Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-02
THE SLAVERY QUESTION.
Mr.. CLAY'S PROPOSITION TO COMPRO-
MISE.
In Senate, Tuesday, January q, 1850.


advantage of him. as have very lately looked through
all The volumes Of the Congressional Globe in which
this delicate question has been discussed and feel JUS
titled in declaring that the general doctrine maintained
by Southern Senators has been that Congress had no
power legisate the subject OF slavery at al IN TINS
District; least that such Legislation could occur
without violation OF the principles OF good lalth 10
wards all the slave States including Maryland and
Virginia Indeed think that this doctrine was fo1ner-
ly upheld upon occasions, by several Democratic
Senators from the free States 80 -
nator will not fail to remember it, when remind him OF
it Mr.. Leigh--.Watkins Leigh, OF Virginia, warm
personal and political friend OF the honorable Senator
from found it necessary to express himself
believe it was in the year l836-drecy in opposition
10 the views then maintained by the honorable Senator
from Kentucky. After Mr. Leigh's argument-which
was of unusual ability-had been concluded, the
honorable Senator from Kentucky arose and said in
substance, that could the convictions which he enter
tanned touching the power Of Congress over the subject
of slavery in the District have been shaken or altered by
any argument the speech of his honorable friend from
Virginia might have produced that effect, but that his
original opinion remained unatered From this incident
most apparent that at that early day there was
not that absolute unanlmlty OF sentiment among me
Southern members OF this body which the honorable
| Senator from Kentucky supposes to have existed.
| Mr.. Mason. Its with much reluctance at any Tune
that tespass the time OF the Senate alter the hour
Of actual business has arrived but do not feel myself
| at liberty standing do upon this question, to allow
the resolution offered by the Senator from Kentucky to
pass unnoticed my part, lest 1t should possibly be
considered that the State which | represent in part Is
prepared would almost say to any extent, to respond
the spirit OF these resolutions Sir, regret deeply
that in the earnest and honest desire which have no
doubt the Senator enterins to have these disturbing
questions composed he has felt it his Duty representing
Of the slavehodng States, TO offer such PROPOSE
| ton | would go with him who went tarthest but
within the limits of strict duty in adjusting these un-
happy differences; but do not feel at liberty to NOV
step tow ards such compromise, II constitutional
| right is invaded in the slightest degree.
Sir, so far as have read these resolutions there is
but one proposition to which give hearty as
sent and that the resolution which proposes to organ
ize Territorial Governments at in these Terrific
ries, without declaration way or the other as to
their domestic Institutions. But there is another which
| deeply regret introduced into this Senate by a
Senator from slayehoidng State it is that which as
sumes that slavery now does not exist by law IN those
countries. | understand one OF these propositions to
declare that by law slavery is now abolished in New
Mexico and California That was the very proposition
advanced by the non-slaveholding States at the last
session, combated and dsproved as thought, by gen
tlemen from the slavehodlng States, and which the
compromise bill was framed to test So far regarded
the question OF law disposed Of and was very clearly
and satisfactorily shown be against the spirit OF the
resolution of the Senator from Kentucky. If the con-
trary is true, presume the Senator from Kentucky
would declare that it law is now valid In the Terrific
res aboishing slavery, that it could not be introduced
there il law passed creating the institutions
repeating the statutes already existing doctrine
never assented to, far as know, until now, by any
Senator representing OF the slaveholdng States
Sir hold the very opposite, and with such confidence
that at the last session willing and did vote Tor
bill to test this question IN the supreme court. e
this resolution the other doctrine to be true
and assent is challenged 10 it proposition in
law
do not mean to detan the Senate by any discussion
but deemed it to be my duty to enter decided protest
on the part OF Virginia against such doctrines They
concede the whole question at once, that people
shall not go into the territories and take their pro-
pery with them doctrine to which | never will as
sent, and tor which, sir, no law be found. There
are other portions OF the resolutions for which, if they
could be separated, should be very willing to vote.
