The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-18


territory free. ['It is the voice of the Wings.
Let il go to the cause of the Wing or Democratic
party he would ask no better platform. Indcpend-
emily OF morale, there was political principle which
ought 10 govern the question. When the Consti-
tuition was formed, the slave States then in the
Union were allowed 10 have their property repre-
sented-five slaves counting as three freemen This
was evidently unjust unless you place the horses
and carriages, as contended for by the gentleman
from Louisiana, (Mr MoRsE,) on the same foot
ing. There was nothing in the Constitution which
says that the privilege shall be extended TO future
States. He understood that his colleague will
ing that five slaves should count three of his white
constituents.
MIR. BUTLER, of Pennsylvania. Such an infer
ence is not 10 be drawn from the remarks.
MIR. STEVENS. II is the effect of admitting new
States with slavery and the people of the old Con-
nectcut reserve arc put ON par with the slaves Of
the new States. He could not agree to any such
doctrine; he would abide by the Constitution.
MIR. ROBINSON, Of Indiana, said that debate was
TO have ceased last Tuesday, but, under the opera
ton Of rule which gives five minutes for explana-
ton OF amendments, (Which are handed from one
to another,) the discussion has been prolonged.
Something had been said about compromise, and
that we are TO await the action OF the Senate. IL
you go to the Senate, you will be told that they
waiting for to act. He was in favor of acting at
once. He had, from the commencement been in
favor OF putting in California, andsetling all these
questions at time. He repudated the miser-
able policy of the President and believed that any
action better than none Many of the gentle
men who protested to be friends of California, and
have blamed the South for provoking discussion,
have furnished fuel TO keep the debate going. So
long examinations and recriminations are in
dulged, the admission of California will be elnbar-
rassed He voted for the principle of the amend
ment on Thursday. He had rarely heard 1t denied,
except by Abolitonists, that the people, when they
form State Constitution, have right to prohibit
slavery not. 1t is principle not denied scarcely,
in non slavehodng States. Ia it possible that the
Wing party can deny that such principle was re-
lad hut no liru of he 10
surprised at the amount of Importance which
southern gentlemen attached to the amendment.
when some of them did not vote at all Was il pos
sible that simple vote in committee, where re-
cord Is kept, should be regarded as momentous!
Mr.. VINTON should vote against the PROPOSE
ton, which attirms that if any State admits JUS
titles slavery it shall be objection to her admis
sion, for the that if there is any thing more
firmly settled than another i'll this government, it
is this. AS northern man he would not vote for
1t; as southern man he would not. He had no
doubt about it, and therefore would not vote for it.
The proposition requires no legislation; 1t was a
mere abstractlon; 1t hurts one, and amounts to
nothing
MIR. STEPHENS, of Georgia, replied to Mr.. Vim
ton. The gentleman had said that there no
reasonable constitutional objection to the admis
sion of State, with without slavery. He would
ask whether principle had not been asserted as
higher than the Constitution; sentimental oppo-
sition higher than the Constitution? And gentle
here say that it is the united sentiment of the
North the settled determination, that there shall
be more slave States He would ask the gentle
man whether he will vote for the admission of any
State, the constitution of which recognises slavery?
IA pause The gentleman is silent! Is he for the
Presidents plan?
Mr. ylNTON replied, that what he had already
said was sufficient. There nothing in the his
tory of this country better established than that the
recognition or the exclusion OF slavery does not
constitute objection to the admission of II State
Mr.. WOODWARD. (sotto voce.) No constitu-
fionaL objection
There being much confusion III the hall,
The CHAIRMAN requested gentlemen TO come
to order; and when quiet was partially restored,
MIR. STEPHENS resumed This principle, is
coming on steadily and rapidly; and if we judge
the future from the events of the past there Is
son to believe that this opinion will be ground
for the exclusion OF slave States He deemed
the matter of such Importance, that the House
should to-day have uncquiyocal declaration.
How did the gentleman vote on the bill introduced
at the last session, TO authorize the people of Cali
iornia to form State constitution for themselves,
dents plan? Was lac then for it
Mr. VlNTON said he did not vote at all. He
was in the Chair at the time. At the very begin
ming, when we acquired the Territories, he was
willing that the people should form constitution,
without any provision as 10 slavery. He drew up
bill OF that character
Mr. STEPHENS knew that the gentleman was
willing TO offer bill Immediately; but that did not
meet the question whether he would vote against
from Ohio, MIR. GIDDISos,) and the gentleman
from Pcnnsy lvania, MIR. STEvENs,) say they
never will. is there any other men, who will rise
up here, and say they are III favor Of the Presi-
dents plan, and will Join them? He believed that
he justified in saying, with his colleague,
| CMr. ToomBs,) there a species of fraud prac-
used by those who declare for the Presidents plan
and yet studiously seek to exclude the South.
Mr.. STANTON, of Tennessee, understood MIR.
yISroS to be silent when he was asked whether he
would hereafter vote for the admission of slave
State. lie understood him, by his silence, To assert
that he (Mr V. y stood on the ground that, a
question Of policy, he commits himself not to vote
tor the admission of any more slave States.
Mr.. VlNTON. The gentleman has right 70
draw such an inference.
Mr.. STANTON understood that fourteen States
have declared against the admission Of slave States
hereafter This is the gist of the whole question:; il
is the point which the Union stands
MIR. BlSSELL said that the gentleman mstook
if he had understood that fourteen States have de
clared.
Mr.. STANTON. II 50, / am glad of IL.
Mr.. DUNCAN interposed, and said that the de-
claraton OF the free States only applicable Il
slave States formed out of territory now free.
Mr.. CLlNGMAN, of North Carolina, said he was
| aware that a large number of northern States de-
clarcd, by resolution, that more slave States
shall be admitted into the Union He understood
that the number Of northern States twelve. liz
had inquired of gentleman from Massachusetts
near him, who said fourteen. A voice: "The gen
tleman is mistakenly He knew that Vermont ant
Massachusetts, have passed such resolutions.
| Mr.. FULLER. Maine has not.
| MIR. CLINGMAN. As TO other States, lac was no
prepared TO say. A gentleman from Pennsylvania
just informed him that Pennsylvania had not mad,
such a declaration.
| Mr.. JOHN A. KING said that the resolutions of tn,
State Legislature Of New York declare opposition L
the admission of slave States formed OF tcrritory
now free; and he read the resolutions on the sub
icct passed at the last session.
| Mr.. CLINGMAN was satisfied that a majority o
the free States had 80 declared.
! Mr.. STANTON, Of Tennessee Almost all tn
non slayehoding States have passed resolutions il
favor OF the Wilmot proyiso, which is about th
same thing.
| Mr.. CLlNGMAN said that the Wimot provis
was passed during three or four sessions Of thi
House
| Mr.. CASEY wished to utter word, in reply /
his colleague (Mr. STEvESs) who said that h
(Nr. c. would give much representation /
five shareholders 90 three Of his own people. Tn
representation is not Of shareholders, but ncgroe
themselves. lie wanted this to go forth with VIVA
was said by his colleague, namely that lhs col
| league was elected 10 Congress by fourteen thou
sand whigs, who voted for General Taylor, an
yet the gentleman has not yet said one word il
favor of the plan Of the President!
Mr.. CARTER, (the amendment Of Mr.. Ise