The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1850-08-14
Speech Of Mr.. Clay,


psEwrsa 10 he unis~J sfssss s<ssss - kss-
dsy. f1a Isiy. isso.
(csDeluded-l
Ills fhe opinian nf he epronen,s oflhe
bin. and shr opinion. TOO. Of soms Of i,s
frisnds-alihorsh il 10 MOI my own opininn
shat ihs ronsliiuiion ronfrrs M author
inv upon Congress 10 impose restriction
upan the rubje.i uf.lsvery 70 Territorial
Cove nmenis. vry we'll: il Congress
has mn poser 10 impose surh rsslririion.
and nryerlheIcss dnrs exercise such Q
pawer. II 10 usurps'ion; il % The sssnmp-
ton Of iilresl authority; i is wrong in any
view Of the nIaiirr--s sraesnts and OPP
prrssive wrong. But when Stale which
is ahoui 10 rnier ln.n the Union. and which
il deliberaiing concerning ronslilutlon
whirh j. best sd.ped 10 prorno'e her IN.
irresis snd happiness. chooses IN consider
whether she shall admit or exclude slavery.
and deellrs to exclude il. can such an er-
errise Of authority on The part ofths Stale
"a ronceded power-be eonfounded with
the unconstitutional exercise Of itby Con
gressf
Nov. dn nni our Southern friends who
oppose this bill upon lhr ground iha, there
is an introduction 10 the iniro'lnriion oil
slavery in the California consiiiuiion. and
that thai 10 equivalent to an in,erdiciion
exercised unIawfully bys Congress. sc-
rording to their views--da they not min.
gle truth and falsehood. black and while,
things totally dis.imilar! liis Of no con.
.eoueace what effects The one or the oiher
measure may prndure. That is different
question:. The question 10 one Of power;
and say the exercise Of such power.
which they regard rs ausurpation by Ton.
sress. is totally disiihci from The lawful
exercise cf similar power by Stale
forming for herself and her own t;overn-
men, 4 consii,u,ion. Three years ago.
two years sgo. Que year sgo-one short
year ago o-ihe great complaint on The part
cf The slsveholding States nf this Union.
was The spprehsnded inaic,ion upon their
interests Of a restriction call d the Wilnot
proviso. Well. we have mrt together;
there has been change Of public opinion,
q Modification of public opinion. al the
North. And allow me 10 say thai, with
regard TO that most important portion of
our Union--ils northwest sec,ion-tI'st
: no msn is more entitled 10 tho honor and
gratitude Of this saluiary change that the
honorable member in my eye MIR. Cass)
who represents Michigan. lie came here
with his hands lied and bound by aresiric.
,ion which gave him no other alternative
than violation Of his conscientious cons
yic,ions of duty. or resignation Of his
sea, into the hands Of those who sent him
here. Discussions have taken place in
this house, in the country. in the press
,hey ran through the North, and Michigan
nobly relr ased and united the hands Of heI
Senators, and left them free to pursue theii
own hes, judgment 10 promote the inter-
e.,, Of their country. And allnw me Ia
saw This 10 The feeling Of all The. Northwest
There il indeed one honorable Senato'
here, Mr.. Dodge. Of Wisconsin.) whose
grave and Romanlike department IN thu
body has filled me with admiration
throughout our entire service here togelh
era Senator crowned with laurrls b,
his military deeds in the field Of battle
And if he will allow me TO address him
approaching. as we bo,h are. to the clos'
oflfe, 1 would say 10 him that there !
nothing wanting to consumma'lon oi hl
glory, and his assignment TO more i'm
pcrlam and conspicuous position in IN
eounuy's history there is nothing want
ing but to cap the climax Of renown b.
contributing 10 carry triumphanlly ihroug
this impor,an, measure Of concilia,ion.
Let me for one moment-assuming IN
passage of the various measures who
compose the system reported by the Con
mi,,te OF Thir,een-let me see what vi
he the condition Of the two sections of ii
the Union-whai has been gained and To-
by each. The North gains The admisslo
of California as free State, and the hlg
probability Of New Mexico and Utah r.
manning or becoming free territory: avolt
snv Introduction Of slavery by the aulh'
ri,y Of Congress; sees New Mexico d
tached from Texas, with high degree
prnbahility-fram the nature OF the clima
+ and the character Of the sell, and fro
other circnmstances---lhai New MeYit
will ultimately become a free State; al
secures the abolition Of the slave.lrade
The District rf Columbia. Are not the,
objects Of sufficient ma0ni.u e 10 salts
any moderate, rational. Norhern wishe
And villa, will the South gain! ri
Sou.h avoids The assertion by Congress
the dangerous principle. as they regard
contained in the Wilmat proyiso; plac
beyond controversy 90O miles OF The ,e
ritory of Fexas on the Rio Grande, no
in dispute: gains an efficient fualllvs sla
bill, aud silences the agitainn about y
abolition Of slavery in This District. ;
i, may happen-and | am no, going
disguise my convictions a TO the pro'
biljiies of the fact-that the South W