The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-08
THE REPU BLlC.


where. The main objection 10 the admission of
California; and the agitation on the subject, in
consequence fthe fact that her constitution excludes
slavery. Admit California, and TO a great extent
| you quiet the agitation
Every step, during this session, shows the fore
| sight OF the Presidents recommendation. He
in favor OF an amendment OF the law OF 1893, pro-
yiding additional officers with vieM 10 the more
efiectual captare of fugitive slaves. This a
constitutional obligation. While he was thus dis
posed he would insist that any alteration of the
law must, far possible, be applicable to public
| sentiment-provison must be- made for trial by
jury. He indicated the position of General lay
| Tor during the Presidential canvass and for not
| committing himself TO his friends or foes There
| fore, no man say what will be the action
OF the President the Wilmot proviso. He re-
joiced that the President stands liked IN the hearts
the American people, and they know how to APP
preclate the sterling qualities and mature judy
ment which have brought him into their service.
In conclusion, he gave some advice TO the South.
Mr.. DUER said that twas merely recommended
in the Presidents message that there should be IA
settlement of the boundary of Texas. But the
President had no plan He (Nlr d. had adopted
that OF the Senate, almost in the same words. He
was aware that there strong objection to it,
but he knew the necessity OF action OF some sort
and this seems TO be the less Objectionable. He did
not wish to be considered advocating oppos.
ing the bill; he would reserve the right of Offering
IL or not, according circumstances; and he would
not offer il presenting his individual views and
opinions
Mr.. JACKSON, of Georgia, who obtained the
iluor gave way Tor 4 motion that the committee
rise which prevailed,
And then the House took until s O'clock.
EVENING SESSION.
The House, in Committee of the Whole, resumed
the consideration of the Californ ia question.
Mr.. JACKSON, coming from part of Georgia
which was the scene OF revolutionary story, and
speaking in the name of his constituents and of
the descendants Of patriots of the Revolution,
| claimed the right to appeal to members from the
northern States. There was in his district whole
settlement from the old Bay State Early in 1852,
nearly hundred years ago, gentlemen Of New
England left the town Of Dorcester, and, emigrat-
ing to South Carolina established another Dorces-
ter, and in u few years after they to Georgia.
The descendants retain the tone of cducation NOR
ais, religion, and virtue, which taught to them
by their ancestors.
Gentlemen had said that those of the South are
the lords Of the land, and slave drivers and .'ars-
tocrats.' Are the people Of the South in the habit
OF speaking in terms of disrespect of the North and
charging that they destitute of every virtue and
guilty OF every crime? He did not propose to re-
taliate God forbid Washing ton was a slave
holder; the author of the Declaration of Indepcnd-
cncc (Jeiierson) was stakeholder; the father of
the Constitution (NIadson) was a stakeholder.
Your own Greene was stakeholder He came to
the South, and the South gratefully received him.
Do gentlemen from Pennsy vania recoect that
Wayne was stakeholder? And yet gentlemen Of
the South were told that they slave-dr and
arisocrats! And this isappled in dersion to them.
Is this just and becoming in American legslatorss
Your own voices would say il Is not, if you would
speak the sentiments of your hearts. The South
had never turned the cold shoulder to northern
men They are III that section elected to the high
est Offices, Judges, and representatives this floor.
They come among us, and own slaves. And they,
too branded with being slave drivers and arts
tocrats of the land
The States equal; our forefathers SO made
them, and separate and independent States they
! came into the Union; but fifteen States are now
found in opposition to fifteen OF the southern States.
lie then earnestly defended the interests and rights
of the South, and argued in favor of the Missouri
compromise, saying that the southern star pies can
be cultivated with profit south of that line
lie loved the Union; he would yield to no man in
his attachment to it. He would do what he could
towards its preservation He believed that the will
of the people should be carried out by the repre-
sentative and the will OF his constituents shall
govern him In his course on the great question at
/ issue.
MIR. DURKEE, of Wisconsin, regarded the great
struggle glorious war-a war between truth
and error, between liberty and despotism. The
nation will rise from its degradation, and
the Declaration of Independence. Gentlemen say
slavery must not be agilated nor discussed. Why
mott Agitation is the very life of a republic; il Is
the great element which sustains it. There is no
way TO establish harmony, order and justice, with
out 1t. Wcarc sanctioning here what we denouncc
on the seas as piracy, namely, enslaying the
bodies and souls of men, women, and children.
Gentlemen say, Hush,'' :" Do not agitate this
question, We have great mission abroad" This
Z! is gross hypocrisy. He charged il on the whole
country. We profess to despisc the traffic, and yet
/ sldNc-Hidft5 nero, IN lnc centre OF the
! Union
II the principles of freedom be compromised, hc
would go for expunging the Declaration of hide
peneence, wrapping the republic in its winding
sheet, and consigning it TO the tomb of obliv
ion Gentlemen say that there is too much excite
mcnt There is not much, especially when we
consider the evil Discussion elevates the intellect,
and we enlghten ourselves and the country by the
debates; and we taught TO feel our responsible
ity TO the country, and gain new views and feel
ings.
We should, he said, disgrace ourselves if sell
out principles II we right, let us main
tain our integrity. II we wrong, let us listen
TO the debates, that we may be convinced. Truth
will ultimately prevail. Congress may pass their
compromises, but discussion will go on, and OPP
preston will be driven from the country.
Mr. PHELPS obtained the floor when motion
was made that the committee rise.
The vote was taken, and il was discovered that
the committee was without quorum.
The rule, in such cases. provides that, when the
committee finds itself without quorum, the Chair
man shall cause the roll TO be called, whercupon
the committee shall rise and the names OF the
abscntccs shall be reported and entered upon the
Journal
Some conversation took place; gentlemen dcsir-
ing 10 continuc in committee, and make speeches.
Ii was now half past ten O'Clock.
Thirty one members present.
The roll called when the committee rose
and at fifteen minutes 10 eleven,
The House adjourned.
SIDNEY SMITHS PosTHUMoUs WoRK.-The fol-
lowing extracts from posthumous work OF Sidney
Smith, which is about TO be published, are in the
peculiar vein of that author: