Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1861-02-28
affairs nf tbe Qatinr.

.lAHalrs nt fDe gatluH
ISpeech Of Hon. James H. Thomas
OF TENNESSEE,
j Lnthe House Of Representatives,,
JANUARY IL, 1861.
i (Coneluded.)
i But again: the gentleman from
Ohio says, suppose the master. while
en- tronsitm through free State
kills bis slave, or bis slave kills him;
what is then to be done? Precisel,
the same difficulty would arise IL
case the owner Of fugitive slave
having alprehended him in a free
State, should, while returning, in The
exercise of his authority, kill, or be
killed by the slave. The gentle.
mans State should provide for such
contingency; and if they have not
legislated upon the subJect, IL Is not
my fault.
And SO in respect to all the diff
ficulties which our friends Of the
North find growing out of the recog,
milton of the right of property IN
slaves. There are no difficulties
which did not exist in the miads OF
our fathers who framed the Constl-
tuition, and which we're not folly met
by them 10 the instrument framed
by them. with the intention OF COM
promising ard settling them upon
principles having respect to the rights
| of all the States Of the Union.
Now, sir, when We look at the his
tory Of this country and see lis
progress; when we see the difficulties
which have from time 10 time come
| up and been settled by the wisdom
of our fathers, is it not strange that
our friends in the North should unite
in such numbers upon an issue that
has SO little in it, affecting not only
their own welfare, but the welfare ol
the whole country? Why, sir, if We
are permitted to take our slaves into
the common Territories of the coun'
try. it does not add a single one to
the number; it does not bring anoth-
er slave within the limits OF the
| United States. 1t only authorizes
Tie master to change his location;
| it does not bring him nearer to you.
Most likely it will havethe effect OF
removing him further from those
gentlemen from the North who rep
resent that section upon this hoor.
But gentlemen tell US they want
these Territories for free labor. Mr.
Chairman. submit that there is
much in the conduct of this party
at the North calculated to break up
and forever destroy that feeling
of friendship which once existed, and
must again exist before we can sus'
ltain united Goverpment. Tbe
Territories Of the Government are
the common property OF all the
States. No man will say that the
South has failed TO contribute bel
share in their acquisition, whether !
be in cash or blood. No man Car
say it.
/ Then why should we NOT have
common right 20 that terrlsory9--
Wha. are you gentl' meDof the Nortl
Indicating by Jour policy in tbi
House9 1t is moi to secure the tel
lilory for your OVID children. Yo'
do not expect TO populate it b
by your own offsprine; certainly nc
in the present day. You have dul
ing the present session, passed bi
giving an inheritance 10 that terrific
ry not only to your children, but I
the children OF every man ln tn
world who chooses to go there, to th
children even Of the Hessian, wh
for a price. fought against our father
lin the war Of the Revolution; Will
lyon refuse to permit the descel
dants of General Green, or OF an
of the heroes Of The Revelation ]
the South, to 60 there and take the
property with them.
Call sou this fair dealing? ls tn
loyalty to ns or 10 the memoris
lof the Revolution? Is it that spir
!, that actuated the trainers of Il
: Constitution, when they. compromi
4 ing all the difficulties before ther
! elfraned the Government 14der whit
ne have grown up and existed as
nation SO long and so prosperousl,.
VI Sir, these difficulties are. contin
5 ally thrown 10 our way. A dete
= mined disposition is manifested 70 tal
Ethat territory from ueyt ciTcuhhscrl'