Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-12-18
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
DEBATE IN THE .SENA TE
DECEMBER 8, 1856,


r motion to pring fifteen thousand additional copies
c,hc Presidents Message, for the use of the Senate.
Mr. MASON. Mr. President, the constant
and obstinate agitation Of questions connected
with the institution of slavery has brought |
ON satisfied, the public mind, in those States
where the institution prevails, to the conviction
thot the preservation of that institution rests
with themselves aAd with themselves only
Therefore, at this day, when it is the pleasure
If Senators again to bring that institution un-
der review upon this floor, in any connection
whatever. as one of the representatives of the
>uth take 10 further interest in the discus
SION or in the opinion which is entertained at
tbp North in relation to it, than as it NAV con-
firm the hope that there is public sentiment
q. the North vet remaining which unites with
tie South i'll the desire to perpctuate the I'M
ian and that By the aid of that public Senti-
maat at the North, the Union will be preserv-
,I But further than that, as u statesman,
aud as one representing a southern State where
that institution prevails more largely than in
glr either, the public sentiment of the North
is a matter indifferent TO me, because | say
a-...u we have attained the conviction that
tie safety Of that institution will rest, must
rest and should rest with the people of the
States only where it prevails.
should have taken no part in this debate,
Int that am indiSpoSed to allow any opinion
20 abroad that we of the South entertain a
very great interest in the lines Of diScrimina-
lon or tie shades of distinction which may be
drawn "a, to the extent of the alleged power
90 tie 1rt Of the Government Of the United
~, Il, IL
Mauy form Or shape, or to have it supposed
Tia, W take an interest in having it narrowed
5.wu to the question whether that interference,
Wenit is tycrttd, is TO be confined TO The in
t'utoa outside Of the States, aud is not to
affect !, wiihiu the States. | know, as has
vcn said hy the Senator from New Hamp-
. re- in the course Of the list canvass, occa-
,oaa..r in public discussions, or in the news
m'rr,, disclaimer has been made Of any pur-
\ Iy>e to interfere with slavery in the States.
\ know a~ has been said by the honorable Sen.
l lor from Mississippi, that others at the North,
H perhaps few, and perhaps OF those who may
Il rt."d the tanat.cal portion, have assumed
II a--., or have declared that d right exists to
II rrrFc with the Institution with the States.
4 What ! want to declare here in my place on
dis t!yor Is, that to the South such distinctions
@c matters of immatcrial concern. If the Fc-
NJ era! Government assumes Il right, or if those
srN,d get into power who assume right with
4 purpose to exercise it to interfere with that
n@tution anywhere where it exists within the
4 JuJcd States, it is Il matter perfectly indticr-
4 D, to us whether il is to be done within the
Safes or outside Of the States take not the
A ghtc>t interest i'll the distinction which is
M -ht to be drawn.
n Sir. hold this to be the constitutional doc
n tine: the institution of slavery existed when
4 tie Constitution was formed : it is recognized
'erc as an existing social Institution 1t is
4 Do, only Frote, ted by the duty imposed upon
4 d. Federal Government to see to the reudi-
4 Ion Of fugitiycs from it, but it is elevated into
aCcmcnt Of political power hy the ConStitu-
h 'oa; X is represented and made an element
4 dlO..ticaI power. That is the contract into
VacA we entered. say, then, that being so
under the Constitution, ami an the spirit and
|'G he CCnSiitStio@, IRE hare rigH 10 tie
na cad hgtia1ate etYaaS5oo' of' the j2StjtMtioA );
a'G 4 there Tefe a p0trer SR the Eedcrdt Gor-
oN1fai 10 restrict ar Hmft Tint cfpanSioa, II
eua Ls perfectly indifferent 10 as arhcthcr II
@and be cscrcsscd By prohtbaiag its elpansi0n
Il
ms
TWAS guaranteed TO the States retaining it
$a. element of power, fol which full cquiva-
Fills were cXactcd aud conceded and its ca
aa'y Tor expansion, fully to be enjoyed, is a
~ary part Of the contract
LAY again, therefore, for myself, and as
&a,l know tic opinions of my people, we
'Ae no interest in northern opinion Gu this
ect as to any lines of demarkation beyond
'~sl Federal power over this institution may
"McAd except 50 far as respect and loyal
. ,He coLtract will lead them, IN union with
ralh TO preserve aud perpetuate the Con
"'"oa, winch otherwise must be destroyed.
" "@ ohiy because of the earnest and anxious
" y which | entertain, that fabric of Gov
'"yH' which has had no predecessor in the
@"' Which, if honestly and legitmately ad
@Nt0i, would make us the greatest people
n ' mas ever yet existed, both in moral and
III ..a power, should he preserved and per
MA ,a'ed' that have said thus much
aR l"e honorable Senator from New Hamp
E "'ri'atcS himself that this is the last
~ '-g which Is TO emanate from the present
.ea 'H,', and therefore he is disposed to let
~ S,h nun less severity Of comment. lie may
Ing . .Ict'ate himself for, if do not mistake
TN my. the bold truths, the patriotic and
If& s-f "ie OF that message will penetrate the
|h a." heart, and cause it to throb with pull
'F-s s1o purposes not exactly in unison with
H. a." Inc Senator and the party with which
- n s.1'"g. "a | do not doubt, and avail my
III b., "'s occasion to declare it as my judg-
IAts' ,, uat The sentiments and the reasoning of
''@8ia t.s.rs. message will find responsive yea"
'A. 81 throughout the world, the great
14sn se5 i'S> oI civil liberty are known and apprc-
1s5s of an inspired with new hopes in the re-
I'M 3a,i.gl lg late election 10 find that the north
,'Ga I'd 10 four Of the most important States
>I'on, where this institution does not