Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-07-20
SsIttt MlistrlIanu.



Mr.. Webster and New Slave States.
The following extract from a speech,
made by Mr.. Webster, in Niblo's
Garden, New York, in 1898, has a
pertinent significance at the present
time. How well he could put the
English language together:
/ frankly avow my entire unwilling
ness to do anything which shall ex-
tend the slavery of the African race
on this continent. or add other slave
holding States to the Union. When
l say that l regard slavery in itself as
a great moral, social and political evil,
l only use language which has
been adopted by distinguished men,
themselves citizens of slave holding
States. shall do nothing, therefore,
to favor or encourage its further ex-
tension. We have slavery already
among US. The Constitution found it
allong us; it recognized it, and gave it
solemn guarantees. To the full ex-
tent Of these guarantees we are bound
in honor, justice and the Constitution.
All the stipulations contained in the
Constitution, in favor of the slave
holding States which are already in
the Union. ought to be fulfilled. SO far
as depends on me, shall be fulfilled,
in the fulness of their spirit, and to
the exactness of their letter. Slavery,
as it exists in the States, is beyond
the reach of Congress. 1t is a concern
of the States themselves; they have
neve~ submitted it to Congress, ead
Congress has no rightful power over
it. l shall conclr. there % e, in no
act, no measure, no menace, no indi-
cation ofpurpose, which shall interfere
or th.eaten to. interfere, with the ex-
elusive auth ority Of the several States
over the subject of slavery, as it exists
within their respective limits. All
this appears to me to be matter of
plain and imperative duty.
But when we come to speak Of ad-
mitting new States, TIE subject as
sumes an entirely different aspect
Our rights and our duties are then
both different.
The free States, and all the States,
are then at liberty to accept or to re-
ject. When it is proposed to bring
new members into this political part
nership, the old members have right
to say on what terms such new part
ners are to come in, and what they arc
to bring along with them. In my
opinion, the people of the United
States will not consent to bring a new,
vastly exter sive and slave-holding
country, large enough for half doz-
en- states, into the Union. In my
opinion, they ought not to consent to
it. Indeed, l am altogether at loss
to conceive what possible benefit any
part of this country can expect to de-
rive from such annexation. All ben
eft to any part is at least doubtful
and uncertain; the objects obvious,
plain, and strong. On the general
question Of slavery, great portion
OF the community is already strongly
excited. The subject has not only
attracted attention. as question OF
politics, but IL has struck far deeper
toned cord. lthas arrested the reli-
gious feeling Of the country: Il has tn
ken strong hold on the consciences Of
men. He Is a rash man. indeed, and
little conversant with human nature,
aud especially has he very erroneous
estimate Of the character Of the peo.
pie Of this country. who supposes that
o feeling Of this kind is to be trined
with Or despised. II will assuredly
cause itself to be respected. 1t may
bo reasoned SiIh, il may b. made
willing. believe IL is entirely willing.
to fulfil ail existing engagements, and
all existing duties, 10 uphold and de-
fend the Constitution. as IL is estab-
lshed. with whatever regrets about
some provisions which Il does actually
contain. But to coerce II into silence
to endeavor to restrain its free express
sion. to seek to coIApress and con6ne
II. warm as 1t is. and more heated as
such endeavors would inevitably rem
der it-should all this be attempted, |
know nothing, even in the constitu-
ton, or in the Union itself, which
would not be endangered by the ex-
plosion which might follow"