Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-10-12
OLD THINGS WITH NEW NAMES
BENTON DEMOCRACY AND RE-
PUPLICANISM IDENTICAL.
Benton spoke thus in 1850, in the great

Benton spoke thus in 1850, in the great
debate on the admission of California
"But my opposition to the extension Of slavery dates
further back than lsli-forty wears further back and
as this is suitable time for general declaration aud
sort Of general conscience delivery will say that my
opposition to IL dates from 1904 when student u
law in Tennessee, and studied the subject Of African
slavery in an American boOk-a Virginia book-Tuck-
crs edition Of Blackstones Commentaries with notes Of
reference to the Constitution and laws OF the Federal
Government of the United States and Of the Common
wealth Of Virginia.
And there find the largest objections to the extension
OF savefy-to planting "a new regions where It does
not now exstbcstowing it on those who have il not
The incurabiliy Of the evil is the greatest AFFECTION
the extension OF slavery. IL is wrong for the Legislature
to infct evil which be cured how much more
ntict that is incurable, and against the will Of the
people who arc TO endure it forever quarrel vita NO
one for supposng slavery blessing deem it e,r,
and would neither adopt i nor impose i on others.
In refusing extend slavery into these seventy ,hs
sand square miles New MeNico) act in conformity,
not only in conformity my long established principles,
but also IN conformity TO the long established practice of
congress fe times in tour years did Congress rezse
the prayer OF Indiana for temporary suspension OF
ntSlatery clause Of the ordinance Of 81 On the
ond 'i March, 1903, Mr. Randolph Of Roanoke, Chair-
man Of the committee TO which the memorial prayinH
the suspension referred, made report arains X
which was cnnourred in by the House This report Of
Mr. Randolph was in 1903 the next year March, 1904
report on the prayer made By COMMITTEES "
which Mr. Rodney OF Delaware was Chairman; Il rec.
ommondcd suspension of the antslayery carss kr
ten years. it was not concurrcd in by the House Tvs
years afterwards February, 1906 similar report
mi,tcc Of which Mr.. Garnett Of Virginia Charnan
II met the same fate, non-concuence Next year 1907
both Houses tried. In February Of that year a
committee of the House, Of which Mr. Parke Chair
man, reported in favor Of the indefinite suspension u
The clause the report not cnncurred in. Aud Ia
November VI that year. Mr. Franklin Of North Carolina,
~ Chairman, committee Of the Senate made report
against the suspension which eoncurred in by the
Senate aud unanimously, as il would seem from tho
journal, there being no division called for Thus 1--WE
umes IN iur years the respective Houses c Congress
fused 70 admit even Temporary extension or rather re,
been before the ordinance OF 81 slave territory, hold
ing many slaves Nineennes The five refusals
pend the ordinance uf SI combinations u
was 10 the same effect. stronger.
And here II does that of the present day
mistake the point of the true objection to the extension
OF slavery We work at IL as II concerns the rights
interests Of the inhabitants Of the States and not as Il
may cunccrn the people whom II Is be given aud
whom It Is to be an ueyocable gft to them and poster
iiy :"
Thus it seems that Benton was not only
opposed TO the extension of slavery, whether
10y squatter sovereignty or any other mode,
but in favor of the restriction by Congress
In the same speech from which we have
quoted, speaking of the institution in connex-
ion with New Mexico, he asks, "Can climate
be relied upon to keep it away; | think
not The dogma that the Constitution car
rics slavery into the Territories was almost
unknown, and wholly disregarded then, and
the possibility of its extension over the Span
ish American acquisitions, was almost uniyer-
sally held to be contingent on the action of
Congress. Benton would as soon have a
greed to let the yellow fever, or any other
evil 70 wherever the laws Of climate might
carry it, as slavery. Missouri Democrat.