Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-02-06

the Presidents McBsage,ain Sen te
of the United States, Dec.s,isSG.
Mr.. Mason. Mr.. President: The,cons
slant aud obstinate agitation of questions
connected with the institutions oil slavery
has brought, am satisfied. the public
mind, in those States where the lnstltu>
ton prevails, To the conviction that the
preseryati0naof thatsihstitution rests with
themselves, ,and with themselves only
Therefore, Ut this day. when 1t is the
pleasure oil 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 fur
thsr Interest 10 the discussion, or in the
opinion which il entertained at the North
9nirelation TO it. than as It may confirm
aahe hope that there is public sentiment
rat the North yet remaining, which unites
with che South in the desire to perpetuate
the Union. and that, by the aid of that
public sentiment at the North, the Union
FGaill be preserved. But further than that,
asa statesman, and as one representing
Southern State where that institution pre-
walls more largely than in any other, the
public sentiment Of the North is a mat.
Ter Indifferent TO nc, because l say again,
we have attained the conviction that the
safety Of that institution will rest, must
rest. and should rest, with the people OF
.the States only where it prevails.
- il should have taken 70 part in this de-
bate. but that. l am undisposed to allow
any opinion to go abroad, that we of the
,South entertain very great interest in
the lines of discrimination or the shades
of distinction which may be drawn as to
the extent of the alleged power on the
part of the government of the United
States to interfere with the institution at
all, in any form or shape, or to have it
supposed that We Ike an interest in hav-
ing, 1t narrowed down to the question
whether that Interference. when 1t Is ex-
:erTed, is TO be confined to the Institution
outside of the State. and is not to affect it
. within the States. | know. as has been
. said by the Senator from N. Hampshire,
during the last canvass. occasionally in
discussions, or in the newspapers. a dis
.claImer 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 n few. and perhaps Of
Those who may be styled the fanatical
declared that right exists to interfere
With the institution within the States.-
What want TO declare here in my place
on this floor, is that to the South such
distinctions matters of immaterial
concern. II the Federal Government as
sumes a right, or if those should get into
power who assume n right with pur-
pose To- exercise it to interfere with the
institution anywhere where it exists with
I'M the United States, it is a matter per-
lectly indifferent to us. whether it is to be
done within the States or outside of the
States. I take not the slightest Interest
in the distinction which is sought to be
drawn.
Ig Sir, I hcld this to be the constitutional
doctrine, The institution Of slavery exis,
ted when the constitution was formed it
. is recognized there as an existing social
institution. 1t is not only protected by
the duty imposed upon the Federal Gov
ernmeut to see to the rendition of fugi-
tives from it, but it is elevated into the
element of political power, by the Consti-
tuition; it is represented and made an
element of political power. That is the
contract into which we entered. l say,
then, that being under the Constilu-
iiun, and in the spirit and tone of the
Constitution, We have right to the just
and legitimate expansion of the institution;
and if there were n power in the Federal
Government to restrict or limit that ex-
pansion, it would be perfectly indifferent
to us whether it should be exercised by
prohibiting its expansion within the States
where it exists, or outside their:limits.
l. tn Tl foin
ing it US an element of power, for which
full equivalents we're exacted and conce-
ded !; and its capacity for expansion. full
>,ly enjoyed, is necessary part of the con-
tract. H.t.
Isay again, therefore. for myself. and
as far as know the opinions of my peo-
ple, We take NO interest in Northern opin-
ion on this subject, as TO any lines of de-
narration beyond which Federal power
over the institution may not extend, ex>
.cept SO far as respect and loyalty 10 the
contract will lead them, ia union with the
South. to preserve and perPetuate the
Constitution. which otherwise must be
destroyed. It's only because of the ear
nest and anxious hope which l entertain.
that fabric of government, which has
had no predecessor, in the world, which,
ifhonesIIy. and legiIimAtely administered.
would make US the greatest people that
has ever yet existed. both in moral and
ply power, should be preserved and
,perpetualed, that l .shoult have said thus
much 49,
The. honorable Senator from New
Hamp4hire feliciIates himself that this is
the last message which is 10 emanate
from the present Exr cutive. and therefore
he is disposed 10 let it pass with less Sc
,.nr;Lr Of cGnnTnEnt Ha may WILL feliri-