Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-12-30
REMARKS OF SENATOR MASON, OF VA,
on THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Is SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, DEC ,, $50
Mr.. MASON. Mr.. President: The constant and
obstinate agitation Of questions connected WIN the
institution Of slavery has brought, am satisfied, the
public mind in those States where the institution pre-
walls to the conviction that the preservation OF that
institution rests with themselves, and with tnein
selves ouy. Therefore, at this day, when II Is the
Measure OF Senators again TO bring that institution
under review upon this floor, in any connection what
ever a. one Of the representatives OF The South 1
take no further interest in the discussion or IN the
opinion which is entertained at the North IN RELATION
to it, than as il may confirm the hope that tnere 10
public sentiment al the North yet remaining, when
mites with the South in the desire 10 perpeuate the
Uuion aud that by the aid of that public sentiment
at the North, the Union will be preserved. but iur
Their than that, as Statesman, aud as one represent
ing Southern State where that institution prevails
more largely than in any Other the pubic sentiment
Of the North s q matter Indifferent TO me, oeGause
say again, we have attained the conviction That the
safety Of that institution will rest, must rest, and
should rest, with the people Ut the States only where
| it prevails.
should have taken no part in this debate, but that
| I am ipdisposed to allow any opinion to 90 abroad
that We of the South entertain very great interest
in the lines of discrimination or the shades oil dstnc
tion which may be drawn as to the extent oil the al
legged power on the part of the Government OF tue
limited States to interfere with the institution al all
in apy form or shape, to have II supposed that We
take nm interest in having il narrowed down to the
question whether that interference, when e1erted
| is 10 be confined 10 the institution outside OF Inc
States and is not to affect it within the States.
know, a. has been said by the Senator from New
Hsmpshre in the course of the last canvass, occa-
sonally in public discussions, or IN the newspapers
a disclaimer has been made OF any purpose 10
interfere with slavery in the States. know, as
has been said by the honorable Senator from
Mississippi, that others ct the North, perhaps few
and perhaps Of those who may be styled the fanati-
| cal norton, have assumed right or have declared
tina, right exists to interfere with the institution
within the States. What want to declare here IN
NV place on this floor is that TO the South such dis
tnciiops are matters of immateria concern. 1t the
Federal Government assumes right or II those
should get into power who assume O right with
purpose to exercise il to interfere with the institution
anywhere where it exists within the United States, i
is matter perfectly Indifferent to us, whether it il
to be done within the States or outside OF the States
take not the slightest interest in the distinction
which is sought to be drawn.
| Sir, hold this to be the constitutional doctrine
The Institution of Slavery existed when the Constitu
ton formed; il is recognised there existn;
social institution. II is not only protected BY h
duty imposed upon the Federal Government to Sc
10 tbs rendition of fusitives from it, but il ID elevate
into the element of political power by the Constitu
ton; it ia represented and made elr men; of pc
tical power. That is the contract into which en-
tered say, then, that being 80 under the Constl
tuition and in the spirit and tone of the Constitution
We have right to the Just and legitimate expansion
of the institution; and if there we're power in tn
Federal Government to restrict or limit that expan
sion it would be perfectly Indifferent 10 US whethe
it should be exercised by prohibiting its expansion
within the States where it exists or outside thei
limits.
It was guaranteed to the States retaining it as a
slemen. OF power, for which full equivalents wer
sxacted and conceded; and its capacity for eSPan
sion, fully enjoyed, 10 necessary part OF toe con
] tract,