The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-28

Mr.. To0MBs then arose and addressed The committee at
length in favor OF the right Of the South TO eoequaly IN
the Union, and Of her right 70 an equal participation 10
remarks win be given hereafter being delayed this
evening at the request Of Mr. 7 --RrPl
Mr. BAKER, having next obtained the floor, said that he
was glad be the hrst TO t his voice for the admission
OF California directly upon pertinent question. He had
heard OF her wonderful wealth. of her splendors and
glory and trusted that the flag Of the United States
would wave over her forever. The gentleman from
Georgia, Mr. TooMBs whose great ability all acknowl-
edge had fairly stated the objections OF the South against
her admission but yet their plans for California are
involved IN mystery He MIR. TooMBsl had referred
TO the discomfort existing among the people OF fifteen
States II we admit slavery there, will not the dsconents
oil the other fifteen be as greatl We propose only to
where It does not exist Mississippi, Tennessee, Lou
slana, and Arkansas, came into the Union SO Is
there foot OF land which was slave ierrory In which
slavery existed, where we have interfered with il,
Mr.. CONRAD Yes; large portion Of the Louisiana
territory has been legisaied from slayehodng TO nom
slaveholdng territory.
Mr. McLANE, OF Maryland. Yes, sir, IN Iowa, for
Mr.. BAKER. Slavery never has been there in fact,
and could moi 60 there
A MEMBER. Slaves coming from Iowa have been
emancipaed BY the operation OF the Missouri compro-
mise.
Mr., BAKER This cannot be So The gentleman from
Georgia Mr. TooMBs contends, he says, for the rights
Of minonties. Is this meant intimaiion that the
sword will be resorted TOT Ii so, he envied not such
sentiments or views.
Mr.. b. denied that there was interference with the
rights of any portion OF the confederacy in legisating
against slavery in those Territories, all being placed
the same footing as to their rights there Had Con-
gess The right to prevent properly hEey TO be INJURIOUS
TO the Territories from going there Did we not, in tac
pass the Wimot Proviso in the Oregon bill, and IN the
Missouri COMPROMISED and has not the whole country ac-
tween that and our proposed action al this times
. MIR. MARSHALL. In those bills Congress exercised
its power 10 prohibit slavery north Of the Missouri COM
promise line,
MIR. BAKER would not stop 10 argue this point II
Congress has power 10 prohibit north it has also power
to prohibit It south OF that line Senator BERRIEN says
this right is unconstitutional; but his colleague here Mr.
TooMnsl admits that coniempoaneous legislation offers
fair rule OF construction TO this power Then, having
long and often exercised II without question, will
you dare dissolve the Union because may exercise it
againi He mr. TooMBsl says that Congress has power
70 protect slavery II So has not power to legisa.e
against III
Mr.. CABELL (Mr. BAKER giving way) argued at
some length to show that Congress could protect, but
could not egsate against slavery that il shareholders 20
70 the new Territories, the general government Is bound 10
protect them in the enjoyment OF their property OF this
Mr.. BAKER (continuing) went on to show that Con.
gess in regulating property in Territories, could abolish
Mr. MEADE Can Congress. in regulating in Terri
tories the right 81 property IN horses. &C., abolish prop
erly in horses; &C.
South, when The Of the revolution broke out, were
against slavery and the slave trade, When the
stution was made certain slavery rights were guaran
tied by the North, for the sake of achieving the Unlon
and the North intends sustaining those guarantees
She will protect slavery in the States; but she will not
extend the compromises, or acknowledge slavery beyond
those compromises She acknowledges the obligation 10
return fugitive slaves, and the right OF the South TO have
threefhs OF her slaves represented here These rights
we will let stand forever but will not go beyond them.
The gentleman from Georgia mir. TeoMBs1 admits
that Congress has the exclusive power to govern New
Mexico. Then can we not prohibit slavery there's as
well as project it Do southern threats Of dsunion
f.ot.,o TTrso ,ln
passed
A MEMBER II we can
Mr.. BAKER Do you propose 10 do this simply be-
about to legsate have legislaed FOR
years past The gentleman from South Carolina mir
CoLcocKl time declared that il the Provso
be enacted he would offer resolution for the dissolution
MIR. COLCOcK The gentleman invites interruption,
and must therefore excuse IT, What said was this
That II this Congress should pass bill Incorporating the
Wilmot Proyso or aboshing slavery in the District OF
Columbia would introduce resolution declaring that
this Union ought TO be dissolved And now repeat the
pledge.
Congress could dissolve this Union; for every one
knows that Congress has no such power. But said
that when such a resolution was introduced and voted
on here, and then followed, knew it would be, by
the action OF the southern States was satisfied that the
gentleman from Illinois, and others who, like him,
doubted The sincerity OF the South, would be convinced
that she was resolved 10 assert her rights
II is mmaiefial 10 me whether the resolution shond
say the Union ought TO be dissolved Is dissolved by
the adoption OF the measures refer 10 for regard them
exclusion OF the South from the Union and there
iofe virtual dissolution | hope the gentleman now
understands me, and will save the necessity Of again
interrupine him.
Mr. BAKER. Such resolutions have been "passed" in
the minds OF some gentlemen for some time. Suppose
il is voted down. or even suppose pass il will that
dissolve The Unioni We have heard here about appeals
TO the sword Legislatures have endorsed these sent-
ments But this is all idle. The U6ion cannot be dis
solved In all good nature, let enter into calcula-
ton The North has thirteen millions OF white popula-
L. L..sE
than its share OF influence in the government, OF honos
military glory, Office, &c. and the North only de-
mands that this improper balance shall be equazed.
Whn right have the slave States, with five millions OF
citizens, balance OF power with that OF the thirteen
millions OF the North twenty-five thousand voters had
sent him (Mr. b here; and the constitution pro.
vded that the southern members should stand his equal
here with less constituents. he would bow 10 IT, But he
would not consent TO extend this inequality by taking in
all Mexico as slave States. The thirteen millions OF the
North would mol consent 10 this. When new State
asks 10 into the Union, have right 10 object 10
the slavery clause that may be in her constitution
With that therein, she cannot become the equal OF the
northern States, no, being competent northern States
are TO discharge her proper duties for the benefit OF the
whole. There are many reasons why he would object
to the admission OF any slave States He emphai
caly denied that wherever the United States flag goes,
there the right 10 hold slaves follows.
MT b. here wentint an Argument TO show that, under
the laws OF Mexico, slavery prohibited in the Terrific
RES. and argued that the gentleman from Georgia Mr.
TooMBs] was wrong in claiming that slavery proceeded
with the extension OF this government.
Mr., STEPHENS, Of Georgia, dnterruptng Mr. 3D.
stated that his colleague MIR TooMBsl had claimed TO
be The duty OF the government to protect the STAKEHOLDER
IN The enjoyment OF his property in any territory OF the
United States