The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-06-13

the honorable Senatr from Georgia Mr.. Ber-
rienl understands correctly what will be the re-
lation of the people this Territory to the Gov
ernment of the Unitd States, when this cession
is made-if he is correct in his opinion, that we
shall recognise Texs as the proprietor OF this
territory. then, sir. will follow that the Texan
law-the law of slavcy-will be claimed by Sen
ators who concur viii that distinguished Senator
in opinion to be the aw Of the Territory IL is,
sir, TO exclude any ach conclusion that have
offered this amendmut"
Certainly, the resons alleged by Mr. BALDWIN
were all-sufiicient to how the reasouaolensss and
necessity Of his amerlmest. But Mr.: Clay could
see nothing in il but he. Wilmot ProViso, though
q declaration of whathe himself had formerly as
serted as Truth of .aw-and he voted against
il. The following ae the yeas and nays on the
hendment:
xs.-Messrs. baldwin, Bradbury, Bright,
kaoper. Coryn, Davis Of Massachusetts,,
Dodge of Wisconsin, Douglas Felch,
n fale, Hamin, Miller, Norris, Seward,
Shiel YSmith, Sprance, Upham, Walker, and
Whitcomb--23.
"NAys-Messrs Athison, Badger, Bell, Benton,
Berrien, Borland, htler, Cass Clay, Clemens,
Davis Of Mississippi, Dawson Dickinson, Dodge
of Iowa, Downs, Foce, Houston, Hunter, Jones,
King, Mangum, Mson, Morton, Pearce, Pratt,
Rusk, Sebastian, Soue, Sturgeon, Turney, Under
wood, and Yulee-9n
So Mr. Clay, wt.S;x. "a. st.Gly part Of the SEES
sion won praises at tie North by his bold utter
ance of the "Truth OF Law" that the Mexican
Laws prohibiting slavery were still in force in
the Territories wien the question was made
practical, and it became important to have it set
tied by solemn declaration, voted against the
proposition sfirmfugthis Truth.
Let us hear no more Of Henry Clay's liberal
sentiments on the Slavery Question.
SO much for one of the most distinguished
leaders of the Wing party. Let us review the
votes of another Il them, Mr.. Webster. We
decided the questio, Of a Compromise Committee
against the North, subsequently, however, when
his vote could not turn the SCALE giving it for the
North. That is his way.
June 5th, when the Senate began to vote on the
amendments to the Omnibus bill, he supported the
Davis of Mississippi, and, when it was lost voted
against that amendment. The vrtp0of these
votes is somewhat impaired by the fact, that
there was scarcely any probability that either of
the amendments would pass. Inc NefvpUo,s6iOa
which was really intended to be passed was that
of Mr. Berrien of Georgia, inserting the words,
prohibiting or establishing" instead of Kin re-
spect tor SO as to leave the Territorial Legsla-
ture at liberty to protect slavery, should it creep
into the Territories; and for this, Mr.. Webster
roted, in company with Mr.. Sturgeon Of Pennsyl-
vania, Mr.. Dickinson of New York and Mr..
Jones of Iowa, the only Senator'S from the free
States in the affirmative. Had their votes been
recorded against the amendment, the vote would
have stood-yeas 26, nays 81.
Then came the motion of Mr.. Hale to prohibit
the Territorial Legislature from " allowing" sla-
very, and here again we find MIR. Webster voting
nay, in company with the shareholders, and with
Messrs. Bright, Cass, Cooper, Dickinson, Dodge
Jones and Sturgeon, from the free States. Mr.
Webster did not use to be found in such company
On the question of abolishing peon slavery, he
stood shoulder to shoulder with the same gentle
men, voting against its abolition in company will
the shareholders, and with Messrs. Bright, Coop
err, Dickinson Smith, and Sturgeon (Mr Cass
the great enemy of Austrian oppression, and al
sorts of white slavery, was unfortunately absent
when this vote was taken. Can any one tell how
he would have voted p
Mr.. Webster subsequently voted against Mr.
Yulee's amendment.
The moment the vote on this amendment was
announced, Mr. Baldwin introduced his amend
snsut.- ffirmins thr exissance- If tAs Maxiear
mark that Mr7'|t ebss~r disappeared just nbou'
this time, was absent during the spirited discus
sion that arose, and also when the question wa
taken on the amendment. AS Mr. Baldwin of
| fered his amendment the moment the result o
the vote on that of Mr.. Yulee was announced, a
| Mr.. Webster voted on the latter and bis name i
| the last but two on the record, he must eithe
have disappeared while the votes were bein
counted, "a process which occupies scarcely NOR
than two or three minutes or when he saw Nj,
Baldwin rise with his amendment Our stron,
impression is that that was the moment Of his de
parture. We must recollcct that, whatever ma,
| be the private views Of Mr. Webster, he has no
at any time during the present session given tn,
least intimation of his opinion in regard to th
important question on which almost every leading
Senator has expressed his sentiments-the ques
tion whether the Mexican Laws prohibiting sla
very are in force or not in the Territories EaC
he been present when the question was taken OF
Mr.. Baldwin's amendment, his position would
have been tested. He must either have voted yes
or nay. The fair presumption is that he chose t.
do neither, and therefore absented himself
Enough-will any idolater of Henry Clay OF
Daniel Webster please inform us what the cause
of Freedom and of Progress has to hope from
their counsels or Efforts Preserve the record
We have given of their votes, as well as that we
give in another column of the votes of Mr.. Cass
II will be useful hereafter If the men of Buffalo
of is4s be true to themselves, Hunkerism in 1852
will receive its eternal quietus