The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-04-18

you to assume the same position.
Mr.. Corwin. When such Territory Is Tree,
when slavery does not exist IN the Ter
rtories, we do so hold that it is wlthinihc
legitimate constitutional powers of Congress
to prohibit the introduction OF slavery into
these Territories But, sir, do not know oil
any Republican who may be referred to as
authority, especially any of the great leaders
like myself do not know any VINO mas
gone so far as to say that the United states
should acquire slave territory by virtue OF
treaty with any foreign government whatever,
and in that treaty it should be provided, az 1t
was in the treaty Of Louisiana, that the people
who are thus transferred within our jurisdic-
ton should be admitted into the Union as
; States, with all the rights Of property they
then had / say know Of no Republican who
would say that that treaty was not the su-
preme law Of the land, and ought to be car
ried out,
Mr. Barksdale. That is question not
now before us but as the gentleman from
Ohio has introduced 1t, desire to know if
there is a Republican upon this floor who
would favor the acquisition Of slave territory?
| refer to other members of the party, to some
Of the lesser lights. / would like to ask the
candidate Of the Republican party for Speaker
whether he would, under any circumstances,
favor the acquisition Of slaEeholdiDg territory?
Is there any member on the other side who
would favor the acquisition of slave territory?
Mr. Curtis. At this time, would be op-
posed to the acquisition of slave territory, be
cause there IS great preponderance Of that
kind of territory now, a great deal too much Of
it not only for the benefit Of the free States,
but for the benefit Of the slave States also but
when the gentleman puts the question in the
broad manner he now does, whether at any
time, or any circumstances, we would be
in favor of the introduction of new territory
where slavery exists, and then makes a de-
mand for reply upon all Republicans, feel
it to be my privilege to state that case may
arise, when portion of Mexico, having peon
labor, may be acquired by us, and sir, | will
tell the gentleman that in su"h an event,
would favor the introduction ofsuch territory.
| may also advise, as a prudential military
precaution the annexation of Cuba That
time however, does not now exist, and | hope
that it will not for a long period to come.
Mr.. Barksdale. The slavery which we re-
cognize does not exists in Mexico, as the gen.
tleman from Iowa is aware but he is not fit
| representative ofhis party, and l do not ac-
knowledge his authority to speak for them, as
guarded as are the words which he has ut
tered
Mr.. Curtis. I trust the gentleman will
not read me out of the Republican party.
Mr.. Barksdale. l desire a response from
the candidate Of the Republican party for the
Speakership. will take the gentleman from
Illinois, Mr. Loyejoy I would like TO put
him upon the stand; or the gentleman from
| Massachusetts,, Mr Burlingame or the gentle
man from Ohio, Mr. Hutchins OF Mr.. Tap
| pan, of New Hampshire let either or all Of
these gentlemen speak for their party, and l
will acknowledge their authority to do so.-
Some gentleman has suggested to me to call
upon the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr..
Hickman ; but do not choose to call upon
him. lie cannot speak for any party, and
Scared and blistered all over, as he is, have
not the heart to strike him. | ask gentlemen
on the other side to unlock their lips, and to
speak the truth for their party. No, sir they
do not intend TO do it. They know that the
Republican party, as an organization, is un-
compromisngiy opposed to the acquisition OF
any more slave territory. They would op-
pose the admission Of Cuba upon any terms,
with the consent of Spain even though the in
habitants Of that island desired it. The dis
tinguished leader, Mr.. Corwin might not, but
his party would. 1t is understood that he
could be elected Speaker, but they have re-
fused to elect him and he is hostile enough
to slavery in all conscience. And why sir, do
they with such delth-like tenAcity cling to the
gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Sherman ? 1t is be-
cause of the record he has made here upon
the subject Of slavery. 1t is because Of the de-
claration-and they knew he would make it
which he made the other day in his discussion
with the distinguished gentleman from Ark
ansas, Mr.. Hindman, that he was opposed TO
the admission Of any more slave States into
hn lDio fhafb h. Al 4.
jury to the master and a crime against the
slave.
