The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-22

"
ousspped the South in progress lie looked in vain in
The constitution for endorsement OF Mr.. Cahoun's
equilibrium plan, 10 carry out which would be peposer-
Gus he had no fears OF dissolution. Yet he would in
woke all lovers OF truth and justice to stand by the
Union
He proposed to introduce contempoaneous evidence
with the southern statesmen OF the times of the evou
on, and TO that end he quoted two letters from General
Washington, and others from Mr.. jefferson and Mr.
Madison The last mentioned statesman had prevented
the introduction OF the word aue in the constitution
Mr. g., continuing this line OF Argument quoted further
from the speeches and writings OF George Mason, OF
Of the South. to sustain his view. The committee
draughtng the Declaration OF Independence had soemnly
alleged that forcing OF slavery on the colonies justified
. sn teoeon In yls% me condition Of the aes
pretend that the current sentiment OF the North the
slavery question was new doctrine or aggressive upon
Il was now generally conceded that Congress could
establish governments for the Territories he held. He
held, also, that the right to govern the Territories fol-
lowed the right TO acquire them. TO sustain this doc
trne he argued critically upon this branch OF the con-
sttuuon. he did not agree that the term "territery
as used in the constitution meant land only To say so
would be 10 search after strained construction TO
prove that the convention forming the constitution de.
signed grant Congress power 10 exercise all branches
OF sovereignty over the Territories, Mr.. G. rehearsed
the history OF the action OF that body on the sub.
ject. He believed this to be the view of Mr.. Madi-
son. The power over the Territories had been ex-
ercised for sixty years, thus according safe precedent
tor settling this question al construction But the
great question OF the day was WHAT'S the extent OF the
power granted to Congress the Territories 1t was
distinct he held from the power over in relation 10
the States The power over the States which were SOW
eregn derived from the consent OF the people there
Of !; not SO that over the Territories.
Mr. next argued TO sustain that view, and to prove
that Congress could, therefore, nterdct slavery within
their limits Slavery industrial, political, and a
social evil, well immoral unjust and irregious
one Ii not that if evil, its bad effects were
confined TO the South. Slave labor came into COMPETE.
A. 49, lnL ~ Main
ly also, and therefore dangerous and carry i where the
South might, its presence would operate to prevent the
free laborers of the North from going there II could
not fail eventually to compete with. and have hostile
influence upon the interests OF the North II had been
threatened to prevent the restriction OF slavery from the
Territories by the dissolution OF the Union, which remedy
could NOT be dissolved and if the people of the North
to be frightened by any such threats, they were
unfit tor freedom The affections OF the people for the
it. Force never could do it, and whenever any
and respect the Union. it must fall. To threaten
gress or to compel State TO remain in the Union,
would be- if carried out practically to dissolve the Union
II there majority here for the extension OF sla
very, he should bow to its action He was for the ad-
mission of California, Notwithstanding the many real OBJ
jectons to that measure, which he enumerated He
also for making Proviso governments OF the Terri
carry ou her grand designs Yet, il he could not i'm.
press his views, he was for giving the Territories
the best governments obanable for them without ref
II free now, the Territories. with an organization
without inerdcling slavery, would continue TO remain
free, as the gentleman from Maine argued to show.
no one knew what are the Presidents opinions the
subject This criminal concealment laid at the bottom of
much OF the present DANGER The election OF the Pres-
ter to help the accomplishment Of this purpose The
country demanded repose but Taylor and his friends
insisted on agitation only to increase the central power
and TO be the better enabled TO enjoy the spos Such
was hot the example set by the earlier Presidents.
Mr.. HOWE, having next obtained the floor, said he
was willing to waive his right to it, to enable The gentle
man from Massachusetts [ Mr.. kIEGl TO speak
Whereupon there arose conversation upon his right
to do so between the CHAIR tMr. JoEEs1 and many
members But his right so to do being at length recog
missed,
Mr. KING, Of Massachusetts, addressed the commit.
tee, saying that he did not feel called on to speak for
Buncombe there being no such place in his district His
slavery question recoeciing his votes on the admission
OF Texas the Mexican war, &c and justly believing that
he would always give bis suffrage Tor liberty. Those
to the views OF distinguished northern upon the
slavery question miscacuated their independence They
would look TO leader, would they follow any die.
tation upon such subject Disirust Of their abilities
would form Tor them for Sinking the
dictated by their conscienees
He had becoming respect for the intellectual powers
his opinion to them He wanted neither hoOo nor Of
hces and nothing OF the kind should ever induce him TO
give up his independence Ii had been asked whether
Tor The sake OF the harmony and peace OF The country the
North would not compromise the questions In issue The
North had no compromise 10 make, being now engaged
contendng only for the right and justice II was too
much 10 ask that the North should give up any por
ton oi the territory acquired from Mexico, alter the
South had made such vast acquisitions the Florida and
Louisiana purchases and in the acquisition Of Texas
Mr. X next argued to prove that the exclusion OF slave
labor from California would be in exact keeping with the
sentiment OF the people OF that region. Mr. CLAY had
expressly argued (sald MIR X that she had made her
own election in this connexion and had the right TO
choose her Institutions thus. He DIR. for
her admission account OF the anti slavery clause in
her constitution rather than because OF her golden sands
He would never consent that men and women not free
should walk the soil OF New Mexico and Deseret The
Proyso distraction. The North claimed il a
matter OF justice He for IFS enactment The PEG.
pie OF the country saying BY enscng the Proyiso that
there should be slavery extension the lust for
the acquisition OF Cuba would die away. Other
wise, we should 90 on getting all Mexico, South Amer
ica the Sandwich Islands, the Antarctic regions, ST. Hee
ma, and the rest Of the world
Mr. X then argued the question OF the right power
OF Congress 10 prohibit slavery in the Territories, main
tanning that II entirely constitutional to enact the
Provso, which, IN It's effect upon the North Territory,
be regarded as having been very great blessing Mr..
X, dspuung the right OF modern Legislators to the credit
OF invenng the Proviso entered critically into length
ened review OF the history OF the legislation OF this gov
eminent on slavery 10 show that was rst preached BY
Mr.. Nathan Dane.
Mr.. THOMAS having next obtained the floor,
On motion, the committee and then the House
adjourned.
IUsr RECEIVED, ny the view York Packets, gem
nm