The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-12

eOuncIH % - .s~ss oiu1ort cSCfy
Wv INV. s, as long ago the debate On the Missouri
..,o1 il ls2O, Mr. Snylh, OF Virginia. reproached ihs
States with their Daeion on this subject If (saiC
4 h iuurs freedom OF The blacks is your real object
q no mere pretence, why do you not begin here
yahn the ten miles square you have undo1bisd power
,Tcise exclusive legislation. Produce bill TO eman.
e,s M slaves in the District of Columbia, Or If YOU
~ \, 10 emancipate those born hereafiers More re.
.o,v Mr. Powell, of Virginia, in his report OF Janu-
M II, 1897, says;
m cng,sss Of the United States has by the oonsttn
ascu.lSe juisd cton the District and has power
o. ais SUBJECT (sapug,) as upon all other subjects OF
9sa,ion 10 exercise unlimited discretion"
Ana Mr. Pnckney, Of South Carolina. in the resolu.
hch be intro Iuced in the House OF Representatives
"sgs while he says that Congress has no power 10
,arsre With the institution OF slavery in any State
NM saws that ought not to interfere with slavery in
he District Of Columbia may add that there have
I'm petitions again and again presented here from North
Erolna and other slave States in favor of the abolition
ayelg il this District have even before me a record
n December 49, 1921. where Mr., Saunders, OF Norln
aona) late minister 10 Spain, believe,) presented
memorial OF citizens OF that Stale, praying that meas
s NAV be taken for The gradual abolition Of slavery m
n United States. Still again, sir, the legislature OF
roposed unanimously an amendment 10 the constitution
The United States, TO take away from Congress the
ower 10 emancpate slaves in the District OF Columbia
The amendment proposed was as follows:
"The powers Congress shall so construed as 10
horze the passage OF any law Tor the cpation of
yes il the District Of Columbia. without the consent OF
Be individual proprie,9rs hereof unless by The sanction
the legislatures OF Virginia and Maryland, and under
,uch conditions they shall by law prescribe"
|, was thus formally proposed by Virginia that with
NE consent of the States OF Virginia and Maryan or
h the consent Of the pIoprieors OF slaves in this Dis.
rc the very act might be performed, the mere propo-
ton of which the honorable senator from Mississippi
links is an entering wedge to dissolve this Union
nd was thus virtually admitted that it might be done
without any such consent. &#
Sir for myself therefore, say, with such weight of
thai If ~
will not be either because regard il as proposition
dissolve the Union, or because hold that Congress
lave rot full authority and power to do the very thing
which it is now proposed to do But will add at the
ame time that do most sincerely regret that the hon.
pabe senator from New York should have seen fiji to
Flng ulon US such aproposition without previous no
ee and in this immediate connection. most deeply
Te that he should have thought proper to cmharrass
be action Of the Senate and embarrass the action OF
Individuals upon question so Dtere sting to all as that
nder consideration, by proposition OF crude and
basU a character.
| What is the proposition II begins by proclamation
immediate emancipation to every slave in the District
Columbia. But what follows had almost said that
holds GU! false promise on is face Il says sla
y shall instantly in the District of Columbia
does cease even under the terms of the amendment
No. SIR al all. The question is to be put to pop
lar vote in the District We are to have, under this
nsndment grand election in this District six months
Hce 10 decide in favor of emancipation or against
anepation. Notice is TO be given, the mean tme to
the slaves in the District. that their freedom or ser
Rude depends on the result OF this election, II ma
rty Of the votes cast shall be against emancipation
avery 70 te prolonged and perpeuated In that event.
the slave trade, the suppression OF which is proposed
this bill, will remain as il now is; for the honorable
nalo has moved his proposition substitute for the
hoe bill. He has not proposed to leave any part of
bis bill TO accomplish the great object OF putting an end
the odous and abhorrent traffic which has so long
oaghi Teproach upon the American capital in case his
wn scheme should be voted down by the people.
But, sir is there not something more in this PROPOSE
ion which is contrary TO all the views which have
n entertained in regard TO such measure, il il should
any time be passed and carried through This amend
provides or the immediate emancipation of all the
ayes in this District Fathers, mothers, children of
de age the nhrm, the helpless, the destitute all to
eclaraton of 70 that effect by the people Of the
district And has the honorable senator made the slightest
uyison for their condition after they emancipatedl
hal is to become OF them' They to be taken away
om their masters The masters are 10 some extent TO
paid for them Provision is TO be made by the Sccre.
y OF the Interior for compen atng the propretors for
ny damages which may result TO them from taking away
her slaves to the aggregate amount OF two hundred
housand dollars. But what is to become OF these poor
people themselyes' Emancipated Instantly, without any
pFenlce 81 stem like that adopted by the British Parlia
rent when slavery was abolished in the West Indies,
hou any transition state between slavery and freedom,
Ffhout any appropriation provision oil any sort for
e support relief, what to be their immediate
hon' Is there not great danger too, Mr. President,
es compensation Of the masters, and the utter
bsebce OF any provision by which the damages may
ascerained, the great mass OF these slaves,
hould this proposition be adopted, would be sold
Tor southern markets before the day OF emancipation
HOud arrive, and that this great measure Of humanity
would thus result in nothing but increased Indebtedness
RAt prolonged captivity to all concerned
a, cannot but regard this very crude and hasty
oPoahon IN the first place. And cannot but regard
IN The next place, most unreasonable and untimeIy
po.Iton deeply regret that il has been brought for.
rdin connection with this bIll-under the present cir
instances OF the country-at a moment when the public
nd so greatly agitaed questions oil this SORT and
moment, moreover, when we are endeavoring 10 &C.
Onplsh another object, which is perhaps within our
a, which has been earnestly desired by all who
ave The interests oil humanity at heart When the abo
oh Of these accufsed depots for carrying the slave
sde IN the District OF Columbia just within our
lasp, must repeat, sir, that do deeply deplore
Aa the honorable senator from New York should en-
dass and perhaps defeat action, by proposition
aseeei, so I'll dgesed, and so impractcabe every way
that which he has offered
MI BADGER. Mr.. President, desire TO say a very
words on this subject, and principally in reference
int remarks made by the honorable senator from Mas
ehasetls. who has Just taken his seat The honorable
enso must allow to say that he is the luckest man
nave ever known 10 have seat IN this body. He comes
ie loday without the least expectation OF the senator
um New York proposing Tor the consideration OF the
s1aie NE amendment which we have now before us,
u o he most singular and lucky chance in the world,
a happens TO have in his desk paper OF authorities
.sg very much the appearance OF having been Sc
ana arranged Tor production upon precisely such an
ht WINTHROP. The honorable SENATOR am sure,
- no, mean to call my word in question in regard 10
a SAID as to being entirely ignorant OF the intention
N, IshsoI i,om New York to offer this amendment
slL bADsER, I'm his seat) Not at abby no means
'ns'ey e, inIthest thing from my thoughts
Mt. WINTHROP. He will, moreover, certainly ad.
ai una! the bill TO which this amendment Is offered is
a \. wn,on Involves me whole question. had in my
awer some days ago when this bill was under
Jon many papers relating to H. and II 40 hanans tha hs