The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-11-07
CONGRESSIONAL.
REM ,RKs OF ma. BELL,
or TENNESSEE,


on ne ell for suppresang Me aue trade IN the District
Der ID, 1850.
Mr., BELL said MIR President, would like 10 reason
wlh my friend from Ohio [Mr EwISol on the subject OF
lhe amendments proposed 10 this bill would not be
very tenacious about j. foesaw that any PROPOSE
same object in view, was likely 10 be successful Now
the senator from Ohio says he desires 10 rid This bill OF all
the amendments 80 that shall only The provisions
embraced in II when il from the Commltee o Thr
teen He is favorable TO The object OF lhe bll "a orei
naily reported That senator must remember that there
are many gentlemen on this floor who think we have
no constitutional power to pass this bill Then there
are others who DO moi go so far as that but who do not
uionai power They believe thai il will be the enisr
ing wedge to series Of measures which will be produc
live Of more intense and excited feeling than we have
yet expeIienced in the country,
Mr. EWING shook his head
Mr. BELL know the senator from Ohio has no
such views but the passage Of this BILL naked as is
want the senator from Ohio TO consider, will be likely
10 be misunderstood by large class of the people OF the
South Many, who are honest and patriotic in their
designs and policy that senator or myself will think
il their duty, and that they will be promoting the true in
terests Of the South, to point to this measure. ii il shall
as conclusive evidence that there is hope that
NEEDING system Of legislation on he subject Of slavery
There are many who now honestly think So have
doubt Inc senator from Ohio must remember that there
prepared to receive this impression.
Now, sir acquiesced in the policy of this bill
ported, and had made up my mind as member Of the
committee, to give my support Of The series Of
measures then Contemplated provided the other measures
Of that series should assume shape authorizing me 10
support them. had not then considered maturely the
form mode proposed for the accomplishment Of the
object, nor how Objectionable might be under the Cir
cumsiances OF the times should be sorry 10 vote for
bill now which would produce SO much mischief as
fear would result from this in s present shape in
one quarter OF the country have no doubt that this
bill, il passed it stands, and without any amend
ment. would have happy effect in the North upon the
minds Of the reasonable portion OF the community. OF
and Ssad BE- hp
it pass in such shape that il could receive the
ton of considerable southern vote; but ! am afraid
that cannot be accomplished without modification
Mr. BUTLER, dn his seat) That it cannot.
M BEi 81 nj Bp hope Pc SIR the hs, terms Fl the first
handsome proportion Of the southern votes whether the
amendment under consideration shall be agreed to
or not. The bill is Objectionable as it is
hope am not enarging the field OF this debate but
must say that think little further debate upon this
subject would not be unproftable if it is properly
measure and the whole subject of which it forms part,
sentiment which have all along entertained do not
months we have had in this ha
bills which we have lately passed; and If our time
not very short, should not 10 the debate
extended on this subject for week two, or even
month Ii is important subject-a rich oRe-fraught
with most important considerations and interests 70 both
sides Of this chamber and both sections OF this country
regard the time which has been spent in these discus
sons. and the embarassments thereby thrown in the
way of other great interests the most powerful argu
especially 10 the North against all inermeddng on their
part with the slave question regard as the most po
tent argument that can be to bring the easona
BILE, moderate portion OF the North TO their reflection
their serious, sober reflection. would not have cared at
all if there had been yet further and proraced discus
sion and still more serious embarrassmens thrown in
the OF the public business, TO the extent OF
barassing the governmentitself in its operations.
The argument would then have been strengthened and
the fact demonstrated that this cannot stand
be continued We might then hope Ito use the language
employed by great magistrate on celebrated occasion?
to stun the North into their upon this subject
mean those who think they may say and do what they
please that degree Of exasperaon no degree Of dis
satisfaction nor OF excitement on the part oil the south,
will be sufficient 10 them to rise up and say that
they prefer something else 10 the continuance oil the
Union such terms that the system oi government
from the anti slavery faction. That is no, nv opinion
Allow me here TO express another sentiment Sir one OF
the greatest misortunes OF the times Is that the Union is
Il 4 thousbt 10 Be stronger than is Il would seem to
be a common sentiment at the North that the Union is i'm
pregnabe TO all assaults that faction North and South
may hold its perpetual revelsfanaticism pursue its mad
proiects-personal ambition seek It's gratihcahon m ex
citing sectional eaousies, promoting spirit OF sectional
dominaton--hat all these excesses may be freely IN
dulged with mpunity and without sundering the strong
bonds OF union. repeat that consider il great mis-
fortune that the Union is thought TO be so strong do
not regret that Il Is strong IN iact bu lament that It's
strength should he overraied Strong the cords
which hold il. still, think them desiructibe, and that
they may De worn away ana una. .nsy are ~ spaee
II
With regard to the constitutional power of Congress
over this subject would say that the only doubt have
of the existence Of the power, either To- suppress The
slave trade 10 abolish slavery IN this District, IL in
spTed by the respect have for the opinions of many
distinguished and eminent men, both in and out OF Con-
gress who hold that Congress has such power Read
ing the constitution for myself believe that Congress
has all the power the subject in this District which
the States have within their respective jurisdictions On
the question OF the expedency of exercising this power
when we consider the effect which il may have upon the
interests OF the adjoining slave States, and the miia
tons upon the power which may be fairly inferred from
the relative position and circumstances OF the District,
have more doubt Certainly the power may be very
clear and yet the exercise OF very unjust and oppres-
sive, and very mischevous, too.
But however great my respect may be for the opinions
of others on the question OF power there are some con-
alterations of such high in my Judgment, TO
make IL desirable that, unless by common consent the
project Of abolition shall be wholly given up and aban
doned the remnant OF slavery existing IN the District
should be abolished at once. AL the present moment,
boweyer the excited OF public sentiment in the
Sou,b growing out Of territorial questions, seems
forbid such course For myself, IL the sentiment OF
the adjacent States and OF the South generally were
/ less infamed would prefer that course to keeping
an open question. Slavery in the District Of Coum
4 ba is now the only remaining ground Of contention
the only remaining point Of objection and assault on
the fanatics. They will be Satisfied with nothing
short of the extinction Of slavery in the States but all
others at the North dsclam any intention, or design.
or any constitutional power TO interfere win slavery
anywhere but in the District Of Columbia would pe
glad TO all Of disturbance and condehuon IN me
District wholly removed but let me say lhat hs can
be done by the abolition OF slavery, unless oe