Year: 1861

Oulon. ne DOrQef -Slate proposition
does the thing, not in such definite and
specific language, but just as effectually
protects and maintains slavery south of
that line, by saying that there shall be
no power in Congress, or in the Territor-
ia, Legislature, or in the people of Ter
ritory, however much they may desire it,
to prohibit slavery in such Territory
The proposition of the committee of thir-
ty-three is less Objectionable in form than
either of the others but it goes to the
same extent in effect.


Mr.. Maynard--The gentleman from
Iowa will remember that the Crittenden
proposition comes not from the support
ers of Breckinridge, but from the Union
men of the South. Now l ask him
whether it is quite fair to impute to the
Union men of the South the responsible
ity for the sentiments of Breckinrdge
and his supporters?


Mr.. Vandever-The gentleman and his
friends, some Of them in this emergency,
have regarded it as their duty to sup
port principles which they have hereto
fore repudiated, establishing new guar
antees for the protection Of slavery in the
Territories south Of sc deg so min
Now, sir, for myself, say !hat there is
a principle in this matter, and that | will
never yield one iota in guaranteeing the
protection of this Government for slay-
cry anywhere That is the difference
between the gentleman and myself


But Mr.. Speaker, | desire TO offer an
other consideration in respect to the res
port of the committee of thirty three,
though by the way there is another pc
culiarity both in the CritteAden and in
Border State proposition, TO which | wish
to allude. mean that portion of the
plan which proposes to protect the do
mestic slave trade. l do not recollect
the precise terms in which it is expressed.
| shall not, on this occasion, undertake to
inquire into, or discuss the power Of this
government over the interstate slave
trade. shall not, on this occasion, ask
whether there is any power in the Con-
gress of the United States, or anywhere
in this Government to abolish that slave
trade. But, sir, in the Crittenden prop
osition is distinct recognition OF the
right Of transit with slaves flom one
slave State TO another and what fear
is, that when il shall once be adopted,
when that proposition shall once be in.
corporated into the Constitution, the
claim will be set up and maintained that
the slave trader has the right to carry
his slaves from Virginia, or any other
Border State, TO Texas, or any one of the
Cotton States, by way of New York or
some port of the North, for shipment =
And further. think there is reason to
fe.r that when that provision shall be-
come part of the organic law of the
land, it will give the slave trader the
right to traffic in his property wherever
he shall see proper that ii will re-estab-
hsh the slave pens in this city, which
were abolished as an abomination By the
compromise legislation of 1850 or, per-
haps, what is worse yet, transfer them TO
New York and other northern ports, TO
first outrage and then debauch and de
moralize public sentiment, and vastly in
flame the slavery agitation under which
we now groan.


But. in regard to the report of the com
mttee of thirty three. | must confess
that approach the subject with a great
reluctance. Certainly, no man upon this
floor entertains higher opinion of the
patriotic services of the gentleman from
Ohio, Mr.. Corwin, chairman OF the
select committee, than | do. None will
more sincerely accord 10 him the full
need of praise for his anxious desire Il
allsy the existing excitement in the coun-
try, and 10 restore peace and harmony
once more in all sections throughout the
length and breadth of the land. But,
sir submit that the committee have fal.
len into grave error, IN the resolutions
which they offer These resolutions re.
cognlze the existence of personal liberty
laws upon tue statute books of the North
which are supposed 10 infringe the Con
slitution of the United States These
resolutions denounce the invasion OF oae
State by the citizens of another State
with hostile intent they deplore the
practice SO prevalent in some States ot
failing to protect the citizens Of other
States, travelling or temporarily sojourn
ing therein. All such evils are 10 be de
plored by good citizens oil whatever sec
uon. The committee. however, propose
nothing TO remedy the evil. The reso
lutions propose 10 neither prohibit ol
command anything in reference 10 the
personal liberty laws or other evils com
planned OF, The report only advises the
States 10 revise their legislation in thes,
particulars.


In my humble judgment, Mr. Speaker
at this particular juncture, what We mos
want is distinct aud prompt recognition
OF the authority OF the Constitution, anc
the laws enacted in pursuance thereof, a
supreme and paramount 10 any Stat,
legislation If that be readily aud full,
acknowledged, tho remedy will soon b
I found for the unauthorized and illega
action ol States---whether il be secesslol
ordinances or personal liberty laws. Nul
! LITIGATION, in whatever form, must be me
and overthrown. These personal llbert


laws passed by the Northern States wer


never designed to conflict with the Con


stitution OF the United States, or to nul
llty an act of Congress. passed in pur