Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1850-06-07

latloh equal to the present ratio of representa-
tion, they alone would have had the power to
determine the question whether slavery should
or should not exist within her limits. If that
decision had been to exclude slavery, no muir
muir of ofcomplaint would have been heard from
atty Southern man; but undertake to say here
ifslavery had been tolerated, we should have
found just as unanimous sentiment in the Nor
thern States egainsther aemissioni into the I'm
ion as we now find in favor of that propositions
and do not make this assertion without good
| foundation. When Florida applied for adhiis.
sion into the Union, n large majority in Congress
voted against it, when every initatory step had
been regular, on the insulated ground that she
was q slaveholdin State.
/ have other evidences, Mr.. Chairman, of
Northern sentiment upon the subject of slavery
The speech recently delivered by the distngu
ished Senator from Massachusetts, (Mr Web
ster) and the action of the House in layi ing upon
the table the resolution of the gentleman from
Ohio, in the early part of the session, has in
duced the belief in the South that sense of
justice had returned to their Northern brethren.
These appearances are deceptive. Itis an ilu-
sion which | deeply dcplore. The Senator
from Massachusetts, made n truly patriotic
speech; but what did he pfoposey All that he
offered was, og.vc to the South her clSarly.dc-
fined constitutional rights. This gratiicd us.
1t gratihed us to know that a distinguished
Northern man would frankly and ingeniousy
conccdc our rights, and enforce their execution
by his vote and voice. How has that speech,
| been received in the State of Massachusetts, of
which he is the proudcst olnamcntl Her leg
islature was i'll session; and fearing lest that
speech might contain the balm to heal the di-
visions of the country straightway new poison
was poured into the wound. Resolutions were
passed, taking the strongest and most offensive
G ound. They did not instruct him, 1t is true
for the dominant party do not assume abe right
to instruct; but that Senator has not been sus-
tanned by his immediate constituents but n
large majority of the people and of the press
of Massachusetts have condemned him. He has
not been more fortunate herc-one after anoth-
er of the Massachusetts delegation has addres-
sed the committee, all assuming positions ad-
verse to those taken by Mr.. Webster. The on
ly hope of aid in this House .,ols its departure
to-day when the honorable geItlemcn who
preceded me (Mr Winthrop announced himself
in favor of General Taylors mstatcsinmlikc
plan of settling the existing difficulties. Dan
iel Webster once spoke and could speak for
New England. The waves of fanaticism have
broken over the lard of the Pr. grim Fathers and
are sweeping off the influence and power other
best and brightest men. When his genius has
proved itselfimpotent to stay this onward wave
in the minds OF these whose service he has so
much honored, upon what ground can the
South rest her hopes on peace and safety in this
Government
The action OF the House in laying Roots res
olution upon the table promised fruit which
will never be gathered. If the proviso is not
pressed at the present session it will not be be-
cause the North have abated one title in their
devotion to it. The advocates of that measure
are satisfied they will accomplish their purpose
quite as eifectually, and much more adrUitly,
in another waJ
But, sir, there is still further evidence
of Northern sentiment. We h4ve been
told by one gentleman, in this debate,
chat the only way in which the abolition
of slavery in the States can be constitu,
tionally effected. is to confie it within It's
present limits" another said, "that no
more slave States or slave territory should
come into this Union-sooner civil war"
&C.; another "'thc Wilmot Proviso was
an abiding principle in the hearts Of the
people ofthe free States" and still anoth-
er, who is moderate Northern man "that
slavery was national shame and ma
tional disgrace" quote these sentiments
that they may be contrasted with the oft
reiterated assertion, that it is not the pur-
pose of the Northern States to abolish
slavery where it now exists. They tell
us plainly that they can effect abolition in
the States, through the Legislation of this
Government, without violating the Con
stitution; and they admit, further, that
they will do it by indirect means, but their
constitutional scruples forbid direct legis-
lation in abolishing slavery.
Now, sir, / have great contempt for
the morality or honesty OF that sort of
reasoning which would make an act un-
constitutional if executed directly, but sat
SIZES the conscience c that it is constitution
al if done indirectly.
The institution of slavery being "na.
tional shame and national disgrace" in
the opinion of the North, and having the
power to abolish it by Indirect means, the
legislation of this Government {for The
North have the majority is to be hostile
10 our institutions. We then present this
anomoly, that a Government established
by wise and patriotic men for the security
and safety of the persons and property Of
all its parts--a Government which derives
its sustainance by taxation upon all its