The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-02-25

Mr.. Downs then proceeds to say, that the ELECTS
Of the proposed compromise will be to admit free
State into the Umon and to declare upon the
authority Of the Senate tina, slavery is not tolerated
| By law IN Mexico Or California He adds, in rela-
tion 90 the existence Of slavery in Mexico by way
Of showing the absurdty Of the declaration in the
compromise, that hc is told that there are already
some four or FIVE hundred slaves there, and he
doggedly asserts that it is an indisputable fact
that large portion Of the population are poems,
which is only another name for slavery, and a
slavery too, much more degrading than that of the
Africans in the United States,1 and he winds up
this portion Of his speech with the conclusion not
very consistent with his views previously expressed,
there is nothing then left that can be at all CON
sdered concession but the declaration, that it is
inexpedient to interfere with slavery in the District
Of Columbia
That Mr. Downs has been toll that there are
four five hundred slaves in Mexico, is, no doubt,
| true, since he says so but what Of it? Does the
law Of Mexico depend upon what some ignorant
person told MIR. Downs. Mr.. Downs's assertion
as to the condition Of the poems, is quite as unior-
tunate as his reasoning in respect to the ex-
lstence Of slavery just mentioned. II is contra
dicted by the laws Of Mexico, and is not supported
by any respectable authority. Had Mr.. Downs
read the late speeches of Col Benton, he would
not have fallen into these of law and Of fact
Mr. Downs continues with the following sheer
ing and contemptuous remarks, addressed per-
sonally and most ollensivelyt to Mr.. Clay
With regard to the resolution affecting fugitive
slaves, 1t is very well, far as it goes; but
would suggest to the gentleman that there is
already solemn provision in the Constitution OF
the United States with relation to this matter--a
provision which was very ably discussed yesterday
by my friend from Virginia-which cannot now be
carried into effect and if solemn compact Of the
coniederated Union cannot be carried out, very
much Tear that simple resolution offered by the
Senator from Kentucky backed though it NAV be
by his all-powerful influence, will meet with but
little better What have | to say then
sir, is that protest against this compromise if so
you please to call it, because in not one single
point, if | clearly understand its meaning, does it
propose to benefit the people of the South"
The resolution to which Mr. Downs refers is as
follows
Resoiced That eectua provision ought to be made
y law according 10 the requirement Of the Constitution for
the restitution and delivery persons bound service labor
~ any 5ae who may escape into any other State Terri
Mr.. Downs observes that this resolution is very
tcelt as far as tt goes, without however, knowing
how far it goes for he scoffingly argues that the
resolution is useless, since the provision in the
Constitution the subject cannot now be carried
into efIect;" when, had he known what the reso-
luton was he would have perceived that its object
was to make the constitutional provision efectual
by laws proper for its enforcement. The amiabIe
modesty and kind oondescension with which the
experienced and learned Senator from Louisiana
suggested to the Senator from Kentucky the fact
that there was already solemn provision in the
Constitution of the United States with relation to
this matter ought to endear him to every lover of
courtesy and good breeding, and must especially
commend him to the esteem and gratitude OF every
friend of the Senator from Kentucky
The Senator from Louisiana protested against
the compromise, because, in not one single point,
u he understood its meaning, does it propose to
benefit the people of the South"
The limits OF newspaper preclude us from pur-
suing our remarks much further We have, how
ever, sufficiently shown that the Senator from
Louisiana did not understand the meaning Of the
he did not understand the reso-
luton IN relation to slavery in the District nor the
resolution on which we have just commented and
that he would have acted far more fairly and
wisely, had he, in conformity with the entreay of
Mr.. Clay, examined the series of resolutions |
thoroughly The Senator from Louisiana was in
ar too great hurry to speak. He was afraid, it |
eemed, that Mr.. Clay might alone occupy public |
ttention for time, it his (Mr. C.'s) resolutions
we're to be permitted to be laid over in silence.
lie was unwilling that he should be odtstripped in
he race Tor fame And hence, with a daring am
'itlon, he determined to connect himself with Mr. |
LAY on the occasion-ClaY and Downs the
Compromise and the Protest! Nor was he content
perey with urging his Protest. The hope uttered |
~ Mr.. Clay that the Protest would be recorded, |
lttorded an opportunity of Signalling his spirit
he had at least the right to have the Protest re-
orded on the same page with the remarks and reso
ions of the Senator HIMSELF
And further, although he had sneered at Mr..
jlay, as we have seen, and addressed him person
lily and Extensively, and that too without provoca-
ion or excuse, he himself was nevertheless not to
e annoyed even by concurrence in his views of
is rights. He could only say to Mr.. Clay that if
e, Mr.. C., attempts by sheer here, or in any
Their way to drive Senators from their proper posi-
ons, or to compel them into submission to his be-
ests, that his long and valuable services in public
te and great fame will be Of no assistance in the
Hort and sincerely trust that he will never find
ne who can be so brow-beaten"
The remarks of Mr. Downs, commented on this
'tlcle,. are taken from the Delta of the 18th of
ebruary.