Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-23

slavery from the limits of the Territory is not at
all indispensable to the needful ends of govern
ment Therefore the territorial government-es-
tablished as it must be, under the paramount au-
thority of the federal constituton-can have no
authority to interpose impediments to the enjoy
ment of the full rights of property in slaves as Sc
cured by the constitution; but is bound to consi-
der itself as under the most binding obligation to
preserve such rights of property invioate to the
full extent of its capacity to do So Entertaining
this view of the matter, confess that | can see
no necessity for any restriction being imposed by
Congress upon the territorial government about
TO be established Sin respect TO the system of At
rcan slavery" If it should undertake to legs-
late for the prohibition or exclusion of slavery,
such legislation would in my Judgment, be mere
nullity; and so would the courts of the country be
found to pronounce were the question raised be-
fore them. If territorial Legislation, protective of
slavery, should be subjected to the same test,
cannot doubt that such legislation would be held
valid. 1t really therefore, does seem to me, re-
peat, much better to adopt no restriction upon this
subject at ALL and to leave the whole subject to the
territorial governments and the courts.
Certainly, if climate, soil, and mineral produce
tons are such in the Territories to be supplied
with governments as to make the Introduce on of
restriction should be imposed for there is no in
stance in this hemisphere of slave labor being
found highly profitable, in which it has not been
introduced, if no legal barriers to its introduction
were provided. If it should be introduced, it,
might be found expedient TO egislate for its pro-
lection and cherishment which would be, per-
haps, more less INSTRUCTED by any restriction
upon territorial legislation which could be devised.
On the other hand, if climate, soil, and mineral
productions are of a nature to make slaves not at
all desirable on the of pecunary profit they
will certainly never be introduced and therefore
the restriction would be wholly unnecessary. In
any point of view, | should prefer a simple terri
toral government without the Wilmot proviso-
leaving the people who inhabt the Territories
the power to regulate all cir domestic concerns
in manner conformabe to the federal constitu-
ton. Yet if my friends from the South--wth
one of whom, member of the Committee of
Thirteen the particular clause under considera-
ton is said to have rignated--conclude to insist
upon some restriction upon territorial leg station
being imposed by Congress-I, who really am
more inclined to aid in securing settlement of
all existing questions upon honorable and satisac
tory terms, than soicitous to have the whole OF
my own particular views embodied in the plan of
compromise shall be willing to vote for the re-
sirictive clause commended for in almost any form
suggest, though, that, if we decide not to retain
the original words now proposed to be stricken
out, instead of adopting the amendment of my
honorable colleague, which seems to me not to be
exactly as explicit as should wish it to be-we
insert these words, or words tantamount thereto:
"either admitting or excluding African slavery"
This change in the phraseology of the bill will
not at all alter its meaning but might avoid mis-
neutrality-suspicious. to which know
the present terms have been already subjected
am sure that could confidently appeal to all the
members of the Committee of Thirteen upon this
point, and obtain from each of them a declaration
that what they meant to do was simply to prevent
the territorial government from legislatng either
for the admission or exclusion of slavery; and, in
fact, these will be found to be the very words en-
ployed by the honorable senator from Keetuckv
on Monday last, in exposition of this part of the
plan of compromise. Here Mr.. Clay, Mr.. Cass
and Mr. Downs, all nodded assent.
Before bring these rather desultory remarks,
to close it is due to the honorable senator from
Florida that should notice factin his own poll
teal history of which he appears to have become
strangely oblivious. That gentleman was one of
the most Jealous champions of what was known
among US, two years ago, as the Clayton compro-
mise bll-which bill contained no such provision
for the special recognition of slave property in the
Territories as that which he now advocates. Yet
the honorable senator from Florida was then, as
have said, its earnest champion, and united with
me and others in censuring those who defeated it
in the House of Repr sentatives. Then the hon
orable gentleman, following the lead of the vener-
able senator from South Carolina, Mr.. Calhoun
-Ieucro Duce-was perfectly content with pro-
vidng governments for the Territories, without
word being said in reference to slavery of the
character now demanded by him-relying upon
the courts for the final adjudication of the great
Question involved. Since that time he has seen
new lights. The doctrine of the WiImot school
of politicians appears to have arrayed itself in new
terrors to his fancy, and he now not only demands
special safeguards against territorial legislation,
but insists that Congress shall legslate on the sub
iect of slavery for the protection of the South
Is it possible that the honorable senator can fail to
perceive the egregious inconsistency of his own
course? Is he blind enough not to discern the
danger which turks in the proposition which he
now advocates? Can he doubt that if we once
allow Congress to legslate on the subject slavery
at all, the whole system of African slavery, as
it now exists in the South, will be speedily over
whemed by that tide of abolition which the most
sagacious statesmen of the South have been con-
stanly struggling to repel? Indeed, am grieved
that this attempt to enlist Congress in course of
Legislation on the subject of slavery in the terri
tories OF the Union, should have originated with
southern senator.
RQANnpETIpC Ditto AMIN THU Dnnu,C