Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-07-19
SPEECEI OF
DANIEL WEBSTER,
Delivered in the United States Senate,
AUGUST IL, lS4s

SO much for the parliamentary question.
Now there are two or three political ques-
tons arising in this case, which wish to
state djspass ionately: not to argue, but to
states. The honorable member from Georgia
(Mr. Berrien) for whom have great respect
and with whom it is my delight to cultivate
personal friendship, has stated with great
propristy the importance o. this question:
(The exclusion of lavery from Territories
He has said that i. is question interesting
to the South and to the North, and one
which may very well also attract the stten-
ton of mankind. He has no, stated any part
Of this too strongly. It is such a question.
Without doubt, II is a question which may
we'll attract the attention of mankind. On
the subject involved in this,debate the whole
world is Just now asleep. 1t is wide awake;
and agree with the honorable member.
that, if what is now proposed,to be done by
us who resist this amendment s. as he sup
poses, unjust and injurious to any portion of
this community, or against its constitutions !
rights, that injustice should be presented to-
the civilized world, and wec who concur. In
the proceeding, ought to submit ourselves
TO It's rebuke am glad that the honorable
gentleman proposes to refer this question to
the great tribunal of Modern Civilization,
as well of the great tribunal Of the Aneri-
can people 1t is proper. 1t is question
of magnitude enough, to all the civilized
nations Of the earth, to call from those who
support the one side or the other, a state
ment of the grounds upon which they act.
Now propose to state as briefly as, can
the grounds uson which proceed, histories
and constitutional. In the first place, to
view the matter historically. The constitu.
tion founded in 1887, and the government
under il, organized 1889, do recognize the
existence Of Slavery in certain States then
belonging TO the Union; and a particular
; dc e.cription of Slavery. hope that what
am about to say may be received wilhou
any supposition that intend the slightes,
disrespect. But this particular description
of Slavery does not, believe, now exist il
Europe, nor in any other civilized portion o
: the habitable globe. II is not predial slavery
II is not analogous to the case Of ,the' pre-
cisi slaves glebe adscripti of Russia or Hun
gary or other States. II Is q peculiar sys
TEN of personal Slavery, by which the per
4 son who is called slave is transferable a
q a chattel, from hand to hand. | speak Q
this as a fact. And will say further, per
hsps other gentlemen mey remember tn
instances. that although Slavery as sysier
!. Of 6ervitude attached to the earth, exists !
various countries Of Europe, am not at tn
: present moment aware OF any place on tn
globe in which this property of man In
human being as a slave, transferable as
chat,el, exi-is, except America.
v Now that it existed in the form in whicl
il still exists In certain States, at,tke form
=. alton of this Constitution, and that the fra
's mers Of that instrument and those wh
adopted agreed that as far as 1t existed
y should not be disturbed or interfered wit
: by the genersl governmentther is no dcub
The Constitution Of the b. United State
recognizes II as an existing iact-an exis
,al ing relation between the inhabitants OF n
4. Southern States. ! do not call II an i"inst
; tution," because that term is not applicab
, to IL; for that seems 10 imply q volunte!
ei. establishment. When frat came here
was a matter Of frequent reproach to Engl'
= the mother country, that Slavery had bee
| entailed upon the colonies by her again
their consent, and that which is now col
sidered cherished "insutution", was the
=. - regarded ss, will not say en- evil. but.
si entsilment upon the colonies Of the Polit
'a n, Of the mother country against their wishe
at. The Constitution was adopted In l78
az went into operation in 1883. When It W
ms adopted the state of the country was thi
Slavery existed in the Southern Ststes;'