The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1851-10-02


calculated to draw them into question. Itli
chances to be quite well known to me that
Gov. Brown is himself Of opinion that these
same Mexican laws, the repeal Of which he
suggests to have been. so desirable, have new
er had the least efficacy since the Mexican
treaty was ratified.
ButImay be permitted here to remark,
that even if these laws were not repealed byI
the treaty, it is clear beyond doubt that it was
not possible for them to survive the passage
Of Territorial bills, each one of which con-
tanned clause providing that '9the Constitu-
ton and all laws of the United States not to-
tally inapplicable, should have the same force
and effect within said territory as elsewhere
in the United States" Anadditional reason
with me for not supporting the amendment
of my colleague was that | apprehended that
it might become, if it should once obtain
place upon the statute book of the Union, ex-
ceedingly mischieyous as a legislative prece-
dent, opening the way, as it must evidently
have done, to the most sweeping and injuri-
GUS legislation on the subject of slavery in
the territories; for the right to legislate, on
this subject, for the benefit of the South, in
the vacant territories, being once formally
asserted by Southern men in Congress, it
would not have been possible afterwards to
rely successfully upon mere constitutional OBJ
jeetions to any legislation of the kind which
might have been proposed. The question
would have been resolved into one of erpcdi-
ency merely, to be disposed of by Congress
according to it's notions of what might be de-
manded at any time by public policy. Not
believing that Congress had authority to leg
islate on the subject of slavery in the terri
tories at all, could not consent to vote for
this amendment Besides, Twas entirely sat
isfed that the incorporation of this amend
ment in the territorial bills, would have de-
teatcd Adjustment as a similar amendment
had defeated the Clayton compromise in 1912;
and believing that without some equitable
and constitutional settlement of the questions
/ growing out of slavery, at that session Of
Congress, the Union itself would, in all prob
ability, be dissolved, / should have voted a
G gainst it for this reasen, had | had no other
D My vote against this amendment was just
4 such vote as every intelligent democrat in
q the South, and in the Union, would have APP
G proved in 1913; and have yet to learn how
! public man who claims to be recognised as
It steady, conscientious, and consistent poll
e tician, can agree to abandon opinions dclib
e erately adopted, upon grave constitutional
&c questions, under the delusive influence Of
" considerations belonging to shadowy ant
= eyanescent cxpcdicncy merely, or in order t.
S crafty the unreasonable & capricious whim
Of of designing factionists.
N The second of my Senatorial votes to whicI
n. Gov Brown has been pleased to object, is no
al ticed by him in the following terms: ''Nor
O. this all On the 28th of August, 1850, Nj
IS; Atchison moved to lay the bill to abolish til
Is; slave trade in the Districtof Columbia on tn
IT. table. Cen Foote voted with Hale, Chase
= Baldwin, and other free soilers against layin
al on the table" The Governor, as a man
d intelligence, familiar with the Compression;
ra- debates published, is bound to know that
IN voted against laying this bill on the table, nj
ID because approved the bill in the precise forl
err presented, but because I had reason to hoI
sse that it might beso amended asmight rend'
St it highly salutary to the country and prote
III tive of slavcholding rights in the District
or Columbia, also. His third objection is co
nj nccted with the same bill; tits thus stated |
or him: "And again on the 10th of septembe
lily 1850, the question being on striking cut tt
be, first section of this same bill, Gen. Foote
It gain voted with Chase, Hamlin, and 9th
mt, free sellers against striking it out" ha
at admitted that I did not vote for laying t
, is bill on the table, because desired to obta
hat some satisfactory legislation upon the subje
as referred to in it, and, accordingly, as t
can Compassionate records prove, Imoved to stri
hey out every section of the bill, as reported frc
bv the committee of Is, after the enacting claus
isl and to substitute in lieu thereof new bi
the which was so drawn as toayoid all the obj
had ltions, which have been so zealously urged
mi late by certain politicians against the prest
Ser law on account Of what is known as the |
late Grating clause thereof This amendment
had mine provided, in addition, for the sigualp,
ar ishmentof an offence, the frequent repetiti
ter of which in the District of Columbia, !
that become a serious public grievance ALI
! By to the kidnapping and abduction Of sla
ing from their masters. Gov. Brown objects
-. my voting againststriking out the first sect
? as Of the bill, and yet heis bound to know t
Con- / moved myself to strike out every sect
,qui- Of it, after the enacting clauseinthe man
encel just described. He objects to my VotinI
iver- gainst laying the bill Ion the table; and
bout ii IS apparent that I voted thus with q \
We Of securing the punishmentof crimes.wE
Jude every southern man must earnestly desiI
sxieo have efficiently suppressed by gongressii
soon legislation If Gov Brown has ezalli
] rat the Congressional Globe he must have
L. .a..5 tl.Sl esoa,r,s,a4,iae fbfs offer of