New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-06-06
SLAVERY AND FREEDOM.
MIR. UPHAM'S SPEECH

II.
The follow nc speech was delivered in the House Of Rep
resonatives on the 10th of May last by Mr. UPHAM of
Massachusetts,;
The House being in Committee OF the Whole on the
S,ete of the Union Mr. UPHAM said:
Mr. CHAIRMAs: In taking the floor at this time, after
the body has been in session nine hours and half
assure the Committee that il is exceedingly dlsagreeabe
10 me 10 make continued demand upon their already
hausted attention Having understood in the early stages
of the discussion from the friends OF the BILL that an OPP
poruny would be given to all to speak upon me question:
have not allowed myself to be in the of gentlemen
who were impatient express their sentiments and should
not now engage in the debate not under impress
sion that points vital 10 the argument have not as
vet been adequately developed The question ought not
10 lie brought 10 final vote without fun comprehension
Of its real merits of all its elements Of its origin history
hearings and effects. The prominently distinguished
member from Missosri Mr. Benton has touched briefly
upon the line of argument which propose at some length
Virginia who first addressed the Committee to-day (r
Bayly also adduced important facts IN support OF
the views which propose to exhibit. hold Sir, that
this bill contemplaes and WILL if IT becomes law, con-
stitue radical and vital change in the policy upon which
the Union of these States was originally formed ana by
which its affairs have been administered throughout ts
entire history II will be an abandonment OF the course
that has been pursued from the first. The country VIII
swing from her mOorngs and we shall embark with all The
precious interests all the glorious recoecois ana all the
magnificent prospects of this vast republican empire upon
an untraversed unknown and may be weifeared stor
N.Y. if not fatal In order TO Justify and illustrate
this view of the proposed attempt to repeal the Missouri
Compromise, shall compress into the narrowest posi-
BILE compass as the short hour allowed compels,
historical statement of the policy upon which the Amer
lean Union founded TO which has adhered through
every period Of its existence which the fathers believed
and found TO be absolutely necessary and which their
have faithfully maintained and solemny reiterated IN
each successive generation The idea OF Federal Union
that is, OF confederation of political communities, each
still preserving its distinct exsence-was first developed
limited sphere, and in very imperfect way by the
New England Colonies, at early stage OF their exist
enoe. 1t recommended by William Penn in 1900 par.
ticuarly deineated by Daniel Coke, eminent colonial
politician of NewJersey in 1922 in his very curious book,
entitled A Description of Caroana, by the Spanish
called Florida, by the French La Louisiana, with Map
of Carolana and the River Meschacerbe, and first
duced 10 practice large scale by Benjamin Franklin.
lie urged it in publications in THE PhIodepha Gosette,
enforced in his usual style of practical wisdom and
gaci and illustrated by awoodcut representing snake
separated into several parts with this motto; Join OF
die He succeeded in getting Congress convened at
Albany, at which Delegates from seven Colonies were
present-hat is, New-iiampshire Massachusetts, Com
nectout Rhode Island, New-York, Pennsylvania and
Maryland This first attempt OF general North Amer
Union occurred in l754-jus one hundred years ago
Nothing of importance Immediately resulted from the
meeting except the idea which suggested 10 the general
sense of the country that such union was practcabie
As the revolutionary war the Colonies rising to
the great encounter at rcsortcd TO confederation
While the continued the external pressure kept them
together but the moment that pressure was removed,
became evident that itwoud be difficult if not impossible,
hold them together The historical fact that the insu-
ton OF Slavery at that time the great obstacle in the
way of union is what desire as the first point III my ar
gument, to impress upon the Committee. We sometimes
hear the sentiment expressed that the excitement and dis
mbance produced 10y the Slavery question OF recent or
modern growth This error and it is an error vital
the question before As much agitation and as much
difficulty occasioncd 10y it, the time to which am
referring, 10 say the least, in day Resistance
aganst foreign oppression naturally led TO the consera
ton of oppression at home and a movement resulting in
It's abolition, wherever could easily be done, quickly
brought 10 head and broad line of distinction was soon
drawn between the State, that retained and those which
had abolished the institution AT the period of the forna
on of the Constitution this distinction threatened 10 pre-
sent suImounabie obstacle 10 the establishment Of
permanent union. In his notes OF the debates OF the Fed
era Convention of l7s7 Robert Yates Delegate in that
body from the State OF Newlork quotes Mr.. Madison
having used this language:
me SSh Sanil S Of he eoainsn benz oped 10 eh
oheI Lo the IN Consess and most 81 them stand d
d,d by lie Sosoh Of the country LOT according 20 the lie OF
nm. conflict between the sections of the country has
never reached greater hight than III that very Comve-
ton believe the nearest approach 10 all absolute rup-
ture in our day, lew Years ago, when Delegates IN
these Halls from the South threatened in certain event,
t. withdraw from their return 10 their several States
ard up for themselves Mr. Madison informs Us that
the following passage took place IN the Convention OF
basis of representation the southern ayeholiing
States in the popular branch of Congress:
MI Dsvies Delegate from North Carolns said II was nigh
men 20 deye the .uhsrp sste Of NV share Of approximation
,het sseEs lie sure North C.ron. would
sende,.i, on any terms that cd r9 .sis them a. - Iss
ss,heI ihe sus II Is At an end ,., III q, III,
that be here compact good OF America He
20 DO 20 wish ~ the States He hPd aug bee'sd Tia,
ready to join with any States that would"
Whoever examines the Madison papers and other memo
rails Of that day will admit at once that The struggle be-
tween the two sections was strenuous then has
ever been, and Will concedo the next point desire
M IKE in present argument namely that the Constitu
toi could have been adopted by the States
fran I'd by the Convention the present Government could
not e been established even the Confederation long
been nsniaocd, had rot certain compects and suiual
raceme been arranged and solemDy agreed be
forever binding between and upon the rea. sections
/ now desire, Mr.. Chairman, in the spirit Of
calm and impartial history, 20 present to the Com
miitee Nrief statement of those eompaets and
MO and ftfufiou han
onnd,d-under which we have grown 10 present great
ness as frst.rate poverty virtue Of which compre
hensSe p adU our hrts together on this floor as the rep
Of one mighty people has warmed gen
erous enduring ard nozzle passion es all Of which a.
80. - D., ~ ras..t 81 fli- ll IL BE r'ore IF