The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-05-07


Of slaves Is greater than that of the whites.
Sir the philosopher traveller to whom have referred
would at 70 bis conclusion and note IL down as
established fact but your black republican Is not 70 DC
nisled by any such chcanery this He has read IN
novel the authentic fact that Mr. Legree whipped Uncle
Tom to DEATH aud that is thousand times satisiac
tory than any such foolish things official documents
Sir told "u however your negroes are SO well
treated IL the humanity displayed towards them as
you wish 10 lead TO believe why is II that so many OF
them run away n / have looked to the TO find
something that point If could and found that out
otths population one IN twenyseven hundred runs away
quiry for amabe phanthropio friends 10 ascertain
whether in their beloved North, there might not be
one restless In twenty-seven hundred who would
abandon even wife children and the comforts Of home
whatever might be the comforts of his position, and go
and seek strange fortune elsewhere II that be So
and If this calculation be not exaggerated do not think
the fact of in twenty-seyen hundred running away
amounts a great deal towards proving that southern
slaves harshy treated.
But sir there is another significant fact be found in
that The State of Massachusetts has opened
wide her for the reception and proper
and admission social and political privileges OF reeco
ored persons The State of Virginia thinks that class OF
population dangerous TO her peace as long as slavery e
lists Therefore, the State of Virginia. by series Of enact
meats Of the character Ia endeayorng 10 driFehe
freecoored population OF the State Here is the State
OF Virginia driving them out the State OF Massachusetts
opening for their reception and yet these free
coored people viii pertnacously and obsnaiely insist
remaining in Virginia, where coored people are badly
treated and even go far the wretches as TO apply to the
Virginia legislature for permission to ensave themselves
That appears in the statistics of the country but all that
is Of account whatever because, ii remember arighL
in that sesame novel have the very authentic fact
lated coloed womans jumping across the Ohio river
with her child in her armshat outweghs ten thousand
statistical documents or statistical dedncuonsl
1t is ia this manner Mr. President that upon all occa-
sons this subject ia treatedno candor sincerity, no
regard for facts hesitation at the OF prnc
pIs whatever they be- suit the occasonuntl the
- ,ule the North, misledkndly in their feelngs-hav
pc IN sympathes aroused in behalf OF these slaves who
ing t anr ,ned them victims of southern cruelty,
have been almLS' iou " haio wv PsoP'e VI 'A0 ' ~
their supposed inh. 'aanty. a.. 1900.
There is however on aspect OF TINS supecl vi le usa
ment of slaves in the South winch y NOT iesau'
and in relation to which it may perhaps DC proper 10 re-
fresh the memory of our northern renas. Even where
those of whipping and ironing take &C - -
pictured in such horrt colors in such black 10
The neople Of the Northhey are the exercise ponce
masstracy the slave They are not the
any cruel propenses The southern slavehoider Is Tue
magistrate of his slaves. ,.-, -.
let me illustrate what mean by single example Let
a southern slave plantation commit burglary &c.
him break open the cabin OF another slave ana se ~.
peculium-steal the little petty treasures That MS Fellow
slave may have accumulated IN his CABIN MS ms'er On
discovering will order him to be whipped aud there the
whole criminal procedure will have ended III tne same
occurrence takes place the North, between white per-
sons the man. if convicted, 10 sentenced 10 tne penie
tary for term OF years II II occurs IN OPP
hungbu he will simply be torn from WIFE, children
country home, and friends. He will simply be manacled
and put in the hold of a convict ship. lie will DO trans
ported thousands of mes across the water ana
nut ia chains to cultivate penal colony OF Sreat BRITAIN
In the southern Yet the American Shareholder WAC
has had his save whipped for breaking into and roopng
the negbborinc aave cabin ia held to the gaze OF the
civilized world as monster of guilt; while British phi
lanhropy chuckles in seeomplacency at It's tender mer
cies towards the transported convict
Mr. President have dwelt this subject longer than
ntended-not quite long my notes would JIsuy me
but do not feel able to continue to the end Of ws nae
to say Before take my seat however, must respas on
the attention of the Senate for few moments with an ex
PLANTATION Of my political position in order to avoid all mis-
construction upon the subject
When in the monh Of January 1859, was honored by
an election to this floor there existed IN this
couary but two great parties divided in opinion upon po
ltca questions differing in their views TO the measures
best calculated to promote the interests OF the
country both united in devotion to those common
interests both scorning both rejecting with horror any
proposition tending TO inst into the minds OF the people
the antes suspicion that the powers OF this government
could be constuonaly welded for the exclusive beneht
of section Of the country 10 the exclusive deirmen OF
another.
In the presidential contest which followed la
bored with better will with unweared qssiduity
than did in opposition TO the election Of the present Chief
Magistrate In doing this but faithful to the poiiu-
Ca antecedens Of my entire e-athful TO the principles
o. that glorious old wing party, which, In my Judgment
was the true conservative party the country adheng
to the radi6as of the fathers rejecting every innovation
on their tmehonorea precep holding up the example OF
Washington the model Ct wise administration OF pup
lie affairs and whether vicoriC"s or vanquished ever
treadng the path Of duty with unterug courage led by
such men as their Clay and their Webster.
In that contest beatep--beaien by majority
almost unparalleled iu the our political spnals One OF
the principal Of that defeat is but too well known
The OF the people OF this country could
their nyncbe repugnance TO voting for the gallant
Scott, as il known that he was the favore
candidate OF the honorable from New York.
Rightly wronqly, justly unjusty, that senator had
succeeded in insing into the minds of the people of IF
teen States Of this conedeaeg tie deepeated conviction
that he a most dangerous enemy 10 the harmony Of
the Union and 10 The perpetuiy OF its institutions The
bare suggestion that the election OF the wing nominee
would be followed by perous influence his part
the connects oil the administration suhced 70 secure for
the democratic nominee almost undivided southern
vote
Sir, do not speak my convictions alone; speak
the convictions Of almost every southern leader that
know when gay that violent opposition the part 81
that the election Of General Scott would have
secured for him many electoral which for
his democratic rival
When we met on this floor on the 9Th Of March 1883 at
the special session conVoked by the President 1t be-
necessary nominate committees for this body and
In the whg which assembled for that purpose nine
teen senators present u minority, indeed but
minority whose attitude commanded the respect Of even
its political opponents Gracefully yielding 10 the recently
expressed win Of the people yet wachul guardians OF the
principles Of which they the chosen expounders they
rcraned from aug that could bear the sembance Of fac
tou opposition but ready sound the note Of alarm
whenever in their judgment the policy Of the
administration might threaten danger to the interests Of
the country.
This the attitude OF parties when the honorable
htor from Illinois introduced into this body the bill for the
organization Of the Kansas and Nebraska Territories Sir
had the discussion opened upon bill than
some startling developments took place. On amend
ment offered to the bill by the honorable from Mas
sachuset Mr. SUMNER in which he proposed TO strike
out everything after the euactng clause and TO insert
provision for the repeal Of the ugvesve law ak north
wing senators voted for the proposition Az the de-
hates continued in both houses and the contest grew hot
- r