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

rs shall best subserve the wishes Of the South, |
and thereby save the Union. The State Of Michi- |
ysn in consideration Of the extraordinary copces-
lion made by the distinguished Senator from Mis-.
'issppi, in consentng to postpone the day for the
dissolution Of the Union, humbly presents this as
her "peace Offering" This Mr.. Chairman, is the !
substance of the resolutions which the Union, in
prefaced with the remark that the
language was as felicitous as the sentiments were
oralse.worthy" In the county Of Lenawee, one
'f the most populous counties in the district repre-
,ented by my honorable friend Mr.. Buel, Demo-
cratic Convention was held on the 9Th Of Septem-
Der, lS49 preceding the annual election and on the
18th Of April, 1850, another was held preceding
the election Of delegates to Constitutional Con-
vention The resolutions passed at the two con-
ventions Of the same party were somewhat dis
similar, and will read them:
Resolutions Of The Lenaree county Democratic Con-
rention, September 18Th, lS49.
Resolued, That, in common with all the free
States Of the Union we are opposed to the institu
ton Of slavery, believing it to be adverse to the
great principles Of human freedom, while we
are willing to yield TO the Southern States all
their constitutional rights and are opposed to any
interference by Congress with the institution
of slavery in the Southern States, where it now
exists.
"ResolUed, That we approve of the principles
OF the Jefersonian Ordinance, proposed in 1854,
and adopted in 1857 and believe that The uueS-
-s-,-~~' "-''~---7@y or tAs NortHrrsi Is mainly
owing tOrshe beneficial influences Of its princi-
pies. <af.,n
ResOlUtd, That the act passed by Congress to
organize the Territory Of Oregon, in which is a
clause to prohibit slavery or involuntary servi-
tude except for crime in that Territory, acknowl-
edged the power of Congress over the subject Of
slavery in the Territories of the United Slater.
"ResolUed, That we are in favor of the exer-
else by the General Government of all their
constitutional powers to prohibit the introduction
Of slavery into the Territories of the United
States, and to prevent its extension into those
| Territories
Resolutions ofths Lenawee county Democratic Con-
retion, Apra 1871, 1850.
"R>sOlued, That the efforts of our distinguished
Senator, General Lewis Cass, at the present ses-
sion Of Congress, to preserve the integrity and
harmony of our glorious Union, guided by wis
dom and judgment and enforced by an eloquence
rarely equalled deserve the warmest thanks and
Acknowledgements of every Democrat and friend
to his country, and are peculiarly gratifying to
the Democracy of this county, who were the
first to present his name as a candidate for the
Presidency in 1s43, in this State.
Resc.ped That those Democrats in opr.I .eqiso.
Senators and Representatives in Congress for
their Efforts in bekale os ehc UaisH; wnS-eS re-
lieve GeRersl 'CsssffSm thenecessity of resigning
at present, when his continued exertions might be
most required to promote the nations best inter-
ests, deserve our warmest appreciation, and shall
receive our continued support
The comment which | wish to append to the
introduction of these resolutions is the significant
fact that at the election after the passage of the
first, the county gave its usual Democratic ma
Jority, and that the ticket which was nominated
by the Convention which passed the last, was
beaten by an average majority Of 4s0 votes
Mr.. Chairman this same Legislature of Mich
igan also unanimously passed resolutions in favor
of the immediate and unconditional admission of
the free State Of California into the Union For
six months she has been knocking at the doors of
Congress The bill for admission has been retard-
ed, and loaded down, and embarrassed, by the votes
of Northern men. The California representa-
tives would long ago have had their seats on this
floor, and this new sister from the Pacific coast
would have been welcomed among the constella-
ton of States, if its pretended Northern friends
had not been uniformly aiding by "their voices
and votes" and cooperating with the avowed OPP
ponents of the measure. Sir, if vote could
have been obtained no one doubts that Califor-
MIA would long ago have been admitted, and no
one, think, need doubt the Judgment of dis
eliminating people, in fixing the responsibility for
staviug off and preventing that vote in the proper
quarter.
Mr.. Chairman, aside from the denial of the
constitutional power of Congress to govern the
territories contained in the Nicholson letter, and
which seems to have found but few supporters,
either North or South, power which the distin-
guished Senator has recently claimed for Con-
gress, outside Of the Constitution, and in relation
to which he said, certainly, it is the moral dmv
Of any country holding distant possessions, to in
stitute Governments for the preservation Of social
order, and here and here aOns is the foundation OF
Government as exercised by Congress"-there
was Que other position taken, from which am
bound to dissent II is in these words: "The
question that presents itself is not question of
the increase, but Of the diffusion of slavery
whether its sphere be stationary or progressive it's
amount will be the same. The rejection Of this
restriction will not add one to the class of servi-
tude nor will its adoption give freedom TO single
being who is now placed therein; the same mum.
bers will be spread over greater territory and
80 far as compression with greater abundance OF
the necessaries Of life is an evil so far will that
be mitigated by transporting slaves to new
country, and giving them larger space to occupy
Now, sir, If | understand this proposition, it is
an argument in favor of extending slavery into
| these new territories IL that be its intent and
meaning, can only say that it contrasts strongly
with the views and opinions of Jefferson, who
labored so ardently 10 reclaim the Northwest Ter
ritory from its encroachmens, with q view To
It's final extinction. But will the "difusionn of
slavery not increase it1 There has been added
IN SOteS to this Confederacy since its formation,
exclusive Of the territories, million of square
miles The population of whites has increased
from three to twenty millions, and of slaves from
half million to three millions Now sir does
| hal; tAott II
population, whether of slave or free, if they had
been confined to the original States, would have
taken placer No, sir; this continual assertion of
the right to carry their property into the new
territories is to gain new markets for the sale of
slaves. The honorable gentleman from Virginia,
| Mr.. Meade, in recently published speech,
says, Virginia has a slave population of near
half million, whose value is chiefly dependent
on Southern demandn The recent rise in cotton
Is said to have increased greatly the price and de-
mand for negroes and the North Cnoli,,dn, pub
lshed at Fayetteville, says that the number pass
ing through Wilmington for the Charleston
market averages twenty-five day This inhu-
man and barbarous traffic. the contemplation of
which ELECTED from Jefferson the exclamation that
6 he trembled for his country when he reflected
that God was just, and that his Justice would not
sleep forever" and which Lord Broughau,, in the
British Parliament characterized as " one Of the
most execrable crimes for he would not designate
II by the honorable name of traffic. that could dis
grace people, the being engaged in the sale Of
our fellow creatures us increased by the difa-
sion" Of slavery. And the same gentleman from
Virginia, in view Of the restriction, says
"Ifwe intend to submit to the policy Of con-
fning the slaves to the present limits we should
commence forthnuh the work Of gradual enamel
pation-it Is an easier task for us than our chill
drenD The gentleman from Alabama Mr.. Hill
lard expressed the same opinion awe must
make up our minds either to resist tho Introduction
Of the progress of slavery, or to submit to an or
ganic change in our institutions In these two