The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-03
sueesh Of Mr.. 0. m. ingersoil, Of Csnne stIsut


Suoeeh Of Mr.. Q. m. ingorSOil, Of Csnnettieu
In The House Of Representatives, March 81, 1852
Whole on the state of the Union (Mr HIB
BARD in the chair on the Homestead Bill
Mr.. INGERSOLL said:
Mr. CHAIRMAN: 1t is not my purpose to dis
cuss the subject matter now before the commit
tee.
Ii an apology were necessary for the course
of debate which | shall pursue, all will admit
that it might be found in the line OF safe prece
dents set by older and more experienced mem
bers who have addressed the House at its pres.
ent session.
Ny remarks may take somewhat of a personal
turn and if an apology for this were necessary
gentlemen will trust be disposed TO grant it
when they consider that have been honovd
with seat in this body without any public
pledges, written or oral, and without public
address delivered upon the great questions which
have 80 recently occupied the public mind both
North an South.
Ii seems to me therefore due to the constitu-
ency | have the honor to represent, constitu-
ency | am proud to say unsurpassed by any
other in the Union in point of learning, intel!i-
gence, industry, patriotism, and morals, that !
should at least give them some acknowledgment
for the generous support with which they hon.
0red me on my election 10 this body
| Ia the remarks which | shall submit, shall
endeavor to respond TO what believe to be the
sound opinions of my own district and State in
regard to that "vexed question which has for
years past so unhapply produced animosties
and heart-burnngs between the two great divis-
ions of our common country, and which sim
cerely believe has recently brought this Union
upon the verge of dissolution.
Mr. Chairman, the Democratic State Conven-
ton of Connecticut, which met recently at New
Haven, among other resolutions, adopted the
following:
"Resotoed, That the principle of strict con
struction of the powers granted by the Consti-
tn ion of the United States forms a fundamen-
tal part of the creed of the American Democra-
cy and that the application of this radical princi-
Pile will maintain in their integrity the rights of
the States, furnish the most etfectual antidote
against the centralizing tendencies of the federal
government, and will preserve the Constitution
and the Union; making a confederacy of States
equal to the task of bearing peaceable sway over
the North American continent
"Resolped. That the Democratic party Of this
country is essentially from its principles and its
component elements, the true Union party-ab-
staining from the exercise of doubtful powers
on the part of the federal government, and up
holding the rights Of the States, it has preserved
the integrity of our political institutions; that
it has maintained the honor developed the
power, extended the area, and promoted The
prosperity of the republic.
Resolred, That the Democracy of Connecticut,
acting through their State conventions, have
never, amid all the excitement which has pre-
vailed for some years past, given the slightest
aid or comfort to sectional animosity; and that
| they have passed no resolution at war with tire
creed Of the national Democracy; and that,
| having last yenr fully expressed their acques-
cence in the compromise measures of Congress,
they can now proudly point TO their official pro-
ceedings, for series of years, as unstained by
fanaticsm, and embracing principles as broad
as tho Union
"Resoiued, That we will checrfully abide by
the decision of the Democratic convention which
is to meet in Baltimore in June next; and that
from whatever quarter of the Union the nominee
may be selected, we pledge him in advance the
entire and hearty support of the Connecticut
Democracy"
Every word of these resolutions subscribe
to, and am prepared to defend, aud shall make
them sort of text for what may follow from
my lips to-day.
Now, Mr.. Chairman, DO not intend to dis
cuss the abstract question of slavery, much less
to affirm that | am in favor of white or black
slavery, or to stand forth as its champion; it is
II matter foreign to the issue which propose to
make. Nor is it necessary that should discuss
the mere question of African slavery as it eX.
listed before the revolution, while we were
colonies as it existed in the United States after
| We formed our Constitution, or as it exists now
| in the South. If it is curse, as some men
call it, it is one which falls upon the STAKEHOLDER
and for which we of the North are in no way
accountable, and which should draw from us
regret at its existence, and sympathy rather
than rebuke, towards the descendants of those
who with our forefathers fought shoulder to
shoulder for that Declaration which made US
free, and for that Constitution which secured to
us freedom II is an evil, says the phianthro.
pist Admit it-what then? Look into our
social SYSTEM and behold evil surrounding us
on every side. Why, sir, the very life which
men hold SO dear is made up of evils and bless
ings-there are the hopes of youth blasted
the energies of manhood destroyed-'he sor-
rows and decrepitude of old age-these, which
the good men enjoy make up the sum total in
the reckoning of human life and it is the very
existence of evil which makes man prize the
good which falls to him. And if this rule holds
| true in the social, how much more should we
look for it in the political, which owes all it
possesses to the social state Who will tell
me of political state that has existed from the
earliest dawn of government, which has been
free from evils? The philanthropist may, with
the lantern of Diogenes, look for it, but in vain.
Mr. Chairman, | have watched the slavery
agitation, which has been and is so rife in our
midst, with much solicitude. A child Of com.
mon understanding may see where it is tending,
and the point at which it will arrive, unless the
sober, second thought Of the North" nips it now
in its full grown bud.
have no sympathy with abolition agitation,
or what, in the parance of the Buffalo conven-
ton, goes by the name of Freesoil agitation !;
and believe the intelligent people whom re-
present agree with me in the views entertain
of its effects. ] stand not here to arraign the
motives of men, much less to question the honest
intentions of those, many of them, at least, who
uphold politicians in the war they are cOvertly
making upon the institutions and the peace o
the country. But when the Democracy of the
North, in their efforts to preserve inviOate the
constitutional riuhfS Of tho States ara told here