Tbora tiDer ti1f md that tbo
organization OF governments in these territories, should
be willing to vote Tor, and | am happy to declare the
qualification experience at finding the Senator from
Kentucky differing so much on this subject from the
Executive message recently laid before the Senate
beg not to be understood as having spoken in any
spirit OF unkindness towards the Senator from Ken
lucky, for whom | entertain the warnest and most
profound respect; but cannot but express also my
greet that he has felt it be his duty, standing as he
does before this people and representing the people he
does, to introduce into this body resolutions OF this
kind.
Mr. DAVIS, tof Miss) do not rise to continue the
discussion, but, has been made historical ques-
on as to what the position OF the Senate was twelve
years ago. and as with great regret see this the con-
sentative branch OF the Government, tending towards
that fanacsm which seems to prevail @th the majority
in the United States wish read from the journals
OF that date the resolutions then adopted, and to show
that they went further than the honorable Senator nom
Kentucky has stated. take it tor granted, from the
dale to which the honorable Senator has alluded, he
means the resolutions introduced by the honorable Sena-
tor from South Carolina, Cdr CalhounD not now in
his seat and TO which the Senator from Kentucky pro-
posed certain amendments. OF the resolutions intro
duced by the Senator from South Carolina, Will read
the fifth in the series, that to which the honorable Sena-
tor from Kentucky must have alluded. 1t IS IN these
| words
"Reso1ved, That the ntermeddng of any State CT
States, their citizens TO abolish slavery III this DIS
ct any OF the territories the ground or under the
pretext that is immoral or sinful or the passage OF any
measure OF Congress with that view, would be
direct and dangerous attack the institutions Of all the
| slayeholding States.
Such is the general form of the proposition 1t was
varously modified but never, in my opinion, improved
On the 2th the fifth resolution being under considera-
ton, Mr.. Clay, OF Kentucky. moved to amend tn
amendment by striking all after the word RESOLVED,
| and insert:
"That the interference by the citizens of any of the
States with the view the abolition Of slavery in this
District is endangenng the rights and security OF the
District and that any act measure of Congress de-
signed to abolish slavery in this District would be yo-
lation Of the faith implied in the cessonS by the States
of Virginia and Maryland; just cause OF alarm to the
people OF the slaveholding States, and have direct
and inevitable tendency TO disturb and endanger the
| Union.
"Ard, resoloed, That it would be highly nexpedient
abolish slavery within any district OF country set apart
for the Indian tribes where now exists or IN Florida the
only Territory Of the United States in which it now
lists because of the serious alarm and just appehensons
which would be thereby excited in the States sustaining
that domestic institution; because the people OF that
Territory have not asked it to be done, and, when ad-
mtted into the Union, will be exclusively entitled TO de-
eide that question for themselves; because it would be
IN violation OF the sllpulaon OF te treaty beW cen the
United States and SPAIN OF the 22d OF February, 1919;
and also because would be in violation OF solemn
compromise, made at memorable and critical period
in the history of this country, by which, whilst slavery
was prohibited north was admitted south, OF the line
OF Sc degrees and 80 minutes north latitude"
But this resolution not finally adopted. Upon
the motion OF MIR. Buchanan to amend said amend
ment, by striking out the second clause thereof com
menciug with the word resolved" il determined in
the affirmative, and finally the resolution which here
follows was submitted in place OF the second clause;
"Tha the interference by the citizens OF any Of the
States with view the abolition Of slavery in this
District endangerng the rights and security othe peo
pie Of this District; and that any act OF Con-
gress, designed TO abolish slavery this District wond
be violation OF the faith implied in the cessons by the
States OF Virginia and Maryland Just cause of
alarm to the people OF The slaVeholding States, and
have direct and inevitable tendency to disturb and en-
danger the Union"
This the form in which the resolution was finally
adopted, passing by vote of thry-six to eight Here
then fully and broadly asserted the danger resulting