The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-19

peDsable TO the needful ends Of government Therefore
The territorial government as Il must be, un-
der the paramount authority OF the federal constunon-
have authority 10 interpose impedments to the
enjoyment OF the full rights OF property i'm slaves as Sc
cured by the constitution but is bound to consider itself
under the most binding obligation to preserve such
rights OF property nvoate to the full extent OF ITS capa
city 70 do Entertaining this view Of the matter,
confess that necessity for any restriction be-
ing imposed by Congress upon the territorial government
African slavery" II il should undertake to egslats for
the prohibition exclusion of slavery, such legislation
would, N my Judgment. be mere nuity; and so would
the courts OF the country be bound to pronounce were
the question raised before them II territorial legislation,
prOue OF slavery should be subjected to the same test
cannot doubt that such legislation would be held valid
II really theefore does seem to me- repeat much better
to adopt restriction upon this subject at ALL and TO leave
The whole subject to the territorial governments and the
courts fs tf-
Certainly, il climate SOIL and mineral productions
such in the Territories TO be supplied with governments
make the introduction OF slaves desirable, il is bet
for the South that restriction should be imposed
for there is no instance n this hemisphere of slave labor
being found highly profitable, in which il has not been
if no legal barriers to its introduction
were provided II it should be introduced, i might
be found expedient to legisate for Its protection and
obsrucied BY any restriction upon territorial legislation
which could be devised. On the other hand, II
climate, soil, and mineral productions OF nature
pecuniary profit they will certainly never be intro
duced and therefore The restriction would be wholly nn-
necessary. In any point OF view, should prefer SIM
pie territorial government without the Wimot Proyso-
leaving 10 the people who inhabit the Territories the
power to regulate all their domestic concerns in manner
confomabe TO the federal constitution Yet my friends
from the South-wth one OF whom, as member OF the
Committee OF Thirteen, the particular clause under con-
sderalion is said to have misunderstanding to insist
upon restriction upon territorial legislation being
imposed BY Congressl who really am more inclined to
aid in securing settlement OF all existing questions
upon honorable and satisfactory ems than socitous TO
have the whole of my particular views imbodied IN
the plan of compromise, shall be willing TO vote for the
restrictive clause conended for in almost any form which
it can be made to assume beg leave to suggest,
though, that ii decide not 10 retain the original words
proposed be stricken out, instead of adopting
the amendment of honorable colleague, which seems
To me not to be exactly explicit should wish il TO
bewe insert these words words antamount thereto:
'.ether admitting excluding African slavery" This
change IN the phraseoogy OF the bill Will not al all after
ierpretahon 10 which know the present terms have
been already subjected. am sure that could conf
IDENTIFY appeal to all the members Of the COMMITTEES oil Thr-
upon this point and obtain from each oil them dec
laraon that what they meant to do was simply 10 pre-
vent the territorial government from esisang either
for the admission exclusion OF slavery; and, IN
fact, these will be found 10 be the very words employed
by the honorable senator from Kentucky, on Monday
last, in exposition of this part OF the plan OF compro,
mise. Here Mr.. CLAY. Mr.. CAss, and Mr. Dowss. all
nodded assent
Before bring these rather desultory remarks close i
due the honorable from Florida that should
notice fact in his political history OF which he ap-
pears become
man OF the most jealous champions OF what was
known among two years ago, the Clayton compro-
mise bil-wich bill contained such provision for the
as that which he nnw advocates. Yet the honorable
from Florida was then, have said its earnest
champion, and united with and others in censuring
those whodefeaed il in the House OF Representatives.
Then the honorable gentleman following the lead Of
the venerable senator from South Carolina, Mr. CAL
HouSl Isuero Duee) perfectly content with provd
ing governments for the Territories without word beng
in IN ala Mt w do.
manded by hlm-reying upon the courts Tor the nnal
adjudication OF the great question involved Since that
time he has seen new lights The doctrine o the Will
mot school OF politicians appears TO have arayed itself in
new ieTors 10 his fancy and be now not only demands
special safeguards against territorial legislation, but in.
sss that Congress shall egslae the subject OF slavery
Tor the protection OF the South Is IL possible that the
honorable senator can fail perceve the egregious in
consistency of his ls he blind enough not
10 discern the danger which turks in the proposition which
he now adyocatesl Can he doubt that il we
allow Congress 10 egsae on the subject Of slavery at
all, the whole system of African slavery, as IL now
exists In the South will be speedily overwhelmed BY that
the South have been constantly struggling to repeli In
deed, am greved that this attempt TO enlist Congress IN
OF legislation the subject OF slavery IN the
territories OF the Union, should have originated with
southern senator.
Mr. YULEE shall trespass but a very few mo-
upon the attention OF the Senate. shall not en-.
gage 10 any controversy with the senator IRON Mssis
sippi respecting the consistency o my present position
and the views express with any part OF my previous
action. The opinions and course OF one 40 humble are
important enough TO the country 10 this body TO be
worthy OF discussion here | am content TO believe that
there Is entire harmony in the opinions have enter
aimed upon the issues which divide the Two sections
rom their inception and will leave IL TO those who may
ind il deserving their time TO scan the record of my
course.
will prefer TO address myself directly and singly TO
he precise question before the Senate Sir the senator
N conceive has not touched the argument OF the
marks which offered. What was III | seeking
% discover whether there IN the section under
deralion any concession to the South. pointed first
the opinion expressed b. the from Kentucky,
who was chairman OF the committee, indicating that
not the intention OF the committee 10 give any
sinet recognition 10 the night OF southern enIgrants 70
protected their slave property within the Territories
eated by the bill, far the phraseology OF the
ion would operate and next, declared that, VI IL was
pon the assertion Of their rights under the constitution
where the Mexican laws were IN conflict, then IL Of
cred concession AT all, for Il gave nothing more
han have now without the bill OF compromise. |
proposed thus 10 show this bill had the character
u a compromise, II nothing more meant than was
iated BY The chairman. That, SIR the gist OF the
,ref Argument offered; and that view OF the question
not. repeat been touched BY the senator from Mis-
'ssippi.
am quite aware that there are differences OF opinion
With regard TO the extent TO which the Mexican laws
operate the aley acquired Territories know Spin
ons differ as 10 whether the Mexican laws nhibiting
avery belong 10 the class denominated political, to
hose which municipal, and whether the casual |
,pInIons expressed by the Supreme Court, which have
often referred to in this body, reach these laws
My, SIR, u the opinion OF one humble had been
worthy TO be borne n mind the senator from Mississippi
night have recollected that, AT early period OF The
controversy, endeayored in my humble way TO express
ny own Judgment against the legal continuance OF the
Mexican laws aboishing slavery, after the jurisdiction
md sovereignty of The United States took effect in