The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-03-12
TELEGRAPH DISPATCHES.
CONGRESSIONAL
WASHINGTON, Ma-ch 7.
SENATE

ness in order was Mr.. Clay's resolutions.
Mr.. Walker being entitled to the floor
briefly stated that the vast assembly which
filled the Senate had evidently come to hear
the Senator from Massachusetts, and he
would cheerfully give way TO MIR. Webster
Mr.. Webster then rose. and after expressing
his Obligations, he proceeded to address the
Senate. He rose, he said, not as Southern
man. or a Northern man. but as an American;
and he desired to do his duty with fidelity
with the hope that the storm winch was now
raging in the land would be lulled. He spoke
for the preservation of the Union with an
anxious heart, for the restoration of that qui-
ct and harmony so necessary to the prosper
ity and happiness of our country. These |
were his objects, and if he could do ever so
little for them, his end would be accomplish
ed.
He proceeded to consider the events which
had led 10 the present difficulties, commencing
with a review of the war with Mexico, its
battles, triumphs, and results. Prior to
these negotiations the people of California,
assisted perhaps by officers and people Of the
United States revolted against the Govern
ment of Mexico, and run up the Independ-
ent flag. The result was, IA tide of emigra-
ton set towards San Francisco from every
country of the World Rich and apparently
inexha usiihle gold mines Of California, were
subsequently discovered, and increased the
emigration to those distant shores.
He referred next to the failure of Congress
to provide territorial government Tor the
people of this new territory He said that in
this state of things these people had t. ken
measures TO establish Il local government;
elected Senators and Representatives and
sent them here with their constitution 10 ;.sk
for immediate admission into the Union
This constitution then adopted, contained a
clause prohibiting slavery in the new State,
which provision it was that had given rise to
to the opposition now made to her admission,
whatever was believed to be the object or the
manner of the war with Mexico. Territory
was acquired but National expectation that
that would be slave territory was disappolnt-
ed by the action oil the people Of the territory
/ itself.
| Mr. Webster then went into Il historical
consideration of the institution OF slavery
! from the earliest ages to the present time
/ He alluded at some length to the feelings OF
large portion of the community, arising
from conscientious belief that slavery is a
sin and Incompatible with the christian senti
ments of brolherly kindness. The question
in the early days of the government was,
how the evil should be dealt with. 1t was
thought It's day would be shortened by pre-
venting the importation of slaves, ard prop
ositon was introduced to prohibit such i'm
porlations.
HE alluded to the ordinance prohibiting
slavery in the Northwest territory, Mr.. Cal
Soun had said $ this was the first Of a series
of measures calculated to awaken the
South - He desired to say the ordinance
was passed with the unanimous consent Of
the South there being but one vote against
- Al ono REPRESENTATIVES, from Che
North. Since that time there had been a
great change of opinion. There had been q
continual growing opinion in the North
against slavery and a growing opinion IN the
South in its favor. This state nf things re-
suited from causes which would always pro-
duce like effects. The change in opinion IN
the South had resulted in great measure
from the growth and increase of cotton Rails
ing. 1t was well known that the value OF
cotton exported from the United States did
not exceed fifty thousand dOllars-whlIe now
under favorable circumstances, its value was
perhaps one hundred millions OF dollars per
annum. Indeed, he was told that when JEFF
ferson negotiated the treaty OF '94 with Eng
land. he did not know cotton was raised in
this country Mr.. Webster replied to Cal
houns objection that The operat ms of the
Government had been against the South,
and calculated to weaken her. He contend
ed that the contrary was the fact. Return
inc to the Texas question he had always
been opposed TO annexation, because he
knew that whoever possessed Texas, it would
be a slave territory. and he was unwilling to
extend that institution. He had time and
again expressed himself strong in opposi-
ton to the introduction of any new slave
States or the acquisition of slave terrific
nv. Upon that point he knew no change
in his sentiments. He Lad expressed his be-
lief in the Spartan maxim, Improve and
adorn what you have, and seek no farther"
, Texas had been admitted with all her terrific
Y, with the institution of slavery. He wish
ed it to be distinctly understood that he con-
sldered this Government solemnly bound by
law to create new States out of Texas when
; she shall contain population sufficient
= Slavery was excluded from California and
E New Mexico by the law of nature which
had erected an impossible barrier to its in
PRODUCTION there. This he considered a fixed
fact. He alluded to the difficulty arising
from the failure Of the North TO give proper
aid in the capture of fugitive slaves He
: thought the North in the wrong and the
South in the right. 1t was the cause of grea
q complaint on the part Of the South, AMI one
which the North ought to remove.
Considering the citation in the NORTH
d complained ofby the South he said he haC
e 10 doubt but that during the last twenty
d years, money enough had been subscribed il
IS the North for the support OF abolition presses
societies. and lectures. to purchase the free
dom of every slave in the land.
: In conclusion. Mr.. Webster delivered ;
e most imprisoned and eloquent tribute 10 thu
n value of the Union.
IL Mr.. Calhoun replied TO the suggestion
oFN - 4Eo 11I