Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-01-28


need argue here Taking however, practical view
of the matter in controversy look for moment at the
territorial question: the great issue in the struggle will
do northern gentlemen on this floor the tce to admit
that they have argued themselves into the belief that
they are right in claiming the whole Of the territory for
ffeeso. Let me state Tor moment, the converse or
opposite OF their proposition Suppose it to be
claimed that no one should be allowed to 90 into this
public territory, unless he carried slaves
with him, it might then be said, just gentlemen now
tell us, that would be perfectly fair because placed
every man who might be inclined 10 go there equal
footing, and might by means OF having thus homo
geneouS population advance the general interest: =
Northern would at once, suppose, object to this
arrangement. Then we should say to them, if you do
not like this restriction let it be settled then that every
citizen OF the United States may go into the common ter
rory and carry slaves not just as he pleases. This
would seem to be perfectly equitable and fair arrange
Northern men, however, object to this, and say
that they are not willing to live in territory where
others own slaves Then OF the South say them,
that we will consent to divide the territory and limit
our possession with slaves to apart Oft and allow them
to go at will over the whole Even to this they object,
and insist that they will not allow to occupy foot
of the territory Remember sir, that this very territory
acquired by conquest, and that while the South ac
cordng to its population, would have been required to
furnish only one third OF the troops, it in point Of fact
did furnish thirds OF the that made the conquest
And the North, deficient it comparatively in the
struggle now says that Its conscience, or its cupdlty
will not permit us to have the smallest portion OF that ter
ritory Why, sir this is the most inpudent proposition
-'----'"-"~N-
men.
Sr,I give the North full credit for its feelings favor
OF liberty. can we'll suppose that northern gentlemen
would resist in the most emphatic manner, the attempt
to make any man who is now free slave; but regard
them as too intelligent to believe that humanity either to
the slave or the master requires that they should be pent
up within territory which, after time, will be INSULT
Gent for their subsistence, and where they must perish
from want from the collisions that would occur be-
tween the Nor can suppose that they think it
would be injurious TO New Mexico and California for
orr aoDp tn and settle than pr0minant
northern statesmen, both in this House and in the Sc
nate, have described the population OF those Territories,
and have represented it being not only inferior to
those Indian tribes that we know most Of viz the Che
rokees and Chactaws, but being far below the Flat
Heads, Black Feet, and Snake Indians. | cannot,
therefore, suppose that they really believe that those
Territories would be injured by having infused into them
such state OF society as produces such persons as
George Washington, John NJ arshal and thousands of
other great and virtuous men, living and dead. Your
opposition to our right will be regarded resting
the lust for political power of your politicians on the
rapacity OF your people,
The idea that the conquered people should be permit
ted to give law to the conquerors, pleposerously
absurd that do not intend argue it, Doubtless these
people would be willing, not only TO exclude savehold
ers, but all other Americans, it, by simple vote, they
were allowed to do so. | may remark further, that but
tor the anslavery agitation, southern shareholders
would have carried their negroes into the mines OF Cali
tonia in such numbers that have doubt but that the
majority there would have made il slaveholding
State We have been deprived OF all chance Of this by
VIC uoIuloIH HoRellcutS, duu ny Tie dCuOu Vi Ills
House, which has, by northern votes, repeatedly, from
time to time passed the Wilmot provso as effect
to our institutions without the actual passage OF
law for that purpose. 1t is mere farce, therefore,
without giving our people time to 60 into the country it
they desire to do SO, allow the individuals there by
vote, to exclude whole class OF our citizens. This
would imply that the territory belonged to the people
there exclusively and not to all the people OF the United
States.
Compared with this great question, the abolition Of
slavery in the District OF Columbia is OF little relative
moment One effect, however, of the anti-savery agi
tatlon here is worthy OF passing notice. Within the
last two years, since the matter has become serious it
has seemed not improbable that the of Government
might be removed from the District. As this would be
extremely preudcia to the interests OF the citizens here
many Of them have so far changed in their feelings
be willing to allow slavery to be abolished, yielding to
the force OF the pressure from the North besides,
many OF their slaves are from time to time taken away
by the Abotionss as to satisfy them that such property
here is almost worthless. great impression made
on them by the coming in last year Of northern ship
and ITS carrying away seventy slaves at once Seeing
that there no chance of getting Congress to pass
any adequate law tor their protection as most of the
States have done, they to be forced assent to
some extent to the northern movement Sir it is most
have borne, with SO little complaint, the loss Of their
slaves incurred by the action OF the free STATES The
Constitution Of the United States provided tor the de-
livery of all such fugtves and Congress passed an act
the northern States, have completely defeated their pro-
Visions by forbidding any Of their citizens aid in
the execution OF the law under the penalty of fine and
imprisonment for as long term usually as five years.
There is probably legal mind in any one OF the
Tree States winch can regard these laws constitutional
For though the States not bound to egislate arma
lively in support OF the Constitution of the United States
yet clear that they have right pass laws to OBJ
struct the execution OF constitutional PROVISIONS
Pnyate citizens are not usually bound to be active in
execution OF the law; but it two more combine to
prevent e execution OF any law, they subject to in
dctmentoF conspiracy in all countries where the COM
mon law doctrines prevail II the several States could
rghtiuy egsate to defeat the action of Congress- they
might thereby completely nulhy ofits laws In this
particular instance such has been the result for though
the master allowed to 60 and get his negro if he cam
yet in point OF fact is well known that the free ne
groes, Abohonss, and other dsorderly persons acting
under the countenance and authority of the State laws
are able usually to overower the master and prevent
his recapture.
The extent of the loss to the South may be under
stood from the TACT that the number OF runaway slaves
now in the North is stated being thirty thousand
worth, at present prices, little short Of fifteen millions OF
dollars Suppose that amount OF property was taken
away from the North by the southern States acting
against the Constitution: what complaint would there
not be!what memorials, circumstances, and legisla-
tive resolutions would come down upon us! How
would this hall be filed with lobby members. coming
the oe IN the mny s
have been obliged to give their slaves almost entirely
It was stated IN the newspapers the other day, that
few counties named in Maryland had, by the efforts Of
the AbolonlSts within SIX months, upon computation
lost one hundred thousand dollars worth OF slaves A
gentleman OF the highest standing, from Delaware, as
sured me the other day that that little State lost each
year. least that value Of such property in the same
way. A hundred thousand dollars is a heavy tax to be
levied on single Congressional district by the Abol-
tionsts.
Suppose proportional burden was inflicted on the
northern States. How would Massachusetts bear the
loss annually OF one million one hundred thousand dol
lars not only inflicted thout law but against an ex-
press provision OF the Constitution we may infer
from the complaint she has made of slight inconye-
niPncp imnOIAd her bV that regulation Sonth 20
rolina which prevented ship-captains from carrying free
negro servants to Charleston.
This whole action on the part Of the North is not
only in violation OF the Constitution, but seems 10 be
purely wanton, or originating in malice towards the
South 1t is obvious that they do want our slaves
among them; because they not only make adequate
provision for their comfort but in fact, in many OF the
States, have forbidden iree negroes to come among
them on pain OF Imprisonment. &c II cannot be a de-
knowledge, attempted to steal negroes from Cuba or
Brazil. # is true, however. that having the right now
to come among us both by land and water they have
greater ADJ antages and nmuntes. For ii they went