Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-09-12

OF September yeas D nays 10 Alr Dsh 10y "yU'',
IL e n 81
OnA hath seFembes--twO days aftcrEaFds--ths-h bill
to abolish the slave tradebeing sill before Che SENATE,
Ne Bel delivered the following speech, to which we so
Lett the careful attention Of the reader in connection
with the foregoing proceedings;
Mr. Bel. Mr.. President, I would like to reason with
nv friend from Ohio SIR. Ewing the subec; OF the
amendment proposed to this bill would not be very
tenacious about it. if ioresaw that any proposition
which may be made in separate bill, having the same
object in view, were likely 70 be successful Now, the
Senator from Ohio says he desires 10 rid this bill OF all
the amendments that il shall retain only the provis
ious embraced in il when it came from the Committee
Of Thirteen. He is in favor Of the object OF the bill as
originally reported. That Senator must remember that
there are many gentlemen this floor who think We
have constitutional power to pass this bill There
are others who do not so far as that but who do NOT
think it expedient 10 pass il even we have the copst
tutional power They believe that it viii be the enter
ing-Wedge series Of measures which will be produe-
tive Of intense and excited feeling than we have
vet experienced in the country.
Mr.. Ewing shook bis head.
Mr. Bell. know the Senator from Ohio has no such
views but the passage Of this bill naked as IL Is want
the Senator from Ohio TO consider will be likely 20 be
misunderstood BY large class of the people OF the
South. Many, who honest and patriotic in their
designs and policy that Senator myself viii think
t their duty and they viii be promoting the true utter.
ests Of the South TO point to this measure II It shall
pass conclusive evidence that there no hope that
the South will repOse from this irritating and in
termeddng system Of legislation the subject Of slave
~ There are many who honestly think so, have no
doubt Toe Senator from OHIO must remember that
there are thousands perhaps tens Of thousands who will
be prepared 20 receive this impression.
Nov sir aequesced in the policy Of this bill as re-
ported and had made up my mind, as a membersot the
committee to give my supper. as one OF the series Of
measures then contemplated provided the other meas
ures Of that series should shape authorizing
me 70 support them. bad then considered mature
" the form or mode proposed for the accomplishment
OF the object nor how Objectionable night be under
the circumstances Of the tines / should be sorry TO
vote for bill now which would produce so much mis-
chief fear would result from this one in its present
shape in quarter OF the country. have no doubt
that this bill If passed it nov stands and without any
amendment would have happy effect in the North
upon the minds Of the reasonable portion ofthe conmu
nty OF course il is TO be expected that anything
will satisfy the unreason ibe ana fanatcaL should be
happy pAsS In such shape that 1t could receive
the sanction Of a considerable southern vote; but am
afraid that cannot be accomplished without some modln
cation Of its present provisions.
Mr. Bu'ler lin his seat) That il cannot.
Mr. Bell Blu, hope sir, ifthe terms Of the irs sec
ton Of the bill can be modified, that If will secure
handsome proportion Of the southern votes, whether the
amendment under consideration shall be agreed TO
or not The bill Is Objectionable as |, Is.
hops am not enarg'ug the field Of this debate; but
must say that Thick little further debate upon this
- ice. would not be Improbable if il IS properly con
CIled will express here, 10 connection with this mea
are and the whole subject Of which it forms part,
sentiment which have al along entertained. do not
regret in the slightest degree, the six seven, or eight
months DISCUSSION we have had in this Hall upon the
bills which have so lately passed. and II our time was
not 80 very short should not TO see the debate eX
tended on this subject for week or two, or even
mouth Il is an important subject rich one traught
sides Of the Chamber and both sections OF this country
regard the time which has been spent in these Discus
soas I'D the omhlraments thereby thrown m the way
Of other great interests the most powerful argument
that has been or can be offered the country and espe
ciay 10 the North sglinst all intermeddlng on their
part with the slave question regard as the most po
tent argument that be presented to bring the reason
able moderate portion Of the North 70 their rchechon
their serious sober reflection. would not have cared
at an Il there had beeu Yet further aud protracsd discus
SION and still more serious emblrrassmeuts thrown in
the way Of the public business even 20 the extent OF
embarrassing the Government itself in s operations.
