The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-27
TIL e REPUBLIC.
SPEECH


SPEECH
MIR. BRECK, OF KENTUCKY,
On the Message Of the President relating
to California; dehiyersd in the House Of
Representatives. of the United States,
Monday, March 25, 1850.
The important questions which have recently oc-
casioned 30 much agitation and concern in the pub
lie mind have been SO ably and elaborately dis
cussed, not only here and in the other end of the
Capitol, but by the press throughout the country,
that have little hope of presenting any thing
new or interesting in regard TO them for the con-
sideration OF the committee In obedience, how
ever, the wishes, believe. of my constituents
and in justice to myself feel constrained to state
my views, and the principles by which my course
win be governed, so far as may be called upon to
act.
The great controversy is between the North and
the south upon the subject of slavery And believe
sir ii has rarely been the case for years past that
any question connected with that important subject
has been discussed in the American Congress with
out irritation and excitement. Prejudice against
the institution upon the side, and extreme SEN
stiveness, arising from various causes the other
have often rendered such discussions not only ex-
citing, but productive of serious evil. Their ten
dency has been to weaken the ties and destroy that
harmony and good-fellowship between the North
and the South, 80 essential to our continuance
united people.
1t is my desire To say nothing which will add to
the present excitement. If cannot pour oil upon
the troubled waters, hope not to increase their
agitation and violence Our moderation and for
bearance should be more signally manifested, as
has been properly remarked, in proportion as the
question becomes more important.
Since the commencement of the present session
of Congress- slavery has been the all absorbing and
constant theme, not only here, but in every part Of
our extensive country. II has been the alpha and
omega of almost every speech, and has exerted an
influence, often controlling, over nearly every
thing which we have done attempted. Among
other things which we have heard, 1t has been re-
peatedly sounded in our ears, that upon the salts
factory adjustment of this important controversy
hangs the destiny Of the republic-the fate of our
glorious Union. Similar assurances have reached
us from various sources, some of them entitled to
very grave consideration.
Now, sir, if this be indeed 30, then is the contro
versy most-momentous. No question of such trans
cendent importance, involving SO deeply the free
dom and happiness of man, has ever been can
be presented for the consideration of any legisla
tive assembly in the civilized world. IL this wide
spread and happy land, upon which Heaven has
showered its choicest blessings is to be torn asun-
der by Internal strife-f our happy system of gov
ernment, which reflects immortal honor upon its
founders, and under which we have enjoyed de-
gree Of freedom and prosperity and happiness
unparalleled in the annals Of nations, Is to be
broken up and overthrown-then, truly, may it be
said, that the last refuge Of civil liberty the last
hope of free government, is gone.
With what intense interest is every patriot, every
votary of freedom, watching our deliberations and
waiting the result. On the other hand, with what
exuting joy are all the enemies of freedom, and all
the tyrants and oppressors of mankind, looking
upon the gloomy spectacle we present; and with
what a shout Of triumph will they hail the sad
end Of this great republic. For one, sir, cannot,
will not believe that appalling calamity is about
to befall us; cannot believe that we have soon be-
come the degenerate sons Of gallant sires, that We can
mott will not preserve the glorious heritage which
their valor and suffering have acquired and~have
transmitted TO US; that the spirit, which united and
animated the noblest race of men that ever strug-
ged and battled for liberty, has become extinct in
the breasts of their descendants.
II is true, sir there those who scout the idea
that the Union is in danger, and who regard all
that has been said as mere menace and bravado
am, sir, not Of that number. The country, 1t ID
true, has been in danger before. II has encoun-
tered alarming political storms and tempests, and
rode them out in safety. But, sir, republics have
often been the victims of deluson and passion, and
we have no guaranty that we are exempt from
these baneful influences.
concur fully i'm the opinion expressed by the
gentleman from Louisiana, Mr.. MoRsE,) that the
omens are i'll, that the Tunes sadly oa Of JOINT;
and regret to say, that some expressions, used
by the gentleman himself, furnish evidence Of the
correctness of that opinion confess, sir, after
surveying the whole ground, that have been re-
luctanty forced TO the conclusion that the country
is in imminent danger, and that there has been no
period in its history when spirit of conciliation
and compromise, and all the efforts of patriotism
were more eminently required TO prop its reeitng
glory, and save it from the greatest Of all calarni-
ties.
troversy arise out Of territorial acquisitions
from Mexico, and slavery in this District. II has
been emphatically announced in this House and
elsewhere, that II by any act Of Congress slavery
shall be inhibited in these Territories, abolished
in this District, the happening of either Of these
contingencies will induce immediate action in the
South for its projections or in other words, as be-
bevc is generally understood, will be followed by
secession or revolution by part at all events oi
the States in the South
Now, sir, am decidedly opposed 10 both these
messures, and 80 Is the State which have the
honor In part TO represent. But deem IL entirely
unnecessary 10 speculate in regard TO her course,
should they or either Of them be adopted-as there
Is probability, 1 think, that either event will
happen, at least during the present session OF Con-
gress, unless the admission Of California as State,
with constitution excluding slavery, should be
regarded as equivalent act or measure, and that
subject i shall notice hereafter. But, although
neither OF these unjust and obnoIious measures
should be adopted, yet still the existing state oi
things is evidently tending 20 very unfortunate
and alarming result. The different views and feel
ings entertained at the North and the South upon
the subject Of slavery, and the agitation Of this
question, in connexion with party politics, mani
festly tend TO sectional division in feeling and
political action.
To arrest this tendency and avert so fatal re-
suit, should be the effort Of every one who duly
appreciates the importance Of preserving that
Union under which we have been prosperous
and happy, and have become great and pow
erful.
As l was born and educated in the North, and
have for than thirty years resided in the South
in a slavcholding State, trust may, with some
freedom and without offence, examine this subject
Of slavery, and more especially in view Of the opn
ions and feelings Of the North in regard TO IL.
There has evidently been some new light, or,
perhaps, may with more propriety say obscurity,
thrown upon IL since left that section Of tho coun
try. If tho views and feelings which now seem 10
prevail were entertained in my day, or when re-
sided there, could hardly have escaped their in
huencc, and have selected slave State for my
permanent residence. IL is true, did not &C.
lect Kentucky because slavery existed there; but
i am not aware that haf circumstance const-
tuted any objection. am confident IL formed no
part of my education TO listen TO lectures upon the
injustice and sin Of slavery, and is continuance In
the South. In those days Abolitionists and aboli-
ton societics-the party styling itself par ereei-
isnee, the Liberty party, and the one idea Free Soil
party-were unknown. These new sects have
sprung up under the influence Of the boasted pro-
gress Of the age, Of which we hear 90 much. But
this progress OF the age s in some respects
like high tide in our mighty rivers il raises
vast amount Of trash and rubbish, known In
the West and South by the general term drVt,
and in the North, I believe, food-,ooed, which
would otherwise slomber and decay in silence