Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-24

the right to break up the Union He said, moreover
that not by any possibility could il be broken up peace
aby-as well talk OF peaceable earthquake when 1t
topples towers and swallows up cities and towns with
their inhabitants. As well talk Of peaceabe storm, as
that this great confederacy could be disrupted in peace
and quiet These States said they would and were de-
ermined dissolvng all allegiance with this country
or rather this Union. II can't be done consttuonaly
or peaceably.
The people had made this constitution the people had
built this government and the people would stand by 1t
and preserve it. Il was with this battle cry the colonial
armies went to battle against the troops Of England
Resistance to yrants is obedience to Cod The con-
federacy is based upon firm and stable principles, aud
had titutional inherent right to secede he
quoted the words Of Jefferson, who he said now sleeps
in his grassy bed at Monticello when he said that he
rembed for the country" He opposed the portion Of
the report of the committee of thirty three which said
that there should be amendment made or law enacted
in reference to slavery in interference with slavery,
unless il originated with a slave State.
For was il not declared that these States OF right
and ought to be free and independent, and may do all
that free and independent States may of right do? He
would not vote for the admission Of New Mexico, be-
cause il had upon its statute books law which might
bring the blush to the check of Cagua, and that was
the peon law where free white men and women were IL
able in accordance with law to be lashed by unreenng
task masters And they had, moreover, black code,
which allows any person to arrest fugitive from Chilli
Algiers any other place. and mprison him for Elk
months in jail at the expense OF the government and II
no appeared TO claim him in that time they concud-
ed he should have master at all events and incarcer-
ate him six months longer and if he not claimed in
that time he be sold by the sheriff to the highest
bidder and true and rrevocabe deed Of sale given 10
the purchaser, and all right and title given over to the
buyer until he did not remain the owner OF his own
soul.
she had oberated all these from her statute books -
And he had he said known that the South attempted to
curb lib ry of speech and the liberty of the press and
that was what convention of States ever had right
to do. He opposed TO the repeal OF the laws which
we're on the statute books Of of the States, gno
mniousy termed personal liberty bills. They were not
in contradiction the Constitution of the United States
but were only passed to prevent kidnapping.
Mr. Clemens, of Virginia obtained the floor, and pro-
ceeded to deliver speech cOuched in the most bitter
terms against the secessonsts lie said that those mcn
could make oath to support the Constitution and then
enter with to overthrow it, aud patriotism had
become like the unfedged bidding, which could only
cling to the few twgs of its original nest They would
after being safely in the halls Of Congress- proudly throw
oil all Safe allegiance and look to the inevitable Mrs.
Grundy as for approval He sure that it was the
ayowed purpose aud intent Of the South TO open the
slave trade.
He had watched for some denial of the fact, but the
straight answer had been shirked He noticed, however
that none utterly denied the fact while all leaned in that
direction And he like the cunning fox at the lions den,
saw that all the tracks Of those going inwa ds and
none coming out. He was in favor OF the Crlttenden
proposition and sure, moreover that if the question
was submitted to the people there would be an entire re-
vuon of the present distracted state Of ars Slavery,
in his opinion would expand il the Union out of
it, had bette be let alone If the seeding States would
20 out and expected England to show them the favor TO
asst them, they most wofu'y mistaken.
He read letter from man, native OF England, to
citizen of this country which he said he dedicated to his
seeding brethren The writer expressed the greatest
in the idea that the slaves would rise up and the
Union be utterly destroyed. His hour having expired
before he had finished he desired finish his speech or
to have it printed, both of which were refused
Mr.. Washburne of Wisconsin, obtained the floor and
spoke in opposition to the report after which the House
adjourned.