The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-30

may then be asked. Why do you claim that Congress
should, n the territorial bills. superadd provision for
the prohibition OF slavery Why do an act which is I'M
necessary slavery being already prohibited therel II
territorial bill is passed and the powers OF government
conferred upon those who may emgrae to the Territory
and there u no restriction to prevent the establishment OF
slavery y may 30 there; may silently creep may
get fqothod in that way as it has already been re-
marked IN the course of the debate il has done IN almost
every State where il has ultimately established iise
II 10 TO prevent the possibility OF slavery being es-
tablished In the free territory that many are de-
srous 10 extend il the ordinance OF l7sl II
are %sds seng from hs oa Mexican laws
in foIce-if those Mexican laws are abrogaed@wny
all know that il the climate IS adapted 70 slavery
the avowed determination which has been distinctly man
esed in several OF the southern States 10 introduce al
all hazards leaves little TO doubt that II may, and
ultimately will find access there But southern gentle.
men in whose opinions confidence reposed deny that the
Mexican laws prohibiting slavery are now IN force II Is
claimed that the constitution of the United States has al
ready found is way into this territory and established ala
will stop to speak OF il again; but II this opin
ion be extensively entertained by southern lawyers, un
CUSTOM il Be said hat there < no danger that slavery
free ts
II is said that the laws Of nature forbid it and there
fore il will be regarded walton insult upon the feel
ings or the preudces OF southern gentlemen such pro-
hibton y contained in the territorial bill But here
again the facts denied II is asserted by southern
gentlemen that this territory is adapted slave labor
II has been asserted in this body that slavery will go
there II il s not prohibited The very excitement, the
the country upon this subject shows that such opin
ion 10 entertained IL TO be supposed that the people OF
State would become agated and excited to such de-
gree that there is danger the Union ITSELF unless there
some real interest to be affected by the question
about which this excitement has arisen
Are we required to believe that the southern States.
when they unanimously enacted the ordinance OF 17S7,
now at this late period regard il offensive that that
ordinance shall be applied TO other Territories Can be
9
any excitement likely grow out OF the application
Of this ordinance in this than in the OF Oregon
Of the territory north of the Missouri liner Why
should there be No principle is now asserted It
is merely the application Of an old principle, settled and
and well established. and repeatedly enacted from the
new territory, and to a territory which, when
qured il was as free from slavery the territory OF any
OF the free States of this Union.
And, sir, to the matter OF feeling As has already
been said the people of the free States, and individuals
from all parts OF the country, who opposed to the
not to be yielded that territory which is now free shall
remain and that therefore, if there be any danger OF its
being permitted 10 become slaveholdng territory. il ought
gress Of the United States which it may consutionaly
adopt TO permit it. There is unkind feeling in the
matter. None is entertained None whatever is intend
ed to be Indicated II the feeling applied to these
Territories that led to the unanimous adoption of the
ordinance OF 1857. II gentlemen from the South think
will go there not prohibited other gentlemen here are
prohibited And if there be this DANGER then gentlemen
from the North know perfectly well that there IS but one
opinion among their constituency in regard to the policy
But, regard it important upon another ground
Texas was annexed to this country for the purpose OF
strengthening and sustaining the system OF slavery
There other Mexican possessions in the vicinity OF
Texas The same cupdiy for the acquisition of foreign
territory will hereafter lead TO their acquisitionto other
wars for the purpose OF annexng them, as Texas was
annexed. and for the same purpose.
Mr.. RUSK, Gnterposng) Will the honorable senator
allow me one single momomentl ! have heard il fire,
queny asserted upon this floor that Texas
the United States for the purpose Of strengthening the
savehodng power. No such element entered into the
question, so far Texas concerned. II sub
Ject which was never taken into consideration by her
and was not aware and not inclined to believe that
was the motive OF the United States can speak con-
' Mr.. DAWSON win the honorable senator allow me
to ask the senator from Texas one question:
MIR. BALDWIN. Certainly.
Mi. DAWSON. Will the senator from Texas inform
the Senate whether, during The period that Texas an
independent republic, slaves were imported there from any
other country than the United States
the Importation Of slaves from any other country than
the United States prohibited, and made punishable
as piracy. II was never done, sir and could not be
DONE
Mr.. BALDWIN. Ialluded to the documents published
to the world by the organs OF this under the
administration Of President Tyler. ! alluded to docu
published under the signature Of the distinguished
senator from South Carolina, mir, CALHousl
Mr. SEWARD; Mr. Upshnr, also.
Mr.. BALDWIN. Yes; and his predecessor, Mr.. Up
Judgment TO establish the point have not got them
now al hand but they have been placed before us here
during the debates upon this subject | must be permit
ted 10 draw my own conclusions from them III other
gentlemen draw different conclusions from these docu.
mens. they AT liberty TO do II is obvious enough
from these documents, that the great motive OF the al
mnisiration then in power was, by the acquisition of
Texas the protection OF the system OF slavery from The ap
pretended danger that, through the influence OF Great
Britain that republic might be converted into free State
upon lher borders, and in the midst OF the slave
otaes, and that as SUCH she might endanger that in
stution. Indeed, do think sir that that fact has been
distinctly avowed upon this floor, at this session. by the
distinguished senator from South Carolina [Mr CAL
HoUs] himself And, sir, causes may exist with regard
TO the other provinces OF Mexico contiguous TO Texas
which will seem 10 demand their acquisition for SINH
lar purpose. II is certain, indeed that they will exist
Those Territories are Free and If il is understood TO
be the settled and reyocable policy OF this government
In accordance with what the policy OF this govern
ment m 1887 To regad free territory subject the
admission of slavery, then say the temptation to war
and annexation in that direction will cease
do not Mr. President. intend TO occupy the time OF
the political aspects Of this question do not consider
this as proper place for the discussion OF the one and
have already other occasions submitted to the Senate
fully my sentiments with regard 10 the other do not
therefore, deem II necessary TO occupy their time
with such discussions.
But Mr. President il is claimed that these questions
shall 20 to committee for the purpose OF being com
promised with view TO final settlement OF the account
between the different sections Of the Union regard to
the recovery OF fugitive slaves and the agitation grow
ing out of the course pursued by individuals in the
free States in relation to this subject | propose,
Mr.. President, 10 say few words in regard TO
tho ouo.r, NH haw haon .no al h.,t h..