Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-03-21
SPEECH OF

IN THE UNITED STATES SEN
. ATE, MARCH 7th, ON THE DEM
OCRATIC RESOLUTIONS RELA-
TIVE TO SLAVERY IN THE TER
RIToEIES.
Mr.. Wade thought these resolutions wor
thy of notice, as they seemed to embOdy
I he views of the Democratic party, and
they were entirely opposite to the prlnei
ples for which he should contend. The
publ;s mind is greatly agitated in the con
sideration Of the principles contained IL
these resolutions and other similar ones
1t is little remarkable that the loudest
complaints came from those who have had
the power and administration of the Gov
ernment for many years, and have modlel
its policy and been in possession ofits vast
revenues. The party to which l belong
have been. for many years, without any
power to control, in any way, the policy Of
the Government. 1t is singular fact
that those who have the army, the navy
and the Treasury under their control, now
stand complaining; and they come forward
to tell us that maladministration Is such,
or their principles are such. that it will be
better to tear down the pillars Of the gov
eminent and involve us all in one common
ruin. The question might well arise
How happens it that you, who have been
in possession Of the power of the govern
ment for at least seven years, should have
SO conducted it that you are now appre-
hcnsiye Of ruin2 l can deduoe no other
conclusion than that those who have been
in possession of this power have Shown
themselves incapable of administering the
government on such principles as it should
be administered upon
/ do not believe any Senator here from
the Southern States can look me In the face
and say that he has not. and his section
has not had their full share of political
power from the organization of the Govern
ment until now No, sir. 1t is perfectly
obvious that your power in this Govern
ment has been altogether in disproporticn
to your members. l do not blame any
body, because know it is the nature of US
all to make use of all the powers we have
to the advantage of our own principles, our
own interests, and our own views en-
.doubtedly, sir, would do the same thing
And, you, sir, complain of the administra-
tion of this Government and say that it is
a total failure to such degree that you
are meditating its utter and ontire destruc-
ton Who is to blame for all this except
those who had the power and have con-
trolled all the policies of the Government
to suit themselves? This is most manifest
from the confession of those who complain.
1t is but the shadow of the great principle
which 1 contend for, thrown across the po-
itical horizon, that disturbs the equanim-
ity of our Southern brethren. The Sena,
tor from Georgia (Alr, TOOmbs,) told US
that they were in possession, and lie was
proud of it-and well he might be-of
$4,000 square miles of the most beauti-
ful country God ever bestowed upon man;
and he informed US, sir, that it was capa-
bic of sustaining population greater than
that of Europe; and | believe he spoke
within bounds when be said so.
He told us there were but twelve millions
of people inlabiting that country. And
we all know that the Slaveholding States
in point Of area are one-third greater than
that of the free States, while they contain
row not more than one-half of the popula
ton. He showed their prosperity; and
that, too, is So Isit not, then. anomalous,
these Winnings and complaints about the
aggression and oppression of the North,
who are entirely out Of power. and when
we know that the property claimed by these
gentlemen was never so prosperous as to-
day? Slaves are higher than they have
ever been before, and their employment
is more profitable to the owner than 1t has
ever been. In one moment it is the glory
and boast of Southern gentlemen, and, IL
the very next breath, all is ruin and des-
pondency. How is it, sir? If the North
have conducted themselves so shamclessly
toward the Southern institutions, If then
underground railroads have so sappea tht
foundations Of your peculiar institutions
how is it that your property has risen II
the market, and now stands higher, by
your own boasting and showing. than al
any former period? These things cannot
be. One thing would notice The Sen
stor from Georgia, (Mr. TOombs) rose il
his place. and with a kind Of despair OF
his countenance, said that We on this sid
of the Chamber we're the enemies of th,
country.
He felt them to be the enemies of hi
country. and power would be unsafely
lodged in our hands Why unsafe. Sir, i
we have not endangered the Government
50 far? He complained that we were faith
less in the execution of his fugitive bill
and vet he told us that such was the 10y
alty:ef the servants of the people of Geor
gia, that, since the days of the Revolution
war to the present day, not one hundred
for any cause whatever, has escaped. Sir
had not that Senator small reason to com
plain of anybody? Scarcely negro a yea
has escaped from the great State of Geor
gia, vet she comes here and is ready in he
rage to make war on the Union, to tear it
pillars down, and involve US all in on,
common ruin. And why, sir? Becaus'
they have lost one poor Niger year. HI
does not tell us whether they lost them BY
Abolitionists or not. But when the gen
tle1nan comes here to maintain that kline
of argument, it is perfectly evident thai
there is something else than the conscious
ness of any real losses by this unfaithful
ness Of those whom they abuse.
Well, Sir, as the Senator from Georgi;
seemed to be the Attorney General to brln;
in a bill of Indictment against this side 0
the Senate, | propose for brief period. t.
review some of the arguments, some of the
declarations, and some of the vituperatiol
contained in that speech, for acknowledge
him to be among the ablest and most ex
perienced Senators of this body, aud if AM
case would be made out against the Nortl
for any violation Of duty, he was able Il
make it manifest He had the ability, anC
certainly he did not lack the zeal, and
he failed with another noted character, h'
failed where Satan could not stand. H