The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent. (Port Gibson, Claiborne Co., Miss.) 1848-18??, 1850-06-21


according to The local laws of Mexico, there was
right on the part Of the STAKEHOLDER to carry his
slaves ;here, but that, according to the constitu-
ton Of the United States, that right existed. If
it does, ought not the Senatorto be satisfied? He
says Congress has no power to legslate upon the
subject of slavery one way or the other.
Mr.. Soule. The honorable Senator does me
injustice expressly admit that slavery was
abolished by the Mexican law. never raised
doubt Upon that point-that slavery and the slave
trade bad been abolished BY the constituted pow
er o: Mexico in 1924.
Mr.. Clay. Very well.
Mr.. Soule. Therefore, so far as that goes,
there cannot be doubt in the mind of any one
that slavery is abolished.
Mr.. Clay. Ispoke Of ihe Senator as assault
ing the opinion entertained.
Mt. Sou!e Not in the least
| Mr. Clay. The honorable Senator admits that
slavery was abolished, but he contends that the
right to carry slaves there was restored by the
Constitution of the United States. Well then,
| sir, if by the Constitution of the United States
there is right on the part of every STAKEHOLDER
in this country to carry slaves into said Terrific
ries, what more does he want? He talks about
! the StaiL quo Why the StGtu quo is precisely
l
Of things--would be what he would want, and
yet he is not satisfied. We have forborne 10 re-
commend TO The Senate The Wilmot provso, and
the whole plan of the committee is silent upon
that subject. Will he tell us now in so MANY
words what he would put into an act Of Congress
to satisfy himself upon the subject of slavery?
should be extremely happy TO know.
Mr.. Soule. lam ready to answer the hoflora-
i a or / fod hofh6
section of The amendment OF my friend from Mis-
sissippi is to be passed; that IS all that want
an willing 20 abide by this section provided the
amendment have sustained this morning be
carried would be fully satisfied, as | would be
satisfied with all the other provisions OF the BILL
provided important and reasonable amendments
be made to them. That is the position hold.
Mr. Clay. | am happy to find that there are
some hopes yet left Of getting the aid Of the hon
orabe Senator from Louisiana for this measure,
for had despaired OF it. really thought, from
} the course of his argument, and the manner in
which he treated every proposition n the bill that
J with him it was gone caSe--that he was hope.
} lessly lost to us, and nothing could reconcile him
TO the scheme of the committee. Now should
t like to know what other aw--what else he wish
es upon the subject of slavery besides the para
|
: Mr. Soule. Protection.
Mr. Clay, Does it moi now affort you protec
I ton?
+ Mr. Soule. 1t does not afford US that protec
ton which we need. We want the assertion o
d our rights.
d Mr.. CLAW. Will the honorable Senator be sat
d isfed if the clause be stricken cut?
' Mr.. Soule. | shall be satisfied with the claus
7 "A 4. -c hoe iron
/ Mr.. Clay That amendment the senate
d knows, we cannot agree 10. 1t assumes iaci
a the existence of which deny. 1t assumes th'
e fact that there is slavery there now, and sa,
n there is none, unless some body servants of off
: GERS there. Will the honorable Senator be sat
S isfed to have the clause stricken out? woult
r be willing to do that. Will he be satisfied Il
have il so modified as to declare that the territori
j. al legislatures shall neither admit nor exclud
= slavery; thus leaving il open to State legisa
v ton? Will he be satisfied with that? lfso,
! will be content. Does the honorable Senate
e mean bv any indirect means, or by any clause
to assert either that there are slaves there now
l. or that it is lawful under the Constitution OF th
1t United States to carry them there? II so
cannot sustain tie course. Others may do S
], ifthey please. II he will agree to the moditica
ton OF the clause, so that the territorial Leglss
It lures shall pass no laws either to admit or e.
l. clude slavery
p Mr.. Webster Gin his seat) In respect to th
W establishment or the exclusion of slavery.
e, Mr. Clay. Yes; would 60 for that with a
ID my heart.
,e If the honorable Senator will be satisfied wit
" such an amendment as | have suggested, al
IS which understood, the other day. would salts
| 6 a. bo% 6 ofb rri1 nf
o house--decIarng that the Territorial Legisl
: lures should neither establish nor exclude slav
Of nv, and then this question would be left open;
a am satisfied, perfectly, to do it. am satisht
j. that have given the right Interpretation of tn
r. amendment that slavery exists there now, al
le not in point oflaw. The Constitution Of the U
at tied States gives right to carry slaves ther
h But ] am wandering from the subject. repe
lg however, in conclusion of this part OF the subIet
u that am ready to vote to strike out this claus
a to retain it or modify it In the way have sugge
a. ted, which, if understand the object OF this sl
ct ofthA Chamber would accomplishafl that Is aske
I'd lam not going at this time and at this stage
the debate to discuss the question of the laws
is Mexico. The opinion expressed at former Sc
h, slohs by myself and others, that the Supren
to Court of the United States only can settle tt
at queStl0n, upon proper case DIOuSnl ueloie
of Court, will be sufficient We 60 as far as Y
ot can to settle all Of these questions--esta6
in governments and courts there, from which, a
IN cording, to the express provisions of this b
iii there is an appeal to the supreme cour OF {
or United States, where alone it can be justly ST
ch tied. | will say nothing more at present wi
We respect to the able, ingenious, and eloquent 4
as gument Of the honorable Senator from Lousiar
on but proceed TO other subjects.
les Mr.. President, it is time that the troubles
Ith this country should be settled. ! am not one
on those who, either at tie commencement of Il
lie session or at any time during its progress ha
dy believed that there was any actual present dang
om to the existence Of this Union; but am one
M those who believe that ifthis agitation be cont
,g- ued for one or two years longer, no man c
lot say in what or where it will end. DlsSolutI
Wn Of the Unfon-one of the greatest calamities,
sh nv opinion, that could bsial this nation; may
snt in form take place. But next to that is the q
not solution of all those fraternal and kindred
al which bind us together as one Christian
on commercial people. repeat that IN MY opini
the body polite is incompetent for one or t
is years longer to bear this agitation without s.
es ering the bonds of that reciprocal trust wb
ms now unites us; and without eventually conf
led to-what, the Almighty preserver of us all ale
BILE can tell. will go SO far as TO express my op
he. ion that unless this compfomise; | do not say
l. RI lN-1a, H. ~ rac