Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-04-08

what have said in my place before. that the
Congress of the United States, or the people Of
the United Sates through the Congress, under
Constitution as it exists now, have no right
whatever to touch, by legislation, the institution
Of slavery in the States where ii exists by law
have sAid that, aud soy il again, boldly; for
my position never has been misunderstood on
this subject BUT, sir, I say further, that So far
as the people of this country have the power,
under the Constitution to weaken the institution
of slavery TO deprive it of its force to sub
ect it, rs an institution, to the laws Of the land;
to take away the political influence which it has
welded in this country, and to render il, so far
as they can, n nulity, they have the right TO do
so aud it is their solemn duty to exercise it
And say, moreover, that honorable Senator's
mistake in endeavoriug to excite the sensibi-
ties OF their people by complaining of any con
siitutonal action of ours upon this subject, and
charging us with u breach Of our plighted faith
Why, sir, do you suppose We came into power
to sit still and be silent on this subject; that we
came into power to do nothing; to think moth
ing to say nothing lest by some possibility u
portion Of the people Of the country might bo
oiiealcd? That was the argument OF the honor
able Senator from Indiana (Alr. Wright this
morning. ms understand it. Sir, it is no more
than ought reasonably TO be expeeted--no matter
whether in the progress of this war or not; no
matter where it touches-if the people Of this
country should see that the institution OF slavery
has been the prolific cause Of all that we now
sliler the ground upon which this rebellion ori
gnuted, and hns been carried on that they will,
wherever they conslitutioHally strike at it, do sO
All that anybody ought TO ask is, hands oil
wherever the Constitution prohibits you from
touching it Mt ALL"
do not grow restive, sir because on this
question am no longer restve; but cannot
holp feeling little wonder that Senators here or
gentlemen out of this hall should undertake TO
srppO tDat this cry, which we have heard so
long, and which has produced much effect,
that we must not touch the question at ALL what
ever may be its condition, and whatever may be
ours, is tQihe listened to. will bold, us have
always said before, strictly aud strongly to every
pledge that gave individually, or that my party
gave and that assented TO hut you must not
expect mo TO take back oil my opinions; you
must not expect me TO hold back my hand where
| can strike at the institution as an institution ;
you must not expect me to restrain myself when
| see an opportunity in any way 10 discover this
Government from the support of that institution
directly or indirectly. | should be false to my
own principles If did So should he false to
all the professions that | have made from my
youth up. | should be false to all the instincts
of my nature and all the duty which owe to
my country, believing, as do, that the insttu-
tion is, has been, and ever will be a curse.
did not intend even to be drawn to this length
of discussing this question; but | wish to say to
gentlemen frankly that they must not expect US
to yield them too much. | will give them credit
for believing, as undoubtedly they do believe
that all these things will be taken advantage of
by the enemyi and will give them this credit
too that the greater part OF their anxiety arises
from that source. am certain it is so with my
friend from Virginia, (hlr. Wiiley.) make all
allowance fnr that But sir, reflect have We
| nn tn NIT our ot,ininnpY
we defer the consideration of some Of these sub
lects Are they not before us every day Do
they not meet us Mt every turn Why not, then,
meet us upon proper grounds, aud say, 'as long
as you keep yourselves within the limits of the
Constitution, do what seems to you best; we
acknowledge with you that this has been the
moving cause of the rebellion and of the evils we
now suffer; be careful, then, to give no occa-
sion for any man to say that you are forgetting
your pledges to support the Constitution and the
laws of the United States but within that limit
we cannot expect you to do otherwise than to
use all the power you have to strike at slavery
so far as you may" Why, sir, | should deem
myself neglectfu of all my duties il l should
hesitate for one moment on a question like this.
One moment more sir, and shall have done.
This question of the abolition Of slavery in the
District of Columbia, have stated, has been one
that has always been near to my heart Gentle
men say il is a bad time to take il up; 1t will be
attended with injury. With regard to one point
of injury, have spoken but do gentlemen be-
lieve any other injury is to followl Whom do
we iniure? The slaves The slave will bear the
injury Do we injure the owner! What claim
have the owners of slaves in the District Of Co
lumbin upon us They have in my judgement,
been holding slaves here without law since the
foundation of the Government and they have
been able to do it, because it has been in their
power tn secure n majority always in Congress
which was inyineible, that could not be over
come. They knew the day would come some
time or other. What injury do we do to them
, How many of them who hold slaves in this Dis
a trct are loyal men to-day? What sympathy
have those who support the Constitution from
4 them-men, women, or children-who happen tt
+ he the owners of slavesY Gentlemen all know
i that if you could get at the real sentiments o
a those who are slaye-ownefs, there are very few
4 in this District, in my belief, who do not hOpl
+, and pray for the success OF this rebellion. But
4 sir, they stand as loyal men in profession, aud
= perhaps are to he treated as such. We would
!, not do them wrong. Whether there IL an obli-
+, CATION or not-whether they hold slaves by Law
y or not-it is unquestouable that. by common
= consent, by custom if you please, under the ey
a of the law, under the eye Of the Government
~ they have held them as if legally since the ioun
4 dation Of the Government We cannot dieregar
!, that We cannot ignore the fact. 1t has tn
force Of law to certain extent, and, having th
"a force of law, it is fitting and proper that "
i. should recognize it.
II had any doubt on this subject, as | sal
It before, am Instructed by my people. They sa
m that slavery ought to be abolished in this District
m They say they are willing to help pay for it,
| thew are willing, | am We have the constitu-
is tiona power to make the appropriation and th
n question then arises, and the only question, ha
10 the time come, and s thOre any other cOnsidera
10 ton which should restrain us? Why, sir, whit
or dlo the enlightened people of the world expect q
OF us? Do we not all know that our enemies hav
~ already argued to the people of Europe that "th
IN party in power, this people who are endeayorn
es 10 coerce them, are not in earnest; they are al
at tempting now, as they say, to support the Con
n- stiWtion and enforce the laws they have no id'
he of touching the subject of slavery % read l
a. longer ago than yesterday an article in one
O. the leading British Reviews, in which it is sal
ell that the only chance for the abolition of SLAYER
n is in tho success Of the Southern States in AZ
hc ouiriug their independence; that so long as Il
on Government of the United States exists its for
an is applied to the protection Of slavery Sir, the
II nre many good people in this world outside
ler the United States, and across the water, al
,r those good people have been looking for lo
time for something like an indication that
ill Government Of the United States was not bou
lid to the protection Of slavery and the support of
Of We are now in condition when We can give I'll
tor indication. We at any rate strike it out trt
ks the national capital. We can break it do'
lat here. We can say that this thing shall no long
rnt exist where Congress has the power to operi
bd upon it. do not know now long that pow
err. will exist. 1t is the first day that l have sc
lch when there was an indication that that pow
m existed in Congress, and am for improving I
, 1, frat 1av I would not let this opportunity sli