But when / was interrupted by the gentle
man from Ohio, Mr.. COrwin, was endeavor-
ing to show, that, so far from his assumption
that the fathers of the Republic intended that
slavery should be restricted being correct,
they expressly provided for its protection and
expansion. During the administration of Mr..
Jefferson, who is invariably quoted by the
other side as deprecating slavery, Louisiana
slayeholding territory-was acquired from
France; and by the express terms of the trea-
ty, the Government pledged itself to protect
all species ofproperty in that territory and
SIR glorious as was Mr.. Jefferson's Admins
tration, that was its crowning achievement
For forty years after the government was
formed, the South was not molested with re-
ference to slavery. During the administrations
of Washington, and Madison, the fugitive
slave law was enforced, slave territory acquir-
ell, and the powers Of the Government WELD
ed for the protection OF slave property.
But, sir, when Missouri applied for admis-
sion into the Union, as slave State. the anti
slavery sentiment, which has now become in
tolerant and overshawdowing in the Northern
States was FIRST exhibited. 1t came from the
enemies Of our institutions in England from
Ly.A L. i
the prerequisites for her admission into the
Union, but her admission as slave State was
defiantly refused and IN the sectional strug-
gle which ensued, the Union itself was well
nigh being wrecked. At last, however, COM
promise was effected by which Missouri was
admitted, but slavery was forever prohibited
north of SO degs., so men. The South sub
mitted to this unjust discrimination against
her property, but upon the express condition
that with this concession all further agitation
of the slavery question should cease. But how
has this compromise been observed by the
North From that period to the present she
has resisted the application of every slave
State for admission into the Union, and op-
posed the acquisition Of Texas upon the very
ground that it was a slaveholding Territory
In addition to this, but few years had elaps-
ed after the passage Of this compromise be-
fore abolition societies were organized in many
portions Of the northern States, and abolition
petition poured into Congress. The passions
Of the southern people were again infamed by
the menacing and dangerous aspect which
this question assumed. have before me a
description of the scene which occurred in the
House of Representatives upon the presenta-
ton Of these petitions, and desire that the
clerk shall read it.
Tho clsrk road nc fnllovrr
'The immediate occasion of this contest
[says Colonel Benton was the pertinacious
effort of Mr.. Slade, Of Vermont to make the
presentation Of abolition petitions the ground
Of agitation and action against the institution
Of slavery in the Southern States. Mr.. Slade
had moved TO refer the resolutions presented
by him to select committee, with instructions
to report upon them. Upon making this mo-
ton, he commenced violent assault upon
the institution of slavery. Mr.. Rhett Of South
Carolina, interposed to warn him Of the conse-
quences of such an infamatory harrangue.-
Mr.. Slade refused TO desist, and was inter-
ructed by motion made by Mr.. Dawson, Of
Georgia, for an adjournment The Speaker
| Ian upright and impartial Southern man rul-
ed this motion out Of order.
"Mr. Slade was porceeding to discuss the
question, What was slavery ? Mr.. Dawson
again asked him TO give way for an ADJOURN
ment, which was refused. A visible eommo-
ton began 10 pervade the House-members
rising, clustering together, and talking with
animation. Mr.. Slade continued, and was
about reading judicial opinion Of one of the
southern States, defining slave to be a chat
tel. when Mr. Wise called him to order for
irreleyancy. The question being upon the
abolition Of slavery in the District, and the ar
gument upon the legality Of slave title in a
State, the Speaker decided that it was not in
order to discuss the subject of slavery in the
! States Mr.. Slade contended that he read
the decision as he might have done that of an
English court. Mr. Robinson Of Virginia,
moved an adjournment The Speaker decided
the motion out Of order, and Mr.. Slade refused
| to yield the floor, and continued his speech.
Mr., Slade proceeded at great length, when
Mr.. Petrikin Of Pennsylvania, called him to
order. The Chair did not sustain the call
I