The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-15


cesSary. And when come to this question, en-
counter the loss of many who lead IN favor OF ad-
uniting California. had hoped, some time ago,
that upon the vastly important question oil inhlbl-
ton Of slavery in the new Territories, We should
have had the aid especially OF the distinguished
Senator from Missouri, (Mr. BENToN,) and when
he announced his opposition to that measure, was
induced 70 exclaim,
Cur ia Meatum, Cato seoers, psaisti?
An ide0, ta,itilDs, oeneras ut eIirss!
But sir have no right TO complain. The Sen
ator is crowning life of eminent public service by
a heroic and magnanimous act in bringing Cali
tornia into the Union. Grateful TO him for this,
leave il 20 himself to determine how far considera-
tions OF human freedom shall govern the course
which he thinks proper to pursue.
The argument is, that the prouiso is nnne cessary
] answer, there them can be no error in insisting
upon it. But why is it unnecessary? Ii Is said,
tTsf by reason of climate. answer, if this be 50,
why do not the representatives OF the slave States
yield the proviso? They deny that the climate pre-
vents the introduction of slavery. Then will leave
nothing to a contingency. But, IN truth, think
the weight of argument is against the proposition
Is there any climate where slavery has not existed
II las prevailed all over Europe from sunny Italy
to bleak England, and is existing now, stronger
than in any other land in ce-bound Russia. But
twill be- replied that this is not African slavery
rejon that only makes the case the stronger. II
this vigorous Saxon of ours was reduced To-
slavery while il retained the courage VI semi bar
barisin III its own high northern latitude, what Sc
curity does climate afford against the transplanta
ensaved and debased African, tothe genial climate
of New Mexico and eastern California?
Sir, there Is no climate uncongenial to slavery
IL is true II is less productive than free labor in
many northern countries. But so ii is less produc
tive than free white labor in even tropical climates
Labor is quick in demand in all new countries
Slave labor is cheaper than free labor and would
go first into new regions; and wherever it goes it
brings labor into dshonor and therefore free white
labor avoids competition with it, Sir, might rely
climate, If had not been born in n land where
slavery existed-and this land was all Of it north of
the 10th parallel of latitude-a and if did not know
the struggle it has cost and which is yet going 1,
To get complete relief from the institution and its
baleful consequences ! desire 10 PROFOUND this
question ~ those who now III favor Of dispensin 2
with the Nilmot proviso: Was the ordinance OF
1857 necessary mott Necessary, We all agree.
IL has received too many culogiuIns 10 be now de-
cried as am idle and unnecessary thing And yet
that ordinance extended the inhibition of slavery
from the 31t to the 49th parallel OF north latitude
And now told that the inhibition named is
unnecessary any where north of SO degrees 80 MIN
utes. We are told that we may rely upon the laws
Of God which prohibit slave labor north Of that line,
ana that II Is absurd To re-enact the laws OF God
Sir there Is no human enactment which ia Just that
as not e-enactment of the law of God. The con
stution of the United States and the constitution OF
every State are full Of such re cnactments. Wher-
ever ! find law of God or a law of nature disre-
garded, or III danger of being disregarded there
shall vote to reafirm it, with all the sanction of the
civil authority. But find no authority for the po-
is the Incidence of kind in any climate, and not
the natural necessity, that introduces slavery in
any climate.
shall dwell only very briefly the argument
derived from the Mexican laws. The proposition
that those laws must remain in force until altered
by laws OF our own, is satisfactory; and so is the
proposition that those Mexican laws abolished and
continue TO prohibit slavery. And still deem an
enactment by ourselves wise and even necessary.
Both Of the propositions ] have stated are denied
with just as much confidence by southern states
men and jurists they affirmed by those OF
the free States The population of the new Terri
tories Is rapidly becoming an American one, 10
whom the Mexican code will seem a foreign one,
entitled 10 little Difference obedience.
Slavery has never attained any where by express
legislative authority, but always by trampling dow
laws higher than any municipal laws-the
laws Of nature and of nations. There can be no
oppression in superadding the sanction Of Congress
tothe authority which is weak and so vehement
iy questioned. And there Is some possibility, II
not probability, that the institution may obtain
foothoid surrepttiously, if il should not be abso-
lutely forbidden by our own authority
What Is insisted upon, therefore, is not a mere
abstraction or mere sentiment. as il contended by
those who concur with 10 admitting Califor-
mia, but would waive the prQviso And what is
conclusive on the subject is, that it is conceded on
all hands that the effect of insisting prevents
the intrusion ofslavery into the region to which il
is proposed 20 apply it.
Il is insisted that the diffusion Of slavery will not
increase its evils. The argument seems TO me
pose one two questions in reply 10 il Is slavery
stronger weaker in these United States, from il
diffusion into Missouri! l. slavery weaker or
stronger IN these United States from the exclusion
oft from the Northwest Territory The answer 10
these questions will settle the whole controversy.
And this brings me 10 the great and all absorbing
argument that the Union is in danger of being dis
solved, and that il can only be saved by compro-
mise. j do not know what would not do 20 ave
the Union; and therefore | shall bestow upon this
subject very deliberate consideration.
do not overlook the fact that the entire delega-
ton from the slave States although they differ in
regard 10 the details Of compounds proposed,
and perhaps the exact circumstances Of the crisis,
seem ~ concur in this momentous warning. Nor
do doubt at all the patriotic devotion 10 the Union
which - expressed by those from whom this warn
ing proceeds. And yet, sir, although these warn
ings have been uttered with imprisoned soemnity
IN my hearing every day for near three months
any confidence ia the Union remains mistaken.
think they arc 20 be received with no inconsidera
BILE distrust, because they uttered under the ia
huence VI controlling interest to be secured,
paramount object To be gained-and that IL, an
equilibrium OF power in the republic. think the,
are % be received with distrust, be
cao-e. with the most profound respect. they vat
tered under an obviously high excitement Nor J,
that excitement an unnatural one. ID u a Law %
uor nature that the passions disturb the anc
judgment just in proportion to the importance o
the occasion, and the consequent necessity foi
calInness and candor. ! think they 81 BE- dis
trusted because there IL diversity OF opinion in
Inent. The Senator'S from some Statos cay that u
las brought all parties in that region into urian
unity. The Senator from kenfocky says that tb'
danger lies IN the violence Of party spirit. and re
fcrs us for proof TO the difficulties which attondec
the organization Of the House ID Representative.
Sir, in NY humble judgment. ii is not the ferc,
conflict Of parties that we seeing and hearing
bot the contrary 10 IL the agony Of distracted par
tios---s convulsiOn resulting from the narrO~
foundations of byt and Of al parties ton
laid ia compromises Of natural justice and 81 hu
man liberty A question, moral question, tran
scending the too crceds of parties. La
arison the public conscience expands with 10, an
the green witbes Of party associations give va,
and break, and TALL of from H. No, sir IL is not 10
Stat that y dying Of the fever 81 party spirit II
merely paralysis Of parties. preroonitory of hei
restoration with the new elements a health an
Vigor imbibod from that spirit Of the age which
~ justly called Progress.
Nor IL the evil that II unlicensed, irregular. an
turbulent faction. Wcar told that twenty Iegis
iatures in session, burning like furnaces, heat
ing and infaning the popular passions. But tbes
twenty legislatures arc constitutional furnaces
They are performing their customary function,
impsrtiBg beathfui beat and vitality while with
their constitutional jufisdiction. n they rage BE-
yond ts limits The popular pssgions Of this c0untr