Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-08-01
Speech of Hon. c. j.. Dunham. of Indiana.

the Presidents Message transmitting the Constitution Of
California.
Mr.. CHAIRMAN:-I feel great reluctance in address.
ing the committee upon this question at this time The
session is far advacned and most of it has been spent in
this discussion. The subject is exhausted; and after
the array Of talent which has for long time been
devoted to its consideration it would be vain. II would
be presumptuous in expect that can add anything
which will interest the committee or enlghen the coun
try But, sir, my silent observation here week alter
week and month after month"; has satisfied that the
opinions wishes motives and objects of the people of
that section from whence come, have been greatly mis-
understood wckedy misepresented in respect to this
subject of slavery and the humble individual who
addresses you the only organ through which the sew
enty thousand reemen Of my congressional district can
be heard upon this oor and before the country should
greatly fail my duty them should allow this debate
to close without expressing what believe to be their
views and sentiments upon this great question
Why, sir but a few days since the gentleman from
North Carolina Mr. Venable] thought proper to assert
here in this place. that the State OF Indiana sought to
commit Wholesale robbery upon the South-the State OF
Indiana than which State in this Uuion has more firm
" and steadily eyinced her determination faithfully to
discharge ali constitutional duties her sister States
sacredy respected their constitutional rights
Sir repe the charge with the and Indignation
which it merits. With the exception OF the State OF
Kentucky, have had little nothing to do with any
of the savehoding States connected with the subject
of slavery By her decision upon the manner In which
we have discharged constitutional obligations, am
willing to abide With her citizens in constant
dent that their judgment will acqut us oil having
manifested the slightest wish trampe under foot the
rights Of our sister States of the South of any other
portion Of the Union. The only injury which the State
of Indiana thus wantonly assaled has ever done that
venerable State of North Carolina has been give hap
DIV homes to thousands of her citizens This may have
been injury her, but surely it has been blessing
to them and
Sir we are told that we are in the midst of a crisis
crisis which is shaking country from its centre to
Its circumierencea crisis which is endangerIng, aye,
which must destroy this Union. That In the
midst of eriss-an alarming one-I shall not deny.
But sir have abiding confidence that shall pass
1t in safety and in triumph. have firm reliance upon
the good sense upon the intelligence, and, above all
upon the patriotism the people at home They are
the great bulwark of this Republic; they will seek out
the path of right and justice and they will follow 1t in
spite Of aspiring politicians, Of designing demagogues,
and Of disappointed devotees of ambition This Repub
lie belongs the people; it created by Them and
it cannot be DESTROYED by human hands minds without
their consent Why, sir, this is by the first
crisis through which this nation has passed. True,
career has been bright and prosperous one yet dark
clouds have times lowered above The pathway
of ship of has been bright and glorious but
SIR, she has met many cross-sea-she has encountered
and calamity outrode many peting storm; and be-
eve she has the strength and the ability outride
only this bat many others yet hidden IN the womb OF the
future.
Sir this country had its birth in crisis than which
the world never greater crisis upon which de-
pended not only the liberties of the three millions OF peo
pie who then inhabited the old thirteen colones-not
~ the liberties of the twenty millions of reemen who
mhabt these States-not only the liberties OF the
teeming millions who shall hereafter people these hills
and Valleys these mountains and plans long after our
voices shall be hushed in deah-bu sir upon depend
ed the liberties of the human That indeed was
crisis compared which, this sinks into insigncance
When those who composed the national counses of that
day, deberated with haters about their necks with
the certainty best of years of anxiety, suffering and
toll before them they too had their differences of opin-
the proper objects be attained and the prop
TO be sursued But they brought their task
enlarged patriotism, spirit OF beray, disposition
cOnciate mutual regard and respect for each 9TH
ers opinions and feelings, which only carried them
safely and harmonousy through their deliberations but
also carried the country trumphany through the war
of our Independence And after that struggle had been
passed and it found that the loose Articles of Con-
federation which had bound the States together through
the dark hours of adversely insufficient for times
of peace and prosperity, and when the peoples repre-
sentatives had again in Convention frame this
Constitution under which have so long and pros
perousy lived, (and under which, God grant genera
tons yet unborn may hereafter live and flourish and be
happv,) had another crisis For weeks and months,
the fruit of all their tolls and suferings-the liberties
their vaor had won-hung vibrating in the balance with
doubtful result But sir they threw into the scale their
patriotism, and the country was safe. They again
brought to their labors spirit Of Cancellation and CON-
promise; crowned their efforts and enjoy the
fruit OF their labors.
Again. sir; the last with Great Britain distrac
tons peFvaded country and threatened its destruc
ton. Dark clouds lowered above us; but the spirit
OF patriotism and of Cancellation breahed upon them
and they vanished sinto thin air have had other
crises but nv limited time will not allow dwell
upon them From the very nature oil things they must
continue arise in the pathway of our progress
The vast extent of country the variety of its eli
mate SOIL and productions the great difference in the
habits the education and the preudces Of people,
and the various apparently conflicting resulting
IRON all these, must necessarily subject US to these occa
sonal commissions.
We have the great manufacturing interest of New
England the iron interest of Pennsylvania the planting
interest Of the Sonth and the grain growing interest OF
the great agricultural Northwest each struggling for
It's advancement. True, if we could divest
selves Of all seshness and look at these different inter-
ests in the liberal spirit of comprehensive craftsmanship,
we should find conAictons among them. We should
md the healthy and legitimate prosperity OF all ndlssol
uv united and III each would be content with such
pery content to make its way in the country according
10 the cOuntryS need OF It, and Its merits without
seeking the aid OF the Government destroy their nat
10 disturb the harmony of the country But with this
they will not be satisfied and we find the manuiac
turing interest of New England and the iron interest OF
Pennsy lvanIa seeking to build themselves up the
penSc Of the other wOthe agricultural interest OF the
South and Westseeking to enrich themselves by taxing
those who toll beneath the and rains of heaven,
draw their from the bosom OF their mother
earth The human mind is narrowed by selfshness
apt to look only its immediate and local interests
that cannot hope to avoid these difficulties. Hence
the question much how shall entirely escape,
as how we shall meet and overcome them This
ever do so long the same spirit which animated the
fathers of the Repnbc the trainers OF the Constitution
shall animate minds and regulate actions The
difficulty with which we have to contend must be
passed. all that have gone before it have been and
all that may after II must be-by Cancellation, by
concession, and by compromise
Sir, may as well make up minds at once either
respect each others opinions, feelings, preudices,
and interests, and when they shall come in conflict
erciss spirit OF orbearance and Cancellation, to yield
something which might desire retain, exact less
than vi nat may think have right to require
at once dissolve this Union. The Constitution is
promise. The Government has ever been administered