Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-06-29
166
Debate in the Senate.

with or without Slavery, as the people may
elect in forming their State Constitution.
MIR. WEBSTER addressed the Senate. He
observed that on the 9Th March last he de-
clared that there was not a foot of Territory
belonging TO the United States, the charac-
ser Of which, as Free or Slave Territory,
was not already fixed by some irrcpealable
law. lie had not seen or heard anything
since that time to change his views upon
the subject That being his view Of the
question, he had very cheerfully voted against
the Wilmot Proviso, for the purpose of ex-
cluding Slavery from the Territories; he had
now no more apprehension of the introduc-
zion of Slavery into the Territories under
consideration, than he had of its introduce
tion into Massachusetts,. lie was now called
upon TO vote for an amendment, providing,
"That when these Territories shall come
here as States they shall be admitted either
with or without Slavery" If he voted
against that amendment, il would leave him
open to the suspicion of desiring to do that
by another process which hc refused to do
by the Wilmot Proviso. lie designed, then,
10 vote for the amendment for the same rea-
son us he voted against the Provso. lie vo-
ted against that because he thought all such
restrictions wholly useless; because they
gave oficnsc and dissatisfaction, and as he
desired to avoid all dissatisfaction, therefore,
he would now vote for the amendment pen
ding, which would have no effect one way
or the other, and yet give satisfaction. He
also submitted some remarks in favor of the
general features Of the pending bill, express
ing his conviction of the importance of &C.
curing its passage. When he looked around
him, aud saw the course of gentlemen from
his own section of the country, acting as he
knew they did conscientiously and honestly,
he was well aware of the extent of the re-
sporsibility which he assumed in differing
from them so widely. This had naturally
led him TO reconsider and re-examinc his
own position, rejudge his own judgment,
and after having performed that work, he
was quite unable TO change his first we'll |
settled opinion. He referred 10 the dissatis- |
faction which his course had given rise TO in |
some quarters aud TO the charges of incon-
sistcncy which had been made, declaring his
readiness, if any one here was disposed to
undertake the task of proving such incon-
sistency, TO vndicate the consistency of his |
Newb1ryport letter, or his speech of the 9TH |
March, with his recorded acts and declara- |
tions Of the past. lie declared his object to
be peace and reconciliation: he did not de-
sire TO make a case for the North or for the
South it was not TO continue useless and
distracting controversy. He was against
ngitators Of both North and South, against
local tests. He was an American, and knew
no country but America, no locality in Amer
ica that was not his country. Ills heart, senti-
ments and Judgment demanded that he should
pursue such course us shalpromote the good
harmony and union of the whole country, and
he would do so, God willing, TO the end of the
chapter. [Great applause in the gallery, i'm
mediatoly checked by the Chair.
Mr.. SEWARD explained the circumstances
which had led to the necessary absence of
his colleague from the city, and that he had
paired off with him and should not vote up
on the amendment, which he should vote
ngainst, if he voted at all. lie had no hesi-
tation in saying that no believed Congress
might either admit or reject the application
Of States for admission. If Congress had
tho right to admit they had the right to re-
ject or admit. They had the right TO impose
restrictions, and for his own part he knew
no circumstances which could arise that
would induce him TO consent TO the admis-
sion of States formed from any part of these
Territories, if they presented themselves for
admission as Slave States.
Mr.. CAss said he considered Mr.. Soule's
amendment mere work of supererogation,
having no more enec, .han provision de-
ciailng Una. mere snaIi pe rresiuent OF !he
taken this morning by MIR. Seward, saying
nat ne nau never before supposed II posi-,
D'e that mere was any man mere VINO denied
the very ilrst prihclpie OF our government
that STATE mas right to decide for itself
ITS municipal institutions, and such decision
should be no cause for its rejection; but as
that had here been denied this morning, he
would vote for the amendment, because he
was deslrous OF putting himself on record
IN rebuke OF such an assertion as that made
by MIR: Seward,
MIR. HALE replied to Mr.. Cass. lie thought
the amendment should be passed, if at all
with preamble, stating that i was not de-
signed TO nave any binding elect at all but
only us reouke oil lurking spirit OF fanat-
icism IN certain incorrgible members
tLaughter.
mr.. CAss, IN brief reIolnder, express
ca his desire that MIR. Hale would give to