Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-08-31

same lalr compensation tnHJ IOe IaTm Ia
borer receive, you will effect great i'm
provement in all our yublic affairs. This
disparity of compensation tends to elevate
ono class above another, and increases the
extravagance of living Of the better com
pensated class; and that expense greatly
exceeds what man can, by honest indus
try, and by private efforts in the ordinary
ways of life, earn.
Slavery is degrading to white man who
works; and for that reason object to sla-
very going into a free Territory. 1t de-
grades the white laborer. do not ask
that you will raise farming above what it
now is. Let it stand upon its own merits,
and let those who are here receive but the
wages they get at home. That is all ask.
Unless there is something done to arrest
the political excitement of the day, just so
sure as we are alive we will become dis
tracted and severed people.
| consider an examination into these
questions as of great Importance. We
must put down the extravaganza Of the
times. We see, every day that expenses
are increasing, and labor is becoming de-
graded. The farmer has now no ground
for encouragement He is merely regarded
as farmer.
Now, if you really want to do anything
for the great agricultural interest of the
country, then let here be separate depart
ment Of the Government established for its
benefit, and let some man be placed at its
head who is competent for the discharge Of
the duties imposed upon him. Let that
man be responsible to the country for the
proper performance of the functions of his
Office. As it is now, Secretary Thompson,
of the Interior Department, has not the
time to pay attention to the agricultural in
terests of the country. Governor Thomas,
of the Patent Office, has not time to pay
attention to it, and the subject is left to the
head of another bureau; and if you inquire
of him he says that he has no control over
it. Laughter. Letthis evil be remeded,
for agriculture is the foundation of the
progress of all our other great interests.
Mr.. Chairman, before sit down, l will
make few remarks upon the topics of con-
slant discussion in this Hall. 1t may be
that my opinions may be desired by my
constituents. Whatever they are, hesi-
tate not frankly to express them. Day af
ter day have we had fierce discussions Of
every manner of distracting questions.--
Now, | think that if we would return to
the ancient construction of the Constitution
if we would conStrue it as it has been
construed until within the last ten years
/ ., Al Io hos ~
the subject of slavery. In tho early days
of the Republic, slavery was regarded as
an evil. In the organization of this Gov
ernment, its mischievous tendencies were
not concealed. AT the time of the Revolu
ton it was one of the complaints against
the mother country, that she poured mum.
bers of African slaves upon our coasts, and
thereby degraded our white labor
Mr.. SMITH, Of Virginia. hope the gen
teman will allow me to interrupt him, thai
| may say one word.
Mr.. CAREY.--I would rather 90 on with
out interruption, but l yield to the gentle
man.
| Mr.. SMITH, of Virginia. If, when gen
tlemen make statements like those we have
heard, we remain silent, it will look as if we
yielded our assent to them. | utterly re
pudiate and deny the proposition stated by
the gentleman from Ohio.
Mr.. CAREY appeal to history in re
ply to the gontleman's disclaimer. If tina
be studied carefully, l am sure that it will
bear me out in what l have said. | be
live that l am familiar with the principle
of this Government which had ascendenc,
until within few years. l know, think
what were the doctrines of Mr.. Jefferson
Mr.. Madison, Mr.. Adams, and Mr.. Monroe
They were the doctrines, at the time, of al
classes of the people.
| have, on two occasions, given expires
sion by my votes to my opinion on the sub
ject which distracts this country. By m!
vote have expressed my opposition to th
extension of slavery. | do not believe tina
this Government has any power to extern
slavery in this Union, upon this continent
or anywhere else in the world. If it b
said that the State sovereignties have tn
right to admit slavery within their mids
then respond, that it is matter for tn
States, each by itself to determine, and no
: for the federal Government. We all know
that Congress recognized the ordinance c
1887, which then excluded slavery from a
the Territories of the United States. Th
sixth section Of that ordinance was repeale
by the admission of the slave States Soulf
A good deal has been said about resc
luton Of my colleague, [Mr. Blake] upo
5 which vote by yeas and nays was taken !
the House. Now sir, voted for that resC
luton; | hoped that the subject would b
t referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
+ The subject excited attention and had a
idea of what the report of that committe
I, would be, and l regret they were not a
lowed to report. If that committee ha
been allowed to make report, l hav
3 not the least doubt that it would have ha
the effect to quiet this slavery excitemen
I do not believe that under the Constitution
. we have any more right to touch slavery
t the States whore it exists, than we have
interfere with the private property Of OF
] neighbors.
5 This slavery excitement increases ever
four wears as the Presidential election al
. proaches. Now, Mr.. Chairman, if me
/ will appeal to their own judgment, an
J. reason from common sense rules, there wi
2 be less political disturbance than there h'
7 been. There would then be more prob
-