Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-02-13


compromise measures of 1850 were ratified
with singular unaninity by all those. Norfh
aud South, who, in 1852. voted for. Mr.. Pierce
and General Scott for the Presidency. In
deed, the two great political parties of that
day pledged themselves to abide by these
measures, as an honorable and fair adjust
nlent OF the'wbofe subject of slavery in the
Territories And all these measures are set
untouched. and in full force to-day. 1 ask
again, then. what principle or policy-what
public measurevhave the people Of the
South ever urged upon the Federal Govern
ment, which has been denied2 answer.
none 1t is true that the politicians, during
the last year, demanded that the Federal
Government, which, as rule, has never leg
islated for or against slavery-which is nei-
ther pro-slavery nor anti-siavery; which has
abolished slavery in some Territories, and
protected it In others-should reverse its
former policy, and that slavery should be
protected by Congress upon every square.
inch of the organized Territories of the
United States, without any regard whatever
to the will of the people of the Territories,
although they might have abolished it by
legislative enactment. This demand, which
no reasonable man could have expected to
be yielded, was rejected by majority of
millions. .EtWss = - q
The issue was made in the last Presidcn-
tial election in the most pointed manner.
The result is precisely what its advocates
aud opponents alike desired and expected.
In that contest nearly two million men voted
for Mr.. Lincoln; nearly two million for Mr..
Douglas, and about three-quarters of a mil
lion for Mr.. Bell. All those who adhered to
Lincoln and Douglas, and a large majority
of those who sustained Mr.. Bell, declared
against it-against demanding this impossi-
bility of the Federal Congress. Breckenridge
only received about eight hundred thousand
votes, being in = popular minority even in
the slave States; so that the advocates Of
Congressional legislation, to protect slavery
in the free Notwithstanding all those
who voted for Breckinrid ge-were in a mi
nority of more than three million. And this
worthless abstracton-sO impossible to OBJ
tain in or out of. the Union-i, the only de-
maad which has been made by any respecta
BILE portion of the people of the South, which
Congress has denied. am not alone in the
belief that this plank was inserted in the
platform by the original seceders at Balti-
more for no other or higher purpose than TO
strengthen the cause of disunion in the South
In proof of this will say, the Federal Gov
ern Inent has been in operation nearly eighty
years, and up to this hour. so far as | know,
no Southern member of Congress has so
much as introduced bill to provide for the
protection of slavery in the free Territories
of the United States. Yet Southern politi-
clans now propose to dissolve the Union,
because majority Of three million voters
have decided that non-intervention by Con-
gress shall be its policy in regard to slavery
in our original Territories in preference to
the new dogma of Congressional protection
To the doctrine of non Intervention large
portion of the Republican party are willing
to subscribe. But were they not willing to do
so, il is we'll known that If the members from
the seeding States were to remain at their
posts, no proposition could pass Congress
during Mr.. Lincoln's administration for the
abolition of slavery in the Territories, the
District of Columbia, or in any place within
the jurisdiction of Congress. Notwithstanding
they have seeded it cannot be done now.
undertake to say that the wisest men of the
Republican party do not desire to attempt
any such thing.
1t is worthy of observation, Mr.. Speaker,
that every argument of a diSuniOnist may be
successfully met and refuted by the com
plants of another. j will submit one exam
pie, which is fair specimen of all the rest:
1t is said by one that he desires to overthrow
the Government for the purpose of expand
ing slavery; that there will be, within the
| next fifty years, twenty or thirty million
slaves in the Southern States, and that self
preservation requires US to anticipate this,
aud to secure area for the spread of the negro
population, which will then be crowded into
the slave region. To this another replies,
that the South now has sufficient territory
| many more square miles than the free States,
| and he desires disunion to reopen the African
! slave trade, to procure additional labor for
| the vast, unsettled regions we now have.
| His motto is, " more negroes from Africa"
The truth is, the South needs no forced or
sudden expansion. What is the true reason
| that you do not form and people slave States
as rapidly as free States 1t is not from want
of territory, as you know. 1t proceeds from
causes which no human power can avoid or
control. Not only soil and climate, but pop
ulation, are against you. To keep pace with
| the rapid strides of the free States you must
first repeal that law of nature. which is older
than Lincoln and stronger than the Republi-
| can platform, 60 Be fruitful and multiply, and
repIensh the EARTH" CLaughter.1 You have
not the population now, nor have you, as the
! North has, heavy immigration from Europe.
For years you have given that immigration
| your encouragement, and it now pours in
unbroken current upon your tempting public
/ domain. #EH e fsFEfTsTf
| TTo he Continued