The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-10-02

State. should have written you eaIher day but
for my inability 10 procure some Of the materials re-
quIed
i.-AsoLITIoNIsM
The Rist great movements of the aboliionists in this
State were made ia 1885 To counteIact them. meet
ing called in September OF that year, at Albany.
governor OF the State presided and then secretary OF
State addressed the meeting aud offered the resolutions.
all of which, with single exception, were drawn by
myself Among them were the fOllowing
Rssolpsd That, under the constitution OF the United
States, the relation OF master and slave Is matter belong
ing exclusively 70 The people Of each State within It's own
it; that ssubject only the respective arrange
ments Of the several States within which exists; and
State OF by tbs general government, 10 interfere with or
disturb i would violate The spirit Of the compromise which
lies at the bssis OF The ieds raj compact.
Rssoived, That ths Union OF the States which, under
pie wa. Tho esul, Of compomse and consultation mi that
we can only hope 10 maintain by absianing from all in
reference with the laws, domestic policy and peculiar
interests Of every other State and that all such
which tends 10 ALLEVIATE one portion OF our countrymen
ton by all who cherish the principles Of our revolutionary
fathers, and who desire 10 preserve the constitution by
the exercise Of that spirit OF amiy which animated its
Resoved, That deprecae, sincerely any portion
of our eow-czens the cond uct no are
tempting 10 coerce brethren in other States into the
abolition Of slavery By appeals 70 the fears ., the master
Them a dsurbers OF the public peace and that will,
by all constitutional and lawful MEANS exert our influence
progress of tending loosen the
bonds OF union and TO create between and our southern
brethren feelings OF alienation dlSrust, which
the most fatal consequences 10 be apprehended.
Rssopsd, That while mpue criminal design the
greater oil those who have united themselves to abol
lion societies. feel duty them brethren
OF the same great political family, TO abandon the assocn
Of by disseminating conduct which
they cannot now but must lead TO disorders and crimes
+ of the darkest dye. # ..t..
Rssoped That, while would maintain invioate the
liberty speech aud the freedom of the press consider
public mind and put in jeopardy the lives and properly Of
felowcitizens with every rule Of moral duty
nd Auaru All ni rms nd I'VE sh1tl he nnn
strained moreover to regard those who, with full know
on dsoya 10 the Union, Tie integrity of which
only be maintained by forbearance the part OF all
from every species Of intrusion into the domestic concerns
oived, That the inevitable consequence Of the uncon
sluona and ncendary proceedings in relation 10 slavery
the South must be aggravae the condition Of the
blacks by exciting disrnst and alarm among the white pop
ulaon. who for their protection and security will be
compelled multiply upon their slaves and
increase the rigors OF slavery.
Re'oiped, That the people Of the South will do great
injustice il they allow themselves believe that the few
among who interfering with the question of slavery
acting in accordance with the OF the North
this subject and do-nst hesitate them that
The great body OF the no,hem people entertain opinions
Resored That make these declarations southern
brethren in the same spirit OF amly which bound together
their fathers and ours during long and eventual struggle
for independence and that we do, in full emembance Of
that common association plight them onr TAT TO maintain
in practice SO far as lies IN power what have thus
solcmny declared y
These resolutions which offered as chairman OF
committee, appointed my motion, were enforced by a
sics Oh from myself sustaining the several positions
a in them, matter of obligation and duty aris-
lDk ,nder the political compac, between The States. My
sentiments unchanged; and have no hesitation IN
saying that nothing with them will be found
thing have said since that time.
2.-FREE-soILIsM.
In August, 1916, when President Polk asked OF Con-
gress two millions of dollars (after increased TO three
mions) with view To terminate the with Mexico,
a proviso proposed by Mr. Wimo of Pennsylva-
MA and adopted by the House Of Repre- pro-
hib,ing the introduction OF slavery into any territory
xvkc Oh ha 4 ant tn his
the last day OF the session, but not acted In
lS47 il was renewed, and in the time large num-
Der of the savehoing States had passed resolutions
iDslrucng their senators and requesting their representa-
tives in Congress 10 sustain it, New Hampshire, Yer
mont Rhode Island, and PENNEY vania, the order in
which they are named, preceded New York in their
action on This subject The ground taken in Congress
and in OF the States that, as slavery had been
abolished in Mexico ougb, not TO be revived allow
ed be introduced into any territory she might cede TO
long the latter continued in the territorial condi-
ton. The right OF State, coming into the Union. to
establish or eealize slavery as local institution was
generally conceded. have always considered II above
all control interference by the federal government
and the Isl OF March, ls47 in my first speech in the
Senate this subject, made the following propositions
with view TO the settlement OF the whole question
81 All external interference with slavery in the STATIC 10
violation of the compromises OF the constitution and dan
seons 70 the harmony and peIpe,oy Of The federal Union
should, in respect slavery be left IL is found II
eI ~ nels a, NE ns o. w ,ne
the other hand II slavery does exist therein the time
OF the acqusuon Its Introduction Ought TO be prohibited
while the territory continues to be governed as such.
80 All legislation by Congress IN respect slavery In
territory belonging the United States be
eraive when the Inhabitants permitted 10 form State
governments and the admission OF State into the Union
18th IL, by virtue OF the sovereignty such adms
confers the right dispose OF the whole question OF slave
ny without external interference"
These propositions considered in substantial accord
with the resolutions OF the legislature OF the State
represented, and they in conformity to my own
opinions.
Ii did not, OF course, escape my notice at the time
made these propositions, which reiterated in ls4s
in the words in which they above gwen and think
stated to OF my associates in The Senaie) that
their adoption final adjustment, OF the dispute would
bring Cuba into the Union when the proper time should
arrive, Territory FIRST, and State afterwards with
out any question TO the existence OF slavery In that
island.
This, them was the position of fourteen of The thirty
States in ls4sthat il any territory acquired from
Mexico, (slavery having been abolIshed) should
nue free from slavery as long as il was governed as
territory leaving TO the people, when they should organ
ixe State 10 decide for themselves what their condition
in this respect should be. This position sustained
from lS47 to 1912 My convictions OF lie justice were,
nuat, sincere the opinions OF those from whom
differed. have never attempted any explanation OF my
action on this question, otherwise than my recorded
speeches in the Senate explain il I; and am that
nothing will be found in Them which be Justly
sdered offensive by those who disagreed with me To
givea through the legislature, obeyed and defended,
have always been ready TO account.
Some OF the State legislatures in 1s%s went further
and passed resolutions against The admission OF any fu
tue slavehod,ng State into the Union. never assened
to such proposition On the contrary, believed it to
be rrsconc,able with obligations to othescerlanly
TO ieras-and II wasnconssieat with my own views OF