Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-06-20
REMARKS OF MIR. WEBSTER
On Mr.. Soule's amendment.


Mr. WEBSTER. Mr.. President, on the 9TH of March,
declared my opinion to be that there was not square
rod oterrtory belonging to the United States the cha
racter of which to- slavery slavery already
fixed by some irrepeaable law. remain of that opin
ion. The opinion has been good deal canvassed in
the country and there have been complaints, some
times respectful and decorous-sometimes loud and
so empty as to become a clamor. But have
heard argument upon any principle OF law embraced
in that opinion which shakes the frmness with which
hold it. Nor have heard any discussion upon any mat
ter Of fact to that part of the opinion which
fact which leads to doubt the accuracy of my
cluson. With respect to that part OF the opinion which
regarded the true construction, or, might with more
propriety say the literal meaning of the resolution by
which Texas admitted into the Union, have heard
suggestion calculated in the slightest degree to alter
that opinion. The committee, believe, with ac-
cord concurred. great deal Of SURPRISE real affect
ed has been expressed in the country at the
ment Of that opinion upon the true construction of the
resolutions of annexation yet there need be surprise,
| for there was nothing new in the case. Other gentle
men have expressed the same opinion more than
and myself, in speech here upon the 23d day OF
March, 1913, expressed the opinion almost in the
same words; with which nobody has found any fault,
and which nobody here, and nobody in the country,
cavied questioned. With respect to the other ground
upon which my judgment was ounded-hat is, the pro-
liability point of fact, that African slavery could be
introduced and established in any OF the Territories ac
CURED by in pursuance OF the treaty with Mexico-I
have learned nothing, heard nothing from that day
this, that has not confirmed that opinion entirely That
| being the state Of my own Judgment upon this matter
voted very readily and cheerfuy to exclude what is
called the Wimot Proviso from these territorial bills
rto keep it out rather when motion made to in
troduce it. did so upon very full and deep convc
ton that act Of Congress, provision OF law,
necessary for that purpose that there natural and
sufficient reasons and causes excluding forever African
slavery from those regions That ,t; was my Judgment
ofcourse pursue different line of conduct. That ismy
| opinion. 1t was my opinion then ; it has been
strengthened by everything have learned since and
have apprehension this day of the introduction
existence of African slavery in these Territories than
| have of its introduction and establishment in Massa-
| chusetts.
rial bills what is called the Wilmot provso and by that
vote having sgn6ed disposition to exclude the pro-
hibiton as thing unnecessary, am now called upon
to upon this amendment moved by the honorable
member from Louisiana Mr. Soule,l which provides
that States formed out of New Mexico and Utah shall
| have the right and privilege of making their
situations. and may present those constitutions to Con-
gress in conformity with the constitution ofthe United
States, with or without prohibition against slavery,
the people of those Territories then having become
States, may see fit to declare. have not seen very
much practical utility IN this amendment. Nevcrthe-
less, it should vote, now that it is presented me-
against might leave open to the suspicion of in
tending wishing to see that accomplished in another
way which do not choose to accomplished by the
introduction OF the Wilmot provso; that to say, it
might as itvoting against that form OF the excu
sion or the prohibition might be willing that there
should be chance hereafter to return to other
form Now, think. sir, that righteousness and steadi
OF purpose under these circumstances compel
to vote for the amendment of the honorable member.
and propose to do do it exactly upon the ground
that voted against the introduction of the Wlmot Pro-
vso and that is, that restrictions Of that SORT and
other restrictions of this sort, are in my opinion wholly
and absolutely unnecessay they!gve offence; they
create degree OF dissatisfaction, and desire to
avoid all dissatisfaction, far as can, by avoiding all
that dissatisfaction, and themselves
in my Judgment wholly vote
as voted upon former occasion; and | shall
support by my vote the amendment OF the honorable
member from Lousan, Mr.. Soue. Irepeat that do
it upon the grounds upon which declared upon
the 7th OF March, that should resist the Wmot Pro-
viso-the precise grounds and do choose for the
present, to go into any other grounds whatever.
Sir, it does not seem to strike other senator's as it
strikes me; but if there be any qualification to that
general remark which made, or that opinion which
expressed On the 9Th OF March, that every foot OF the
territory othe United States has fixed character
for slavery slavery-f there be any qualification
that remark has arisen here, from what seems to
be ndisposton to define the boundary OF New
Mckee That the only limitation III There ,hs no 9th
of 1885, thrown under the general character OF Tex
territory And it, for want OF defining the bounda-
ries Of New Mexico, by any proceedings or process
hereafter, by any events hereafter let me say to gen.
temen, any portion which they and do not believe
to be Texas shall be considered to become Texas,
then, SO far, that is qualification Of my remark OF
say three or four days ago. that 1t is OF the utmost i'm
portance pass this BILL the end that there may be
definite boundary fixed now, and fixed forever, be-
tween the territory OF New Mexico and the territory Of
Texas, or the limits of New Mexico and the limits of
Texas. Here it is il gentlemen wish to act efficiently
for their own purpose-here 1t is in my poor judgment,
that they are called upon to act
Mr.. President when | see the course OF gentlemen
around me- from my own part OF the country, of the
highest character and the most conscientious purposes
not concurring in any part OF this measure, | am
aware that am taking upon myself an uncommon de-
gree OF responsibility The fact that other gent lemen,
with whom have been accustomed TO act in the Senate
take different view of their own duties in the same
case, naturally leads me to consider my course to
re-eXamne my own opinions, to re]udge my own ludg-
ment; and hope, sir, that have gone through this pro-
cess without prejudice or have
done with the greatest feeling OF regret at being
called upon by OF duty to take course which
may dssatsy some to whom should always be DESTROYS
OF rendering my public course, and every event in the
action OF my public life, acceptable and IN their udg-
ment praiseworthy. But lcanno depart from my own
settled opinions. leave consequences to themselves. 1t
is great emergency great exigency-n which the
principle will endeavor to preserve proper regard
for my consistency. And here let me say, that |
there has not appeared anywhere anything that admits
the character OF decent argument to show that on |
this subject have said or done anything inconsistent
with any speech, statement, letter, declaration,
that ever delivered in my life if men will stop to
sider-if they will look at real differences. But when
all is denunciaton-w all is clamor-when all is idle
wonder and empty defamation there is no dis
tnction no consideration-when there is examina-
ton into the truth, to whether opinion is
claimed to be inconsistent. Now, sir do not take the
trouble things OF this sort when they appear
IN the public papers. Know II 10 be useless. those
who are of an untrendly disposition would not publish
my explanations and distinctions, if l were to make
Them If any gentleman here has anything to say upon
that subject challenge one--but if any gentleman
here chooses undertake the task and probably there
may be some who w-f they will undertake to show
in what respect anything that have said in the debate
here on the 7h of March, anything contained in my
letter to gentlemen of Newburyport anywhere else
inconsistent with any opinion OF mine since the aga
ton OF the question of the annexation OF Texas began
in 1887, will certainly, with great humility and great
respect stand or fall by the issue. |
But what say, sir. is this My object is peaee-my
object is reorganization My object is not to make out
NV object is not continue useless and distractne
controversy, am against the agitators of the North
and the South am against local ideas North and |
country but America know no locality in America |
that is not my country. My heart my sentiments, my |
Judgment demand Of me that | shall pursue such a |
course shall promote the good and harmony OF the