The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-15

(Mr. CALAoUN,) save them from the evils Of slave
ry, The cause lies deeper Virginia has good
soil, genial Climate, capaclous harbors, and noble
rivers; but, 80 long as slavery exists there, she
can never expect TO compete successfully WIN
the free labor and enterprise OF the free States.
This is apparent to all who have watched her pro-
gress for the last fifty years, as compared WIN
Ohio, New York, and other free States. The inmi'
grafton from Europe is not TO Virginia, or South
Carolina, or indeed 10 any OF the siavehoiding
States, any thing like the proportion that 1t Is to
the free states, and il never will be, SO long as
slavery is cherished there as blessing both 10 the
master and the slave" Virginia statesmen have
often felt and depored the existence OF slavery with
in their limits. In the year 1882 there was very
interesting debate in their legislature in relation 10
certain propositions for the abolition of slavery in
that State. This debate has often been referred to
in this House, but trust ] shall be pardoned for
making few extracts from some OF the speeches
made on that occasion.
Gen. w. II. Brodnax, of Dinwddie, said
That slavery in Virginia is an evil, and
transcendent evil, it would be idle, and than
idle, for any human being TO doubt or deny. II is
a mildew, which has blighted in its course every
region it has touched from the creation of the
world illustrations from the history Of other
countries and other times might be instructive and
profitable, had we time to review them; but we
have evidences tending to the same conviction near
at hand, and accessible to daily observation in
the short history of the different States of this great
confederacy, which are impressive in their admo-
nitions, and conclusive in their character" sc.
The Hon. c. J. Falkner remarked:
!" Slavery, it is admitted, is evil il is an in
sttution which presses heavily against the best in
terests of the State. 1t banishes free white labor
ii exterminates the mechanic, the artisan the man
.ufacturer; il deprives them Of occupation it de-
prives them Of bread; II converts the energy of a
community into incidence, its power into imbeci-
ity, its efficiency into weakness. Sir, being thus
injurious, have we not right TO demand its exter-
mination? Shall society suffer- that the STAKEHOLDER
may continue to gather his crop Of human flesh ?
What Is his mere pecuniary claim, compared with
the great interests of the common veal ? Must the
country languish, droop, die that the STAKEHOLDER
may flourish! Shall all interests be subservient to
one-all rights subordinate TO those of the slave
holder? Has not the mechanic, have not the mid
die classes their rights-rights incompatible with
the existence Of slavery."
The Mexican war was prosecuted for the avowed
purpose of extending slavery. This avowcd
during the war by the southern press, and by
members OF Congress, soon after the Wilmot pro-
viso was offered In the House, now introduce
few extracts to prove this assertion The Charles
ton Patriot used this language: eve trust that
southern representatives will remember that
this is southern ipar'' And the Charleston Courier
said: every battle fought in Mexico, and every
dollar spent there, but insures the acquisition of ter
ritory which must Uiden the field Of southern enter
prise and potrer for the future and the final result
will be. to adjust the whole balance of po,oer in the
Confederacy to give us the control over the OPP
erations of the Government in all time to come"
The honorable gentleman from Virginia, (Mr
SELDOM denounced the proviso when first intro
duced by MIR. Wilmot, and said, "the South never
would, never could prosecute conglests which were
to be made the instruments Of direct attack upon
her institutions. She never would acquiesce IN the
acquisition of territory from which her sons, tcih
their property, were to be wholly excluded"
Similar sentiments were declared by the honor
able Senator from Alabama, MIR. BAdBY,) and by
ono of her representatives, Mr.. DARGAN,) and by
Mr.. LEAKE, of Virginia, and many other gentle
men who spoke on the subject.
When the late administration we're establishing
temporary ciuii governments in California and New
leo, by which slavery was excluded from those ac-
QUESTIONS, they undoubtedly got much more than
they bargained for, more than they wanted, and
more than they intended. They intended to plant
slavery there, but by their eagerness to be in
possession, with de acto government at the close
Of the war, it has been secured to freedom.
This was not the only time the late administra-
ton got more than they bargained for. They sent
General Taylor TO Mexico to fight the battles of
country in a war Of conquest, TO perpetuate their
own power but in this instance, too, they got more
than they barganed for for in less than three years
from the time the first blood spilled on the field
of Palo Alto they were themselves expelled from
the Capitol by the people, TO make room in the
White House for the victorious chief, now Chief
Magistrate OF the nation, and having the chief COM
mand OF both the army and navy. only refer TO
these facts at this time for the purpose Of showing
that the South, under southern administra tion,
pushed the country into the war with Mexico TO
obtain territory by conquest-to extend slavery,
and perpetuate their own power and the power Of
the South; but legitimate consequence Of their
own acts, not intentional, admit, they
out Of power.
The territory has been acquired, but il is free SOIL
il has extended our national domain, but il has in
creased the area Of freedom in the United States
Good Ia likely TO come out Of evil, and, for one,
trust we shall not lose the vantage ground which
we now stand but keep IL free No compromise no
concession which shall extend slavery beyond its
present limits Is the almost universal sentiment Of
the people represent, and under no circumstances
will misrepresent them while have the honor Of
al MN hrs HFuUr
have said that General Taylor's plan Of admit
ting the Territories as States appeared 10 me TO be
the most feasible, CONSTITUTIONAL and republican.
That country came 10 Free and under the opera
ton OF the Mexican laws, declared in force BY the
late administration and continued in force by Gen
eral Taylor and his Cabinet believe il will con-
unue free until the people in the remainder Of the
territory shall establish permanently free consttu-
tons and State governments for themselves, as the
people Of California have done; and that by the
faction and policy" Of the late well the pres
ent Administration, the whole may, from time TO
time, be admitted as free States. The present de
faeto government in New Mexico first established
by General Kearny, TO which have referred, can be
continued in force with such notifications az have
been made, or the people residing there may hereafter
choose 20 make, until they apply for admission ss a
State. This civil government is not in subordina-
ton 10 the military force stationed in that country,
but IL independent in ib execution Of the laws.
Civil magistrates and ministerial officers perform
their appropriate functions in all matters Of civil
jurisdiction. Colonel Monroe IL the present civil
governor Of that Territory, and bound TO execute
the eicii latcs adopted and put in force there by
General Kearny during the late administration.
He can, and no doubt does when IL is necessary,
call 70 bis aid the military force under his COM
msnd for the purpose Of executing those laws and
maintaining and supporting the civil authorities in
the discharge OF their appropriate duties; and the
military force stationed there will also protect them
from the depredations Of the Indians. The popula.
ton Of New Mexico IL from ninety thousand 10 one
hundred thousand, and they will no doubt very
coon form State constitution and apply for admis-
sion State.
On all subjects Of national legislation, Congress
may, in the mean time, logisate for their benefit
The revenue laws may, IL necessary, be extended
over the country post offices and poet routes may
be established there, and such aid given them 10
open roads AZ il usually afforded 10 the Territories
of the United States the public lands may be sur
veyed. land Offices established. and the lands dis
posed Of az well without, with, territorial gov
eminent. But IL Congress shall deem IL best 20
have territorial governments established, and bils
are introduced and pressed in this Hos~e by south.
ern gentlemen for that purpose, chang ing the op-
Grafton Of the free laws Of MEXICO, in force in
those Territories, leaving il in any way doubtful
shall, in accordance with my own feelings. well
as the known wishes Of the people represent. vote