The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-21


threatening 10 chasiise slave. Then followed otber
speeches in similar strain Except the limited purpose Of
murderD 6y number o other gentlemen from ne save
States all nearly all OF whom threatened dissolution
al the very least their wishes were not grained IN re-
gard TO the Territories and they seemed even TO glory IN
thus showing he 70 eomm eason %e aaS aS ss
nation were treated TO letters written, me hrst re-
member rightly, to the governor of Georgia describing
the great danger which menaced the South from the
ton OF Congresses communication from him to the le-
gislaure, and the action OF that body thereon all de-
nouncog the North and threatening dissolution. with its
attendant evils, even If California should be admitted as
State. The same ceremony was gone through with by
Alabama by Mississippi, and lastly by Florida, where,
believe, was found in the gubernaoria chair who
did not feel at liberty unite himself party this sys
tenn OF intimidation, TO give il no harsher name VI
For the purpose OF still further alarming the North,
and OF thereby extorting from cowardice what they
feared could not otherwise be obtained, the papers at
the North, the interests OF slavery propagaadisis
constantly filled with touching appeals to the fears
and cnpdity Of their readers, until some weak minded
and selfish ready to exclaim, give up liberty
give up The free soil of California, OF New Mexco and
Deseret, to the Union, or to save lew dollars
which may be lost the trade OF the South Is not re-
taned"
Could even the weakest or most selfish OF those men
have stood by and the game played here as have
seen it from the beginning, they would have desplsed
themselves for their unmany Tears and unmgaed sell
shness Daring all this time, scarcely one man from
the free States had obtained the oor TO meet or repe
these threats and expose these schemes AT length, we
had, by chance opportunity OF taking the sense OF
this House upon the question OF applying the Wiimot
Provso to the Terrores and it was found that there
was majority OF eighteen IN favor IT, ms encouraged
the friends of freedom IL looked though large ma
orty of the House disposed to act IN accordance
with the wishes OF those who elected ihem-to consult
the interests oil the nation and regard the rights OF man.
rather than take counsel from their fears or hopes OF
Office But alas, for poor selfish human naturel the
slavery propagandsts bid high Tor the support OF north
men, regardless alike OF former views upon this sub
ect and former party associations This brought to the
capital distinguished asplran for presidential honors
who seemed all at once dstressingy alarmed for the
safety aud stability OF the Union and these Tears became
contagious in one part of the House General Cass
seemed 10 have lost caste with his southern rendshis
non-inleryeniion doctrines, which most certainly be-
I'm a q sx q sa. het q na bsv
were epudiated, as they now understood and ex-
planned BY him. BY nearly, if not all the Leading men o
the South Ihis abandoameni py nose ior wn9m ne
seemed to leave the coast clear and the South at liberty
to bid for candidate The distinguished gentleman to
whom have alluded proposed % ,ae missouri lme ana !,
the call than attached TO the Boston letter. got
up in Pbiladelphia and, il remember rightly, some fee
Bile limitations were attempted other parts OF Pennsy
vania At all Of these, the most fattering encomiums
were passed upon the Shareholders and the most dspa
aging ethes applied to northern Janatcs they termed
the opponents OF slavery extension and these latter
boldly charged with tampling upon the rights OF the
South l-4a
Having secured as was supposed, the democratic wing
OF the northern army they then turned their attention to
the whig sidrs and when ihe question again up up
on Mr. RooTs resolution To- and behold! many gentle
had received revelations, or dreamed dreams, and
voted in direct opposition TO the former record, lodged
the question Among the ianer the honorable gen
eman from the Suffolk district, in Massachusetts, Mr.
WNTHRoP,] who had claimed great credit as Proviso-
man from the fact that he had manufactured the thunder
before the honorable member from Pennsy wanna had
thought of using it. Had the honorable gentleman from
Massachusetts changed his vewss IL so, why did he
not vo,e against III Iii he had not why did he not as he
had few days before cote Tor it Why dodge ques-
ton of such moment the rejection or adoption OF which
destroy the constitution OF these States
gave him great influence he doing his duty throw
ing away that influence he said, IN speech shortly
aer, that the action Of Mr. Roor was premature Why,
then, did he favor it at first Was il not quite as
premature when be voted for IL il when, few
weeks later, he refused to do so, for the reason,
stated. that the honorable gentleman from Ohio [Mr
hmself dared not enieri He took occasion 10 declare
that be considered the vote laying the Povso upon the
table as one OF the last Importance and when he Judged
il safe he lodged his responsibility Ia this the way
ordinarily discharge important public trusts am viii
ling believe that the honorable gentleman really was
governed by no other motive for the course he pur-
sued than to punish the honorable gentleman from Ohio
for not supporting him when candidate for the
speak ership, or 10 take fioin him the apology he
would have for such neglect 10 voting Is not the rea
son gwen for the dodge infinitely better excuse IL the
gentleman from Ohio needed with his constituents,
than against the Proyiso would have been have
welt longer upon this part OF my subject than other
wise should from the fact that no member oil this House
can be made 10 believe that this evasion the result OF
fear for the stability Of the Union; for will be rene
bered tat after the House was oganzed the honorable
gentleman sat by and heard the honorable gentleman from
Ohio Mr. ScrscK) eulogze HIN 10 the skies Tor early
seadiast and devoted attachment to the Proyiso and us
principles. II il was such nischevous hing. why did
he not correct the gentleman aud why did he again dodge
the vote rearming the Declaration of Independence
Was he fearful OF offending his constituents, or the peo
pie oi New England, any OF the free Statesf What
meant this sudden changer Does the honorable gentle
man suppose Misconduct will escape notce and Criticism
because he goes out OF his way to rdcue the men who
are guilty OF the heinous Elm OF being 10 favor OF freedom
rather than slavery Tor free rather than slave SOIL who
have fixed pnc ples and the manly courage TO defend and
vote for them and not skuk from their support IN the hour
OF tiiai will call the attention OF the House to another
fact connected with the progress oil this ques-
ton Not content with instiung invidous comparisons
between himself and those in favor OF free soil IN the
House he turned aside do his friends kind turn,
az much as Plate did 10 the Jews when ne left Paul
bound speaking Of body OF men IN Boston as nest
OF because they the open opposers oil tyranny
in every form. ! believe this remark concerning the
friends OF liberty in thai city is not original with me non
orahle gentleman. II my memory serves, Lord Norlh
spoke OF that particular class IN similarly dign'hed man
ner when he advised George the Third to crush nest
Of vpos in the same place The attempt TO carry out
this advice was made the result " matter OF history
cannot say much praise OF the teeth OF iber descen-
dants they have been destroyed as the honorable gene
man represents do desire siin Judgment upon the
honorable gentleman from Boston; he is accouniaoie 70
bis constituents, and entertain no doubt Of his ability
est merchants and mill owners in Boston TO et'er en-
dosing his conduct and audhg II az perfectly consist
en-, and wonderfully patriotic,
After this scene the House, and the abandonment OIL
the Proviso BY its father, or at least its grandaih,
confess 10 have entertained fears for the result
The next scene in this political drama is worthy the
attention OF the American people and deserves ther Sc