The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-30
Washington, Tuesday, July 30, 1850.
SPEECH OF
JAMES L. ORR. Of south Carolina,
On the Slavery Question delirered in The House
Of Representatives, May 8, 1850.

JAMES l.. ORR. Of 6outh Carolina,
On the Slavery Question, delirersd in The House
Of Representatives, May 8, 1850.
The House being in Committee of the Whole
on the state of the Union, on the Presidents
Message transmitting the Constitution of Cali
fornia-
Mr.. ORR said
Mr.. CHAIRMAN; propose, in the brief hour
allotted to me, to examine and present what
conceive to be Northern sentiment upon the sub
cct Of slavery and the inevitable results of that
sentiment. believe, sir, there is much misun-
Outstanding, both at the North and the South,
rs to the extent and character Of that feeling. i
know the misrepresentation that exists in that
part Of the copntrx which klave the honor to
represent, and desire to lay before my constit-
uents and the people Of the South the result of
my observations since have been member of
this House, so that they may be prepared to
Judge of the proper means Of meeting, counter
acting and repeling that sentiment
The first evidence of abolition sentiment in
the Northern States to which refer, is to be
found in the numerous abolition societies or
ganizcd in every part of that section Of the
Union, composed of large numbers of individ-
uals of all classes and sexes. These societies
meet at stated periods, for the avowed purpose
of advancing their political and moral tenets;
they appoint their emissaries, who traverse the
country, and who, by their ISLANDERS, poison the
minds OF the masses of their people as to the
true character Of the institution of slavery.
They have established newspapers and periodi-
Gals, which are circulated in great profusion, not
only in the non-slaveholding States, but are
thrown broadcast over the South, through the
mails, for the purpose of planting the thorn of
discomfort in the bosoms of our now happy
slaves, and melting them to the preparation of
the bloody scenes of st. Domingo. These aux
iliaries of the American Ant-slayery Society, not
content with general combination against the
institutions of the South, form competent part
of the American and Foreign Anti-slavery So
ciety, III which they unite with the zealOts of
foreign countries in an unjust crusade against
their brethren Of the South. Most of the avowed
Abolitionists have, however, the merit of
frankness at least They seek to emancipate
our slaves, it is true, but concede that it cannot
be done consistently with the Constitution;
they therefore declare an uncompromising war
against the Constitution and the Union; while
Others, who intend to effect the same end, have
not the candor to own it, and hypocritically pro-
fess an attachment to the Constitution which
they are really seeking tc destroy.
Another evidence of the extent of abolition
sentiment in the Northern States is, the promo
ton of certain gentlemen to seats in the other
wing of this Capitol. | allude, sir, first to the
election of VIM. II. SEWARD. 1t might be that
this faction as the Abolitionists have been
denominated, could, through their societies and
conventions, create some attention, and excite
the contempt of sensible, moderate men, for
their fanaticlsm but would inquire, how comes
it to pass that insignificant it is said to be, it
is enabled to elect from the great State of New
York-the Empire State--a man to represent it
in the Senate of the United States, whose greatest
distinction has been his untiring advocacy of the
doctrines Of abolition? Does it not show that
the major part of the people of that State SYM
pathize deeply with their Senatorin his nefarious
principles? Look at the recent election, by the
Legislature of Ohio-a State in numbers second
only to New York-of S. p CHASE, to repre-
sent that State in the Senate of the United
States. He has been amongst the most Jealous
of all his infatuated compeers: even VIM IL.
SEWARD was not more so, in the advocacy OF
radical abolition, and the Legislature Of Ohio,
knowing his sentiments, and representing the
people Of that State, have honored him with one
of the highest official stations on earth. Others,
too, have been elected to that body, who owe
their promotion to pledges given their constitu-
ents, that they would oppose the admission of
any more slave States or slave territory into the
Union, and favor the application of the Wilmot
Proviso-that true scion from an abolition stock
Ito the territories acquired from Mexico. One
would suppose that when Senator avowed
that, acting as Senator, he recognized higher
obligation than his oath to support the Consti-
tuition of the United States--an obligation which
requires him to violate and set aside the prov-
sons of that sacred instrument--the Legislature
of his State, then in session, would have prompt
ly branded such declaration with the infamy it
deserves. Such declaration, it is known to the
country, was recently made in the Senate by the
Senator from New York to whom have alluded
but the Legislature of that State adopted no
resolutions condemnatory of this sentiment.
They did, however, pass resolutions, with
great unanimity sustaining fully the ultra posi-
tons of their distinguished their notorious
Senator Resolutions have been adopted in
every non-slaveholing State, instructing their
Senators and requesting their Representatives
in Congress to vote in favor of the adoption OF
the Wilmot Proviso, and in opposition in many
cases, to the admission ofany other slave States.
Mr.. McLAYAHAN asked if the gentleman from
South Carolina had observed that the Legisla-
ture of Pennsylvania had recently laid upon
the table resolutions in favor of the Wilmot
Provisos
Mr.. Orr. have; and I honor the patriotism
of Jour constituents in coming 10 the rescue of
the Constitution in these perilous times. In
structions, such as have spoken of, did pass
the Legislature of Pennsylvania two years ago.
repeat the assertion, that every non-slavehold-
ing State has passed resolutions ofan unmistaka-
Bile abolition character. Yet the unceasing eff
forts of the press here, and of newspaper cores
pondents, are directed TO induce the people of
the South to believe that this hostility to our
institution is confined to few finatics, and that
abolition is not the general sentiment of the
country. -
Another evidence of the progress of abolition
sentiment is the legislation of the non-sayehold-
ing States obstructing the delivering up of fugi-
tive slaves What is the constitutional provision
upon TINT subject! "No person held to service
or labor in one State, under the laws thereof,
escaping into another, shall, in consequence of
any law or regulation therein, be discharged from
such service or labor but shall be delivered up
on claim of the party to whom such service or
labor may be DUE Some of the Northern