The argument would then have been strengthened and
the fact demonstrated that this Government cannot stand
thatit vii become impractea5e, If these dIssenslons
be continued We might then hope 10 use the language
endowed bv crsa gistratc on celebrated OcoIsion
TO stan the North into their senses upon this subject
mean those who think .hey may say aud do what they
please; that no degree OF evaporation no degree OF
dissatisfaction nor Of excitement viii be sufficient TO cause
them 20 rise Up aud say that they prefer something else
20 the continuance of the Union such terms or that
the system Of Government e. sbshed 10y the C0ustitu
ton can receive no dctIimeut from the aut-sayery ia
ton That Is not nv opinion. Allow me here to express
another sentiment sir one Of the gToltes4 misfortune :
oe tho tme- that The Union is deemed so strong not
thl is is strong IN reality but that h Is thought to be
stronger than IL t. Il would seem TO be common sem
nens a; the North that the Union is mpregnabla 10 all
,ssau'ts. that faction North aud South MAY hold iH
perpetual rey,s; ianlteism pursue Ia mad pro- cts
personal ambition seek is Qualification IN exciting sec
toua itaouses and promoting spirit OF sectional dom-
nto that an these excuses may be freely INDUCED with
impuni,v and without suudering the strong bo1ds Of
Union repeat that / consider it great misfortune
that the Union though. TO be SO strong. do not re
rret ,hat il is strong in fact; but lament that lis
Strength should be overrated Strong the cords are
which hold IL sill think them dqstructblc, and that
thew nay be worn away aud that they wearing aace
under this eternal agitation the subject Of slavery.
With regard % the constitutional power OF Congress
over this subject would say that the only doubt have
Of the existence Of the power either to suppress the slave
trade or 70 abolish slavery Ia this Dstct inspired by
the respect have for the opinions Of so many dsiin
guished and eminent men both in and out OF Congress-
who hold that Congress has such power ReAdngthe
Constitution for myseE believe that Congress has al
the power over the subject in this District which te
States have within their respective Jurisdictions TN tt
question of the sxss3sRcy Of exercising this power
1ben We consider the effect it may have upon the inte
ests Of the adoinng slave States, aud the limitations
on their power which may be fairly inferred from tte
relative position and circumstances Of the District hds,
more doubt Certainly the power may be very clear and
vet the exercise Of u may be very unjust and oppressive
and very mischisvous, too.
Bat however great my respect may be for the oPiq
ions Of Others the question Of power there arc SOM
considerations Of such high account as in my judgment
70 make 1t desirable that unless by common consent tht
project Of abolition shall be wholly given up and abaq
doued the remnant Of slavery existing in the District
should be abolished at once; at the present moment
however the excited state Of public sentiment in the
south groxng out Of the Territorial questions seems q
forbid such a course For myself, il the sentiment o.
the adjacent States aud the South generally were less 10
filmed would prefer that course 70 keeping an oPet
gssion Slavery in the District Of Columbia Is now the
only remaining ground Of contenton-the only remain
ing point Of direction and assault the part Of the an
t-slavery North. do not include the fanatics Tney
viii be satisfied with nothing short Of the extinction o.
slavery in the States but all others at the North, die
claim any intention, or design any constitutions
power to interfere with slavery anywhere but il
the District of Columbia ! would be glad to see al
cause Of disturbance and contention in the District
wholly removed but let me say that this can never be
done by the abolition Of slavery, unless It be accompa
MED by some ADEQUATE provision for the removal the
effective control Of the slaves after they shall be eman
cpaled. With this qualification, and IN order 10 tes
tbs determination Of The North On regard 10 any fTtha
aud continued aggression upon Southern feelings ana
tis security 81 Southern property would DC content e
see slavery in the District abolished to-day. In one as
pee. Of the subject not that it would not be
great conservative measure both regards the Uuior
aud the interest Of the South The District once relieved
ofG sources Of dssenton should speedily be enght
ened upon the question whether the North would stoI
there or raise new and more dangerous issues. II al
agitation should esase then would the whole country
in all is sections and interests experience the blessing
Of repose from this dstracng controversy; the ohe
hand should the North manifest determination to con
nle the strife BY attacking At other points the uncer
ainty which nov hangs the fortunes Of the Sout