Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-10-15

t;as the time No man. itstflkes me- cal 49,
fora moment who vii regard WItnouV ~, -
~ re,ttiye position of this miles me
objects Of the cession and the manifest g
~ States making it Who can believe that tnese
nafriotic States would have parted with tnelf eIl
tory If they could have supposed that Ine ilnas
and property of their citizens . -
to be invaded against their consent ana 10 oe'noe
If their remonsrarces have no hesItafon IN say
ING that consider slavery social ana polislcs1'
evil and most sincerely wish tlatslt naa no eAls
tence upon the face of the earth but e Is pe[leo
immaterial how it may be regarded either pY Y you
or myself; IT IS NOT FOR Us TO sII IN J. 1},I,
MENT. AND DETERMINE WIlEIHER l lie -
RIGHTS SECURED TO II III D s. DlFFEkE.NN.Il |
STATES BY THE CONSTITUTION AKE bLE fs,
lINGS~ OR OTHERWISE; IT IS SuFFlClEn y !,
FOR THE. ARGUMENT THAT THEY AkE
RIGHTS. WHICH THE INHABITANTS Do NOT
| CHOOSE TO RELINQUISH.
! Further Mr. President, suppose, for moment,
that the cession had not been made, and that the
States Of Maryland and Virginia should attempt.
without the consent of the inhabitants OF the DIS
trct to interfere with this description OF
to abolish slavery within these portions OF their re-
spectye limits, and retain it upon It's present Dass
| in every portion What would be the consequence
WHY the law could never be enforced; and every
rejecting man throughout the whole length ana
breadth of this country would revolt at sacn wan
ton disregard of equal justice and OF equal rights
and privileges. And yet, because these States have
generously ceded their territory to you for certain
purposes you propose do this very thing and thus
reauite their confidence and their spirit of aceomno
dation. by opening common refuge for their runa-
way slaves. | will only add: upon this point, that
the Abolionist would do we'll to pause In the midst
of his zeal and inquire calmly and dispassionate
whether in fact, anything more than nominal ad
vantage would be gained by the abolition OF slavery
in this District and whether this would not be
acquired at a serious sacrifice Is ii not admitted
that domestic slavery exists here in its mlldest form
That part of the population are bound together by
friendship and the nearer relations of life. They
are attached to the families nwhch they have lived
from childhood They comfortably provided
for, and apparently contented. Now, let bill Tor
abolition Of slavery in the District pass either House
of Congress, and what would take place here =
Why before it could possibly become law. all these
ties would be violently sundered every slave IN the
District would be moved beyond its limits their pres
ent comparatively easy condition changed 1t is prob
able for of greater rgor; and with all this ac-
. compshed, you would not have made the slightest
progress in diminishing the aggregate amount OF
7 slavery in the United States.
' MIR President, yielding to my inclination, would
here take leave of this irritating subject now and
forever, but the manner in which it appears to be
connecting itself with other topics renders it proper
$ in my Judgment, to add few remarks.
hen, it is often asked, is this agitation in Con-
> eress and out of it, to cease? When is it to erm-
nate. and with what results These questions
which, three years since, would not cost moments
uncasiness. | thought the apprehensions of South
ern gentlemen to great extent, had their origin IN
n mOrDlu SenSlDll upon the SuDJeCt QUIZ, nlIu
. full of their interests and peculiar relations appre
cated their feelings, and deeply regretted the
. of irritation. And now these questions would Gre
ate little interest certainly excite no alarm. in my
q mind if agitators upon the subject only to be
4 found in the circle of avowed Abolitoniss. With
r regard to the State which have the honor in part
h to represent an perfectly satisfied, well from
my observation as from the expression of the
:, Legislature during the last winter, that public
. timent can hardly be said to be divided upon this
Ic,,h. Put c1, T al 70 Hr>iE fl,o
n there indications in New England which canno
and ought not to be overlooked The aspect of thing
in this respect has undergone change, and
l., fear the elements Of still greater change in &C
), tive operation | do not mean to say that the Abo
h litonists proper gaining strength rapidly: bu
what do.mean 20 say Is that they are finding allie
e in the of agitation in the political press Sir
fpolitics are to be mingled with this sube let
!. be known it cannot be proclaimed too soon. hav
been taught that the way to overcome diffcultic
!, and threatening dangers is to meet them the ad
70 vance, not to await their approach and although
# would create no unnecessary alarm, | ASSURE
!, THE MOVER OF THESE RESOLUTIONS THAI
p, HE SHALL NOT FIND Me STANDING TAME
70 LY BY, OR ATTEMPTING TO LULL OTHERS
ID INTO FALSE SECURITY BY THE CRY Gall
I IS WELL" WHEN BELIEVE THERE IS DAN
GER-when know there is enemy in motion
protesting and claiming to be influenced by consl
y crations and governed by motives above and beyon
" the Constitution and laws of my country, and tina
y enemy likely to be sustained by an alliance witt
u party politics. No, sir, we have no concealment
upon the subject. All we demand is, that since W
~ to be the first to feel the effects of Abolition as
" tendency at home, should it he acquired (Which
- by the way, by means anticipated we NAV NEE
~ the question unembarrassed and not be driven b
any course here upon collateral issue such as tn
- right of petition, any other The force of thi
: suggestion will be more fully unprecedented after tn
- remarks which am about to make
T. 1t Is not to be disguised that, from an nsignfcan
- beginning, and with comparatively few. even now
n who hold what are generally considered aboIitio
sentiments this subject is assuming an aspect of feal
- tul interest and mOmentous consequence The Sena
tor from Alabama on my left, MIR. King in IN
s Judgment, pointed at early day of the session.
s. the true cause Of alarm, if any exist. 1t was this
10 that religious fanatcism no longer moves alone
al this matter that the misguided enthusiast has ior
n ell hands with the designing politician Sir refe
rs to it with reluctance. have no party purposes
10 answer i should be unworthy of seat here, an
&c unworthy of the confidence that has been repoed
p me by honest, intelligent, and patriotic people
a could indulge anything like partisan feelings 0
Us an occasion like this. No, sir: no, sir I beliey
III this question may and believe it is the only que
l. ton that can, lead to dissolution of this Union
~ and have but one bect. that is to guard acain
s. it; 10 PRESERVE INVIOLATE THE PUBL
10 FAITH AND THE PROVISIONS OF THE con
'g SIlIUTlON UNDER WHICH WE HAVE s
as LONG LIVED IN PROSPERITY The Abolition
- ISIS 1t Is well known long since avowed their dete
u m'naton to make this the test question in elections
D. and have seen: with profound regret that in or
g. State at least some of the prominent individuals
rs both parties have submitted to their catechisn,s
d ., Let those who doubt that the politicians in Co7ne
~ tcuC ana New Hampshire are making use Of Abol