Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-06-02
Nr. Rell,s Record.


On the 22d ult we laid before the readers
of the PATRIOT an extract from speech
made by Mr.. BELL in the United States Sen
ate. on the Sd, 5sh and 9th Of July. 1850. in
which he discussed the question of slavery
in a phflosophic and ststesmanlike manner.
Instead of regarding slavery as a moral,
social and political evil. he aseribed to its in
fuences much of the wonderful progress and
prosperity which have distinguished the ca
reer Of this nation above all Others, and
productive of such vast benefits could not
be sinful. He placed the institution upon
abe highest and most defensible position,-s
position which relieves the Southern people
from the odium which fanatics. false teachers.
snd deIuded philanthropists have endeavor-
ed to cast upon them.
To-day we make further extracts from the
same speech, In which he deals with practical
i..ues. In the memorable contest which
gave rise to this speech, the stdtEs OF the ter
ritory acquired from Mexico, was subject
OF long and angry controversy. The North
the Southern, maintained the ground that the
laws OF Mexico In force when the territory
wa. acquired, were still in force, and would
continue in force until repealed either by
Congress or the territorial Legislature. On
the other hand. the majority of the Southern
members. maintained that the Constitution
Of the United States, of its own force, author
lied and protected slavery in the territory.
/, will be noted that Mr.. BELL thought the
soundness of the general doctrine held upon
the latter point could mot well be questioned
or disproved," whilst at the same time he adj
mitted the formidable nature of the position
# those who held the contrary doctrine.
Satisfied that with the local laws against
slavery repealed, the STAKEHOLDER could carry
his slaves into the territory under the agis
Of the Constitution, he favored the repeal of
these laws. On the 18th Of July, 1850 the
following amendment to the Compromise
Bill, proposed by Mr.. DAVIS, OF Mississippi.
was voted uPon-
"And that all laws. or parts oflaws. usages
or customs, preeXisting in the territories &C
uuired by the United States from Mexico
and which in said territories restrict, sbridge.
or otstruet the full enjoyment of any right
of person or property of = citizen of the
Z nited States, as recognized or guaranteed
by the Constitution and laws of the United
Stated, are hereby declared and shall be held
rs repealed"
This amendment was rejected, but against
the vote of Mr.. BELL We give the yeas and
nays that the reader may see with whom Mr..
BELL voted for it:
Ka,-Messrs. Atchison, Bell Berrien. But
Ter, Clemens, Davis of Miss, Dawson, Foote,
Houston. Hunter. King. Mason, Morton,
Pearcs Rusk, Sebastian, S0ule. Yulee-iS.
Ngys.-Messrs. Badger. Baldwin, Benton.
Bright, Corwin. Chase, Clarke. CLAY, Cooper,
Davis Of Mass. Dayton. Dodge If Wis, Dodge
Of Ia. Felch. Gracn. Hsmlin. Jones, Miller.
Norris. Phelps, Pratt, Shields. Smith. SpTn-
me-, Sturgeon. Uuderwo od, Upham. Walker,
[See sppendix tO Congress
: 'nrsi G'cN". LIST session Slst Congress; Part
2, page OIL
The object Of that amendment was to re-
move all obstacles to the enjoyment OF the
rights of Southern men in the
territories. Whilst Mr., BELL was willing to
give the Northern people all their rights, be
demanded the same for the Southern people.
1t will lie noted further, that Mr.. BILL ia
vored the partition of the territory by the
adoption of the Missouri Compromise line.
This was asked for by Southern men, and bad
been recommended by the Southern Conven
lion which met In June in this city. lie vot
ID with the friends of this proposition on the
sIst Of July. 1850. when they proposed TO
make that line the Southern boundary of Cal
fornia, as he Ind previously in August. lsis,
he Oregon bill being under consideration,
voted to extend it to the Pacific.
In the adjustment OF the controversy. Mr.
BELL desired further to get guarantee which
would place 1t out of the power CT future
Congresses to prevent the carrying out of
be compact with Texas, in the annexation
in regard to the subdivision OF
The State into more slave States. On this
point, be said:
"The adiustment-ths pacifcati on-wonld
be complete on this point, If by new COM
'act, based on the cession of . part OF her
territory to New Mexico. IL were provided
hat neac States earved ow Of hsr present territory.
rA appropriate territorial orcs and population,
md slth constitutions repgblsean fn form sHoULp
sE ADMITTED INTO THE UNION WITHOUT YuarH-
TX LkGIsIArIoS"
IL will be seen from the above that Mr.. |
Bell, IS legislator. was careful 10 maintain
he rights Of the South. Without being of.
ensivs to the North he sustained his own
section with unhsgg'ng zeal aud with marked
ability. The South had no truer or more dis
areet friend in the Congress of 1850.
EXTRACTS from lhs speech Of Hon. JoHx Bell.
s~tsr-Tei "a tAs Ualssi Ssa.ss Ssadas July 3. 5,
saS 6, 1850.
me srArus OF TIE rraRrromrs-rzE Pro
FICTION or PROPERTY.
Hos, then, does tie question stand .. 10
he prospects or interests OF the South In ex-
ending slavery to New Mexico, Ia the epiu
on Of by far the greater number OF the most
eminent jarists OF sae Uaited States. The
ava Of Mexico prohibiting slavery at the
'ersioa are sill in force. aud must remain 80
,util they are expressly repeated. either ey
congress or the legal Legislature This L.
he opsnioa Of the Distinguished Sensisr ron
>snfacky himself Saeh 10 the opinion Of
he scarcely less distinguished Senator fron
Michigan Gen cAss;l and sach is The opin-
On Of she able snd ,minent sistermsn. The
Senator from Massachusetts,, (Ar. WKssrKE;)
hree Of the leading champions q this sill- !
10 nos forget saothsr Senator from Che
;osfh, Of high rank in bis 70 esioa Mr.
,ADsEs, who % slso saIp.st,r of this oil.
rhas. sir, slfsery. II a sos- Into ss~ Asni-
% ~ all. nus' safe- it. cay th~rr- in despite
4 The ehssraciions VI the local Law, and u