The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-03-02

pass, you will sctfle this question of slavery
everywhere. hope that yon will forever ex-
clude it from these Halls. Take away tina.
bone of contention, not only in the Territories,
but here in this District. Gentlemen say that
they have no intention to interfere with sla-
very in the District of Columbia, and that
consequently there is no necessity for legisla-
tion on the subject now. believe they have
no such intention; but the time may hereafter
come when it will lie the means OF mischief
between us. Put it in the Constitution that
slavery, except under certain circumstances,
sha II not be intcrfered with in the District
Put it where we cannot touch it. Settle the
question in regard to the forts, arscnals, and
dock-yards, in the southern States. ask
you to do it, not only because the condition
of the feeling in the South on the subject, and
for the peace and harmony of the country, but
for your own sake. You know that there are
men in your midst (Abolitionists) who will
strike at slavery wherever they can reach it.
Their attention, for some years, has been
called away from this District to larger field
for their operations-thc Territories; bnt, sir,
you know, when We have settled this question
in the Territories, they will bring their bate
RIGS to bear upon it here. Settle the question
here in this District, or it will settle you at
home ifyour party continues to exist. The
Abolition wing, if you do not respond to
their petitions to abolish slavery here, will
split from you and defeat you.
Now. sir, what good has ever resulted to
the country from this discussion Of tho slave
ry question: Who has been benefited by it ?
Is there single man or single State in the
Union which has received the slightest advan.
tage from the discussions that have taken
place here and elsewhere upon this subject
N ot one. You have not decreased the num-
Der of slave States by it. You have not add
ed to the number of free States by it. You
have not reduced the number of bondmen by
it. You have not Increased the number of
trccmen by it. You have done nothing by it,
except array one part of the Republic against
the other. The result is the peril which now
threatens the very existence ofthe country.
ask yon, as wise men. as patriots, in the set
Element Of this question, to make it final-to
bury it forever. Never let it come up to di-
vide those who ought to be united to make
enemies of those who ought be friends.
But, Mr.. Speaker, this House may refuse to
pass any measure of adjustment. hope not.
| confess my faith is a little shaken. The
vote this morning has been a damper upon
feelings, and hangs cloud over my former
bright prospects. l hope I misunderstood
the meaning OF that vote. hope it IL not
the intention OF gentlemen Of the North to
refuse all cancellation, to refuse all compro-
mise, to refuse all concession necessary to
compose the public mind, and restore the
public tranquility, but to unsheath the sword
ard come down upon the South with it, to en-
force the laws. to protect the public property,
or to destroy the South in an effort to do so.
| trust that is not the intention. will not say
| believe it is and yet do say, it has some
what shaken my confidence in the intention of
this House to come to fair, honorable, and
just measure of compromise. But, sir, if the
House shall refuse; il the Peace Confer.
encc shall fail to recommend measures of
adjustment, or If they recommend measures
which this House shall fail to put in execu-
ton, still am not willing to despair of the
Republic; still will not advise my people at
home to lay rash hands upon the pillars Of the
Republic; ! shall still advise them that | be-
lievc there is q better day in store for them.
We complain of the precipitancy OF the seced-
States and desire that our people shall not
be liable to the same charge. But l tell
you, your course is also prccipitate. You
complain of the rashness with which the
southern States have rushed ont of the Re-
public; and yet, in the same rash way, you
draw the sword to come down upon them. -
Give them time to reflect before YOU charge
upon them with your mailed legons.
Mr. SHERMAN. desire to say one ward
to the gentleman from Maryland. l ask the
gentleman if he will allow the acknowl dged
property Of the United States to remain in the
hands Of the officers Ct the United States7 If
so. there will be no danger of a collision.
Mr.. WEBSTER. l will say to my friend,
that have no intention to sieze any property
of the United States. or to take any steps to
prevent such property remaining in the hands
of the officers of the United States.
Mr.. SHERMAN 7 will al thc oeof1arna
whether he himself and the people Of Mary
land, are not willing to defend the property
of the United States from all assaults, by any
and everybody, no matter where situated
Mr.. WEBSTER. l am looking to the ac-
tual condition of affairs in the country. Ifby
precipitatc action in defending property and
Furnishing treason, you bring more dangers
upon my people and upon the country, than
you would by taking conciliatory course,
say will not enforce the laws. [Great ap-
plausc in the gallercs.l 1t lisa mere question
of policy. II believed that the Union of
these States could be preserved, or restored
to harmony, by enforcing the laws and by pro-
tecting the public property at all points, l. and
believe the people of my State, almost to
man, would rally to the enforcement of the
laws and the protection ofthc public property.
Renewed applause in the galleries.
The SPEAKER. The Chair is under the
necessity of requesting that lhero shall be no
manifestation of appreciation or disapproba-
ton in the galleries. If it is allowed upon
one side it must be allowed upon the other,
and We should be constantly annoyed.
Mr.. WEBSTER. A gentleman near me
asks if VIC will carry the war into the North 2
Sir, thank the gentleman for the suggestion.
| uiH advise my people to carry the war into
the North. l will advise them not to rush
rashly upon the Republic because the Repre-
sentatives Of the North refuse-if they shall
refuSe-.just and honorable compromise.
will advise them to attack the North, not with
the sword and musket and cannon, but by
their wissst and best men, sent into every
hamlet, village, and city, to call upon the
people to rise up in their defense. Sir, be-
lieve that when the conservative men Of the
South shall appeal to the sympathy, the fra
ternty, and the conservative sentiments of
their brethren of the North, they will respond
to that appeal. II you refuse now to take steps
of cancellation, l believe that your people,
when we have called upon them, asking only
for our rights, and asking that in the spirit Of
fraternity, will rise up in the majesty Of their
power and the might Of their patriotism, and
tramplc upon all men, crush all platforms,
and destroy all parties, which stand between
them and full acknowledgment Of the rights
of their southern brethren.
repeat, will not despair Of the Repub-
lie because you refuse to take steps here for
its preservation. We will appeal TO the pow
or behind the throne. We will appeal to the
mighty people. who sent you here for feel
assured that if We shall do this, and do it in
that spirit which know the people of Mary.
land, and the men of the other border States