The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-09
Congressional.
In SENATE, MONDAY, July 8, 1850.

In SENATE, MONDAY, July s, 1850.
Several petitions were presented. .'
The Senate then took up resolution offered by
Mr.. HoUsToN, calling on the President for infor.
nation as to the evacuation Of Fort Polk. II was
debated by Messrs. HousToN, DAVIS, of Mis-
sissippi, and RusK, and finally passed.
The bill from the House, making appropriations
for the construction of certain roads in Minnesota,
was taken up, read third time, and, after debate
between Messrs. DAVIS, of Mississippi DOUGLAS,
and DODGE, of Iowa, was passed.
The Senate then took up the
ADJUSTMENT BILL.
Mr.. SMITH took the floor, and spoke at great
length. He had little expectation that at this
period Of the session he would be able to attract
Congress, in 1885, to the present time, he had never
addressed either House on the subject of slavery
He had contented himself with simply voting
yea or nay, as the question presented itself. He
had endeavored to represent the we'll known and
predominant sentiments of the people Of his State,
but he had always done so in moderate manner
By his votes, unaccompanied with any speeches,
he had been subjected to much misrepresentation,
particularly at the South. He would therefore
claim the privilege of addressing the Senate on the
subject at the present time. .....
He was sorry that he could not support the
bill, though he was as anxious as any one to
settle the great question in dispute. The dangers
growing out of the present issues had been greatly
exaggerated. He had no fear of the great convul-
sons and the destruction Of all our cherished hopes
and institutions, which had been so fearfully de-
picted. This question was no doubt a source of
great evil to the country, because it retarded the
useful and necessary legislation.
He proceeded to consider who was responsible
for the present state Of things. He thought all
the present excitement was properly attributable
to the policy which had brought about the an
nexation Of Texas. 1t was the policy of the last
administration which had brought its present evils
on the country.
He thought that none of these questions in dis
pute were Of any practical Importance TO the
South. OF what use had the twenty-irst rule Of
the House of Representatives been to the South ?
1t only multiplied the number of abolition pet-
tons and remonstrances. He argued that the
best way to stop agitation would be to receive all
abolition petitions, and allow the fees latitude to
all the agitators
He did not think that all the efforts of the agi-
tators would ever abolish slavery in single State.
But he would venture the prediction that before
the end of the present century, slavery would be
extinct in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Ken
lucky, and probably other States. He gave the
reasons for this belief. Northorners were just
beginning to emgratc into these States and before
very many years, they would outnumber and
outvote the shareholders. Already there were 500
Northern families settled in Fairfax county, yir.
GINA. ...... .. a..r..-. t.... .s,a# safE
As to slavery in the District, he would not
vote to abolish it, unless compensation were made
to the owners, or unless by post natl law. The
effect of immediate emancipation here, without
making compensation to the owners, would be to
drive all the slaves to the Southern fields. 1t