The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-11

have ns heard read That Declaration contains these
great principles let That all civil government is OF Di-
vine origin I'd That every nation community, which
have united Tor mutual protection and Tor the pursuit of
happiness have aenable right 10 make laws for their
owl government 80. That every nation has right 10
alter or amend those laws whenever they lit To
These appear 10 me 10 be- the great principles OF
Declaration OF Independence Now, in violation OF every
rule OF far CRITICISM there persons who say that the
practice oil our government Is inconsistent with the pn
cples OF the Declaration, because while that instrument
proelams that all men born free and equal, keep
In bondage portion OF the human family IL is error
to say that the general expression OF sentiment
tanned IN an instrument OF that kind is 10 control the
OF that instrument 1t must be taken whole,
and any single or isolated passage must be construed by
Tie obvious intent and meaning OF The instrument itself
II is quite obvious that the general expression alluded 10
is applicable only to men In their national and not in
their Individual characters because any other consuc
ton would be opposed TO all knowledge of human
affairs as well as to the universal common sense OF man
kind.
In the formation of our government the pre- existing
institution OF domestic servitude recognised as law.
tul. When the constitution OF the United States was
framed we informed that the convention sitting
in Philadelphia, at the same time that the Congress OF the
confederation were IN session IN New York. In some
cases the same person was member OF both bodies
their proceedings known to each other and the
questions several instances simultaneously
discussed and the question of slavery them il is
now, exciting and absorbing subject During the sit
tngs OF these respective bodies the ordinances of 1887,
passed. and with the full knowledge Of the constitutional
convention With these historical facts it is nconceva
BILE that the trainers of the constitution should not have
well considered the ordinance referred to, that its pro-
visions could have been omitted from the constitution by
nadvertance But, the contrary, il is manifest that
the trainers of the constitution refused to insert it, pre-
erng to leave all the consequences OF slavery, whether
for good for evil, exclusively with the States who saw
fit to tolerate the institution Il was known, of course,
not only by the convention which formed the consttu.
ton, but by the people who adopted it, that when il went
into operation il became the supreme law Of the land
to be controlled by the feelings of individuals any
act of the Congress OF the Confederation The ordinance
ata Vabr
gated by the adoption OF the constitution because there
is authority conferred by that instrument Congress
to it. need hardly add that am therefore OPP
posed the Wmot proviso and all kindred measures.
In letter written by last fall declining to enter the
OF competition with others candidate for the
post of senator, expressed very naturally hope that
whoever might be selected he would be man pledged
to the Union and to the execution of the laws The ex
preston OF that sentiment has provoked the most angry,
convinced, however, by anything which has been said
The subject that the sentiment then avowed i'm
proper not justified by the existing state OF things
| will here repeat that | go for the Union, the whole
Union and nothing but the Union, and the compromises
of the constitution at all hazards al all sacrifices, and in
defiance of all conseq uences.
am not, fellow clliZeDs, In the habit OF using equiv
oca language or ambiguous lnnuendoes say now that
not only considered the Union in jeopardy then, but that
am OF opinion that it continues 10 be menaced by dan
gers imminent and formidable and that entertain doubt
that unless the aggression OF the northern and eastern
agtaors be arrested by the controlling power OF public
opinion and authority dissolution OF the Union is still
probable to say the least. How can it be otherwise if
the country continues to be infected by intestine factions,
whose ordinations and recrimnations shall drive its
people to mutual hatred only to be appeased by blood
Feow-cilzens, dislike much 10 speak OF the dsso-
luton OF the Union. loahe the term. But it may come,
despite Of all our efforts to avert it. Therefore il may be
proper for me say word or two in anticipation of
such result and for the purpose OF turning the attention
of my fellow citzens to the which New Jersey
should take under such circumstances For one, such
calamity should occur, hope that New Jersey, fol-
lowing the dictates of duty well interest, will unite.
for better or for worse, with those who willing 10
abide by and respect the compacts of the constitution
You may depend upon IT that reliance is to be placed
upon the faith OF those who refuse 10 acknowledge the
obligation of the common compact OF the present Union
II dissolution of the Union is inevitable then would
prefer that the lines OF separation should be drawn along
the Hudson and the lakes rather than the Potomac and
the Ohio. | have doubt that in such event the
northwestern States would unite with New Jersey Penn
sylvania, and the South. The South is their common
customer: there is their market The republic const
tuted would have natural repugnance TO the spread OF
civilization and reformed religion that portion OF the
continent which TO be but mperfectly sub
lected TO their influence Great Britain, while
yet colonies, attempted TO limit settlements 10 the Al
leghanes-a vain and futless attempts and any similar
policy now would be equally vain. Already has the
Saxon avalanche descended the western slope Of
the Rocky mountains to the Pacific shores. Hitherto the
i'm pulse has been westward, and westward chiefly has
been the march Of empire, until at last ii has met resist
ance in of those which cover large
area, of the globe Reboundins from the contact it will
and must naturally soon take another and more southern
direction.
am only stating what consider the iaw which gov
the progress of the Anglo Saxon will not at
tempt to impeach defend what believe 10 be the in.
evitabe destiny OF my country and my Butt am
under no obligation to shut my eyes the vista through
which it reveals itself am satisfied with the mits, the
grandeur, the capabilities OF my county justify
OF aggresson-no nordna,e and awess desire Tor
extension of errtory-fo infraction OF treaty spula.
tons-no violation Of the laws of nations the rights OF
10 aggrandize the republic With her presen, bound
aries and the certain growth and development OF her
resources feel assured that my country, she remains
united in all her integral parts, will, within fifty years,
acquire wealth and power than any sovereign po-
tentate or dominion which now sways, before
sxaye ed, any portion OF the destiny OF mankind Never
theless am unwilling to say 10 my counirymen that you
shall go no further east west north or south. |
am unwilling that the Anglo American race shall perpet
uay reco from any given boundary and that any por
ton OF this continent not now IN their possession shall
forever be impenerable to their civilization, enterprise
and industry Any such exercise OF authority would be
Intellectual that OF the Danish monarch the At
lanc tides. Faithfully let perform all treaty slip
ulations with neghbors punish marauders and law
less adventurers who within borders marshal forces
in hostile array against friendly power. But let not
attempt prevent the peaceabe progress OF country
men continent which Providence seems TO have
designed for their occupation and civilization.
The position which would practically limit the repub
lie al the South-assumed by great northern statesman
for whom have the mos, profound regard and whose
virtues and patriotism better known to than
myself cannot approve That position is assumed I'M
der the plausible idea of limiting the OF slavery.
The assumption that would not permit the admission OF
State into the Union without restriction slavery is
aggression the South which finds warrant in the
constitution. We have much right TO say that the
popu ation OF State shall be all Protesants or all Cath
ocs as 10 prescribe the kind Of labor be employed by
It's people We have much right TO force slavery upon
State as to n'erdc it, II the South shall obtain ma