The North-Carolina standard., 1850-01-09
MR.. BUCHANAN ON SLAVERY.


pie, this whole question, which threatens to shake
the Confederacy from centre tocircumference, would
be speedily settled, and the stability and integrity of
the Union perpetuated through all time to come.
In connexion with the remarks of Mr.. Buchanan,
publish short abstract of the proceedings OF the
Senate at the time. with the ayes and noes upon the
motion to reject the prayer of the petitioners. We
think the time opportune for again spreading those
proceedings before the people. Let the remarks of
Mr. Buchanan be read by every person into whose
hands this paper may fall. They are the words of
truth and soberness - and we hope their republica
above referred to in such way shall give peace
and security, and be satisfactory to every section of
the Union. 80, -.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
MONDAY, January IL. 1886.
Mr.. Buchanan presented the memorial of the Cain
Quarterly meeting of the Religious Society of Friends,
requesting Congress to abolish Slavery and the Slave
Trade in the District of Columbia; and moved that
the memorial should be read and that the PRAYER of
the memorialists be rejected.
After long and able discussion on the question,
it was decided Friday, March II, 1886, that the
prayer of the memorial should be rejected, by vote
of 81 in the affirmative, and in the negative. The
following are the aves and noes on the question:
Yeas-Messrs. Benton, Black, Brown. Buchanan,
Clay, Crittenden, Cuthbert, Ewing, of Illinois. Ew-
ing, of Ohio, Goldsborough, Grundy, Hubbard, Hill
King. of Alabama, King. of Georgia, Leigh Linn,
Mexican, Moore. Nicholas. Niles, Porter. Preston,
Robbins, Robinson, Ruggles. Shepley. Tallmadge,
Upton, Tomlinson, Walker, Wall, White, Wright
"a.
Navs-Messrs Davis, Hendricks, Knight, Prem
tiss, Swift, Webster-6.
In support of his motion reject the prayer Of the
memorialists, Mr.. Buchanan made the following,
among other remarks, which We copy from the Ma
tional 1ntelligencer:
''The memorial which have in my possession, is
entitled to the utmost respect. from the character Of
the memorialists. As entirely dissent from the
opinions they express that onght to abolish slave
ry in the District Of Columbia, feel it to be due to
them, to myself and to the Senate, respectfully, but
firmly, to state the reasons why cannot advocate
their views acquesce in their conclusions.
If any one principle of constitutional law can, at
this day, be considered settled it s that Congress
have no right. no power over the question Of slavery
within those States where it exists. The property
of the master in his slave existed in full force before
the Federal Constitution was adopted. Itwas sub
ect which then belonged, it still belongs, to the
exclusive Jurisdiction of the several States. These
States, by the adoption Of the Constitution. never
yielded to the General Government any right to in
terfere with the question. 1t remains where it was
previous to the establishment of our confederacy.
The Constitution has, in the clearest terms, recog
nized the right Of property in slaves. It prohibits
any State into which slave may have fled, from pass
ing any law to discharge him from slavery, and de-
claes that he shall be delivered up by the authorities
the existence of slavery the foundation of political
power, by giving to those States within which it ex-
sts representatives in Congress not only in propo
ton to the whole number Of free persons but also in
proportion to three-fths Of the number of slaves.
An occasion very fortunately arose in the first Con-
gress, to settle this question. The society for the
abolition Of slavery in Pennsylvania, brought it be-
fore the Congress by memorial, which present.
ed on the llth day of February, 1890. After the
subject had been discussed for several davs and af
ter solemn deliberation, the House Of Representa-
tyes in Committee of the whole, on the 23d day of
March, 1890, resolved, sThat Congress have no au-
thorty to interfere in the of slaves,
in the treatment of them within any of the States it
remaining with the several States alone to provide
any regulations therein, which humanity and true
policy may require"
have thought it would be proper to present this
decision which was made almost half century ago,
distinctly to the view of the American people. The
language of the resolution is clear precise, and def
mite. 1t leaves the question where the Constitution
left it and where, so far as am concerned. 1t ever
shall remain The Constitution of the United States
never would have been called into existence,-in-
stead of the innumerable blessings which have flow
ed from our happy Union, we should have had anar-
chy, jealousy and civil war among the sister Re-
publics of which our Confederacy is composed-had
not the free States abandoned all control this
question. For one, whatever may be nv opinions
upon the abstract question of slavery (and am free
confess that they those of the people of Penn
sylvana.) shall never attempt to violate this fun
damental compact. The Union will be dissolved,
and incalculable evil will rise from its ashes, the
moment any such attempt is seriously made by the
free States in Congress.
What, then, are the circumstances under which
these memorials are now presented! number oi
fanatics, led on by foreign incendaries have been
scattering ''arrows. frebrands, and death thrcughou,
the Southern States. The natural tendency of their
publications is to produce dissatisfaction and revolt
among the slaves and to incite their wild passions
to vengeance. All history, we'll as the present
condition of the slaves, proves that there be
danger of the final result of servile But, in
the mean time what dreadful scenes may be enacted
before such nsurrecton, which would spare neth
Of mind must be suffered, especially by the gentle
sex, in consequence of these publications! Many
! mother clasps her infant to her bosom when she
retres to rest, under dreadful apprehensons that she
| may be aroused from her slumbers by the savage
| yells of the slaves by whom she is surrounded
These are the works Of the Abotionists. That the
motives may be honest, do not doubt; but thei
zeal is without knowledge. The history of the hu
nan race presents numerous examples of ignoran
enthusiasts, the purity of whose intentions cannot b
doubted, who have spread devastation and bloodshee
over the face of the earth.
These fanatics instead of beneftng the slaves Wit
the objects of their regards, have inflicted seri
injuries upon them. Selfpreservaton is the frs
law of nature. The masters, for the sake Of thei
wives and chidren-for the sake of all that is nea
and dear to them on earth-must tighten the reign
of authority over their slaves. They must counter
act the efforts of the Abolitionsts. The slaves ar
denied many indulgencies which their masters wou
otherwise cheerfully grant. They must be kept j
rising. These are the injurious effects produced b.
l the Ah0litiOnSsfS rnO the hirnaefe Whilcf