Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-05-10

these free colored people will pertinaciously
and obstinately insist on remaining IN Virginia,
where colored people are badly treated, ana
even 60 as far, the wretches, as to apply TO the
Virginia legislature for permission 70 ensiaVe
themselves over again
That appears in the statistics OF the country;
but all that is Of no account whatever, because,
If | remember Alright, in that self-same novel
we have the very authentic fact related oil a
colored wonan's jumping across the Ohio river
with her child in her arms-that outweighs
ten thousand statistical documents or statistical
deductions!
1t is in this manner, Mr.. President that upon
all occasions this subject is trealed-no candor,
no sincerity, regard for facts, no hesitation
at the enunciaton OF principles whatever they
may be, to suit the occasion--until the people
of the North, mised--kindly in their feelings
having their sympathies aroused IN behalf OF
these slaves, who are represented to them as
victims of southern cruelty, have been almost
led to hate the people of the South for their
supposed inhumanity.
There is, however, one aspect OF this subject
of tue treatment OF slaves IN the South which
is not always regarded, and in relation to which
it may, perhaps, be proper to refresh the MEM
DRY of our northern friends. Even where those
cases of whipping and ironing take place
which are pictured in such horrid coors, in
such black deformity, to the people Of the
North-they are the exercise of police mag
istracy over the slave. They are not the in
diligence OF any cruel propensites. The
southern STAKEHOLDER is the magistrate of his
slaves
Let me illustrate what / mean by a single ex-
ample. Let southern slave on a plantation
commit burglary; let him break open the cabin
of another slave and steal his peculium-steal
the little petty treasures that his iellow-slave
may have accumulated in his cabin his mas
ter, on discovering it, will order him to be
whipped, and there the whole criminal proce-
dure will have ended. If the same occurrence
takes place at the North, between white per-
sons, the man, if convicted, is sentenced to the
penitentiary for term of years. If it occurs
in philanthropic England, the mani believe
formerly would have been hung-but now he
will simply be torn from wife, children, coun-
try, home, and friends. He will simply be
manacled, and put in the hold of convict
ship. He will be transported at once thou
sands of miles across the water, and put in
chains TO cultivate penal colony of Great
Britain in the southern seas. Yet the Ameri-
can STAKEHOLDER who has had his slave whipped
for breaking into and robbing the neighboring
slaves cabin is held up to the gaze of the civil
LIKED world as a monster of guilt; while British
philanthropy chuckles in self-complacency al
It's tender mercies towards the transported con.
victl
Mr. President, have dwelt on this subject
longer than ] intended-not quite so long as
my notes would justify me; but l do not feel
ahet continue 10 the end Of what ] had TO
say. Before | take my seat, however, must
tresspass on the attention of the Senate for a
few moments with explanation of my po-
ltical position, in order TO avoid all miscon-
struction upon the subject.
When, III the month of January, 1852, / was
honored by an election TO seat on this floor.
there existed in this county but two great par
ties, divided in opinion upon political questions,
differing in their views as TO the measures best
calculated to promote the common interests of
the country, but both united in a devotion to
those common interests, both scorning, both
rejecting with horror, any proposition tending
to instil into the minds of the people the fan-
test suspicion that the powers of this govern
ment could be consttutionally welded for the
exclusive benefit of one section of the country
10 the exclusive detriment Of another.
In the presidential contest which followed no
man labored with better will or with more I'M
wearied assiduity than i did In opposition TO
the election of the present Chief Magistrate. In
doing this, / was but faithful to the political an
tecedents of my entire life-faithful TO the prn
ciples of that glorious old wing party, which, in
my judgment, was the true conservative party
of the country sdhering to the traditions Of the
fathers, rejecting every innovation on their time.
honored precepts, holding mp the example OF a
Washington as the model of wise administra.
ton of public affairs, and whether victorious on
vanquished, ever treading the path Of duty with
unfaltering courage, led by such men as thei
Clay and their Webster.
In that contest we were beaten-beaten by ,
majority almost unparalleled in our politi
cal annals. One of the principal causes of tina
defeat is but too well known. The masses o.
the people Of this country could not overcome
their inyincible repugnance TO voting for the
gallant Scott, so soon as it was known that he
was the favorite candidate Of the honorable sen
ator from New York. Rightly or wrongfully
Justly or unjusty, that senator had succeeded II
instilling into the minds of the people Of ffteer
States of this confederacy the deep-seated con
viction that he a most dangerous enemy tC
the harmony Of the Union and TO the perpetui
~ Of its institutions The bare suggestion tina
the election of the whig nominee would be FOL
lowed by q perilous influence on his part owe
the councils Of the administration sufliced to Sc
cure for the democratic nominee an almost IN
divided southern vote.
Sir, do not speak my own convictions alone
| speak the convictions Of almost every south
erh leauer lnat Know Wnen say tbat Vo
lent opposition on the part Of that senator 10
the election Of General Scott would have secured
for him many electoral votes which we're cas-,
for his democratic rival.
When we met on this floor on the 4th Of
March, 1853, at the special session convoked BY
the new President, it became necessary TO nom
mate committees for this body; and in the whie
caucus which assembled for that purpose nine
teen senators we're present IL was minority
indeed; but minority whose attitude command
ed the respect of even its political opponents
Gracefully yielding to the acknowledgement
will OF the people, yet wstchful guardians Of the
principles Of which they we're the chosen ex.
FOUNDERS, they RETAINED from aught that could
bear the semblance OF iactious opposition, but
ever ready TO sound the note Of alarm whenever.
IN their judgment, the course or policy of the
administration might threaten danger to the
interests of the country