The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-19

and with scow of manly Indignation which impaired
peculiar and irresistible energy his words. denounced
what he described as " the consummate folly OF citing
and California" Sir, agreed with this great man then
as to the nuy OF the Mexican law prohibiting slavery.
agree with him yet for in the tomb he is high author
y-yea, higher than he in life soemnly believe
that there has been Mexican law since the completion
OF territorial conquests in that part OF the world which
could offer the least impediment sayehoding pop
feel inclined to make 10 enier within the limits Of Cal
fornia and New Mexico, attended by their slaves
proPertyand as property too secured BY the most eiec
republic s Such E he oou
OF every member OF that very able bar who control the
public judgment in regard to such questions in the State
which have the honor in part to represent upon this
floor Such was the deliberately expressed opinion OF
our Mississippi southern convention, which assembled
last autumn. the proceedings Of which have been several
times brought to the special attention OF this body by my
honorable colleague and my ysef Knowing these facts
it was but natural that should feel little sur
Prise that the honorable senator from Florida should In
innate his apprehension that the present state Of the law
in New Mexico and Utah was such to make II indis
pensably necessary that Congress should interfere and
afford special protection to slave property in those Terri
Y STss 70 save II Ssso Oy e
thinking and contendng were absolutely deunct and
imperative.
Sir am deeply greved at beholding the attempt which
existence I a sort sort 81 southern WiImot Proviso Be.
levng, as | do, most undoubtingly, that Congress
has authority to legsate the subject OF slavery in
the Territories--no than il has to decree the
abolition OF slavery in the States themselves am in.
expressbly panied to the doubt which is about TO be
thrown upon this point BY the action Of southern men
40 claim % sra "a ho o,
shall legislate specially for the protection Of this
institution therein, appears to TO assert power in
that body which, IL its future exercise, cannot but be
fatal to the institution of slavery wheesoever existing
To urge that such exercise OF power by congress is
necessary to the introduction OF slaves into the Terrific
es and that otherwise slave property will be subject to
conscaon is to admit, by the planest implication. the
ente want OF any constitutional right the part of the
Shareholders Of the South to 60 into these Territories,
attended by their slaves and to claim their recognition
property. II is surely the grossest absurdity to
suppose that purely constitutional right need
the countenance and sanction of act OF ordinary
legislation to give il validity. The constitution being
the paramount law, no act Of Congress can impart
TO il the least additional potency; and to seek such
puny aid is TO treat the organic law OF the land with
species OF contempt which seems to argue at least
gross confusion OF IDEAS When the senator from Florida
asks protection for slave property in the Territories, he
plainly in question the right OF the owner OF slaves
10 carry them as such into the Territories, whilst the
present legal regulations continue; Tor ii no laws
exist therein prohibiting slavery, which not them
selves invalid then not in the least degree in need
OF the amendment urged upon by him. The very terms
used by the honorable senator from Florida TO most
alarming. He demands a law preserUdtiue OF slavery In
the Territories he cries out for in regard TO
slavery To be made BY Congress 70 the South and CON-
plains most vehemeniy that the honorable senator from
Kentucky has avowed his unwilingness TO vote for
law for the extension OF slavery What says he; s the
senator from Kentucky not willing 10 aid in extending
slavery TO the 1erlories Does he abhor the system
that he is unwilling 70 extend il? Does he regard il as OF
nature communicating that its extension would be
dshonor and degrade the whole territorial surface over
which il might spread iiselfl Well, sir, confess thai
this very strange language to coming as II does
from one of the sgners OF our famous Southern Ad.
dress, from the pages OF which beg leave to read lew
lines What cite will be found upon the Sth and 9th
pages OF the address:
IA, II thso af
address, examine the question fully discussed the
iass session. whether Congress has the right exclude the
into territories belonging the conederaed States Of the
Union What propose In this connexion Is, TO make
few remarks what the Moth alleges, erroneously N be
the issue between US and them.
SO far from maintaining The doctrine. which the issue
implies, hold thar the federal has right
extend restrict slavery. establish or
abolish ~ nor has right whatever TO distinguish be-
another in order the and discourage the
As the federal representatives OF each and all the Saies
aud exact justice ALL To o,herwise TO un-
derake discriminate between the domestic institutions
the end for which !, wa. esab,hed-io be the common
protector and guardian Of all Entertaining these opinions
slavery. That would make discrimination in our favor
and unconsituiiona the Discrimination they
federal government deiemine whether domestic in
stituton good or bad whether should be repressd
o. bs Sss % o,s W on oa y
slavery, but that shall not be prohibited from mmgra
tnS with properly into the territories OF the Unlied
shall that be disirsnched Of prv
ege possessed by all Others czen. and foreigners wthou
dcrmin iiion as to character, profession, or color Adj
whether savage, barbarian cyiizsd may freely
and remain, we only being excluded.
Yes sir this the precise language OF own far famed
Southern Address You perceive that its author treats
the charge OF being desrous OF extending slavery BY
congressional legislation as gross slandef upon the
South. Yet the honorable senator from Florida not
only now contends that this should be done, but
complains most vehemently that others will not Join him
the North OF msstaung the issue between II and the
South. southern man. tins moment IN hearing. has
made the presentation OF the sectional Issue which
the Southern Address denounces mlssaiement OF that
issue The honorable from Florida contends that
Congress s bound TO pass laws prervatrue OF slavery
people) for the federal government TO determine
whether our domestic institution IL good or bad or
whether il should be repfessed preserved" Such are
few oi the amusingnconssencies into which the hon
orabe senator IRON Florida has had the fortune 10 in
volve himself upon this occasion.
For my part Mr. President. feel no particular desire
that any restriction whatever should be imposed by us
upon the territorial governments in regard TO legisatng
on the subject of slavery. | will my for
feeling this indifference. | am not of opinion that
these governments would have a right to legisla,e
for the extension or for the abolition o slavery even
In this opinion | may be regarded by some a
little ultra; but | have adopted 1t deliberately, and |
certainly consider as quite capable OF being maintained
By fair argument admit as freely any one, not ex
cepting my honorable friend from Michigan, fMr CAss
that all Just government IRON the consent OF the
i've hundred or five hundred thousand, has a right 10
adopt such social regulations for ts own protection and
may actually necessary to the attain
nent Of these high purposes but yet contend that