The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-31
THE REPUBLIC.

Il 1t appears, however that the process Of reason
ing by which the gentleman arrives q the con-
clusJon that il was surrender Of slave territory
% Free oiism is this: "No State could have been
formed out OF it except by the consent OF Texas;
Texas, being slave State, would never have given
| her consent for it to como in as a free State
| therefore II would always, under Texas have re-
manned slave territory This may be good To-
gic, but it is neither sound sense nor just prn-
ciple. In what position would 1t have placed Tex
as? Why, denying her people in that section, schen
their Necessities demand IL, such State government
| as they desired! Would this be JUST Would il
not be in express violation OF the very hrst Prin-
ciples OF popular government! Would 1t not have
| placed Texas in the position OF endeavoring to
force slavery on portion of her people, who did
not wish it, and this too by refusing them sepa-
rate State organization, when their necessities and
interests imperiously required it, unless they
should accept as a condition precedent the estab-
l lshment of that institution? How beautifully
consistent such policy would have bsen with the
cREEp' OF the Calhoun resolutions OF AZ, and with
| the gentlemnn's own recorded sentiments as con-
tanned in the Southern Address, And pray, how
easily could they have evaded all thsf II the pco-
pie in that part of Texas presented constitutions
silent on the subject Of slavery or toleratng IT in
express words, could Texas have controlled them
in any attempt to alter that constitution after adj
mission? Besides, such doctrine would have led
inevitably to the result OF placing Texas IN the po
stion OF attempting to force slavery upon her PEG
pie living north 500 30 against the spirit if not the
very tsrIns. of the law under which she herself
came into the Union.
sders insurmountabe. The Mexican law abolish
ing slavery rises up like ghost to disturb his
fancy. again ask, how can this avail hsm as
reason for opposing this branch OF the ComPro-
misef He denies that the Mexican law was in
force after the ratification Of the treaty. He also
maintains that all the territory east OF the Rio
Grnnde, incorporated into New Mexico, belonged
to Texas. Tho act 10 based upon the principle
that Texas had claim to it.. Then if he thinks,
the title of Texas good, of course the Mexican
law had been superseded by the laws Of Texas in
all that part Of New Mexico east of the Rio Grande
and, should there be conflict between those who
live different sides Of that river as to what law
prevails, that of the unoviiZed will necessarily
yield to the law of the civilized portion OF that
people.
There is, however, a feature in this act, which, i
submit, removes this difficulty. The relation Of
master and slave is recognised by the terms OF the
enactment. II provides, as in the Utah act, for
wits OF error and appeals in cases involving title
to slaves. The last section also declares, " that no
citizen Of the United States should be deprived of
his life, liberty, or PROPERTY in said Territory sr-
cept by the judgment Of his peers, and the latss Of the
Ii is well known that, when this measure passed
Congress, there was universal outcry against 1T
amongst the Free sellers and Abolitionists Of the
North. Their presses and public speakers boldly
proclaimed it as triumphof the slaue po,osr-as TIE
surrender Of forty odd hous&nd square niles Of free
territory to the South! And yet, in the face OF all
this, those who sustained this act denounced as
enemies to the South; as notwithstanding" as de-
serters of rights whilst those who opposed it,
sido by side with Giddings, Tuck, and many more
OF like stamp, are held up for communication, emit
tied to especial gratitude, and most f0Uingly
caressed va,iant heroes who stood brnvey by the
honor Of their section, and drove back the fiery
hosts of fanaticism. a6
contend also that the measure was just TO Tex.
as. She was oppressed with debt-a debt incurred
in achieving her independence. She had pledged
her public property 70 her creditors. When she
came into the Union, she coded portion OF that
property to the General Government. 1t was
fhOnUht n N bat m United
States was bound in equity and fair dealing to pay
a part Of tibet debt. The Senators and Representa-
tives from Texas voted for that act. II has been
submitted to her people, and, as far as hoard from,
they will accede to the proposition by an over
whelming majority. She knows best what is for
her interest and honor. We should be willing to
trust her judgment and abide her decision. The
ten millions Of dollars will discharge her debts and
leave her large fund to spread the blessings OF
education amongsthe people and developher great
resources She will increase rapidly in population
from her loins. The strength and political infiu'
ence of the South will be thereby enhanced. We
shall hear nothing moro then of g helpers Texas
but she will stand of the strongest pillars OF
this great edifice of freedom!
Against the vote of the gentleman on the bill to
abolish the slave tradein the District OF Columbia
have nothing to say In my humble Judgment it
was right and proper. Many distinguished men
of the South, however, have favored sucha measure
wise in itself, and polite it removed one great
cause of irritation and excitement at the seat Of
Government on this delicate subject. That its con-
stitutionality has been questioned, am not dis
posed to deny. 1t protested to restore the Mary
land law as 1t existed prior to the cession. 1t met
the approval Of large majority Of the people Of
the District. As part of that great measure Of
Compromise, passed to restore peace to the coun-
try, and bring back once more union and bar
mony to all it's parts, am willing to abide its ex-
istence.
/ come now, fellow citizens, to that measure
which, moro than any other, was demanded by the
interests and situation of the South. refer to the
Fugitive Slave law 1t was our right-a right
secured to us by the constitutional right which,
had il not been occurred, that Constitution never
would have been adopted this Union never
would have been formed Thirty millons of dol
lars value of slave property had escaped TO the
North The act Of 1903 bad become dead letter
upon the statute book. 1t was necessary that
vitality should be given to the provision Of the Con-
was passed to accomplish that end. Il is a string
ent law. We have right TO require that it be
strictly observed, to demand of the Government
that il be enforced, enforced everywhere, under
all circumstances, and against whatever Of fanati
cism and characterization may be brought to OPP
pose it. My firm conviction is, that il it be re-
pealed, nulfed, rendered futile, worthless, by the
unwillngness or inef1iciency OF the Government to
enforce it against the reckless spirit and lawless
purposes of fanatcism, THIS UNION cANFoT STAND!
He who, President approves bill repeating
that law, will in effect repeal the Constitution, and
by that act will, in my humble opinion, sign the
death warrant of this Union. What! To have
the whole body of the free States reopencd as vast
reservor-a harbor Tor fugitive slaves! legisla-
tive inducement, premium, held out by such re-
peal TO deprive us of our property, weaken our po
tical power in the Confederacy, and increase the
number of spies from our domestic hcarths, who
can add to the facilities for sending back upon
the firebrands OF fanatcism. If the people of the
North forgetting all the ties Of blood, all the sym
pathies for their DION race and kindred, can thus
leopardizc our peace and violate rights, social
and political, under needless and infuriated SYM
pathy for the african race, upon their heads will
rest the curse Of rending asundcr this Union. If
they love that race better than their own race, than
their own kindred and blood, bound to them by the
sacred ties OF marriage and of birth, by all the
dearmcnts Of social relations, then indeed they
no longer worthy confidence, respect, or affeo-
ton; they will have become in heart enemics and
aliens, and will be no longer friends and country
men.
hope for better thngs. believe the law will
be enforced. have no fears that under this Adj
ministration it will be repealed. The triumph Of
the gallant Douglas at Chicago-the bold and fear
less tone of Dickinson, Webster, Gricr, and other
patriots at the North-the vast asscmblagc Of the
friends Of law and the Union at New York-ths