The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-18
REMARKS
SENATOR MASON, OF VIRGINIA,
SENATOR TRUMBULL, OF ILLINOIS,
Extension Of Slavery into Free Territory


Extension Of Slavery into Free Territory.
In the Senate of,he J-u.:e, states, Dec. . l-55
Mr.. MASON. Mr.. PEEsDE>r: The constant
and obstinate agitation OF questions connected
with the institution OF Slavery has brought, am
satisfied, the public mind, in those States where
the institution prevails, to the conviction that the
preservation of that institution rests with them
selves, and with themselves only. Therefore at
this day, when it is the pleasure of Senators again
to bring that Institution under review upon this
floor, in any connection whatever, as one OF the
representatives Of the South take no further in
terest in the discussion, or in the opinion which
is entertained at the North in relation to it. than
as it may confirm the hope that there is a public
sentiment at the North vet remaining which
unites with the South in the desire to perpetuate
the Union, and that, by the aid Of that public
sentiment at the North, the Union will be pre-
served. But further than that as a statesman,
and as one representing Southern State where
that institution prevails more largely than in any
other, the public sentiment OF the North is a mat
ter indifferent to me, because ! say again. we
have attained the conviction that the safety of
that inS,itutiOu.wiil rest, must rest, and should
rest with the people OF the States only where it
prevails.
should have taken no part in this debate, but
that ] am indisp0seJ 90 ALLOW ..y opinion TO co
abroad that we CT ...tr ea.e.....
great interest in the 30 lisr~iu.ss '... .. .I.
shades OF distinction L.. u.r ar
the extent ofthe al . power ..
Government of tho Itrt -.t- n. -
with the Institution ia ....l. W -l.-.
or to have it suppOs a. -" -.t a| lt.,... ...
having it narrowed nt. 20 .In 81 .flrr
that interference, WI .I no is ,..-.-.. r nr GA
fined 10 the institute d. outside a. 80. Estates rat
is not to affect it ... me ~..s. saau -s
has been said by Il -.' tsE ..N ,tmo-
shire in the course .. .'.. rsn
ally in public discussions OF IN the newspapers,
q disclaimer has been made OF any purpose to
interfere with Slavery in the States. l know, as
has been said By the honorable Senator from
Mississippi that others at the North, perhaps a
few and perhaps Of those who may be styled
the fanatical portion, have assumed right or
have declared that "A right exists to interfere with
the institution within the States. What want 10
declare here in my place on this floor is, that
to the South such distinctions are matters of i'm
material concern. It the Federal Government
assumes right, or IL those should get into power
who assume a right with purpose TO exercise il
to interfere with the institution anywhere where
it exists within the United States IL is matter
perfectly Indifferent 20 us whether it is to be done
within the States or outside of the States. take
not the slightest intcres. In the distinction which
is sought to be drawn.
Sir. hold this TO be the constitutional doc
trine: The Institution Of slavery existed when the
Constitution was formed; it Recognised there az
an existing social Institution. It Is not only pro-
tcctcd by the duty imposed upon the Federal
Government to see 20 the rendition Of iuSitiyes
from IT, but 10 is elevated into the element OF
political power by the Constitution, It is repre-
scented and made element Of political power
That is the contract into which we entered. l
saw then that being so under the Constitution,
and in the spirit and tone Of the Constitution, wo
have a right To the just and legitimate expansion
of the institution: and ii there were n power I'm
the Federal Government to restrict or limit that
expansion, it would be perfectly Indifferent TO us
whether il should be exercised by prohibiting its
expansion within the States where it exists, or
outside their limits.
1t was guaranteed to the States retaining il "a
an element Of power for which full equivalents
were exacted and conceded; and It's capacity for
expansion fully to be enjoyed, is a necessary part
of the contract.
say again therefore for myself and rs far az
know the opinions of ms people, We take no
interest in Northern opinion this subject, as to
any lines of demarkation beyond which Federal
power over the institution may not extend, eI-
cent so faras respect and Loyalty 10 the contract
will lead them in union with the South, to pre-
serve and perpetuate the Constitution, which
otherwise must be destroyed. IL is only because
of the earnest and anxious hope which | enter
tain, that a fabric Of Government which has had
no predecessor in the world, which, if honestly
and lcgitimatey administered, would make US
the greatest people that has ever yet existed both
in moral and physical power, should be preserved
and perpetuated, that have said thus much.
The honorable Senator from New Hampshire
fecitstcs himself that this is the last message
which is TO emanatc from the present Executive,
and therefore he is disposed to let it pass with
less severity of commcut. lie may well felicitate
himself; for, # do not mistake humanity the
bold truths, the patriotic and manly tone of that
message will penetrate the Northern heart and
cause it to throb with pulsations and purposes
not exactly in unison with those OF the Senator
and the party with which he is acting. | 10 not
doubt and avail myself of the occasion to declare
it as my judgment, that the sentiments and the
reasoning of that message viii find responsive
"yca' wherever, throughout the world, the
great principles of civil liberty are known and
appreciated.
Sir, am inspired with new hope in the result
of the late election, to find that the Northern mind
in four Of the most important States of the
Union, where this institution does not prevail
concurring with the views now given in the mes
sage, did unite with the South in keeping out OF
power n party whose success must necessarily
have torn this Union into fragments. Two Mid
die States, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and
two Western States, Indiana and Illinois, repudi-
ated, upon a direct issue in the canvass made
naked uncovered open, any power in the Fed
| eral Government TO interfere with the extension
of Slavery into Territory the common property
of all the States, by majorities which carried the
/ Presidential election against that party. trus
there will be found on all future occasions if we
are ever to undergo the ordeal from which we
have recently emerged, n Northern sentiment
sound upon this question Unconstitutional power
sound as we OF the South esteem it, who, il
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