The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-13

enthusiasm; but they wish To do something, and
they are called on TO contribute, and they do
tributes and 1t is my firm opinion this day, that
within the last twenty years much money has
been collected and paid TO the abolition societies,
abolition presses, and abolition lecturers, would
purchase the freedom Of every slave, man, woman,
and child in the State of Maryland, and send them
all to Liberia. | have no doubt of it. But have
yet 10 learn that the beneyolence Of these abolition
societies has at any time taken that particular turn
Laughter
Again, SIR the violence of the press is complained
of The press violent! Why, sir, the press is vio-
lent everywhere. There are outrageous reproach-
es in the North against the South, and there are
reproaches better in the South against the North
Sir the extremists of both parts OF this country are
violent; they mistake loud and violent talk ior
eloquence and for reason. They think that he who
talks loudest reasons best. And this we must ex-
pect when the press is free il is here and trust
always will be- for, with all its RIGHTEOUSNESS, and
all ts evil the entire and absolute freedom OF the
press is essential to the preservation OF government
on the basis of a free constitution. Wherever it
exists, there will be foolish paragraphs and violent
paragraphs in the press, as there are, am sorry to
say foolish speeches and violent speeches in both
houses of Congress. In truth, sir, must say that
in my opinion, the vernacular tongue of the coun-
try has become greatly vitiated, dcpraved, and cor
rupted by the style of our congressional debates
[Laughter.l And if it were possible for our de-
bates in Congress to vitiate the principles Of the
people as much they have depraved their taste,
should cry out, "God save the Republicr'
Well, in all this | solid grievance no
grievance presented by the South, within the re-
dress OF the Government, but the single one to
which have referred; and that is, the want of a
proper regard 10 the injunction of the Constitution
for the delivery of fugitive slaves.
There are also complaints Of the North against
the South. ! need not go over them particu larly.
The first and gravcst is, that the North adopted the
Constitution, recognising the existence of slavery
IN the States, and recognising the right TO n GER
tain extent OF representation of the slaves in Con-
gress, under state of sentiment and expectation,
which do not now exist; and that by events, by
circumstances, by the eagerness of the South to
qure territory and extend her slave population, the
North finds itself, in regard 20 the influence of the
South and the North, of the free States and the
slave States, where il did expect to find itself
when they agreed to the compact of the Consttu-
ton. They complain therefore, that, instead OF
slavery being regarded an evil as it was then,
evil which all hoped would be extinguished
gradually, il is now regarded by the South an
institution to be cherished, and preserved, and ex
tended; institution which the South has already
extended to the utmost of her power by the acqusi-
tion OF new territory.
Well then, passing from that everybody in the
North reads; and every body feads whatsoever
the newspapers contain; and the newspapers some
Of them, especially those presses to which have
alluded, arc careful to spread about among the
people every reproachful sentiment uttered by
any Southern man bearing at all against the North;
every thing that is calculated to eaasperate, to
| ALLEVIATE; and there many such things, as
everybody will admit, from the South, some
portion of 1t, which arc spread abroad among the
reading people; and they do exasperatc, and
| ALLEVIATE, and produce most mschievous effect
upon the public mind at the North Sir, ! would
not notice things of this sort appearing in obscure
quarters; but one thing has occurred in this de-
bate which struck me very forcibly. An honor
able member from Louisiana addressed US the
other day on this subject. ] suppose there is not
more aIniable and worthy gentleman in this
chamber, nor gentleman who would be more
slow to give offence to any body, and he did not
mean In his remarks to give offence. But what did
he say Why, sir, he took pains to contrast be-
tween the slaves of the South and the laborng peo-
pie of the North, giving the preference in all point.
OF condition, and comfort, and happiness, to the
slaves of the South. The honorable member doubt
less, did not suppose that he gave any offence, or
/ did any injustice. He was merely expressing his
opinion. But does he know how remarks of that
sort will be received by the laboring people of the
| North? Why, who are the laboring people of the
North? They the North. They are the people
who cultivate their own farms with their own
hands; freeholders, educated men, independent
men. Let me say, sir, that five sixths of the whole
property OF the North is in the hands of the labor
ers of the North; they cultivate their farms, they
! educate their children, they provide the means o
independence; fthey are not freeholders, they carr
wagcss these wages accumulate, turned int
capital, into freeholds and small capitalists
| created. That IL the case and such the course o
things among the industrious and frugal. Anc
what can these people think when respectable
and worthy gentleman as the member from Lou
isiana undertakes TO prove that the absolute igno
rance and the abject slavery of the South NOR
in conformity with the high purposes and destiny
immortal, rational, human beings, than the edu
Gated, the independent, free labor of the NORTH
There is more tangible and irritating cause @
| grievance at the North. Free blacks constant
ly employed in the vessels of the North, generall
as cooks or stewards. When the vessel arrives a
a Southern port, these free tolored men are takei
ON shore, by the police or municipal authority, i'm
la1, ,x,,.
ready 10 sail. This is not only irritating, but
ceedingly unjustihabe and oppressive. Mr.. Hoar'
mission, some time ago, 10 South Carolina, was
well-intended effort 70 remove this cause of com
plant. The North thinks such Imprisonment
illegal and unconstitutional; as the cases occu
constantly, and frequently, they think it grea
grievance.
Now, sir, 80 far as any of these grievances hav
their foundation in matters Of law they can be re
dressed, and ought TO be redressed; and so far a
they have their foundation in matters Of opinion
in sentiment, in mutual elimination and recrimi
nation, all that we can do is TO endeavor to ALA
the agitation, and cultivate a better feeling am
more fraternal sentiments between the South an
the North
Mr.. President, should much prefer 10 hay
heard from every member on this floor dec laraton
Of opinion that this Union should never be dis
solved than the declaration of opinion that in an
case under the pressure of any circumstance
such a dissolution possible. hear with pain
and anguish, and distress, the word secession e
pecially when il falls from the lips Of those VIII
arc eminenuy patriotic. and known 10 the country
and known all over the world, for their politics
services. Secession Peaceable secession Sir
your eyes and mine arc never destined 10 see tina
miracle. The ACKNOWLEDGMENT of this vast countr
without convulsion The breaking up Of the fouu
tains Of the great deep without rufing the surface
Who IL 30 foolish, beg everybody's pardon, as {
{ expect TO see amy such thing' Sir, he who sec
these States, now revolving in harmony around
common centre, and expects 10 sec them quit the
places and fly off without CONFUSION, may look III
next hour TO see the heavenly bodies rush from the
spheres, and lostc against each other in the realm
Of space, without causing the crush Of the universe
There can be no such thing peaceable scces
sion. Peaceable secession is utter impossiblitl
is the great Constitution under which we live her,
covering this whole country, is il 10 be thawed an
D melted away by secession, az the SHOWS on III
D mountain melt under the influence Of a verpi
sum- disappear almost unobserved, and die of? ",
a sir no, cir! ] will not state what might produc
Il the disruption Of the States; but, sir, sec il
v plainly az see the sun in heaven I see that di
Y rupton must produce such war as will not a
), scribe, IN It's ,co.foid character
e Peaceable secession pcaceable secession III
; concurrent agreement Of all the members Of IN
great republic 10 separated voluntary separation
i with alimony one side and on the other. VIII
! what would be the result Where IL the line TO
e drawn, What states are 90 sccedel What is