Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-11-23

ton in regard to the subject Of slavery.
Before proceed further with the history OF these events
permit me 10 recall to your recollection the course which
self pursued while representing you in the public councils,
ia reference to this subject.
During the session Of s47s violent debate sprung up
in the Senate of The United States which was conducted with
unusual acmony, regard to The nights OF the o. ne
Southern States to carry their slaves into the new errtores
On the part of the North it affirmed that the Territories
were free soil by the Mexican laws which, was MAN.
ained still continued TO exist and would remain IN iorce
until abrogaed either by the power Of Congress OF ne cree
ton of State Governments within the Territories On toe
mart OF the South commended that the right to ENJOY
slave property wi hin these limits was necessary conse-
quence of the acquisition obtained by the common blood and
treasure These clashing opinions We're urged Win consum
mate ability on both Sides and especially in the Senate, OF
which was al that time member Threats Of dsunon often
rang through the halls both branches OF Congress- arising
of this conflict Of opinion did participate IN that debate
but exeed myself to hold position midway between the
conendng parties like the State represented and TO selze
the frs, occasion upon which could effectively to al
lay the agitation and possible to settle the controversy
did design buy peace to add new elements o. DIS
cord by the introduction Of other topics unconneced win the
immediate question before and thought then, as be-
eve now that the constitution itself presented the natural
and proper mode terminate the strife and maintain the IN
legriy of the Union (Appause While the storm OF DIS
cord the highest proposed to both the contendns
parties to settle the question by obeyng me he
constitution in the organization Of Territorial Govern
mens over California and New Mexico without the Wilmot
provo but with positive provision to bring the subject Of
the right hold slaves under its laws as they existed before
the Supreme Court the United States the tribunal appointed
by the fathers heRepubc decide between the conendrg
members Of the Conedeacy Applause. This proposition
met in the most cordial spirit, and approved, with few
EXCEPTIONS by the great body Of the Southern members Of
Congress in both branches and, after protracted and e1
citing debate bill to that effect reported by committee OF
which was the chairman passed the Senate OF the United
States by majority of two thirds of all It's members Du-
ring passage through that body fierce opposition was
cited against it in of the Northern States where poitl
| 4 ska pf,al auto.
ton the question Of slavery Mr. Van Buren, became the
leader of party, organized upon The principle OF oPpo
sion TO this any other plan of adjustment without ne
Wmot proviso and for this measure OF peace, which
shall die in the belief better calculated to compose sne
distractions and divisions of the country than any winch mas
yet been offered met in the North with the heroes
spirit Of denunciaton. 1t Immediately announced mat
fifty thousand had assembled in the Park in New York
express their opposition and utter their
what they pleased call "the Clayton compromise
The friends who stood by in the North in my anxious
effort peace and harmony to the country were de-
nounced having been sold to the South and amidst the
din and camor of these party combaan reason ana agu
either unheard lost their proper influence In
this things the bill having passed the Senate, after
weeks discussion and protraced session OF twenty-five
hours during which Mr. Dix, Of New York; and Mr. Niles Of
Connecticut both members of the new Free-so school, dis
tngushed themselves opposition the measure, not less
by their ability than by their ZEAL present
ed to the House Of Representatives for concurrence and
there, without word Of debate, without single reference
committee, without as am bound to believe any proper
knowledge appreciation Of its true character was mme
diaey stranged by motion to lay it the table by ma
oiy q thnk) Of four votes of more than two hundred
This measure, which met the hearty cooperation and concur
Of the distinguished statesman Of South Carolina, John
c. Calhoun moe and received the votes not only
of both the Senators but of all the Representatives of that
State, satisfied and secured at the time the acquescence
and the adhesion of the South generally The defeat of the
considered indicating on the part OF the
North determination to refuse to abide by the decision Of
the question deeply regretted at the time, and have not
ceased depoe it. That defeat added fuel to the flame al
ready existing in the South and with others, conscious
Of that fact Immediately looked with anxiety for some other
of pacifcation which, like that had proposed
would not comprom the principles outrage the feelings Of
either section Of the Confederacy. [Great applause
There seemed to be but left which could eff
ectualy the object and when Mr. Folks mes
sage the of the next session OF Congress
suggested in 10 be mistaken, that Congress might
safely leave the question undstubed until the people of Cali
forna and New Mexico should apply for admission sove
reign States Of this Unon there seemed to be general WISH
during the session Of 94sS that the people within those
limits in the free exercise of their right Of sefgovenmen
should upon the admission of these States settle this
and all other questions Of domestic policy to suit themselves
Bills to admit the States introduced into both branches
of Congress- and the prospect Of pacfcaton and adjust
frightened became known that the President elect
favored the policy Mr.. Calhoun the acknowledged
leader Of the Southern section had proclaimed the right Of
self government in the people of these Territories 10 his ces
brated resolutions of lS47, in the following terms
Resofued, That it is fundamental principle in poll
teal creed that people, in forming constitution, have the
unconditional right form and adopt the government which
they may think best calculated their liberty
periy and happiness and in conformity thereto other
condition is imposed by the Federal Constitution State
in order to be admitted into this Unon except that its
tuon shall be republican and that the imposition Of any
other by Congress would only be in violation of the Con-
tuon but in direct conflict with the principle which
our political system rests
Mr. Polk, in his message Of December s. ls4s, nculca
I'D tho ho ha
eved to be rather abstract than PRACTICAL whether slavery
would exist any portion of the acquired terri
tory even if it left {, the option of the sasehoding
aes themselves From the nature of the climate and pro-
ducsions in much the larger proportion Of it is certain that
it could never exist And again. be says In organizing
governments these Territories, duty imposed Con-
gress by the constitution requires that they should legate
the subject of slavery, while their power to do
only seriously questioned but denied many the soundes
eIpounders of that instrument. Whether Congress shall
legate not the people Of the acquired Territories, when
assembled in convention to form State constitutions will
the sole and exclusive power determine for themselves
whether slavery shall shall exist within their limits
Congress shall abstain from interfering ,ch the question,
the people of these Territories will be left free to adjust it as
they may think proper achen they apply for admission
States into the Union. No enactment Of Congress would
the people any sovereign States Of the Union
old new, North South. savehodng or non savehod
ing from determining the character of their own domestic in
stutions they may deem wise and proper ANY and all
of such States possess this right and Congress cannot de-
prive them of it. The people of Georgia might, if they
chose alter their constitution abolish slavery within
its limits, and the people Of Vermont might 81 alter their
States would possess the right though, know is not
probable that either would it. II is fortunate for the
peace and harmony of the Union that this question its
nature temporary and only continue for the bef period