The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1861-01-11

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as a matter of compact which would vi0-
late the Constitution, He thought IL G he
Senator from Louisiana believed in con-
science that Congress had no right to
exclude slavery. he must have violated
his oath when he voted tor such exclu-
sion.
Mr.. benjamin said Congress, had no
such power under the Constitution.
Mr.. Baker said an act Of Congress
was a sacred law, made under oath, aud
|ir he voted TO prohibit slavery by certain
laws, when he actually believed that
+ Congress had no right under tho Consti-
tuition to pass such law, did ho not vio-
/ late his oath when he rendered such n
vote. He said the Senator from LOUISE
ana, in a drearv catalogue, complained
| that the government interfered with sla-
very IN the South.
/ Mr.. BENJAMIN said he did not complain
Ior Congress but of the States.
| Mr.. Baker was glad to hear the chit m.
pion of slavery admit that Congress had
not interfcrcd, but that his complaints
wero Of the States. How could Illinois
for instance interfere with slavery in
Virginiul
/ Mr.. BENJAMIN said she could not by
bill, but armed men might 60 70 Virginia,
and seize the United States arms and
murder peaceful men and try to excite
slaves TO revolt. A man in Massachu-
sets was found TO say it was right, aud
| Massachusetts elected him Governor,
and thus endorsed murder. Massachu-
setts sent Senators here to abuse and viii
| ily the South.
Mr.. Baker said that was not a better
scope Of debate. He admitted that in
fdividuals might steal in Slave States
fThero wero bad man everywhere, but
this was no cause for separation and wGr.
Mr.. BENJAMIN said the Republican
party intend TO surround the Slave States
with Free States, so as to force cman-
/ cipation.
Mr.. Baker argued that if even that
\ were so il w0sfna-causc of dissolution.
Mr.. Benjamin--l say decidedly, yes
Mr.. Baker said no, and proceeded To
argue that slavery must be surrounded
/ by Free States. II slavery is extended,
I i must be against the sentiment Of the
world. II claimed that tho North
werO the only allies of the South, and
.
| England or Russia would not do that.
If the slaves should revolt the North
would be bound to assist the South, and
would do it. llo argued that the right
of free speech could not be controlled
in free country or free press, which
was a greater safeguard TO free coun-
try. He would not restrict these TO
avert civil war or maintain slavery. The
great principle of free government would
never be surrendered. Come weal, come
wo, slavery shall never bo extended by
the powers of the Government Of the
United States. He would not yiold one
inch to secession, but there were things
which he would-among them, the re-
peal of the personal liberty bills, should
the Supreme Court pronounce them un-
constitutional. Mr.. Clay had said, and
he would say,yield not an inch or word to
secession. lie should agree to make all
the Territories States now and let the
people decide on slavery, but he would
never agree to protect slavery in the
name of freedom. Referring 10 powers,
he said: Didn't it look little as though.
because she had lost the Offices, the
South had got up this rebellion! lie
said, after all, he had great confidence
in the loyalty Of the people of the
South. He heard loyal sentiments every.
whore, could see the clouds breaking.
aud he was not without the hope that
with time u allow the ieversh heat 10
subside, the Union would yet remain
safe if trusted 10 the hands OF the people.
The Senator from La. had said that a
State had actually seeded. and we must
acknowledge is Independence, or make
war. He said he would not acknowledge
its independence and said il was not
very strange IL Government had some
times 10 enforce laws. He quoted the
ordinance of Gen. Jackson in regard TO
collecting the revenue, when South
Carolina once before revolted, as an
answer to the Senator from La, when
he asked how we would cQklect the
revenuel Above all, let the laws be
maintained, and tho Union be preserved.
lie closed with the words of Webster's
speech, in reply to Hayno.
Mr.. Douglas asked that the report Of
the'Committee Of - be taken up.
Mr.. Douglas then proceeded to address
! the Senate. He said no act Of his pub
| lie life ever gave him so much pain as to
vote for the resolution. "The Commit
tee could not agree'-In order 10 see the
real cause Of the troubles, we must 90
back Of the late election. We should
assume that whenever Congress under
took to act upon slavery, discord and az
itation we're sure to follow. When Con-
Wess let the question alone, there was
peace. He referred TO the excitement
when the Missouri Compromise was en-
acted. The fearful agitation Of 1920 was
settled by the establishment ofthe COM
promise line. SO long as that adjust
ment was carried out, there was peace
and quiet.-TeXas was admitted quietly
under this rule, thhugh there was great
contrariety Of opinion. But no one OBJ
Again, California aud New Mexico were
acquired, and the extension Of the line to
the Pacific Ocean was demanded The
record shows that he reported as Chair-
man Of the Com. on territories, resolu-
ton 10 extend the line 10 the Pacific
This was adopted in the Senate, but
when 1t was sent to the House, il was re-
jected by Northern votes. That opened
the food-gates Of the agitation OF 1913,
which only was settled by the Compro.
mise Of $780, When we settle this
question in the territories, then wo shall
settle il entirely.-The Abolitonists
could never have brought the Union TO
the verge Of dissolution, but for the ques-
tion Of territories. Il was the rejection
OF the extension Of that limo in ls4S,
which opened the agitation. The argu-
ments of 1910 aud 1870 were repeated.
The position Of tho North aud South
were the same.--