Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-01-11

If the Senator voted to prohibit slavery
by certain law, while actually believ-
ing Congress had no right under the con-
stitulion to pass such law, did he not vio-
late the oath when he SO voted He
said Mr.. Benjamin complained that gov
eminent interfered with slavery in the
South.
Mr.. Benjamin said he did not com
plain of Congress, but of the States.
Mr.. Baker was glad to hear the cham
pion of slavery admit that Congress had
not interfered, but the complaints were
Of the States. How could Illinois inter-
fere with slavery in Virginia?
Mr.. Benjamin-They could not by
this bill, but armed men might invade
Virginia, seize arms, murder people, and
try to excite a revolt of the slaves. Aman
had been found in Massachusetts, to say
il was right, and Massachusetts had made
him her Governor, thus endorsing the
murder. Massachusetts had sent Sena-
tors here to abuse and villify the South.
Mr.. Baker said this was not within
the scope of the debate. He admitted
that individuals might steal into the slave
States, but that was no cause for separa-
ton.
Mr. Benjamin-Tho Republican par
ty intend to surround the slave States
with free States, so as to force emancipa-
ton.
Mr. Baker-Eyon so but no cause
for dissolution.
Mr. Benjamin. say, decidedly, yes.
Mr. Baker said not, and proceeded
arguing that slavery must, by necessity,
be surrounded by free states, and must
extend against the sentiment of the world
The North is the only ally Of the South
bound to return slaves. If slaves revolt,
the North is bound to help the South,
and would do so. The right of tree
speech and a free press could not be CON
troIIed in a free country. He would not
restrict them to avert a civil war. The
great principal Of free government could
not be surrendered. Come veal, come
woe, slavery could never be extended by
the powers of the government. He
would not yield an inch to secession, but
would repeal the personal liberty bills,
if the Supreme Court decided them I'M
constitutional. lie would agree to make
all Territories States now, letting the
people decide the question Of slavery.
Mr.. Baker continued. 1t looked a
little as if because the South had lost the
offices she got up a rebellion. He still
had great confidence that the Union
would be preserved lie would not ac-
knowledge the independence of a seced-
ing State, and thought it no strange
thing if a great government sometimes
had to enforce the law. He closed BY
quoting weDsrers speech in reply to
Hayne.
Mr. Douglas moved that the report of
the Committee of Thirteen be taken up.
Mr.. Douglas addressed the Senate. He
said no act of his public life gave him
so much pain as to vote for the resolu-
tons. In order to get at the real cause
of the trouble it was necessary to 60 back
to the late election, Whenever Con-
grcss undertook to act on the question
Of slavery, trouble and agitation surely
followed. lie referred to the excitement
on the Missouri Compromise so long
as that was carried out there was peace
and quiet. Texas was admitted under
that rule, although there was a contrari-
ETY. Of opinion, but no one objected be-
cause it extended that line. Again, Cal
ifornia and New Mexico we're acquired,
and an extension to the Pacific was de-
manded.
lie referred to the records, showing
that he reported a resolution extending
the line to the Pacific, which passed the
Senate, but was rejected by the Northern
members Of the House. That opened
the flood gates Of agitation in 1913, which
was settled by the compromise of 1850.
When we shall settle the question in the
Territories, then we shall settle it entire
ly But for the territorial question, the
Abolitiouists would never have brought
the Union to the verge of dissolution
Mr.. Clay came back to the Senate to
see if he could not bring peace. lie
found no difficulty with the South but
could find no support from the North. !
The Missouri line was abandoned be-
cause its friends said it could not be car
ried out in good faith. At last it was
taken out of Congress and left to the
people of the Territories. Peace follow
ed, but in 1853 it became necessary to
the Territories of Kansas and
Nebraska. The Territorial Committee
a bill incorporating the princi-
pie Of the compromise in 1850, though .
in favor of the Missouri compromise.