The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-03-25

lac tTidt rithoW COM TOntdti0n Of the te1tneSSeS
against him, trithom haring IritneSSes an his ia
vor, lrThou defence, trithout counsel ~ contrary
to these provisions, also of the Constitution, il
therefore NOT LAW; but utterly VOID, and of
NO FORCE.
Now, then, Mr.. Chairman am prepared to
assert that, according to my understanding of
the Constitution, and from what know of the
history of the country, all the reprehensible
agitation of the slavery question, and unconsti-
tutional legislation on the subject is chargea-
bic to the friends Of the system, and not upon
its opponents.
| now come to another question. What can
be done to quiet the country in reference to this
| subject In my opinion, we shall not secure
the result either by passing compromise meas
ures, or by endorsing or re-endorsing them.
On the contrary, this | regard as only repe-
tition of the outrage Two things are required:
first, that all existing unconstitutional legisla-
! ton on the subject be repealed and then, that
the friends of slavery, and all parties, keep
within constitutional limits for the future.
These are absolutely necessary, even to the be-
| ginning of harmony in the country.
| have heard it said that if the fugitive bill
is repealed, the South will dissolve the Union
but gentlemen, that cry has been heard too
often to make much impression upon the North.
1t does not mean anything; for who does not
know that the Union is infinitely more impor-
tant to the Shareholders, than the Shareholders
are to the Union. think of this cry of dissolv-
ing the Union rs ! do of the boys threat who,
because his mother would not suffer him TO
pinch the cats tail when he pleased, declared
he would go to the neighbors, where they had
! the measles, and catch them and die, to spite
her. Laughter.
| now come to the question which, perhaps,
interests us most What must be done TO Sc
cure the harmony of the Democratic party
| Democrats thrOughout the country fsuppose,
fo-rfe OF certain yrsP' and fundense'''oI nyjp-
/ o,pes ~iiiio there may often be iounG ani,Jng
them some disagreement in their application
particularly on this question of slavery it is APP
parent enough there are great differences of
opinion. What will you do! VIII you adopt
some stringent party test and demand that all
who are to be recognised rs belonging to the
party shall subscribe to it! This plan would
probably result in such purging of the party
as the gentleman from Georgia recommended ;
but respectfully submit if it is not probable
that the operation might result rs in cholera
cases, and the patient be afterwards found in
n state of collapse! If you undertake to ex-
cude from the Democratic party all those who,
holding the great doctrines of the Democratic
faith, dislike the institution of slavery you will
! imagine, scarcely retain corporaPs gurrd in
some of the States. However, | will not ven
ture to speak of States whose representatives
are here to speak for themselves
But believe the Democracy Of Ohio intend
to maintain the spirit of their own State plat
form, and will not quietly submit to an endorse
ment of the Compromise measures, some Of
which are directly hostile to our own avowed
political creed. At three several State conven-
tons, the last held on the 9th day Of August
last) a resolution was adopted preceding the
one ! read Mt the commencement of my re-
marks. 1t is as follows:
Resolred, That the people of Ohio now, as
they always have done look upon slavery, in
any part of the Union, an evil and unfavor-
able to the full development of the spirit and
practical benefits of free institutions; and that
entertaining these sentiments, they will at all
times feel it to be their duty to use all power
clearly given them by the terms of the national
compact to prevent its increase and to miti-
gate and finally eradicate the evil"
I If understand the matter Alright some Of
these Compromise measures are in direct oppO-
! siton to the often-expressed position of the De-
mocracy OF Ohio. The proviso respecting sla.
very in Utah and New Mexico is directly OPP
posed to our determination to use all constitu-
tiOnal means for the limitation and final eradi-
cation of the system and it is my conviction,
if the Democratic party in the Baltimore Con-
venti0n adopts resolution endorsing those
Compromises the electoral vote of Ohio will
not be given to the nominee of that COnyen-
ton. There may be differences of opinion on
this point but | think the position of the Ohio
Democracy was honestly and deliberately
taken and cannot suppose they were 80 hypo-
critical as to avow doctrines and sentiments be-
fore the people, and then falsify them by their
own action As an evidence that the people
of Ohio will stand up to the doctrine of the
resolution have read may allude to the fact,
that of her twenty-three representatives in
Congress, including Senate and House, only
four were found friendly to the passage of com
promise measures by this House. There are
differences of opinion in Ohio as that vote will
show for ! take it for granted. that every one
of my colleagues represents the wishes of his
constituents
| might also alude to another significant
fact The only Democratic members who voted
for the fugitive bill were left Mt home by their
constituents, and are not membhrs of the pres
cut Congress.
Mr. OLDs Gnterrupting) VIII my colleague
allow me TO say, in regard to Mr.. Miller, one
of the gentlemen to whom he alludes that the
nomination came off in his district before the
passage of the Fugitive bill
Mr. TowNsHEND. This may be 80. pre-
snme my colleague could not be mistaken.
| However, it does not materially affect my state
ment, for every one knew perfectly well how
Mr. Miller would vote if he voted at oil.
| may mention another significant fact
which have seen noticed in some papers, and
which, from personal knowledge, could cor
recty state. At the State Democratic Con-
vention, on the 9th of August, before alluded
TO- a committee Of twenty-0ne, or one from each
Congressional district was appointed to pre-
sent resolutions to the Convention One gen.
tleman proposed resolution endorsing the
Compromises, and supported his motion by
very able speech-indeed, the best have ever
heard in favor of such a course But when
the question was put to vote, but one solitary
v0te-that Of the moyer-was given in the
affirmative. 1t is possible that some of the
members Of that committee may have been |
themselves in favor of considering these Com.
promise measures as a settlement Of vexed |
question; but the fact that they did not choose
to 90 into the State election with such a mill |
stone about their necks would indicate, think, |
that there can BIO but little room for mistake
respecting the sentiments Of the people of Ohio.
After rejecting the Compromise resolution, and
adopting what ] have read, the Democratic |
party Of Ohio received n much larger majority
than it had ever before obtained
Mr.. OLDs Gnterrupting) | wish to say a
word with regard to the August Convention.
think understand the Democracy of Ohio
and by their resolutions they merely wished to
reaihrm the resolutions Of I84s, upon which |
they had carried the State for General Cas- |
And, sir, believe the Democracy of that State
stand now where they did when they carried |
that State for General Cass in I848. have