The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-08


this the state OF opinion under which these two very i'm
portan matters arranged and these Two importan
things done; that Is the establishment Of the constilu
States and the establishment Of the ordinance prohibit
ing, to the full extent OF all territory owned by the United
States, the introduction or existence OF slavery.
And here, sli, we may pause. We may reflect Tor :
moment upon that entire coincidence and concurrence
sentiment between the North and the South upon this
question al the period OF the adoption OF the constitution
But opinion has changed-greatly changed -changed
North and changed South Slavery is not regarded IN
the South now as Il was then before me an hon.
orabe member OF this body, Mr.. MAsoN,l paying me
the honor 70 listen to my remarks, who brings TO me
so much distinguished in his day and generation, 50
worthy to be succeeded by worthy grandson--w
all the strength and earnestness OF the sentiments which
he expressed in the convention in Philadelphia.
Z Here we may pause There a unanimity OF senti-
ment il not general concurrence OF sentiment. running
through the whole community. but especially entertained
by the eminent OF all portions OF this country in
gard to this subject But soon change began. North
and South. change began, and severance OF opin
ion showed itthe North growing much strong
strong and warm in its favor There no genera
ton OF mankind whose opinions not subject to be in-
uenced BY what appears 70 be their present and emer
gent interest mpnte to the South no particular inter-
ested view in the change which has come over her
impate to her, certainly. no dishonoable views All
that has happened has been natural. 1t has followed
causes which always influence the human mind and oper
ate upon it, st sat a.
What then. has been the cause which has created so
warm feeling in favor of slavery at the South (which
has changed the whole nomenclature OF the South in
laon to this subects0 that, instead OF being referred TO
as an evils blight, CURSE slavery has come 70 be
institution to be cherishednot scourge and mis-
fortune to be deprecated but great POLITICAL social and
bed Wel | suppose that this is owing 10 the sud
den, surprising. and rapid growth Of the cotton
planting interest in the Soulh So far as any mo-
men. has ac,ei in forming their present opinions,
this cotton interest has doubtless acted. 1t this
which gave to the South desire promote slavery
that this was produced BY causes which must always
expect 10 produce like effects Mems interests became
more deeply involved in IL II we look back to the hsio-
~ Of the commerce Of this country at the time Of i.s
commencement, what were our exports! Cotton was
hardly raised at all The tables will show that the
poraton OF cotton in the years 1890 and 1871 hard
" more than forty or fifty Thousand dollars year. II
has gone inc reasng rapidly l it now amounts. in
year OF large product and high Prices to more than one
hundred millions of dollars! Then there was more of
flax, more OF indigo more Of rice more OF almost any,
thing else exported from the South than OF cotton.
think that have heard it said that, when Mr. Jefferson
negotiated the treaty OF 1894 with Great Britain, he did mol
know thai any cotton was raised in this country; and
that when, under that treaty, which gave the United
States the right carry their products in their
ships TO British ports, shipment OF cotton TO
England, the British ustom-houses refused to admit II
under the treaty, on the ground that there
Of that article raised in America They would hard
y say that now. lLaughterl Well, we all know
that this cotton age has become q golden age for
IL
Improvement and for extending their operations That
iesire grew with what it fed upon, and there soon
came to be greediness for other territory--a new
area or new areas, for the cultivation OF the cotton
crop; and measures brought about, after
olher under the lead OF southern gentlemen al the head
Of the government hey having majority concurriDg
both branches OF the legisature 10 accomplish these
ends
The honorable senator from South Carolina observed
N his speech the other day that the North have fixed
majority IN every department OF the government II that
fIIa h1u f0i Las 1t.A
Dr. else very weakly for they have exersd the
power which that majority gives them five times in the
whole history OF the government Whether they have
been generous, whether they outgeneralled.
will stop discuss but acquainted with the
history OF this country deny that the general lead in
he politics OF this country, during three ourhs OF the
period which has elapsed since the formation OF this gov
srment, has been southern lead.
In 1902, in pursuit OF the idea OF opening cotton
egons, the United States obtained the from Geor
sss Of Ab@ s wss pu
;hased IRON France, out OF which the States Of Lousi
ina Akasas, and Missouri, have been formed slave
holding States In 1919 the cession Of Florida was made
bringing another addition OF savehoding property and
territory. sB tls.s y
The honorable senator from Sou,h Carolina thought he
in certain operations OF the government such the
OF collecting the revenue and the tendency OF
certain 10 promote immigration into the country,
Ind on the causes for the rapid growth OF the
North than OF the South He thinks that they were not
he operation oil tme bat of the system OF government
which has been pursued That is matter OF opinion In
certain measure il may be so; but il does seem TO me
hat II any operations OF the government be shown
have promoted the population. and growth, and wealth
,f the North, there sundry important and distinct
,2eratons OF the government, about which can
loubt. tending promote and absolutely known have
promoted, the slave States and the slave territory the
South. Allow to say that il was not time that
brought Louisiana in but the act OF man il was not
,y the silent operation OF time that Florida came In but
~ the act OF man and, them to complete these acts OF
nan, which have contributed much TO enlarge the
lrea and sphere of this institution OF slavery, Texas
treat, vast lImable Texaswas added 10 the Union as
slave State in s45: and that, sir pretty much closed
he chapter and settled the whole account II closed
whole chapter and settled the whole account, because
he annexation o Texas upon the conditions and under
cave acre OF land capable OF being cultivated by
lave labor between this Capitol and the Rio Grande or
he Nueces, whichever is the proper boundary OF Texas
Not acre remained from that moment sir. The whole
country, from here 10 the western boundary OF Texas
was fixed, pledged decided TO be slayehoding territory
~ the most ample guarantees OF law.
And now say, as the proposition upon which stand
his day, and upon the truth and mness OF which in-
end 10 act until s ovehrown, that there is al this
moment within the United States, within the Terrific.
lies, single foot Of land the chaacerof which, in re.
sad TO its being freeso territory slave Territory
liked by some law and some rrepealable lava law be-
POND the power Of the action Of this government Now,
s not that with respect TO Texas Indeed, il is most
nanifestly 90. The honorable gentleman from South
Carolina, Mr. CAHoUs, al the time Of the admission OF
nsa aS 70 ss sseea's y de-
Another eminent person OF great activity and arotness
,f powasl mean the late Secretary Of the Treasury,
Mr. Walker)-was leading member OF this body they
ook the lead IN the business OF annexation; and must
,ay that they did their work iaiihiuy--there was no
Docb 70 u lLaugherl They rounded i oil, and made
i as close Joiners work wasput together The
xation hrpuuhf info Cano