Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-05-25

can law. never raised doubt upon that question Sa-
has been sboished within the limits OF Mexico BY the
constitutional power Of Mexico. So far that goes there
fore there be the shadow of doubt in the mind OF
any one that the Mexican law prevails slavery already
abolished and utterly eradcaied.
Mr. CLAY. understood the Senator 10 be assailing the
opinion which entertained and expressed.
Mr.. SOULE. certainly did not.
Mr. CLAY. Be that as It may, the honorable Senator
contends for that which equivalent 10 the non-aboon of
slavery by the Mexican awhat the right to carry slaves
into the ceded restored by virtue of the coR
tuition of the United States.
Mr. SOULE. That is it.
Mr. CLAY That then, what the Senator contended fo
Very WELL the IT. by the Constitution of the United States,
there right the part every STAKEHOLDER in this country,
carry slaves the ceded Territories (Which certainly
do not believe admit what more does the Senator want
He talks about the stdfu quo The sfdfu quo precisely
what should suppose himto want But, superadded that,
if that be with him. is the Constitution Of the United States
And yet he satisfied Does he wish the constitution to
be e-enacted Can the paramount authority be strengthen
ed by Of subordinate power Would he recommend
the introduction the Wnot provso the BILL legs
ative admit slaves, because the plan of the
mttee is silent upon na subject The Senator is not salts
fed with this compromise. Will he tell now, in many
words what be would put into act of Congress satisfy
himself on the subject slavery should be extremely hap
py to hear it.
Mr. SOULE. am ready to answer the honorable gentle
at will be satisfied with this section of the bill
if the amendment proposed by the Senator from Mississippi
prevail. That is all am willing to abide by that
secon provided the amendment proposed by the Senator
from Mississippi, and which have this morning sustained,
be adopted will also be satisfied with other portions Of the
BILL if reasonable amendments shall be made
Mr.. CLAY. am happy to find that there is some pos
sby that the Senator may yet vote with Perhaps
should have been less if had not despaed Of OBJ
tanning his vote really thought that. from the of
his argument and from the in which he treated every
proposition contained in the report he goue that
he hopeless that nothing could reconcile him any
scheme that the committee could propose regret however,
perceive that the Senator announcing weu sats
fv
know what other law the Senator upon the subject Of
slavery than the paramount law of the Constitution of the
Uniied States : o1".
Mr.. sOULE Protection.
Mr.. CLAY The paramount law Of the constitution af
fosds that protection.
Mr.. sOULE. think it does not afford thai protection.
MIR. CLAY. Will the Senator be satisfied with striking
out the clause
Mr.. SOULE. will be satisfied with the cause, provided
it be modified proposed By my friend from Mississippi.
Mr.. CLAY. But that amendment the Senator knows
cannot agree to, because it fact the existence of
which deny 1t assumes the fact that slaves there.
maintain that there there, except bere and there
body servant that has been carried there BY those who
sojournng or travelling through the country.
If the Senator will be satisfied with striking out the clause
will vote to strike out because voted against putting
in Or would its being modified declare
that the Territorial Legislature shall neither admit exclude
slavery, which will leave it open to police regulations If
the Senator will be satisfied with that But, if
the Senator Desires by any indirect ans by any clause
which beyond its proessed object by any implication
which result from that clause to assert either that slavery
exists now in that country, that it is lawful to carry
there under the constitution of the United States for one
cannot agree it. If the Senator will agree the modca
on of the clause, declare that the Territorial Legs
laure shall pass laws either admit exclude slavery
Mr.. WEBSTER. Respecting the establishment or excIu-
sion Of slavery.
Mr.. CLAY. Certainly II the Senator will agree to
modify the clause to declare that the Territorial Legs
laure shall pass laws respecting the establishment
cusIon Of slavery, will go for it with pleasure.
M
Senator, but understood his argument it to imply
that the amendment proposed by the honorable Senator
Mississippi assumes the existence Of slavery there
concur with him in that The amendment assumes that
slaves may be there, but certainly will carry them there
they be not already there. And any right exists under the
state of things which that assers conceive what
serious Objections be entertained the part the honor
able SENATOR to the amendment proposed by the Senator from
Mississippi only ects whatever rights may there
1t does not give any right 1t only seeks protect such
rights as under the constitution OF the United Saes may
hereafter exist For these reasons shall vote for the
amendment beg the pardon of the honorable Senator
interrupting him. ....@ .....: ..
Mr.. CLAY. Well sir if the honorable Senator will be
satisfied with such amendment have suggt sed, and
which understood the other day was satisfactory to most
gentlemen that side Of the house-an amendment declar-
ing that the Legislatures of the Territories shall neither
bsh exclude savery-l am content Then it will leave
open all these questions of right be settled under the con-
suon of the United States and all those matters of police
which are stated to be desirable But cannot agree
existence there at this tme and in point Of law
that, under the constitution of the United Saes there is
right 10 carry slaves there for either p.o os
ton repeat that ready to vote to strike out the clause
to retain the clause to modify the clause in the way that
have suggested which will accomplish all the objects sought
for the other side of the house, if understand them
Now Mr. President am not going, at this time of the
session. and at this stage of the progress this measure TO
discuss the question Of the validity of the laws of Mexico
The question whether the opinions expressed by and by
Others the opposite ones be right only be decided by
the Supreme Court of the United States upon proper case
brought before that tribunal We go far can to set
tie all these questions We establish there and
courts there, from which appeals may be ake
codng the express provisions of The BILL to the Supreme
Court Of the United States question as 10 whether or not
The Mexican law prevails in these Territories whether the
constitution admits slaves be taken there can only be de-
cided by that tribunal.
Mr. President will say any thing more with respect
the abe ingenious and eloquent argument Of the Senator
from Louisiana but will proceed the other subjects Winch
propose to discuss. not of those who, either
the commencement of the session any time during its
progress have believed that there any present actual dan
ger the existence of the Union But of those
who believe that, this agitation is continued for
longer, oresee the dreadful consequences
dissolution of the Union, the greatest of all caamies in
my opinion which befal this country, may in form
take place but next to that is dissolution of ose fatea
and kindred ties that bind together free, christian
and commercial people, Ia my opinion the body polite
exasperaon which going between the sections of
the country, shall Unless it do cease am afraid
that this Union for all the high and noble purposes for which
our fathers formed it, will not be preserved.
Mr. President, will far venture to express this
opinion that unless this of compromise
words of the b-for the committee, sure viii agree to
any amendments notifications which will better the mea
surebut unless of l,bo