Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-01-26

dsuges with which may be mensced, however trying the
circumstances in which may be placed believe Is not
destined perish till long after shall have fulfilled the great
mission conded it, OF example and encouragement to the
nations of the earth who struggling with the desposm OF
cenies and cropping their way darkness impene
trabe where the light Of knowledge and freedom begin
ming dperse the gloom But to proud position
this integrity of political existence which much for and
for the world depends must carefully avoid those sectional
questions much ocby deprecated the Father Of his
Country and cultivate spirit Of mutual regard adding the
of interest which hold together, the higher
of affection and Of affinity Of views and of sympathes
Sad will be the day when the first drop of blood she'd in the
of this Union. That day need and
will the spirit OF compromise and OF con-
ceson by each the feelings of all which animated our ia
theirs continues to animate and children But pow
offensive 10 portion of the country, and oil doubtful
obligation, say the least OF it to be exercised by ano-
the and under circumstances OF peculiar excitement this
Confederation be in twain, leaving another example
of that judicial blindness with which God in his providence
sometimes visits the sins of nations.
Now, sir practical question, rs the legislative
adoption of this provso worth The hazard at which alone
can secured the obstacles and the dangers have briefly
alluded to- There should be great advantages nesimabe,
indeed be gained before such measure forced upon the
country Can any that they correspond at oil with
the magnitude of the evils which must follow in their train
For myself sir do not believe that the slightest good will
result or would result under the most favorable circum-
stances om this Congressional interference with the rights
of the people Of the Territories The object avowed to
vent the introduction Of slavery. Can go there left
without this prohihition believe il cannot and believe
there very few here elsewhere, who think can
This view Of the subject had occasion to some
two years since together with the considerations political and
geographical which led to the opinion Time and Iperence
have to confirm all that was then anticipated though
certainly and Ia more imposing form than could then
have been conjecured BY far the most valuable po
ton OF Mexican acquisitions has organized state Gov
eminent and will is understood, present itself for adj
mission with fundamental prohibition against the existence
of slavery Looking the condition Of New Mexico at its
products its geographical position the character OF It's nhab
t whether natives emgants and to the legal fact that
slavery excluded from all that region, think the most
jealous advocate of this prohibition must admit that without
the country is be free from slavery with it.
For myself do not believe that you pass law
establishing slavery in the Santa Fe country, in Desere
adopt the nomenclature. it would go there More
powerful considerations than your Legislative action would
control this Observation-Disclosures of profit arising out of
products which alone render this kind of labor valuable
and which to arrest it, in the cotton growing and
sugarmakng regions instead Of permitting its emigration to
higher Attitudes whose products require less labor, and by
their distance from market must always be cheap and
abundant.
refer these circumstances, influencing my own
action for with my views of the constitutional defect Of pow
ons but appealing to those who, finding the necessary
authority seek to exert it, in order to prevent the introduction
Of slavery into the acquisitions Nor have we any right
anticipate that this view, however correct may be, will
reconcile the South abandon their objections to this
All experience shows that controversy like this
which has reached its present condition under ccumstan
ces SO imposing where great questions OF right and OF
feeling involved, maintained without reference to its
ntitariaa result And there is better ILLUSTRATION OF this
truth than the history of revolutionary struggle pre-
sens where the principle ITSELF far more than its immedi
ate practical application, reused continent to arms
The Wlmo proviso urged upon the ground OF its expe
dency It opposed upon the ground Of its unconstituon
atty Those who urge may well abandon IT. when circun
stances show that the dangerous in ITSELF pro-
ess its result Those who oppose cannot change their
convictions of right, and that portion Of the Union which
considers itself peculiarly as ced by it, will not change the
conviction that its feelings and interests will be sacrificed in
violation Of the great compact which makes political
family.
Now, sir repeat, the worth the cost To place
this baen and, believe unconstitutional provso the
statute book, is that recompense for the wounds that would
be inflicted and the feelings that would be excited, whose
disastrous effects nghmnded man contemplate with
out the most serious apprehension The oldest among US
may live to see their commencement theyounges may live
to see their termination For MYSELF will take part IN no
such effort will minister to such feeling. will en-
gage such crusade against the South from whatever
motives it originates. will endeavor discharge my duty
American Senator the country and to the whole
country agreeaby the convictions duty and OF the
obligations OF the constitution and when cannot do this,
shall have any duty here perform. My sentiments
upon the Wmot proviso before the Senate and will
be before my constituents and the country am prcuded
from voting in conformity with them have been instructed
by the Legislature of Michigan vote in favor of this mea
believer in the right Of instruction, when fairly
exercised and under proper circumstances There ma
tons upon this but need not seek to ascertain
their extent application for they do not present
position acknowledge the obligation of the instructions
have received and cannot in opposition to them. Nor
act in opposition my convictions of the true
meaning Of the constitution. When the time comes and
required to vote upon this measure practical one in
bill providing for Territorial Government, shall know
how reconcile my duty to the Legislature with my duty to
myself by surrendering trust can longer fulfill.
Mr. CAss having concluded, the resolution laid upon
the table.