Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-02-18
POLITICAL.
TIE SLAVERY Qu ESTIoa.
MIR. CLAWS COMPROMISE
fropfiuued !

In hilern o thfm there WAS slavery IN hitern u lhpm
slavery did MT exist Wdl. how can II he argued That
tho ren slave States by The operation II The consitu
on nj the ntrd States, cttftJ inln the ceed territory
heir institution o slavery. amy than II c,n be
gued he other side that by the operation ut the
constitution ho fifteen free SHaa carried into the eeded
territory the principle III freedom whrh they from policy
have ehuscn 10 adopt within ihcif lmiisl " hy. s,r,
let mo suppise case. l4et imagine that Mexico
had never abolished slavery ihrfc nj alei suppose
tha, e>iuint in point nj fact md In virtue NJ law.
lrom the shores ot tho Pacific Ia those of the Cult of
Mexico at the moment o the ccssnn of these conntrrs
tn us by the treaty in question. With whit patience
would gen lemeu counting tfom sRvthad,ng States listen
10 any argument which should be- urged Ivy the iree
St1rs that notwithstanding tho existence OF slavery
within those tettltfes the constitution OF the United
States abolished ihe ,nnmrni operated upon aud ok
fleet In the eecd leffilury We ls there nut inst
much ground contend that, whorc mnIely II The
States Ia ee and thu other moIey ls sRveholng, the
principle d freedom which prevails II thu one cass shall
op'a'e much M the principle OF slavery which pto-
vals in the othrt Can yoo come. amid#t llls enn ct
nf inter ats. principle aud legislation which prevails N
The two pntts If The Unon Ia any 9th ceneluslnn than
that which understand To ho the eanclusinn o the pub
c Inv of The mold al rrasan and Jastcr; HAT the status
"f law 1t existed the moment ot The conquest
the acquisition. remains until II s altered by the saver
ciun authority Of lhn cungnetng or acquiring nowet
That is the rfea rfnepla which yon can scarcely tnrn
paee ri ruhlr law Of lhe world without finding
rccaaniscd and every wheia established. The laws o
Mexico as they exisicd the moment Of the cesEion
the cedcd territories this country remained the nws
unril aud Hnl-s they nltrred hy that ne" savrr
crn power which hrs people aud these territories come
under in consequence o The lIeoy o csenn to the Uni
ted Slios.
ihink then Mr. President. that without snassiup
f,lber ~ eNhausng the ite s'ork If strength winch
have, AID Tor which | sha have abundant In the
p'anfrss ut iho Argument may lcavr that pnh ui the
subject. with thee observations ney upon the
general power whch think appellaius 10 lhls Govern
menl nn the subject nf slavery.
Sin, hcfurc approach that subject. 0lllw me u say
'ha. in my humble lndgnen. the institution of slntery
presents questions totally distinct, and resting
ttrly different grounds slavery within The Satea. and
slavery without the States. Congfc-s. the General Gov
etnment has paser. under the Constitution o lle T.
ultel States to touch slavery within the Slaios excpp
IN the Sinles cNccp in the three spfc fed pnrcnlas IN
thai tnsttunen 10 inst the suhec nt representation; n
impose taxes when system Ut direct taxation nndc
and perform The duty oi surrcndeug. causing 10 be
delivered up fugitive slaves that may escape from ser
vice witch they owe IN snye Slnes aud nko refuge
free States And sir, am rcndy Ia s,y that II Con
gtess attack, within the States the institution of
slavery r the Nutpase IT tho overthrow extinction u
slavery that them MI President my voice would he Tor
war then would he made Which would justly in
The sight o God nnd in the prehce OF The nations ot he
eafh, resistance the part ii the slave States 10 such
unconstitutional aud nsHrped attempt as would BE-
made on The snprn.lllun which have stated 1hen we
should be acting defence of our rights. domcIs,o ,our
property safety, oar lives aud then think. would
be furnished IN which TIN sl,vehnldny States
would be justified by all considerations which prrtanlo
The hhpplEess aud security Of man, Ia employ every
srunent which God or nature had picod III their hands
sist such attempt the pnrt Of the free Sates
And then. If unfortunately civil should break ont
aud should pre,en 10 the nations of the earth The spec
tncl oi portion OF this Union endeavonng"i snbvrr
institution in violation Of tho constitution aud tho most
sncred obligations which can bud menwe should present
the spectacle IN which should have The symIaihcs
the good Wishes nd the desr Tor by all
who love justice aud truth. Far different. fear would
be- c,seit unhapply should b. plunged nfo civil
war the iwo parts ui this country should be paced IN
position hnstlle toward each other IN order 10 cHty
Slavery into The territories acquired from Mexico
MIR President we have heard. MI OF us have heard Of
The ellrs oi Ffance 10 pfoprgaie-w what the cont
II Funpe} Not slavery sif; mt slavery hut the
riuhs OF nan; and we know the fate of her rilons
work OF t'u kind, But # the portions nf this
tcdefacy should unhappy be involved in civil wa. IN
which the eiaft on The one side would ho icsrnin the
ntrodnct on Of slavery int, territories and on the
other side force It's introduction there. aat speca
rlc should present the contemplation Of astnnlshed
manklnd} A elufi not 10 Propagate right. hut must
say-hough trust 1t viii be understood tn be- said with
desire otNcite feeling 'ffort To propagate wrong
IN the territories thus acquired from NlexlcN II would
be n in which we should have no sympathy. good
wishes and which a mankind would be against and
in which history itself would be- against Us; for
from the commencement Of the revolution DOWN the
present me We have constantly reproached our British
ancestors i the introduction Of slavery nin this country
aud allow say that, IN nv opinon il ia one of the
best delencfs whrh be made Ia preserve the insu
lion In this country that 1t Nus forced upon no linsi
the wishes o ancestors, own colonial anees0ra
and By the cupdty uur British cnmnlrfcla
The power Ihen Mr. President, in my opjnlnn aud
will extend ii to the introduction as well NJ the profit
blilon of slavery IN the territories think the pow
does eNsl n Congress and think there is lla mptr-
distinction between slavery outside of the States aud
slavery inside of the States thai all outside is debdahlr
all inside Of the States IS undrbateahe. The Govern
men has right touch the institution within the
States but whe her she has and 10 what extent she
has The right touch 1t outside Of the States,
question which is debaeah,e, and upm which may
honestly and fairly dsr but which, decided however
NAV he decdcd furnishes. III my Judgment insl
sion for breaking Up this happy aud glorious Union Of
ours.
Now am not going to take up that part Of The sub
Jert which relates 10 The power o Congress to legsne
either within this District q shall have occasion 10
make some observations upon that when approach The
resouliuus reating the Disrict)-eher within this
District or the Territories. But must say. ina few
words, that think there sources dfpower either
o which is. in my Judgement sufficient 10 warrant the
exercise of The powerii it deemed proper IN exercise
it, either introduce keep slavery. outside the
the States, within The Territories
Mr. President. | shall take mp time, Of Which al
ready much has been consumed, TO show that. ac
States, her according to the in which the
clause has been interpreted for he last fifty years the
clause hch conlprs Congress tho power regulate
the Territories and other property Of the United states
conveys the anhurlty.
MIR president with INV vnrthv friend rnm NIieiipan