The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-09

domestic affairs Why sir. the proposition for the an
nexation OF Canada would be looked upon simply as a
national question, as in which the North and South
were equally Interested aud The advantages and disad
vanages OF the would be fairly considered by
both sections / not by any prepared to say
that the time will not come when Canada, as well as
many other PROVINCES, will be annexed TO the United
States agree with the gentleman from Virginia, Mr.
MLLsos that there is danger OF too rapid expansion OF
our territory believe in the law OF progress bn there
may be such thing too high Of speed for safety
admit all ihs but must tell him that is idle 10 attempt
10 prevent forward movement He might just as we'll
strive TO dam the waters OF that Niagara TO which he
alluded as prevent The expansion OF republic We
must act wisely however, and place ourselves IN con-
don TO be benefited and not injured by these coming ac
qaisitions OF territory.
What ought we TO do Allow every portion OF the
counly to regulate its own affairs, whether States or
Territories, and turn attention those great national
questions upon which the interests OF the country demand
our action But in justice to myself perhaps ought to
say that while would hurry expansion OF territory,
ye neither prepared 10 say that The iaiant does not
now 1--we who may see all The country between Cape
Horn and the Polar ocean OF the north united in
pre- do mol say that II will be am prepared 10
say 10 what extent this confederation OF republics may be
carried We are in the midst OF The gIandest experiment
humanity has ever seen and il we DO our part wisely,
have no doubt but that, under the favor OF Providence,
fortunate result will be attained
have witnessed, Mr. Chairman, several OF these anti
slavery excitemenis. and have observed that when
they are first gotten up their power seems TO be the
greatest The aboonists well organized they
throw out their publications all over the country at
aud justice OF their statements and heace they hurry
away The minds OF The community Tor season. Truth
cannot travel as fast iasehood but in the end always
overtakes her Hence, aer full discussion and fair
understanding of the subject the excitement is shorn
Of ITS strength and dies out before the intelligence
Of the people. For example. wher the question of
the annexation OF Texas FIRST came up, the cry
was raised that tte whole North dead against it,
and that any who advocated il would be Instant
crushed. Even after the matter had been adopted by
the democratic party in MS convention at Baltimore
Mr. Polk's nom nation, aid ATE September,
the The convention in New York.. which nominated Sas
Wright for governor, passed resc lton against the
annexation of Texas though agreeing support Mr. Polk
nevertheless; and in fact when Congress met, after
the eecon there was great opposition among democratic
men, with the aid OF few southern whgs came up
and passed It, have yet to learn that single one OF
them vas beaten on that ground remember. ALSO when
the Wimot provso first brought forward, there were
only SIX or seven gentlemen from the North who voted
against IT, We told 10 take our last look of those
gentlemen; that they went home their political graves.
Such was The language used thea but OF the preach
efs who pronounced their funeral sermon more than
one occasion was lett al nome himself; whe the oppo-
nenis OF the Wmot provso came up here thicker than
ever In little while that proviso found none so poor
as TO do 1t reverence.
When The fugitive slave law passed was told bygen
tlemen who were favorable 10 it that II was producing
an intensity OF feeling in The North OF which could
have no idea. They said that the whole North was
against III and in the South many were alarmed at the
agitation, and some OF the States passed resolutions in
the strongest terms for the enforcement OF the law. DO
not know that anybody has been defeated because OF that
OIL IN tEe NOTtn Wnefe Ugnt was nTmy mdue on tlc
ISSUE How will il be on this occasionl Some gentle-
men will go forward and tell their constituents that
great wrong has been done TO the North. What s 1t
Why, that Congress has actually had the unparalleedI
will not say impudence, but want of justce-to allow
the people o Kansas and Nebraska TO legslAe tor them
selves in local matters, Now, Mr.. Chairman, do you
ton is understood Not bit of it, When the idea is
first thrown out that We repeating the Missouri Com
promise TO let slavery into that Territory there will be the
greatest exciemeD but the question comes TO be can
vassed and examined from time to tme the result will
be that the will take hold the popular mind
which none can resist.
have in my life been afraid, when felt that
right, TO make issue and debate question before
the people recolect very well tha, some years ago
The only man from the South who voted for the re-
cepon OF abolition petitions and against the tweny-hrst
rule. There was very intense excitement IN my part OF
the country against their reception but when came 10
discuss and examine The question: was fully sustained
by the people.
And here let me say that do not deprecate debate on
the subject OF slavery On the contrary my own opinion
that cam temperate discussion of all these questions
in Congress is positively beneficial. When came here,
ten years ago. j, the fashion for southern men to
say that you cannot venture TO discuss slavery tmus
not be talked about IN Congress" The consequence
was, the aboltonists rampant when they saw that
seemed to be afraid OF them. and they pressed upon
u.s. getting stronger and stronger all the time appear
ed TO retreat and quail before them The most coward
ly cur, II you run from hun, will follow and bite you.
took al once different view, and disposed TO meet
the question:; taking the ground calmly then that we
had better confront enemies face TO face. The great
discussion which has since occurred, am quite conf
dent has strengthened position all through The North
Liberal in that section find less difficulty IN
sustaining themselves The northern and The southern
people agree better aud better they to understand
each others views
There rs great amount OF common sense and good
feeling among people everywhere; and the Discus
son sir, OF all these questions has been productive OF
nothing but benefit Remember that cannot prevent
the aboltonIsts debating these things They will go all
through the NORTH and spread their pamphlets Tar and
They will have their preachers and lecturers |
have had great many sermons sent 10 me lately They
have two striking qualiuesrhetorc and ignorance and
the very fact that many OF these northern preachers
mean abolition preachershave neglec their holy
calling to embark in politics, is probably the reason why
lnhdey Is making such great headway among The alb
ouonisls. | very sorry to see IT, lLaugherI l
think that 1t would be better for them TO discuss Religion
Unless they shall be compelled to send ms
sionaries among them [LaughterI | read many OF
their papers, and in with the rest OF the COM
munity shocked with witnessing their nhdeliy and
basphemy. They will eierpally keep up this discussion
about slavery. Then why notlet il be calmly and tenn
peraely debated since is necessarily before in
rexon with this BILL and will be brough, ap occasionally
by kindred topics
As my time has expired, omit points that bad
Intended to discuss, aud shs now take my seat thank
ng the committee Tor the attention with which they
lave heard me-
SPEECH OF HON. w. BARKsDALE,