The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-03-20


ii the Union
Nj. LETChER said:
az CHAIRMAN: have listened with great deal Of
and small degree Of surprise to the speech just
delivered BY the gentleman from New York Mr. Coop
wN We all citizens OF the government We all
have interest ia this Union and Ii well enough
for coming from different sections Of the country 70 UNI
desand the precise position which each to occupy Tor the
future The gentleman commenced hi. remarks py tthg
the committee that he 20 speak candldly and
iranklythat be meant to give US Of the souh nouee o.
the position which the North occupied that we mg un-
dersand hereafter the course OF events NOW SIR desire
ITO know in order understanding, whether II -
the national sentiment Of the North 50 lar As that gene
Is aware that the Congress- an attempt IS TO
Be made 10 repeal the fugityesiaye law o. 70 moay aa
law such annex To II the ecndtion OF
jury trial in the place 10 which the ascending slave may
be arrcsed2
Mr. GOODWIN | cannot tell what the decision Of the
whole North would be that question; but / for one,
speaking for myself should be very happy indeed TO see
done.
Mr. LETCHER As understood the gentleman from
New York awhile he undertook 10 speak not only FOR
himself but for the Empire State lie undertook 10 declare
what the public sentiment of that State the great
question In which the South interested and in which
the existence OF the Union itself concerned
Mr. GOODWIN. Tie gentleman did not understand
me correctly In speaking of the sentiment OF the North
and the sentiment Of the State of New York spoke of the
decision they had rendered in reference to the repeal Of the
Missouri Compromise and that there great majority
there in favor Of the restoration Of the restriction Of the
Missouri Compromise excluding slavery from these Ter
ritories
Mr. LETCHER / viii come that question in due
time Let get back to the point want to ascertain
and that section OF the country from which
came that should know whether it is the settled and
fixed purpose Of the North to undertake to Interfere with
the fugyesaye law either BY repeal or by such mod
ifaton of It's provisions shall render the law no longer
safe and efficient protection for in the recovery OF our
slave property.
So far rs that point is concerned pass the gem
ueman finds difficulty in answering question, and let
me another point desire to know whether It
the settled policy New York. whether II is the settled
policy Of the North in future Congress 10 attempt TO
vive the Missouri restriction
the electors of the State OF New York in favor
storing the slavery restriction to the Territories of Kansas
and Nebraska and opposed 10 the introduction Of
slavery therein.
Mr. LETCHER That is frank and understand exactly
what the position of the gentleman IS understand il
be openly proclaimed that the session of Congress
attempt is to be made bring about this result and
imagine, from the in which the gentleman speaks
and the sentiments which have been uttered by the
gentleman from Ohio Mr. GlDpiNGs tonight that this is
their fixed and settled purpose and the sancy of the
Union or preservation of the government will pre-
vent them from making the effort
desire to know, upon the third point, what is the
tied policy of the State Of New York. the northern por
ton of this confederacy in regard 10 the exclusion Of
slavery, by congressional prohibition from the Terrific
res-the common property of the nation, gentleman
suggests here that this necessarily embraces the point
which have already referred will ask, them whether
it the settled policy of the North northern
power in this House for the purpose Of excluding, in all
time come by the exercise of congressional power
slavery from the Territories of Kansas Nebraska any
other which has been acquired BY the blood and
common treasure OF this country
Then upon the fourth point desire to know how the
Empire State and the North stand they in favor
passing law here at future session OF Congress abolish
ing slavery in the District of Columbia
Mr. GOODWIN cannot speak, Of course, in relation
to the action Of the North upon this subject
Mr. LETCHER. Well, Of the Empire State, then
Mr. GOODWIN. | have no doubt that the State OF New
York would be in favorI certainly submitting
the proposition the people of this District determine
whether they would abolish slavery therein
Mr. LETCHER. 1t viii be recoIected by every gentle
who has REQUIRED to the history of past events that
upon OCCASION representative from the State of New
York introduced upon this aoor proposition which was
adopted by this House abolish slavery in District Of
Columbia #a asfsa1ss
have now obtained the answers 10 the questions pro-
posed and these pregnant with meaning to
the South 1t is important TO that should UNDER
stand the purposes and objects Of the northern people
is important TO for the that the South should
here at the session with spirit Of determination
prepared to resist any effort Of this the part the
North be the consequences what they may If this Union
cannot be preserved upon terms of equality and if the
rtory this country acquired by the blood and
treasure is be open alike the North and
the South then desire be informed of the fact
and whenever the crisis the Union be dis
solved whatever may be the regret that will attend dis
solution for one, regarded of the conserva-
vemen in my State and unwilling believe that there
was settled purpose Of this kind anywhere, am yet
prepared for the result whenever these ssnes shall be
forced upon by the people of the North shall stand
by the rights of the land in which | was born and in
which trust my bones shall repose ask nothing here
but what am willing to accord to Others long
have life, or voice. to raise they win be raised
IN defence of the rights institutions and honor of the %
rous South. The Union hns its benefits and blessings |
acknowledge them all but a Union based upon other
principles than those Of equality has charms Tor me
come from State which has maintained her rights in
times past and which will stand by them in all time TO
come with equal hrmness Whenever attempt Is made
to strike down her institutions and interfere with the
rights OF her citizens the North will find that Virginia can
ana VIII exhibit spirit of stern ressanceiat she will
stand oy her rights and institutions to the death
MI, HUGHES If the people Of the State Of Virginia
or more particularly of the district which the gentleman
represents so ably upon this floor felt to be for their in
ere and that the right belonged TO them TO do IL TO ask
for the abolition of slavery In the District of Columbia
would the gentleman then vote for such propositions
Mr.LETCHER.' hold hN we have no right 10 ueddle
with 1t at all that Congress has business pass law
interfering with it; that il is usurpation Of power
which can lead to nothing but mischief
Let me say another thing to the gentleman from New
York. God knows the gentleman vent far enough last
year with the antNebraska party in this against the
institutions OF the South vet IL that he did go
fore overheard, and regular Seward whig here in
his place, II that the gentleman did go far
enough Out Of the democrats here this Congress
how many left 10 tell the tale Is there solitary
sent to the next Congress who voted for the Nebraska
bill
Mr. HUGHES. Not one
Mr. BbTChER. There is the evidence Of what IA the
feeling OF the Empire State which the gentleman
the way Mr. Goonws referred and this IL the States
where They great national party has sprung mp
Is to preserve the Mon that keep agitation so r
as the question OF slavery concerned Here ia the evil
deucea solid column of autiNehraska men prepared 10
vote Cor repeal of the ugtveslave law TO resist the in
PRODUCTION Of slavery into the Territory Of Kansas
nj fenrIp that Territory nd