The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1852-10-07

tons of life. They are attached to the fam
lies in which they have lived from child
hood. They are comfortably provided for,
and apparently contented. Now, let bill
for the 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 removed beyond its
limits; their present comparatively easy con-
dition changed, it is probable for one of
greater rigor; and, with all this accomplish
ed, you would not have made the slightest
progress in diminishing the aggregate a.
mount of-slavery in the United States.
Mr.. President, yielding to my inclination,
would here take leave of this irritating
subject now and forever; but the manner in
which 1t appears to be connecting itself with
other topics renders it proper, in my judg-
ment, to add few remarks.
When, it is often asked, is this agitation,
IN Congress and out of it, to cease? When l.
is it to terminate, and with what results? /
These are questions which three years since,
would not have cost one moments uneasi-
ness | thought the apprehensions of Sou
them gentlemen, to a great extent, had their
origin in morbid sensibility upon the sub
ject, Still mindful of their interests and
peculiar relations appreciated their feelings, |
and deeply regretted the cause of irritation |
u And now these questions would create little
interest, certainly excite no alarm, in my
mind, if agitators upon the subject were on
. ly to be found in the circle of avowed Abo-
litionists. With regard to the State which
) | have the honor, in part, to represent, am
: perfectly satisfied, as well from my own OBJ
: servation as from the expression of the Leg
} islature during the last winter, that public
5 sentiment can hardly be said to be divided
: upon this subject. But here, sir, | feel
5 bound to admit that there are indications in
: New England which cannot and ought not
2 to be overlooked. The aspect of things in
5 this respect has undergone some chaL ge, and
5 fear the elements Of still greater change
t are in active operation. I do not mean to
i say that the Abolitioniss proper are gaining
= strength rapidly: but what do mean to say
t is, that they are finding allies in the cause of
+ tics are to be mingled with this subject let
it it be known; it cannot be proclaimed to
e soon. | have been taught that the way to
y overcome difficulties and threatening dangers
e, is to meet them on the advance, not to await
e their approach; and, although | would Gre
r ate no unnecessary alarm, assure the mo-
is GER Of these resolutions that he shall not find
a NE standiag tanlely by, or attempting to luU
q others into false security by the cry sail Is
o wcH, lchen beliece there IS danyer-when
IT know there is an enemy in motion, pro-
re Tossing and claiming to be Influenced by con-
y, siderations and governed by motives above
O. and beyond the Constitution and laws of my
d, country, ana that enemy likely to be sus
ny tanned by an alliance with party politics
y! No sir we have no concealments upon thi
he subject All we demand is, that since VT
n are to be the first to feel the effects of Abo
lie lition ascendency at home, should it ever b.
I'd acquired, (Which, by the way, | 10y no mean
a. anticipated we may meet the question an
embarrassed and not be driven by any cours
IN here upon a collateral issue, such as tn
ne right of petition, or any other. The fore
res of this suggestion will be more fully apprc
&C. hcnded after the remarks which am abou
Ia to make.
Use 1t is not to be disguised that, from an in
10. significant beginning, and with comparative
" few, even now, who hold what are genel
" considered abolition sentiments, this sui
ject is assuming an aspect of fearful inter
est and mOmcntous consequence. The Ser
ator from Alabama on my left, Mr.. King,
in my Judgment pointed, at an early day
the session, to the true cause Of alarm,
any exist 1t was this: that religious fana
icism no longer moves alone IN this matte
that the misguided enthusiast has jOine
hands with the designing politician. Sir,
refer to it with reluctance. | have no part
es-. purposes to answer. | should be unworth
md of seat here, and unworthy of the conf
has dence that has been reposed in me by a
Nv, honest, intelligent, and patriotic people, if
ave could indulge any thing like partisan fee
the ings on an occasion like this. No, sir; 4
for sir. l believe this question may, and belle,
ice, it is the only question that can, lead to di
lies solution of this Union and | have but OF
the object, that is to guard againstit; to preSer
, it. inviolate the public faith and the proUisiO
ltes of the Constitution under chich zee haze
hey long lired IN prosperity. The Abolitionist
rop- it is we'll known, long since avowed their
e to termination to make this the test question
Jeff elections; and have seen, with profound !
hes greet, that In one State at least some of t
So prominent individuals of both parties ha
wish submitted to their catechisms. Let the
the who doubt that the politicians in Connectic
W it and New Hampshire are making use of A
elf clifton for party purposes, with view to
ster approaching elections, notice the tone Of t
fer political newspapers there within the i
Is or three or four weeksr 1t is true they do !
nent avow Abolition doctrines, but they make
S do an issue not warranted by the state Of fac
and that issue happens to be the same Ut
- which the Abolitionists are waging their W
I'D They allege that to receive and lay upon
W table, without reading or printing, is equi
CON lent to the rejection Of petitions. "
= - - should not that course be taken aoih then
80 = Has there not already been Sufficient agl
,y ton an Congress and Out Of it.? Has
''Ur' time enough been wasted? The same p'
t;o ~ tions, in substance, have been presented y
VI after year and session after session. Dur
vngy the last Congress they were made the subj
~ of special reference and report. Their c
Iss. tents are familiar as household words.
~ ~ mind of every member is definitely made
: oa upon the question they involve. Argum
ye1 has been exhausted again and again.
' 'eo what is new demanded? Why not only t
4 3 YOU shall receive petitions, but that you 81
=. n~4 70 take particular course with them, whic
~ W g in accordance with the Of these gen
: - - men, who not satisfied with the exercis
their own rights assume the prerooativ