Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-23
Laid on the table

Laid on the table.
Mr. English introduced resolution setting forth that
in the present condition of the country, i. was the
opinion OF this House that the passage of the Ctcnden
resolutions the best method OF compromise for the
country Objected to from the republican side of the
House.
Mr. English said he wished to go forth to the
try that the republicans refused to allow vote upon
the propositions for cancellation and compromise.
Mr. Grow said that that side OF the House would vote
when and as they pleased
Mr.. Morris of ILL.,, introduced propositions looking TO
the recognition of slavery services labor by the Con-
stitution Of the United States.
Mr. Burnett called for the regular order Of business
The Speaker said that the hour OF o'clock having
srrived the special order Ct this day and this hour
y the report of the committee of thryhrce, and
that the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Corwn, entitled
to the floor.
Mr.. Corwin would not occupy the time of the House
at length. he there to discharge the duy which
devolved upon him chairman of the committee OF
thrty-three and to present their report IL was now
thirty years since he had his seat upon that hCo Two
years after that time, be had been called to report
in this character subject which very near akin
if identical with that which uuhappy distracted
the public mind from eud OF this republic 10 the
other. As at that time portion OF the southern people,
led on, now, by South Carolina, were ngifaed by
similar question, and declared, in convention OF her
people, that certain act OF Congress, known as the
general law for the collection of revenue in the shapoo
imports, imposed on foreign mercEandize, was uncon-
sutona and upon that the State determined to absoVe
the common bonds which held them 10 the remaining
States Of the Union.
Ii lSouth Cardinal then determined for herself, her
purpose that the purpo announced that the act
OF collecting duties foreign merchandise was uEcon
stutonG and in its nature and purpose oppressive TO
the people OF SoIh CaroCa announced that under that
belief she would with draw from The UnCn ana estaLl SD
al independent Republic of her IL then stated
that the passage by the Legislature Of State sui
f!ent grounds Of Withdrawing from the Union OF any
other State States in that State States should
choose TO consider that law breach Of contract or
the compact which bound them tcgetner.
He little thought when that unhappy question was set
;d that when the close OF his natural life and
Of his poll ical he should be called 10 legisate
gain Wit reference TO the critical agitation oi 1881
80 lie himself dd believe q at State even though
is be i seeding State could be marched upon by an
armed force IN order enforce laws, pgOvid that poll
~ would eudanger the peace and stub the tranquility
OF that State aud that political Organization.
As well might the greatest empires OF the world de-
cline and lal and great ystems y from their centres
and attribute the cause to the makers Of the constitution
IA 10 attribute the of the present trouble to the
Republican party States pretend that they must deter
mine law for themselves, aud attemp, II under the spa
ocus gIb OF Stale sovereignty. The United States gov
Tuneu hsS the power 10 make the decision with rtcr
encs TO the cOGsti,utiOnaty uuc0ustitUtOuGty OF
State laws the Supreme Court the power 10 decide
wne.e er or not the laws OF State iniererd with or
oppressed GJothor state What Wos It IN the Judgment
Or thc Southern States that deemed Suhceat cause
70 dissolve their connection and intercourse with the
Union and declare ITSELF free from all allegiance: They
said they were the personal liberty bills. Ii must he
known that ali laws passed 10y States contrary to the
Constitution were null aud void or else the Constitution
which regulated them was null and void and 1t was
hardly possible that the latter would be the case the
Constitution was sill Acknowledged to be the supreme
| law OF the land This slavery they we're pleased to
call it, was curOusy argued by both sides OF the House
He did not know much about human philoogyror did
he care about but he cid know something about legal
philclocY and h. called slaves property. They were
property. tie did take the ground thst could
Told property in man. but he did take the ground that
Whatever a nan could a; his viii apply to convert
into money was property and slaves were recognized
| by the laws ci the United States,
Slavery the proper term in his estimation, TO
be applied to the present condition OF the African race
but &c that il might he would call il theology, d.
yiuity, republcausm, aut-republcsnism, slavery it
matscred not; it undoubtedly the cause OF the dis
traction Of the country. The South had he said more
territory than they could pcs IDLY work. and yet they
wanted more territory. He was willing TO admit Mexico
as slave State if they wanted the old ue OF 80 degree
| so miGut's he would give them that; but what did
| they wartg He could 10, ell.
| He was willing 10 grant them what they bad in their
repor. as a committee Of thirty three. They wilrg
20 fix slavery now and fix il forever, a basis which
could be altered, except by the cODsent Of all the
States lie rid dcued the idea that there could be
any chance Of the pu6l an party becoming powerful
,nough to tread down the institutions Of the South or
ntuie in the least degiee upon theig rights blcause the
OOn-tutiCn could not be amended withcIt two third
vote and they would haze to get twelve States TO
| overcome the present fifteen slave States.
Mr.. Mlson of Virgiua, followed. He would not
agree TO coercion although he very desrOus of
construction aud deprecated the action of the States
which had secedd denying that they had any cause to
do 30.
Alter the close of his speech, the House adjourned.