Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-03-14

ahu uieei al tnese Trying circumstances,
voted unwaveringly for what had been declared
to be the doctrine of those whom represented.
had at length become fully satisfied that by
to that course no adjustment of this
vexed territorial question could ever be made.
My course was then determined upon, to act in
accordance with what my own judgment, under
all the circumstances, dictated to me was for
the true and vital interests of the whole coun-
try. ] planted myself upon the noble and
manly doctrine of the distinguished senator
from Michigan, Mr. CAss. From that time
went Withdrawing all interference on the par,
of the central government, and for submitting
to the people of the Territories the establish.
ment of their domestic institutions as they
might think proper. That course have ever
since been, and still am, satisfied was right
and have yet to learn that my constituents
did not then, and do not still, sustain me in
that course.
Those territorial bills, as they came from the
Commi tee of Thirteen, contained restriction
prohibiting the territorial legislatures from
legislating upon the subject of African slavery
The senator from Illinois had made an inefiec-
tual attempt to strike out the prohibition. II
was afterwards modified. on the motion of a
senator from Georgia, Mr.. Berrien, SO that
the section read:
" The Legislative power of the Territory shall ex.
tend 10 all rghtful subjects oflegisaton consistent
with the Constitution of the United States and the
provisions of this act but no law shall be passed
interfering with the primary disposal of the soil,
establishing nor prohibiting African slavery
&c. .."..
Here it may not be amiss to remark that
non-intervention, as contended for by the south
in the discussion on this amendment, was, that
chn hn IN
Of slavery within the Territories, nor permit
the Territorial legislatures to do SO; while the
non-intervention advocated by the north was,
that the people of the Territories, through le-
gislatures chosen by themselves, should manage
that subject, like all others, as they should
think proper. 1t will be seen that the BILL as
it stood modified at the suggestion of Mr.. Ber-
rien, contained the non-intervention clause as
contended for BY the south. Now, sir, the re-
cord shows that on the 30th of July, 1850,
J" Mr. NORRIS moved to strike out of this Sec
ton of the bill the words nor establishing nor
prohibiting African slavery" After spirited,
and somewhat protracted discussion, the amend
ment was agreed to, by vote Of - yeas to 20
nays. / willhere read from the record to YER
ifs what l before said, that this doctrine was
forced on the south by the almost united vote
of the north. The yeas were:
"Messrs. Badger, Baldwin, Bell, Bradbury,
Bright, Cass, Chase, Clarke, Clay, Cooper, Day
ton, Dickinson, Dodge of Iowa, Douglas, Felch,
Green, Hamlin, Jones, Mangum. Miller, Norris.
Phelps, Pratt. Seward, Shields, Smith, Spruance,
Sturgeon, Underwood, Upham, Wales, and Win
throp-32."
The nays were:
|" Messrs. Atchson, Barnwell, Benton, Berrien,
Butler, Clemens, Davis of Mississippi, Downs,
Ewing, Hunter. King. Mason. Norton Pearce.
Rusk, Soue, Turney, Walker, Whi,comb, and
Iuee-20."
Sir, there were then senators on this floor,
of whom was one, who peremptorily refused
to vote for territorial bills organizing the Ter
ritories of Utah and New Mexico, unless this
restriction upon the legislation of the Territory
was stricken out. J. well and wildly recollect
II conversation with the late distinguished and
lamcnted senator from Kentucky Mr. Clay
upon that point and the earnestness of his APP
peal not to insist upon striking out the prohi.
bition upon the territorial legislatures, upon
the ground that the Mexican law prohibiting
slavery was still in force, and that if the re-
striction remained in the bills slavery could
never go into these Territories. Now, sir, in
the first place, | did not believe much in his
Mexican law; and, in the next place, said to
him, let this adjustment be made upon some
principle where we can stand. and which shall
put an end to the eternal strife in Congress
upon the subject of slavery in the Territories.
Sir, told him distinctly and emphatically that
the people of New Hampshire, in 1913, had
endorsed General Cass by a popular majority
of twelve thousand votes, standing as he did
upon the doctrine of non-interference of Con-
gress in the domestic concerns of the people of
the Territories not only so, but on the doc
-, IS al g he oh &c
to do so. Yes, sir said to him, have fol-
lowed the instructions of the legislature of New
Hampshire of lS49, and, finding no adjustment
can be made, now fan back upon the instruc-
tons of the people of 1913. There shall
stand; and unless this restriction upon terrific
rial legislation is stricken out, / cannot and
will not vote for the bills. There are senators
on this floor who were witnesses Of the posi-
ton / occupied In the debate upon this
amendment Mr.. Clay said:
''Sr. il is little remarkable that by the one side
of the Union, whose interest il should be 10 pre-
serve the clause, the amendment is opposed and
that the other side of the Union. whose principles,
according 10 my humble conception, should lead
them TO oppose the clause which is proposed 10 be
stricken out, in favor Oft. In point of interest
the north should be for retaining the clause, because
if they suppose, and as believe, there is al this
moment an abolition Of slavery in the Territories,
this clause TO continue that abolition of sla-
very; therefore 1t is TO their interest 10 retain this
clause, because it would give additional secu-
rity TO the exclusion of slavery which they desire.
know that my northern friends, who are anxious
10 exclude this clause by the adoption of this
amendment, so upon higher principle than mere
interest. They go upon the very principle which
the south has contended for. They say-for upon
this subject | have conversed with them freely
that they are aware of the advantage 10 their in
ierests which might result from the retention OF
the clause, but that it is in contraventon Of the
principles for which they have commended on behalf
Of southern interests and that is the principle oil
non-interyention on the subject of slavery. They
will sacrifice their interest for the preservation oil
The grea, principle upon which they are willing 10
stand with their southern friends, the principle oil
non-iniorvention; and which, if the amendment
prevails is the principle which pervades the entire
bill, running through it from first TO last"
Now, sir, am / not sustained when say that
the doctrine Of non.intervention was then estab,
lished, not as mere expedient, but as a great
and enduring principle principle upon which
the north was willing to stand with their south
ern brethren? Yes, sir, triumphantly sustained,
unless Mr.. Clay made up false record. Who
n 4