe that if this agitation is continued for
ears longer no man can foresee the dreadful consequences
dissolution OF the Unon the greatest Of all caames in
ny opinion which befa this country may not in form
axe place but next to that dissolution of ose aterna
md kindred ties that bind together one ee christian
md commercial people, Ia my opinion the body polite can
ot be preserved unless this agitation this distraction this
which going between the two sections of
he country, shall cease Unless il do cease am afraid
hat this Unon for all the high and noble purposes for which
Dur fathers formed il, will not be preserved
M resinen VIII go 80 Tar IS TO venture 10 cypress this
'pnon that unless this compromise nothe exact
words of the bifor the committee am sure win agree 10
any amendments o. notifications which will better the mea
suebut unless some measure Of this kind pas hazard the