The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-02-28
MR.. CLAY's SPEECH.

Il We OsUJs W.T. Sluy IcsuoShS OH btSS III -
four resolutions Is being Of less general 10.
terest:-
i The fifth resolution, Sir, and the sixth like
the third and fourth, are somewhat connec-
ted together. They are as follows:
5th. Resolred, That it is inexpedient to abolish
Slavery in the District Of Columbia, while that
institution continues 10 exist in the State, OF
Maryland, without the consent Of that State,
without the consent ofthe people Of the District,
and without just compensation TO the owners OF
slaves within the District.
9th. But Resolred, That 1t is expedient to pro-
hibit withinth District the slave-rade in slaves
brought into il from States or places beyond the
limits Of the District, either 10 be sold therein as
merchandise, to be transported to other markets
without the District Of Columbia.
The first Of these resolutions, Mr.. Preai-
dent, in somewhat different language, as
serts substantially no other principle than
that asserted BY the Senate Of the United
States twelve years ago, upon resolutions
which then offered, and which passed--at
least the particular resolution passed-by .
majority Of four, ,filths Of the Senate. al
Iudc TO the resolution presented BY me in
1888. shall not enlarge on that resolu.
,on; It speaks for itself; it declares that
the institution Of Slavery should not be
abolished in the District ofCoIumbia with
out the concurrence. Of three condi.iona:--
first, the assent Of Maryland; second, the
assent Of the people within The District; and
third, compensation TO the owners Of the
Slaves within the District oftheir property.
The next resolution proposed deserves
passing remark. Il is the Slave Trade
within the Distict ought to be abolished,
prohibited. ] do no. mean by that the alie-
nation and transfer of slaves from the in
habiiants within the District-the sale by
one neighbor to another off slave which the
one owns and tho other wants, that hps-
band may perhaps be put along with his
wife, or a wife with her husband. ] do not
mean TO touch at all the questions Of the
right Of property in slaves among persons
living within the District; but the Slave
Trade 10 which refer was, think, pro-
nounced an pbomination more than forty
years ngo, by one Of the most gifted and
distinguished sons Of Virginia, the late Mr..
Randolph. And who is there who is not
shocked at its enormity? Sir, il is great
mistake q, the North il they suppose that
gentlemen living in the Slave States looks
upon one who is regular trader in SLAVE ves
with any particular favor or kindness
They are often--sometimes unjnstly, per-
haps-excluded from social intercourse.
hive known some memorable instances of
this sort. But, then, whit is this trade2 u
is good deal limited since the retrocession
Of the portion Of District formerly belong
| ing to Virginia. There are Alexandria
Richmond, Petersburg, and Norfolk south
Of the Potomac, md Baltimore, Annapolis
md perhaps other ports, north Of the Poto-
mac. Let the slave dealer, who chooses to
collect his slaves in Virginia and Maryland
| 20 to these places; let him not come here
and establish his jails and put on his chains.
and sometimes shock the sensibilities Of our
nature by a long train Of slaves passing
through that avenue leading from this Cap
ilol to the house Of the chief magistrate Of
one Of the most glorious Republics that ev-
CT existed. Why should he do it? Sir, ]
am sure speak the sentiments Of every
southern man, and every man coming from
the Slave States. when ! say let il termin
nte, and tha, j. is an abomnation, that there
| is no occasion for il, il ought no longer to be
tolerated.
The seventh resolutions relates to snb-
| iect embraced in bill now under consider
| ston by tho Senate. It is as follows:
7th. Re,ol,ed, Tha, more effectual provision
ought to be made BY law, according to the re-
quirement Of the constitution, for the restitution
and delivery Of persons bound to service or labor
in any State who may escape into any other State
or Territory in the Union.
Sir, that is SO evident, and has been &c
clearly shown by the deba:' which has al
ready taken place on the subject, that !
have not now occasion to add another word.
The las, resolution Of the series CT eight,
| is as follows:
And 8. Reso!red, That Congress has no power
10 prohibit or obstruct the trade in slaves between
the siaveholding States; bn that the admission or
exclusion Of slaves brought from one into another
of them, depends exclusively upon their ow'
| partieularlaws.
Il is obvious that no legislation is neces-
sary, OF intended to follow that resolution
II merely asserts truth established by the
highest authority Of law in the country, and
in conformity with that decision trust that
there will be one universal acquiescence.
should have thought it necessary to
embrace in that resolution the declaration
which is embraced in it, but that thought
il might be useful Id treating Of the whole
subject, and in accordance with the prac-
tice Of our British and American ancestors,
occasionally to resort to great fundamental
principles, and bring them freshly and
manifestiy before our eyes, from time to
time, 10 avoid their being violated upon any
occasion.
Mr.. President, you have before you the
whole series Of resolutions, the whole scheme