The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-17


The same Senator signalized himself last winter
! by similar opposition TO the printing of the re-
solves of the New York Legislature. On the con-
trary, Messrs Butler and Calhoun were in favor
of the printing: they were anxious that the Peo-
pie OF the South should see the languagein which
their institutions were denounced by Northern
men. Mr. Calhoun, apparently laboring under
deep excitement, said
81 have labored long and earnestly to arrest the
progress Of Abolitionism from its commencement;
| saw where it would end if not arrested; and |
now confess that | despair of ever seeing it ar
rested in Congress II win go to its head, for the
gentlemen have yielded to the current of North
ern feeling, which they admit here they are now
unable to resist. What the South will do, it is
not for me to say but, whenever the time comes,
| have no doubt they will meet it as it ought to
be metz
la his remark about the current of Northern
feeling he alluded TO the observation of Mr..
Phelps, who, in attempting to define his position,
gave ground for the imputation that the resolu-
tions were not to his taste, and that in represent
ing his State on this occasion, he was doing eye
service not service from the heart Will the
People of Vermont listen to their Senator for
moment: we copy from the official report in the
National lntelgencer:
C My object in rising is TO say that hare a>etr
approached this subject bm nth abhoTacs. Would
to God the discussion on this snbjea might be term-
mated forerer! Bm u cannot BE-; The agitation and
excitement IN relnonto IN every portion Of orr couH
| tryforbids us 10 be silent.
"But my object in rising was--to use cant
phrase-to define my own position, and in defn-
! ing that, believe | define the position of vast
majority of the people of this Union. We claim
no authority, no right to interfere with the do
nestle arrangements of other States. This should
be distinctly understood. Virginia and South
! Carolina may main ain their own institutions
| We claim no right TO interfere. So far trust
this declaration will be satisfactory But the line
| of distinction which we make is a very clear one
Where Congress possesses the power of local lie.
eislation they must exercise their power in ODE
dience to the dictates of their own judgments
and if, with respect to the Territories of the nj
ted States they deem it wise to prohibit the intro
duction of slavery there they have power to do So
If the sense Of Congress is in favor of the exer
else of that power, it will be maintained. What
is the objection to this sentiments We claim no
right to interfere with the institution of slavery
We claim the right to regulate the institutions of
our Territories. Cen that right be denied7 And
if we think il expedient to Introduce the Ordi-
nance of 1857, or the Wilmot Proviso, who can
question our power to do it? And if we, in our
Judgment, deem it expedient to apply this Proviso
to our Territories, on what ground can any por-
ton of the Confederacy raise the standard of rev.
olutionW
In another part of the discussion, he said =
GAS before remarked for myself have stu
dionsly avoided all exciting and irritating discus
sions of this subject, and have ever deprecated
tbos. I hat 10 -
viewed on all sides, North and South, coolly and
dispassionately, for it is in this way, and in this
way only that the subject can be wisely disposed
Of The irritating, provoking, and o6sasim language
IN whch Il is often discussed does mischief and mis-
chief only. am disposed to meet it. not matter
Of mutual elimination and recriminatiop, but as
great question of policy which we in the dis
charge of our public duties here are called upon
to meet and to determine
When our Vermont readers are reminded that
it proposed to refuse the resolutions Of their
Legislature the customary courtesy of printing,
a courtesy never denied to any other State-that
the Southern members were INDUCING in language
of severe denuncation of the Northern People,
and threatening disunion if the sentiments con-
tanned in the resolutions should prevail-we think
they will agree with us, that little more spirit
iittic lSoo w oodeoiJ 'ouS GU" NV "
EXPRESSION of adherence Of the discussion of the
Slavery Question, would have been becoming in
the Vermont Senator
Mr. Hale very aptly reminded MIR fu'ee that
he had precedent for his course, in the act OF
the Senate in the year 1889, refusing to print the
resolutions Of this very state OF Vermont. To be
sure, it was the only exception to the rule OF
prir4iug but IL went the whole length lie pro-
Sdsd TO assuage the alarm of his Southern friends
IN a way peculiarly his own He said
"The true state Of the case in the Northern
States is this there has been small band of fa-
natics there who have made 80 much noise thlt
many people have imagined them to be greatly
more numerous than they are and the Wing and
Democratic parties, thinking them to be of some
consequence, have started in a game Of resolu.
tons The Wing party started, and the Demo
Gratis followed them very lately for it is new
game with them, which they have undertaken to
catch the fanatics for fanatics there have
votes as we'll as other persons and the resolutions
are intended for home use altogether. That is
the reason they have not been instructed to pre-.
sent them here As the question comes up, and
the Wings accuse the Democrats and the Demo-
Gratis accuse the Wings of being pro-slavery, each
points to the record TO show that they have pass
ed the strongest resolutions. Resolutions enough
OF TINS KIND nave Oeeu passed Oy ooSh PafIoo y"
make winding sheet for every slave and slave
holder in the Union but, after all, II the matter
is sifed to the bottom, there will be found very
little resolution in any Of their resolutions. IL
therefore, any sort of excitement has been Great
el on the part Of our slavehoding friends, II they
think these resolutions mean anything, can as
sure them that they are the most harmless things
in the worldp
Mr.. Phelps confirmed this representation:
81 am glad to hear the sentiments that have
been expressed upon this subject. The honorable
Senator from New Hampshire is NOT FAR FROM
CORRECT but the Senator did us the hcnor 10
present himself in our State advocate Of the
principles Of Free-Soism, aud it is not to be won.
dered at that, after his mission, this resolution
should have been presented"
SO, then, we have the confession Of MIR. Phelps
that such resolutions are really intended for nome
consumption, kind of bait to catch anti-slavery
votes -'
We are glad that Mr. Hale subsequently, TOOK
occasion to prevent misconstruction OF his re-
marks as follows;
81 am glad that the honorable Senator IRON
Vermont admits that | am right. could WISH
that melody who had as much right TO spca
for the other great party would be "a candid, anu
admit whether or not have represented the cas-
rs IL exists In their associations but " was un-
derstood to say that there Is not great ana
growing sentiment Of dissatisfaction at the over
shsdowipe influence which the institution Oh
Southern slavery has had and does have upon
the legislation a. this ceopiry, was understood
LII