The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-06-06

Omnibus bill, in the course of which he indicated
his preference for the Missouri Compromise, with
a specific recognition of the right TO hold slaves
below that line.
Al the close Of his remarks the question was
about to be taken on the amendment of Mr..
Davis of Mississippi, but Mr. Berrien OF Georgia
thought the Senate was too thin to vote upon 80
important an amendment.
Mr.. Dayton concurred with him, but Mr. Clay
urged immediate action. MIR Berrien and others
could see no necessity for such haste On this
point, Mr.. Chase sid
1t is not my purpose at this time to enter into
any discussion ! agree with the honorable SEN
ator from Mississippi the proposer of this amend
ment that it is desirable to have proposition
which means something, which is Ineligible,
which carries to every part of the country def
mite understanding | am not able to see in this
amendment such proposition. The honorable
Senator from Mississippi, Mr. Davis, it is true
says, that il we adopt this amendment we do in
fact recognise, by implication at least-a strong
implication, ! think he says--the existence of
slavery, or at all events the propriety and the
constitutionality Of the introduction Of slavery
into the Terminates wish to exclude that con-
clusicn, II it be possible, Srii Tor That purpose
move to amend the amendment, by adding thereto,
as follows
Prorned further, That nothing herein con-
tanned shall be construed as authorizing or per-
hitting the introduction Of slavery, or the hold
ing of persons as property, within the said Ter
ritories.
Mr.. Pratt That is the w ilmot Proviso
Mr. Chase. Upon that amendment | ask the
yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays having been ordered,
Mr. Dayton moved a postponement till to-mor-
row at one o'clock. Lost--yeas %, nays "a
Mr.. Clay did not understand the amend
ment of Mr. Davis of Mississippi as containing
an implication that slavery could be legally intro
duced into the Territories, and therefore had no
objection TO It. And IL the Senator from Ohio
[Mr Chase would modify his amendment, so as
merely to declare that it was not the intention Of
Congress to assert one way or the other the ope-
ration of the Constitution and laws Of the United
States as to the introduction Of slavery he would
have no objection to it.
Mr. Hale liked the amendment Of Mr.. Chase,
but at the proper time he wanted an opportunity
to vote directly upon the Wilmot Provso, which,
If no one else would move he would After some
remarks upon the resolutions of the free State
Legislatures binding their Senators to vote for
the Proviso, he said
| say that, for one, stand by the infamy of
that measure-the Ordinance Of i7S7-and am
ready to sustain it, | am willing to stagger under
the load, the opprobrium, that may be heaped
upon the man that adheres TO the old track, and
walks in the steps Of the fathers of the country.
The Senator from Kentucky the other day u
have not his snesah before me. INIT 10 made sneh
an impression upon me that recollect the import
of it} said he thought II this compromise bill wa
passed, everybody would be satisfied
Mr.. Clay. No. sir; no.
Mr. Hale have not completed my sentence
The honorable Senator will please to wait till
get through. He said that everybody would b
satisfied except--except---
A Senator. Present company.
| Mr. Hale. No, not present company, but ex
cept few miserable fanatics Now, sir, to use
homely phrase, permit me TO tell that honorabl,
Senator that he could not bring better grist +,
the hopper for these fanatics to grind than THU
same compromise hill. No, sir by no possibility
could measure be devised or mstured that coulC
better answer the purpose Of these miserable
fanaticsn 70, the wretchesl Laughter No, sir
IL there are any that want to give them food, lei
them pass this compromise BILL and they viii
have enough to do.
Now, sir, | have only to say this for myself
and say it for myself and constituents
upon this question, my motto shall be: IF the
Lord be God serve him; and, il Bssl, serve him.
There is, there can be legitimstey no compro-
mise upon the question whether the American
Government at this day should place itself upon
the side Of freedom or Of slavery. There can be
and there ought TO be no compromise between the
question whether slavery shall be extended into
Territories now free by the direct action of this
Government. And, sir, /, for one, shall vote
against any amendment which Is to wrap up the
plain, naked features Of this proposition by cir
cumlocution-some amendment about which no
two members Of the Senate can sgreeas to what ii
means. want distinct proposition and IL the
policy Of this Government from it's foundation Is
to be abandoned--if the counsels and the expert
ence Of past time are to be set at naught-and II
we are to-day TO launch out on q new experiment
Of extending the blessing Of liberty to the institu
ton Of human slavery-let II be known--let gen.
tlemen do the work, and do II openly. And IL
that Is the price upon which the Union is to be
preserved, let that issue 70 out TO the American
people, and doubt not they will understand it
understand il from the North and South, from
the East and West. believe il IL a libel upon
them, and upon any part Of them, live where they
may, In whatever State they may, to say that,
upon such an issue as that they are ready to
venture upon the dangerous effects Of dissolution
of the Union. do not believe II. think more
highly Of the intelligence as well rs OF the patri
otism Of the citizens Of each and every one Of the
States Of this Union What IL the use, then, Of
spending time and multiplying words about amend.
ments that II seems no two gentlemen understand
exactly alikel think that the words Of the pro-
vision Of the Ordinance Of 1897 are pretty well
understood by this time. We know what they
mean. We understand 1t and hope and trust
that before this bill Is through, we can all have
the privilege and opportunity Of voting for
proposition which we and the country under
stand.
After a speech from Mr. Dodge Of Iowa. in re-
NV In Mr. Hale n rejoinder by Mr. Hale and a
few remarks from Messrs. Berren and Dayton,
The Senate adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 1880
Mr.. Clay, In presenting memorial from
citizens OF Pennsylvania asking an increase OF
duties iron took occasion TO say that there was
no hope that Congress would or could attend to