The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-10

leo dces not dispute Il now. IF the only claim has
been extinguished, how can any one dispute the
claim OF Texasi
Mr.. STEVENS, Of Pennsylvania, was under
stood to say that Congress has power to settle the
Mr., STEPHENS, of Georgia. Texas came into
this Union by as solemn treaty as that made with
Mexico, and gave the United States no power to do
any thing but to satisfy Mexico. This Govern
ment was an umpire, and only settled the question
with Mexico. Whenever army is called out,
without authority OF law, to shoot down citizens, he
should hold every man traitor to his country who
does not resist. The fires at Concord and Lexing
ton were kindled when King George attempted 10
coerce the people without authority OF law. He ap
proved OF a conciiatory course. He was anxious
for settlement of the questions. He was for set
Element on the principles of justice and equity;
and il you want permanent union Of these
States, as northern men say they do, he would
tell them he was for the Union, and he would
cherish love for it, if they would let him. II
with him cherished sentiment. The Union
common property. The gentleman from Penn
sylvania said that there could be peace until
consent was obtained TO enable the South TO egis-
late for her own benefit The South has never asked
that the Government be contormed to her wishes.
The North think slavery wrong. We have public
doman, acquired by the North and the South.
This is not denied; but why do the North interfere
and seek to deprive the South of her just rights to
equal participation in the possession? 1t was ac-
quired as common property, and should be enjoyed
by all He would repeat another truth, in the face
Of day and before the sun, that he never would ac-
knowledge allegiance TO a Government arrayed
against the property and the social order OF the
South; and would say again, that no people de-
served the name OF frcemen who would submit to
be kicked and tramped upon.
Seven millions Of people are not easily conquered.
1t was for gentlemen of the North estimate the
value Of the Union. He had estimated the conse-
quences for himself, and it was for other gentlemen
10 count what will be the result hereafter.
He then adverted to the sentimentality of the
on 10 N 4 wa
but quarrelipg with Almighty God. You attempt
10 make human being different from what his
Maker created him. He cannot be placed on an
equality with the whites The Ethiope cannot
change his skin, the leopard his spots. The
gentleman from Massachusetts, (Nr. MANS) said
that rather than that slavery should extend over
foot of the acquired territories he would prefer
war famine, and devastation.
MIR. MANN remarked that the point of discus
sion was the extension Of slavery the Terrific
RIGS. He did consider that's greater evil than any
that could befall the country but he said that
the extension of slavery foot of the terri
tory greater evil than war, famine or de-
vastation
MIR. STEPHENS understood the gentleman as
he had already stated. The gentleman now said
that he would rather the southern States laid
waste than that slaves should be scattered the
Territories, although this would not add che to the
present number OF slaves He called gentle
men of the North to note the declaration-that war
devastation and famine preferable to the extern
sion OF slavery the Territories. If this is the
issue, let il be known.
Mr.. McKISSOCK asked whether it was fair to
charge on the North the sentiments expressed by
one or two gentlemen?
MIR. STEPHENS understood to say he did
not believe the sentiment general in the North;
and In conclusion, he remarked the South will
never make war on you, but We will resist aggres-
sions upon ourselves. If we TO have no portion
OF this territory, meet us openly, and
Here the hammerfel; the gentleman had spoken
an hour
Mr.. SAVAGE, of Tennessee, obtained the floor,
and gave way to
Mr.. MANN, who wished simply to reply briefly
to Mr. STEPHENS The gentleman affirmed that he
MIR Nj had said, rather than that slavery should
extend one inch he would prefer war pestilence,
any other evil. This he denied The gentleman
also said that it only the extension of slavery
which he (Alr. Nj J deprecated, and which nc would
prevent at these great perils and sacrifices and
that by the removal of any portion of slaves from
the southern States 10 the territories, there would
not be another slave in existence in consequence of
II. lie denied this; II Of the most delusive
ideas ever entertained by man. Ii Is known TO be
the law of population, that in proportion to the
amount of area is the amount of production and
increass Would the gentleman undertake TO say
that II slavery had been confined to Virginia,
| there would now be three millions there? Would
the gentleman say if il had been confined to James
! town, there would be three millions now? man
might as well say he can raise as much wheat in
a county Of New York or Virginia in all the
territory of the United States.
Mr.. SAVAGE resumed the floor, and charged on
Mr. MASN that he did say that he would suffer any
calamity which the Imagination could fancy, rather
than that slavery should advance one inch. lie then
! proceeded to speak of the Presdents recent mes
sage, which he stignatizcd as revolutionary in
its aim and hypocritical in its composition; or
Il must have been written by one who did not
understand the subject about which be wrote.
He looked on the proceedings Of the President as
an effort TO wrest from Texas the lands which she
! owned, and which was secured 10 her by title and
every thing else 10 be found in the law books. We
I lgIuCd tho who'll az hgr botndarv and
! cstopped from hereafter denyingit for we annexed
| her with the boundary which che claims. IL
Is an effort the part of the Executive to do what
| Congress alone has the power to do. The whole
| gst Of the message is that it is the duty Of the
President to maintain and protect these Mexicans,
who, he supposcs, settled on territory called
! New Mexico, and which he claims as part and par
eel oil the United Statcs. Now, this same treaty
has another clause in il, which escaped the astute
| President, who has buckcd his armor and
drawn his sword. These same MeIicans, on whose
account the President will light the fires Of civil
war are TO be incorporated into the Union of the
| United States, and be admitted at the proper
! time, TO be Judged Of by the Congress of the
! United States" Congress has adiudgcd that il is
not time 10 admit these McSichns. The question
has boon proposed from time to time and not &C
quiesccd in But the President says, at is time.
/ ! adjudCe; ] approve Of the conduct Of Colonel
/ Munroc who called a convention TO advance
/ the interests Of these parties" No civil govern
/ mcnt could originate from the military. In CON
clusion, be defined his position a southern man,
condemned the northern aggressons, and declared
for fair and honest settlement Of the present
| troversy.
! Mr.. WILLIAMS, Of Tennessee, next addressed
| the committee. We regret that our position ena-
/ bled us 10 hear him with indistnctncss. lie was
understood 10 say, however that he wished 10 give
/ MS views with regard TO all these questions. lie
/ then rccapitulatcd the points in the Presidents
message in which the Executive had expressed
himself az thankful that Congress was in session,
and said IN effect, II you not satisfied with my
suggestions, settle the matter of boundary 10 suit
/ yourselves He friend from Georgia (Mr. STE
FHENs) had expressed his sentiments this morning
/ in condemnation Of the message. There was no
other man for whom he entertained higher opn-
| ion, and the speech showed that the gentleman
possessed ability and talent; but suppose the gen
/ tcman right and the President has mistaken
the law; III does not involve the principles OF ber
/ ty, and var and disuniOn, you have ample time TO
avert evil consequences by adjusting the difficulty.
Why threaten The President had merely stated what
! he conceived 10 be his dnty Nothing more. Taking
tit for granted even, that the President has mis-
/ taken the law, why stand we here idle' We arc in
session, and have the power TO act. The contest is
\ between the United States and Texas What in
erost has Virginia or Tenncssee in tho question
/ 70 whether the two degrees Of latitude shall be in
Tcxasy And for this must destroy this Union2
Great Cod shall the people who have lived so hap
/ PLY, break up this Government, the frccst in the
world, and under such circumstances! This terri