The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1855-10-04
Mr. Ohase's Views.

delivered in the United States Senate, We
make the following extracts -
February 18th, 1850, while advocating
the right Of Petition, and the duty Of the
Senate to receive all petitions drawn in
respectful manner and addressed to that
body, he said Speaking ola petition in IA
vor of dissolution
"They ask for action which we have no
constitutional power to take, and which
we ought not to take, if we had the power.
They are mistaken if they think that the
power, if we had it, should be exercised,
They depict the Southerners as well as the
Northerners, ard no doubt truly, according
to their respective ideas Of them, the griey-
anccs which they design to have redrgssedj
but they have mistaken the remedy II
is not to be found in a dissolution of the
Union. The petitioners from the North,
who desire-a dissolution of the Union, de-
sire that, which, if accomplished, would
in no degree advance their rpurposes. The
petitioners or reyolutionists from the South,
who contemplate disunion, look to that,
which, if attained, would oyerwhelm all
their hopes in utter ruin"
"With the people of Ohio the right of
petition is sacred, and sacred, is also the
union of the States,
| shallyote therefore, for the reception
of this petition, andI shall also, on every
occasion, by my vote and by my action,
prove that | am as Ohio is for the Union,
and against dissolution"
"While, therefore, | shall steadily sup
port all proper Legislation for the estab-
lishment and security of freedom in the
territories and elsewhere, within the sphere
of exclusive national jurisdiction, | shall
as steadily refuse my support to all legisla-
ton on the subject of slavery within the
States. In this line of action shall feel
myself supported by the precepts of the
founders OF the Republic, by the original
policy of the Government, and by the
principles of the Constitution.
| can not believe that there is danger in
such a course. Least Of all does the stale
cry of disunion alarm me- Men, gener-
ally, adapt remedies to evils. But what
evil that the slave States complain of will
disunion cure Will it establish slavery
in the territories? Will itprocule the re-
turn Of fugiives? ? Will it suppress dis
cussion Will il secure slavery where
tits Sir, all men must see that disunion
} is no remedy for the slave States. Why
then the cry, if not to alarm the timid, the
sensitive, the unreilccting--to afford ex-
cuses for concessicG--and thus secure ad,
vantages which the sober judgment and en-
llgIaened conscience of thecountry would
never yield f?
Mn. PREsIDENT.-I have never calcula-
ted the value of tho Union. know nc
arithmetic by which the computation can
be made. We of the Westare in the hab-
it Of looking upon the Union as we look
upon the arch Of Heaven, without a thought
that it can ever decay or fall"
The question is sometimes asked, is Mr..
Chase an Aboltionist ? The following
debate which took place between him and
Mr.. Clay, in February, 1851, will throw
light on that subject as well as his views
of the Union.
Mr., Clay--At Springfield, the other
day, a meeting declared that Constitution
or no Constitution, Union or no Union,
Law or no Law, they wished the non .ex-
ccution of the Fugitive Slave Law within
the limits of that Commonwealth, Did
the Senator suppose we had undertaken
the Herculean task of pacifying his
friends, or at least those who think with
him on the general subject of abolition
Mr. Chase--Does the Senator mean to
enumerale me among those who have ex.
pressed wish for the dissolution of the
Unionl
Mr. Clay--No sir, only meant to say
that the Senator is in bad company.
Mr.. Chase--If the Senator will be so
kind as to GLOW me to add a word, | will
say that if am in bad company | do not
know it.
Mr. Clay--i mean the company of Alb
olitionists. If the Senator will disavow
and repudiate the Aboltionists of all
shades and colors, should be truly happy
to hear him,
Mr., Chase--I do disavow most emphat-
ically all association OF connection with
any class fpersons who des 70 the disso.
luton of this Union, say now, as | said
at the last session that 'we of the West
are in the habit OF looking upon this Union
as we look upon the arch of Heaven, with
out thought that it can ever d. cay OF
fall In this sentiment fully participate,
am aware that there are some abolition.
i>ts or anli-slavery men names are Of liz.
tie conscqucnce--who regard the Consti
tuition as at war VITA moral obligation and
suprtme law. am not of them But il
the 5 nator, when denouncng abolition.
lists means to inc ude in his reproaches all
those citizens who, within the limits oi
Consd uiional obig tion. seek to rescue
this Government from all connection with
slavery, can claim no exemption. am
one OF those who mean to exercise all le-
gi!imate Constitutional power to restrict
slavery within the limits Of the slave States,
and in all other places under the exclu-
sive jurisdiction Of the National Govern
ment, to maintain every person, of what
ever race or origin, in the enjoyment Of
personal freedom That is my position
Mr. Clay--Mr, President l am perfect.
ly aware Of the infinite variety Of aboli-