The North-Carolina standard., 1850-01-16
SENATE.

TUESDAY, January 8. 1850.
After the presentation of memorials and pettions'
Mr. Upham of Vermont, presented Resolutions pass
ed by the Legislature of that State on the Slavery
question: and moved that they be printed for the use
of the Senate.
These Resolutions characterize Slavery as ga crime
AGAINST humanity - which was tolerated solely as
thing of inexorable necessity" by the trainers OF
the Constitution-declare that Congress ought to
abolish the internal slave-ade prevent the extension
Of slavery and abolish the institution in the District
of Columbia-and the Senators from Vermont are in
structed so to vote.
Mr.. Butler said he should vote for the printing of
these Resolutions because it had been the custom to
do so, out of courtesy towards sovereign States and
because he desired the people of the South to see,
States in reference to Southern institutions.
Mr.. Phelps spoke at some length. He fully en-
dorsed the principles of the Resolution but said he
was for IS conciliaton, harmony. and good feeling:
He was anxious to settle this question forever. he
said he the last to think even of interfering
with Slavery in the States; but gentlemen must al-
low him to add that sc these Resolutions express the
opinion. of the civilized ,uor and instead of being
made subject reproach in the Senate. they should
be treated as the sentiments of the civilized world
and of the age in which we live.
Mr.. Berren opposed the printing of the ResoIu-
lions, the ground that they were addressed to the
Senators from Vermont, and not to the Senate. 1t
was matter with which the Senate had nothing to
do. He said whenever the Legislature of Vermont
thought proper to address the Senate matter what
sentiments they might express. they should receive
at his hands the consideration due to them but in-
structions Senators belonged to them. and not to
the Senate. So far as information was concerned,
the South did not need it. Her people were already
informed and united on this question.
Mr.. Upham followed in strain somewhat similar
to that of Mr.. Phelps, and was succeeded by Mr..
Mason. Mr.. Mason would vote for the printing, in
accordance with usage, and as matter of courtesy
to Vermont. Mr. Mason alluded to the fact that the
Resolutions from Virginia, addressed to her Sena-
tors, had been presented to the Senate, theseshad
been, and had been printed. He thought this was
right If the free States chose to denounce Slavery
crime, and to assault the South, even in the Sem
ate chamber, by sovereign States let the fact go upon
the record and be handed down for all time. The
Senator from Vermont had said that the Virginia Re-
solutions contained threat to dissolve the Union.
Sir, said Mr.. Mason, disclaim it. There is no
threat-none. There was d determined psrpose-a
re'olre by the State of Virginia protect her honor
and her institutions against all aggressions. from any
quarter. There was no threat-none whatever. Vir-
ginia stands in position that will not permit it.
Threats Ito whom! To those with whom she is
associated in this Union! Why, Sir, threats are
made by braggars in the streets! Itbeongs to that
class to utter threatsot to Independent States and
assure that SENATOR and all who hear me- that if the
law is passed. which is called for by the resolutions
just submitted the determination of Virginia will be
made good. y her own language. IS at every hazard,
and to the last extremity'' If it leads to dissolu-
ton Of the Union, would submit it to you. sir.
to any man who knows what it is to be freeman,
who would hesitate for one instant-hesitate when
the choice is put to him between dissolution of this
Union and submission to government Of unlimited
power? Sir. that case the constitution would not
only not be worth the parchment upon which it is
written, but every of the South would be truant
his fathers and his blood, who would regard it for
one instant That is the resoluton-the determination
IN which the senator from Vermont sees only threat
of disunon. 1t is the choice between resistance at
every hazard and to the last extremity and submis-
sion to- governments of unlimited power. When
that day comes, sir, the decision Of the State of V
ginia is made; and would not pledge my life only.
but pledge the lives of all her citizens. that she
will make it good.
Mr.. Hale followed in an amusing speech. He
said these Resolutions had been passed for effect
that political capital was the object-that, after all,
if you sift the free States to the bottom "you will
find that there is very little resoon in any of their
:" Resolutions
Mr.. Phelps again took the floor. He said there
was good deal of truth in what Mr. Hale had said /;
but still he had serious apprehensons on this ques-
ton. He said he knew the North had fanaticism
and folly but he repeated to Southern gentlemen that
there was intention the part of the free States
to interfere with Slavery in the States. He added,
however, that the right Of Congress to prohibit Slave
ry in the Territories clear; and that if Congress
should think it wise and expedient to do so, State
could be allowed to dictate to the contrary to that
body.
Mr.. Yulee spoke in opposition to printing the Res
olutions, and MI. Rusk moved to lay the motion to
print on the table. The motion was put, and the
Senate refused to lay the motion on the tabe-yeas
IL. nays 49, Mr.. Hale made few observations. when
Mr.. Calhoun took the floor. He said but few
words. He remarked that he had long labored faith
fally-fihfuly- repress the encroachments Of the
North. At the commencement Of these encroachments
he saw where it would and must end and he despair
ed OF ever seeing them arrested in Congress. The
agitation would 60 to its end, for gentlemen had al
ready yielded to the current Of the North, which they
admitted there they could not resist 1t not for
him to say what the South would do; but the South
would meet this question, in his opinion, il ought
to be met
Mr.. Borland followed in an animated and able
speech, in opposition to the printing. Among other
things, he said he did not wish to be considered as
unexcted on this question. He should despise him
self, and his constituents would despise him, If he
could stand there unmoved under such circumstances
Sir, said he, lay claim to that philosophy which
makes men quiet and calm on subject which not
only affects their interests but their honor do not
chose on this or any other occasion to argue this
question with the senators on the other side of the
house. do not stand here to argue it. Argument
has been c-:heusted. cannot argue-senators must
excuse me- for the harshness of the expression--I
cannot argue with the robber who meets me upon the
highway and demands my purse II cannot consent
to argue with the assassin, who seeks to stab me in
the dark cannot argue with the midnight incendi-
ay who stands ready apply the torch to my DWELL
Ing, and to consume my wife and children. Under
these circumstances, am excited and do not desire
70 % otherwise. would despise MYSELF, and hope
ssat my constituents would despise me, and would
oar the State against on my return, if under such
circumstances as the similar ones by which We are
surrounded, did not become excited. -
MI. Chase then obtained the floor, after which the
subject was passed over informally for the present