The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-12
CON G r E.SSION AL.
SPEECH OF MIR. SMITH,
OF VIRGINIA,

state Of the Union,
Mr. SMITH, Of Virginia. said
Mr. CHAIRMAN: am sensible Of the difficulty under
which labor in occupying the floor At this time in con-
sequence Of the protracted debate which has already taken
ace upon the subject OF the organization OF the Terrific
es Of Nebraska and Kansasthe subject TO which wish
now 10 call the attention of the committee feel deeply
upon this subject II is not in my nature TO feel codly
upon, any question which interests me; and aeknowl-
EDGE that feel strongly this question: because do feel
ana feel deeply and acuely too that great wrong has
been perpeated in the past legislation OF the countra
great outrage the interests which represent on the
interests Of that section with which am associated, and
which wrong and outrage it is proposed by these bills TO
correct
Mr. Chairman when wrong is done, and perpetrated
under deliberate and solemn circumstances, when great
outrage has been peperaed on the constitution time cam
NOT canonzc the error If the argument OF time should
apply to this question And ], gentlemen, pray you to
understand rejoice from the very bottom Of heart that
there is now some indication in the proposed bills to repair
the wrong that was done In this view of the subject
ask how il is that gentlemen from the same section OF
the country myself are found here in opposition to this
effort repair the injury that has been done? ask how
the country could have anticipated that gentlemen from
that section Of the Union which is interested in this ques
o could have hurried themselves into this debate
before the bills had up for action and could have
manifested the deep hostility which they have shown to the
redress which they propose?
must say Mr. Chairman that nothing better calcu-
lated excite my surprise and to provoke my astonish-
ment than that manifestation and must be at liberty
say also that was particularly asonished the remarks
Of the gentleman from Louisiana Mr. HUNT as we'll as
the remarks of the gentleman from Tennessee [r Cut-
Ioa on this question: and to whom propose to address
after awhile if my time will permit few remarks In the
first instance and at present however, it is made necessary
by the Of remarks here that should somewhat re-
fer IN a to the orignaton OF the question OF slavery
believe that is known to this committee and to every
in the House and in the country that slavery was not
introduced into these States by any act of law suppose
ii perfectly we'll known to every one within the hearing
omy voice al Leash that on the discovery Of this country
and on its occupation BY the Cavaliers Jamestown and
by the Purtans at Plymouth Rock the whole country was
abud rdsd in which slavery found and no pro-
vision for its institution
II also known historical fact that slavery came
into Virginia hrst Of all other portions of great repub
lie. i was brought there by Dutch man-of-war think
from which slaves landed to the number of some
twenty They sold and purchased by planters they
purchased slaves and held as slaves in that aJuc
without any thought of the necessity of having the
institution Of slavery recognised established by any
actmcnt OF man. and the very first act in which slavery
recognised within the limits of this republic was
act passed by the State Of Virginia. the legislature
660 forty after the first introduction Of slaves And
that act strange and curious it is act furnishing
English servants for running away with negroes
call the attention of the committee to this particular
point for the purpose of illustrating the and cir
cumstances under which slavery came into the country
From Georgia Maine slavery was thus introduced here
There never was one single law passed introducing slavery
or restabshing it. 1t came into the country matter
course as every other variety of property came into
cattle which were for the FIRST time imported about the
same PERIOD by the Pilgrim fathers and bought and sold
following the laws regulating the disposition Of property
among the living, and when dead among their representa-
ires as all other descriptions of property mention il
now because II must relieve my friend and colleague here
from the Norfolk district Mr. MmIsoxl of much Of his APP
ehension of what will be the fate of the slavery insti-
hon when that great territory north of SO deg 80 min
shall become ta6ula rasa-iC indeed II can under our
constitution ever be made by any legislation Of
viii not dwell upon this matter further than to call
The attention OF this committee faet-a remarkable
l-that this subject engendered feeling of hostility
ana bitterness among the provinces which rs States nov
cluster in our Union Up to the period Of the revolution
although slavery existed in every State although there
were no regulations for the reclamation of fugitive
slaves among them yet the provinces moved on in
Of beautiful harmony, without engendering the slightest i'll
feeling upon this subject And when the old articles Of
federation became the law Of the land il is remar knb,
a That they contained provisions whatever for the
oaon Of slaves when they escaped from province
Stale 10 another
mention these things for the purpose of letting th
committee understand that in that day there dif
hciy IN recognising the right of property no effort
mar the general harmony winch then prevailed and nt
ahcuV, no effort OF aut-slavcry fanaticism diyid
them IN the approaching conflict of the revolution.
VEIL ar, during that rcvolutionindeed may say aftc
Us erminaon-an effort was made is well known,
Introduce for the first time this question Of slavery int
e powers OF the country The ordinance passed in 1884
as the gentleman from Ohio Mr. TAYLoR stated yesterday
made II cwcr in the State II was, however repoac,
upon motion Of gentleman from North Carolina
lar - II beng repealed, the Northwest Territor,
moved on m its Of prosperity for three years unit
the ordinance OF 1884, as Il was termed was enacted
say os eas termed because gentlemen win remember tina
Is question whether tina, ordnanceand here allow mi
70 say hat TINS term ordinance the usual and gen
e mode OF describing any enactment Of legislation by tn
eoniederacy II the term for all acts of eQs
say with it to bc understood by this comitte
mat y Is doubtful may say than doubful-whelh
mat ordinance Itself ever had legal existence The o
articles OF confederation required for the passage of an nc
'hat description II they gave any power over il az All
'h concurrence Of nine States Of tho confcderacy and III
danco OF 1877 received the sanction Of eight States ony
tpfa t~t,.
ing 10 the preliminary examination which have been abl
. give TO the subject II appears that these amendment
and notifications proposed 10 The bi through all its vari
Stages TO final contamination, all received te sanction
ana Approbauon OF Congress npon that principle Blu
When was enacted find that but eight States concur
e IN ts enactnonnot the nine States which the article
confederation required have the articles of confcdcra
pon here. They say;
Zach State retains It's sovereignty, Freedom and indie
pcndence and every power urisiction and icb, which
so by this confederation expressly delegated o the Unite
sates IN Congress assembled
And the only grant Of power ia the articles Of confd
aon which in the least degree countenanccs the pce
exercised IN the passage OF the ordinance Of 1887 which
agp Of III r.
ne United states in Congress assembled shall never en-
war, or grant letters Of marque and rcprisa in tim
peace nor enter into any treaties or alliances nor col
I nor requisite the value thereof ascertain the sum
- expenses necessary for the defence and welfare
afu states, any of them, emit bills nor borro,
m On the credit Of the United States, approprat
y nor agree upon the number Of vessels of war Ia
. Or purchased or the number OF land or sea forces
n,. nor appoint commander in chief Of the army
,iony es nne States assent to the shall ques
dsv h. ~ other point, except for adournng from day
mi ~ e determined, unless by the votes Of majority Of N
~ oA'es IN Congress assembled"
passing lei me take occasion TO refer TO the gentlema
s iSsoun, who made reference the deed Of ccssio
eoan,enas sn' an manner md in way which seemed
v,uahee The idea that hat old Commonwealth had M
ffafr ,f