The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-22

the slave less than justice the master, recommends
the policy OF diffusion and extension into any new terri
tory adapted his condition.; and the reasons too
obvious To be misunderstood by the dules intellect No.
sir Is moi principle OF humanity that dictates the anti
extension policy OF the NORTH 1t deeply founded 10 the
amoiton OF sectional ascendency dictated. in part, BY
The jealousy OF southern influence and control. and the
ecoiecuoh OF the long line OF southern chiefs who have
succeeded to the executive mantle These the inter
es,s ana passions which, than any Others, have de-
faea ale p"lcy ol tne North upon this subject But.
sons and Influences under the peculiar circumstances of
our system LEI me invoke the justice Of my northern
friends, not their forbearance by some
for The passions and sensbes naturally incident 10 the
South under The prospect OF their declining power and
influence in the confederacy While that protracted
domination of the South, which has been SO long and 40
keenly felt at the NORTH always more imaainary
than real-no southern man having ever attained the
presidency except by the concurrence OF oftentmSs
more than half and always OF large division of the
North-yet now it cannot be disguised that the period
OF southern ascendency--if il ever had real exist
ency, in sectional view, have already passed away
from the South forever And this is SO manifest that
senator who spoke in this debate. could not for
bear tauntng the South with the prospect Of their de-
clinng fortunes great change had taken place in the
political vocabulary "I is no longer" he exutingy ex
claims, he South and the North il the North and
The South.' The South, Mr. President, needs not to Be
reminded by the triumphant North OF her decayed power;
and when the people OF the South have in prospect
rapid succession, without The equivalent Of single slave
State, the North should know how TO the rest
essness Of their southern brethren. and feel no surprise
that they should be looking about for guaranty.
some additional protection, to their peculiar condition
and institutions
But sir as to myself shall hold fast 10 the constitu
ton until shall that il no1Onger interposes barrier
10 absolute aggression and trust that some final adjust
ment OF all these disractng questions will yet be devised
aud adopted upon basis Just and reasonable not
only stay the progress OF disaecon but to furnish
the world the highest evidence that diversity of local
institutions or OF sectional interests or any other cause
OF occasional dssensons, will be powerful for
mischief as to sunder the ties which now bind us together
as onr people.
Mr. President cannot conclude my remarks without
taxing the indulgence Of the Senate yet further in saying
few words upon the subject OF that institution against
the OF which, the Territories gen.
emen manifest great horror II has been denounced
in this debate great moral and political evil as
grevious wrong and oppression to the which the
subjects Of it blight and curse TO the country which
oerates it, and upon the consciences OF the masters
individually. am identified with this o-much- abused
institution, by my representative position in this chamber,
association in character and in responsibility TO the
tribunal of public sentiment Ii is therefore natural that
should desire to make brief reply TO the accusaory
charges OF my northern counymen II is but justice to
the section in which this institution prevails to state
that from the origin OF the government we now enjoy.
there and have been hundreds not to say thousands,
in that section, who have regarded the institution Of
dictates Of natural justice To attest the truth Of ths
statement need not invoke the testimony OF llugrous
point the numerous nS instances at this day. il which
Shareholders in the full possession OF health as well ~
in the article Of deahand whenever the policy Of the
pate their slaves and often deprive their children OF the
patrimony which they had been taught to expect
Now, sir, after these preliminary remarks, proceed
briefly refer the history OF African slavery In the
United States, lis present condition. its effects upon the
slaves themselves, and upon the country, OF which It 20
striking feature
For the purposes of my argument the origin and pro-
gress OF slavery in the United States may be briefly told
Without pretending accuracy Of deai il may Be stated
with sufficient conformity to historical TACT, that some
century and half ago, or little more, few thousand
natives OF Afrca-n form and mind stamped only with
the coar.s.t rndlmens Of The Caucasian race scacs
their habits, both OF and of peace ferocous the
wild beasts OF their own native hsunts-were caught up
and transported these shores, reduced TO state OF
bondage and they and their descendants held in slavery
unit, this day. But what do we now behold! These few
thousand savages have become great people number
ing three millions oil souls civilized, chrlsanzed each
generation developing improved features, men
tai and ply sica and indicating further approxima
on to the race OF Their masters Search the annals Of all
history and where do you find fact striking and won
derfuone worthy the contemplation of the philooO-
pner the statesman the Christian, and the phanthro
pist This great fact stands out boldly before the world
and in the impressive language of the senator from Mis-
sour, Mr. BENTos,l "t stands for answer" And II
stand for Sir, II can never be suc
cessiuy answered. Has humanity cause TO drop tear
the record of this great fact Has Africa any cause
to mourn!
may be deduced from the greater and more prominent
one, which may likewise defy contradiction or answa
The rapid multiplication and improved neamenu OF this
people the fact that the yoke Of bondage has pressed
but lightly upon ,hem and that they have shared freely
with their masters OF the fat Of the land Co. repeat
and search the pages OF history apd where will you ind
fact Comparable to this. The history OF the Hebrew
bondage presents no parael-nothng wonderful The
family of Jacob he germ OF the Hebrew naon) were OF
a superior race, and civilized. There is one singular
analogy however, besides that oil bondage, which may
be traced in the history OF these two people While the
religious institutions OF the forbade any amagama
tion social political with their masters and surround
nr nations nature by laws more stringent and inexora
be forbds the other any equality social political,
with the race which holds them in bondage.
What be the destiny OF this siguar people, 70 rap
idly multiplying in midst whether, suppoes,
at some future PERIOD when their faculties shall be
urther developed and improved and when subeistence
shall tread closely upon the heels OF production. they
shall become the sole possessors OF the country which
been the OF their tolls OF their joys and thstr
Sorrows whether they destined to mark another great
epoch in the miga,ions of mankind. by second exodus;
whether, under the lead OF second MoseS, they
shall rise up with their little and, after onrneynF
for years the intermediate space they are destnsd
measureess wids of the great southern continent; or
whether others believe with great show OF resson "
the aid OF the amazing facilities OF steam havYauUxn
they destined TO the Atlantic ana 10 oocoe seo
conoerors and cvilizers OF their now savage
In Their fatberland can only be known to the GAKAr
M.srrR of ali manknd-to Him who holds IN his hands
ibe d,stnies OF all races ard conditions OF men, bond
and free.
But whatever the future may disclose, ia clear that
this people are prepared for any great change in their
condition at the present time, at any approximate Pc
Rod
AS to the lawfuness sinfuness Of the institution OF
slavery whatever phrensed fanatic priests, more
learned and rational dIvines may peach whatever iney
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