The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-02-06

then we would know what we were doing But
here call is very quietly made upon the Gov
eminent Of the United States to indemnify these
traders. lfthey were our own citizens and we
carried out the law, they would be hung And
have we such universal philanthropy and benev.
oIence towards slave traders in every other coun-
try but our own that we will put our hands into
the national treasury and pay them the full price
OF what they lost when, IL they were our own cit
izens, every one of them would be hung1 IL there
Is to be pence can assure you gentlemen, that
It is not to be found by thrusting propositions Of
this kind upon men whom you think you have ut
terly killed and buried. II may be, sfter all,
that there is ground-swell, and that the calm
which appears upon the surface is not so indica-
tive Q: satisfaction as some gentlemen may think
1t may be that there is at the bottom a moral SEN
timent which it is not safe to outrage too far. IL
may possibly show itself after all and, sir !
think If there be a single proposition which could
rouse to action every latent feeling Of dissatisfac
ton that has ever existed or ever might exist in
this country on this subject, it would be the prop
sition to make the people Of the whole United
States partskers in a traffic which their own law
and public treaties, and the law Of Spain, pro-
nounces to he piracy, and indemnify the slave
traders for the loss which they have incurred in
this Illegal traffic For these reasons, hope that
this proposition will not be even entertained
hope that those who have heretofore striven, and
siriven with feeble and unsuccessful efforts, to
resist the encroachments that have been constant
ly making by this power, while they have been
borne down and silenced, you must not believe
that they are so utterly low that it is impossible
to press them great way further. IL said that
when the worm is trodden upon he will rise upon
the heel that brushes him and it may possibly be
that that moral sentiment or that fsnaticism, if
you choose TO call it so, which gentlemen suppose
has heretofore ragged with some fury and some
violence in the country, is not so utterly dead
that il may be so entirely disregsrded as to force
upon il a measure of this character
, MIR Clay thought it no more than respectful to
pass the resolution as it was one Of mere inquiry.
But his chief object in rising was to make the re-
marks on the subject Of agitation.
Sir, the honorable Senator tells us that al
! though these agitators are at the bottom where
| trust in God they will long remain they may
emerge. Never never, during the lifetime of
! that Senator, or of any Senator in this body,
believe at least upon the subject of domestic sla-
very. We found the Senator the other day voting
in small minority against an inquiry in relation
to the suppression of the foreign slave trade
That, and only that, cap be the theme of sgita.
tion II it be the desire TO proong agitation
Has not the prediction of the friends of
the Compromise measures been fulfilled Has
T not peace and tranquility been brought Is the
t rcousNsyS rhere is 10 be sure here and there,
s in certain localities, little desperate, hopeless
effort made to excite aud continue the agitation,
g but il is dying away like the expiring echoes
e which proceed from the discharge Of cannon or
!, any other noise. 1t is all dying away, and the
gentleman will find it utterly impossible again to
satisfy this country that such state of things as
c WAS unfortunately exhibited at the last session is
= desirable, and he will find the people, the whole
e people, even in his own section Of the country
n aud believe he will find even great portion OF
the party Of which he was leader, ultimately
n acquiesce in what has been done, and will be
prompt to rebuke the renewal Of any efforts
"a whatever to revive agitation.
Mr. Hale. The Senator from Kentucky seems
to take this occasion to read me sort of personal
lecture on the position which he thinke now
occupy. lie thinks now occupy, and he wishes
If me TO occupy for "A good while, position at the
p bottom do not think that there is anybody in
If the country better qualified to give advice r.
j. those who are at the bottom than the Senator
v himself If there is to be commotion, a ground
il swell, | do not know which of us will come up
+ first which will be found to have the heaviest an.
Choir around the neck, with such agitation as
l., have been guilty Of or others with such means OF
quieting it as the friends of the Compromise
+. measures have adopted. But | will venture a
\, prediction now-not claiming to be prophet
re and | speak with great regret. am going 10
$. make my remarks general and not applicable to
4 anybody 10 particular, and probably they will moi
Of hurt anybody; but, If they did, should regre,
m it, make the prediction that he, be be who be
il may, or come from where he may who puts him.
p self forward as candidate for public favor he.
fore the people of any State in this Union, and
j. claims their favor upon the ground of being the
author or supporter of what is called the great
i, quiesoent compromise, will find himself like tn,
a man in the Greek fable, when there was ship
il wreck, and all ssised upon something wh5reb,
to save themselves, unfortunately seized the an
lie Choir, and went to the bottom with it. long fol
that day to come. | long to see the day wher
he there will be man bold enough to step int
"a the arena and proclaim himself the champion o
o. the compromise, and claim his need Of approba
T. ton and commentator from the public sentiment
A. of the country upon the ground of his merto
f. rious services in that campaign.
se Mr.. Chase. II this were simply resolution
O. Of inquiry, upon subject not heretofore acted
Il upon, do not think | should object TO it, ! dc
nj not believe that any subject is 10 be ta4ooed in
90 discussion. So far ! myself am concerned,
o. shall never submit to any such decree | shall
- discuss what ! see fit 10 discuss, and propose
~ what see fit to propose for the consideration OF
. the Senate ! may be in a minority-that is a
common lot Some of us must find ourselves in
a minority every day and on every question But
standing here as an American Senator, | shall
feel it my duty to bring forward such subjects for
lr the consideration of the Senate "a seem to to
T. deserve their consideration IL will remain for
le the Senate to give them such attention and such
IN action ~ may be thought it,
Sir il has been said that the honorable Senator
Of from New Hampshire Mr.. Hale, and those who
% act with him, in which number ] suppose | am
included seek every occasion for renewing sgita-
# ton on the floor of the Senate. appeal to the
n Senate if have sought any occasion to renew or
i commence any agitation here. When and in
C what have appeared as agitator on this floor
: When the Senator from Kentucky thought ut,
r last winter to bring forward his measures Of pa
t. cfcation as be chose TO style them expressed
my opinion upon them as an independent Senator.
IL was my good fortune to concur with him in
{ some of his yiews-not in al-not indeed in many.
3 When | agreed with him voted with him, as !
did the other day upon the resolution relating to
the slave trade 1t gives me pleasure to vote with
{ him and feel myself sustained by the weight Of
his ability and authority But, though in com
parson with that distinguished Senator am but
a novice in legislation and make no pretension to
Information or ability like his, IL is frequently
my misfortune to differ from him. When it hap
mems to me 80 TO differ, know Of nothing which
shonli prevent me from avowing and defending
| nv own opinions ] acknowledge no restrictions
us.,. freedom Of debate except the obligations of
y ts8asr And courtesy. IL this be agitation, am
an agffstsr.
Mr.. Hale | move to lay the resolution on the
table.
The yeas and nays were ordered on this ques-
ton.
The question was then taken, with the follow
ing result
Yns-Messrs Baldwin, Chase, Hale, Iamlin,
Uphsm, Walker.
NAYS -Messrs Badger, Bell, Benton, Berrien,
Borland, Bradbury, Bright, Butler, Clay, Glenn
ems Davis Of Massach usetts, Davis of Mississippi
Dawson, Dayton Dickinson, Dodge Of Wisconsin,
Dodge of Iowa, Douglas, Downs, Foote, Gwn,