Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-11-11
enough but civil war has through all time been


proverbially so. Of ali the scourges with which
sinful man was ever punished, that Of civil war
has been the most cruel. If had voted against
the measures | am discussing, and they had
failed by my vote, and civil war, with all of its
horrors, had ensued, how could have returned
to my district and looked my copfiding constit.
uents in the face? The vote gave considered
one between a territorial bill for New MEXICO
such as I have described it-or the admission oil
New Mexico as State, or civil war | know
others, wiser than myself, thought differently
But had to act upon my own CONVICTIONS not
upon theirs, as much as | respected them. do
not mean to condemn their vote, which | am
quite sure was as patriotic as my own only
mean to state the views which directed my own
course.
The vote on the passage Of the bill was, one
hundred and eight for it, & ninety-seven against
i. OF the southern Representatives, ffty..wo
were for the bill, and thirty against it--of the
Virginia delegation, eight for the bill and five
against it, Every Free.soiler denounced and
voted against it..
The bill as it passed, with Mr. Pieree's line,
leaves to Texas thirty.thre thousand three hun
bred and thirty-6ve square miles of territory
more than Mr.. Clay's line and it leaves Texas
thir.y-six thousand four hundred and forty five
square miles more than the State constitution OF
New Mexico, formed under the instigation OF
the late Administration, if, indeed, it was not
written in Washington, as MIR. Webster predict
ed it would be, in his speech delivered in ls4s.
| have quoted the whole extract in the speech
already referred to, and which send herewith.
But beg leave to quote part Of i, here. He
said -
"They (the people of New Mexico) haze no
notion Of our institutions, or Of any free insitu-
tons. They any notion Of popular government!
WhH not the slightest-not the slightest on earth.
And the question IS asked, uha wiu be their con-
stitutionl 1t is farcieol 10 Talk of such a yeo-
pie making a constitution. They do not know
the meaning of The term. They do not kno,v its
import !; they kno,u nothing at all about it. AND
CAN TELL YOU, SIR, THAT WHEN WE HAVE
MADE 1T A TERRITORY, AND WISH TO MAKE 1T A
STATE, SUCH CONSTITUTION AS THE ExECU-
TIVE POWER OF THIS GOVERNMENT THINKS FIT
TO SEND TO THEM; WILL BE SENT AND ADOPTED
THE CONSTITUTION OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS OF
NEW MEXICO WILL BE FRAMED IN THE CITY OF
'WAsHINGToN."
The act establishing territorial government
for Utah is precisl, like the one establishing !;
territorial government Tor New Mexico and IL
met with little opposition from southern menu
bere. Nearly all OF us voted tor it,
My views IN respect to Tbs. admission uf Cali
fornla IS State, and of the proceedings which
led TO it, are fully expressed IN the speech made
On the 17lh July las~ I'm them ihl,lk gros,
outrage has been committed. VI lie the CHIEF
authors OF ii are pointed out in the speech Ie-
terred TO. But am bound 10 say, N that frank.
ness which should characterize The intercourse.
between the reT.s 5ntallve and cousl itue ut thai
| regard ii as Iremediable. do not think dis.
solution of the Uilon would mend III ila,ttr-
his. however. is matter for The people them
tI, Il nnItiA (
sisted The bill, but it has passed., and now it Is
for you to decide what course you Ill lake
have expressed 10Y opinion frankly but let Viz
glnla decide as she may, shall yield nay Will to
hers; aud whatever fortune may beude her, SHE
have in none Of Ger citizens more lu,al
son dlan in me.
To the act providing for the delivery up OF
fugitive slaves, gave all active and hearty sup
port. Its importance to the border slaveholdilg
States cannot be well overrated Its provisions
are most stringent 1t authorizes the appoint
ment OF sufficient number OF commissioners in
every State to carry its provisions into effect
1t n axes it the duty OF The marshal OF the U.
States to execute the warrants subjects him 10
a fine of thousand dollars if he refuse 10 re-
ceive the warrant, or "lo use all proper means
diligently to execute it makes HIM liable for
the value of the slave if he allows him TO escape.
wkether with or 1cithout has consent }" and if The
master and his agent makes affidavit that ht
fears that the fugitive will be rescued from him.
it requires the marshal to summon a sufficient
Iorce to prevent it, and to convey the fugitive to
The State from whence he had fled. Aud it pro.
vdes that the expense should be borne by the
United States. The efficiency oil this law has
been tested, and it exceeds the anticipatons OF
its mist sanguine friends A few facts will
show its Importance. Ii is estimated that fit.
cen hundred slaves escape from their masters
Those who run away are general,
he young and most valuable; so the annual loss
alls but little, if any, below million Of dollars
Besides this pecuniary loss, every one that es-
'apes suhtracts from the representative popula-
ION OF the southern States and adds 10 that oil
he northern. The operation of this law will
lot only be to enable the master to recapture the
fugitive slave when he escapes, but the certain
y of Iecapture will deter him from attempting
o run away. The inefficiency of the former |
aw greatly encouraged negroes TO attempt all
escape.
The last in the series of measures concerning
slavery is the law prohibiting the bringing OF
slaves INTO the District Of Columbia for sale. I,
Toes no more than restore the law to the condi-
ion in which it was at the time of the cession
~ Maryland. Its very similar to the one sug-
sested by Mr.. Randolph, number OF years ago,
md proposed by Mr.. Tyler, as Senator from
Virginia, in 1892. | voted, however, against
he bill, because was unwilling that Congress
hould legislate in any manner in respect to
slavery, and for other reasons, which will readi-
y suggest themselves.
II is now fourteen years since entered pub.
ic life. Twelve OF them have been spent in
legislative bodies. During that time have CIV
m countless number of votes on every variety
It subject And yet, with pride say it, have
lever given but one vote--lhat on the Texas
boundary bill-ot which those who have elected
ne have ever complained. If, therefore, ,ha,
,ote was wrong, think may claim some ill.,
inlgpnce. But it was not wrong. Inever con-
ilered any question with more anxiety and
ARE in my life, because knew the impoItanc,
It it, and declare never gave a vote in tn
correctness of which have more conf lence.-
And it am to h- sent into retirement in cunse.
luenee OF it, shall go With clear convictions
hat have honestly discharged my dsay. and
ha change without regret, lite Of strife and
rouble for one OF eoulentlneht and peace. |