The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-03-19

chosen, who can come hither bringing with
them the authentic constitution OF the State
of California; and they now present them
selves. asking, IN behalf of their Stlte. that
the State may be admitted into this Union as
one of the United States This constitution.
sir, contains an express prohibition against
slavery or involuntary servitude IN the State
of California. 1t is said. and suppose truly.
that of the members who composed that Con-
vention some sixteen were natives and had
been residents of the slaveholdnr States
about twenty-five were from the non-sIave-
holding States. and the remaining ten mem
bers were either native Caifernlans or old
settlers in that country. This prohibiton
against slavery, it is alleged
| Mr.. HALE. Will the Senator give way
until order is restored?
| The VICE PRESIDENT. The Sergeant at
Arms will see that order is restored. and no
more persons admitted 10 the floor
Mr.. CAss. trust the scene of the other
day will not be repeated. The Sergeant-at-
Arms must display more energy in suppress
ing thus disorder
Mr. HALE. The noise is outside of the
door.
Mr. WEBSTER. And tits this circumstance
sir, the prohibition Of slavery by that conven-
ton, which has contributed 10 raise do not
say it has wholly raised-the dispute us to
the proprety of the admission of California
into the Union under this constitution. 1t is
not TO be denied, MIR. PARLIAMENTARY
thinks OF denying-that, whatever reasons
were assigned at the commencement of the
late war with Mexico. it WAS prosecuted for
the purpose Of the acquisition of territory. and
under the alleged argument that the cesslon
Of territory was the only form H. which pro,
per compensation could be made to the Uni
Ted States by Mexico for the various claims
and demands which the people Of this Gov
ernment had against her. At any rate. If
will BE- found that President Folks message
at the commencement of the session OF De-
cember. 1S47. avowed that the war was to he
prosecuted until some acquisition of territory
was made And, as the acquisition was 10
be south of the line of the United States in
warm climates and countries, 1t was naturally
j | suppose, expected by the South that what
ever acquisitions were made in that region
would he added TO the slaveholdng potion of
the United States. Events have turned out
us was not expected. and that expectation
has not been realized; and therefore some
degree of disappointment and surprise has
resulted, OF course In other words. it is OBJ
viou$ that the question which has so long
harrassed the country. and at some Times very
seriously alarmed the minds OF wise and good
men, has come upon us fora fresh discussion
the question Of slavery in these United
States
Now, sir, ! propose-perhaps at the ex-
pense Of detail and consequent detention of
the Senale-to review historically this ques-
ton of slavery, which, partly in consequence
Oft own merits. and partly. perhaps mostly.
in the manner it is discussed in one and the
other portion Of The country, has been Il source
OF so much al euatiou aud nnkind feeling be-
tweeI the different portions of the Union
We all know sir. that slavery has existed in
the world from lime immemorial There Was
slavery. in the earliest periods of history, in
the Oriental nations. There was slavery
among the Jews; the theocratic government
OF that people made no Injunction against it.
There was slavery among the Greeks and
the ingenious philosophy of the Greeks found
or sought to find. ii Justification for il exactly
upon the grounds which have been assumed
tor such justification in this coIntry; thai is
IL natural and original diff renee among the
races OF mankind the inlcriority of the III ck
or Coored race TO the white. The GrccFs
justified their system OF slavery upon that
ground precisely. They held The African
and in some parts the Asiatc, tribes to be in
frrior TO the white race; but they did not show
| | think by any close process of logic, that, if
/
s;rOn ger had therefore Il right to suhugate
the weaker The more manly philosophy
and jurisprudence of the Romans placed the
justification Of slavery on entirely different
grounds.
| The Roman jurists. from the first and down
TO the fall of the empire, admitted that slave
ry was against the natural law, by which
they maintained that all men, of whatsoever
cline. color. or capacity, were equal; but they
justified slavery, first upon the ground and
authority oil the law of nations-arguing and
arguing truly, that at that day the conven-
tional law ofnaions admitted that captves in
war, whose lives, according to the notions Of
the times, were mt the absolute disposal OF the
captors might, in exchlnye for exemption
/ from death be made slaves for life, and that
such servitude might descend to their poster
iiy. The iurisis of Rome also maintained
that by the civil law there might heservtude
! slavery personal and herrdirary-first by
the voluntary act of III individual who might
sell himself into slavery second. by his being
received into a state of slavery by his creditors
in satisfaction Of il debt; and. thirdly, by being
| placed in ii state of servitude or slavery for
crime. Al the Introduction of Christianity
! into the world, the Roman world was full of
slaves, and suppose there is to be found no
! injunction against that relation between man
and man in the teachings by the Gospel of
Jesus Christ, or by any Of his Apostles. The
object Of the instruction impaired TO mankind
/ by the founder of Christianity was t. touch
the heart. purify the soul, and improve the
/ lives of individual men. That object went
directly to the first fountains Of all political and
all social relations OF the humanrdce- in
! ,lividual heart nd mind ofman.
Now, sir pom the genial nature and char
acter and influence of slavery. there exists il