Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-03-21
MIR. webster's Speech.

The speech of Mr.. Webster delivered in the
Senate on the 7th inst, on the subject of sla-
very. does not appear entirely palatable to
northern wings. The Boston Atlas, the re-
cognized organ Of the party, denies that Mr..
Websters sentiments are the sentiments of the
wings of New England: and protests that they
are not the sentiments of the conductors of
that paper. Mr.. Webster's sentiments are not
certainly the sentiments OF abolitionists, and in
so far as this is true. they may not find re-
Spouse in considerable portion of the whig
press in Massachusetts.
So long as Mr.. Webster confines his views
and arguments to strict party grounds, we hear
no complaints. But when once Invested of
party shack les, he throws himself into the con-
test and recognizes no principle but that of
truth,-no rights but those which are just and
equal to all--no obligations-no contracts
which are not alike sacred to. and binding up
on all-no constitutional provisions which ex-
psdiency and party policy may adopt to day,
and repudiate o-morrow whenever, we say,
he ceases to be the exponent of party measures,
and boldly and fearlessly advocates the sacred
ness of constitutional obligations. then, if not
branded directly as traitor he becomes the
target at which perbiind whiggery hurls the
thunderbolt OF her indignation from every nook
and corner in the land. So it was also with
the venerable Adams. So it has been, and so
it still is with the greatest statesman that has
ever adorned any Country, or any age. Never
theless, it is to be hoped Mr.. Webster may yet
escape unscathed from the fiery furnace of
wing wrath.
Mr.. Webster presents the subject rather in
the form of an historical narrative, than of
strict argument although in some pants of
his remarks he becomes rigidly argumentative.
1t is not our purpose to 80 into an analysis of
the speech, but only to state some of the lead
ing points which he presents, and to give an
extract or two relating to questions in which
we all feel at the present time, more or less in
terest. The Importance of the subject. and the
ability of The distinguished statesman who has
taken it up, will, we trust, be sufficient apol-
ogy for the space which we give it in our COL
umns.
Mr. Webster reatirms the statement that the
late with Mexico, if not originally declared
for the purpose, was prosecuted with view to
the acquision of territory. He alluded to the
existence of slavery in the earlier ages of the
world-in the oriental nations among the
Jews, Greeks and Misunderstanding the vari-
Gus means by which men became reduced to
servitude. The Roman jurists admitted that
slavery was against the natural law by which
they maintained that all men of whatever color,
capacity, were equal but justified it on the
authority of the law of nations. He cont;n-
ues -
At the introduction OF Christianity into the
world, the Roman world was full of slaves, and
! suppose there is to be found no Injunction
against that l,tion between man and man,
in the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
or of any of his Apostles. The object of the
instruction impaired to mankind, by the found
of Christianity, was to touch the heart, pu-
rify the soul, and improve the lives of individ-
uaI men. That object went directly to the first
fountain of all political and all social relations
of the human race-the individual heart and
mind of man.
At the time of the adoption of the constitu-
ton the South were more strongly opposed to
slavery. than the North. 1t was then expect
ed that BY prohibiting the importation of ne
groes, slavery would gradually wear out and
expire. Hence the prohibitory clause to that
effect in the constitution. The introduction of
the cultivation of cotton, how ever, creating a
demand for slaves disappointed that expcsta-
'ion, and they have been pegpetuatcd.
In respect to the formation of new states
from the territory Of Texas, Mr.. Webster ar
CUES that, from the stipulation contained in
the resolution for tie annexation of that state.
we are bound by the most solemn obligations,
20 admit such states, as slave states,--that is,
states that shall be formed out of the territory
of Texas lying south IS deg. 80 m. The num-
Der it will be recollected is rot to exceed four
For the increase of such slave states, the
North is responsible. Annexation was carried
by northern votes,--by the votes of the north
ern democracy. They are consequently ac-
couutabls for ali the evils growing out of that
transaction. Mr.. Webster was utterly opposed
to the admission of Texas with her extended
territory, into the Union,--s@w no political
necessity for annexsti on--no advantages to be
CerlFeu rum ~ anu oOeStiOiis 70 IL OF strong
and, in his Judgment. of decisive character.
OF the causes which preclude the existence of
slavery in the new territories, and the nuga-
tory character of the IJTir,ot Precise, he SAYS
Now. as to California and New Mexico. |
hold slavery to be excluded from those Ter
rtories by law even superior TO that which
admits and sanctions it in Texas. mean
the law of nature of physical geograph, =
the law of The formation of the earth That
law settles forever, with a strength beyond
all terms OF human enactment, that slavery
cannot exist in California or New Mexico.
African slavery, rs we see it among us. is
as utterly impossible to find itself, or to be
found in Mexico, as any other natural impos
sibility.
California and New Mexico are Asiatc in
their formation and scenery. They are
composed of vast ridges Of mountains OF
enormous height, with broken ridges and
deep valleys. The sides of these mountains
are barren, entirely barren, their tops capped
bv perennial snow. There may be in Cali
fornin, now made free by its constitution, and
no doubt there are, some tracts of valuable
land. But it is not so in New Mexico.
have inquired and read all could find in
order to obtain information. What is there
in New Mexico tina, could by any possibility
induce any body 10 go there with slaves !?
There are some narrow strips Of lllable land
on the borders OF the rivers; but the rivers
themselves dry up before midsummer is
gone. y that the people can do, is TO raise
some liIiiu .rtirier, some little wheat for
their toriiilas, and III that by irrigation. And
who expects 10 see hundred black men