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Show ) 314 SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 110t to act in this matter, but upon the impulse of tho two ~tates surrounding the Di~trict, and then in a mnnner preClsely graduated by the actiOn of those States upo.n the same suLject. llad the Constitution, in terms, p;ivcn to Congress all power in the matter, this would, with his present views and feelings, be his opinion of the expedient rule of action, and entertaining this opinion, an examination into the power to act had been unneces, ary to determine his vote upon the. prayer ?f these petitions. lie was ready promptly to reJect their prayer, and he deeply regretted that be was not permitted so to vote without debate. Extract of a speech delivered in the United Slates Senate by Mr. Buchanan, in 1835. ' "rrhe Constitution hns, in the clearest terms, recognized the right or property iu slaves. It prohibits any State into which a slave may have fled from passing atly law to discharge him from slavery, and declare. that he shall be delivered up by the authorities of such State to his master. Nay, more, it makes the exi tence of slavery the foundation of political powers, by giving to those Slates within which it exists representatives in Congres., not only in pt·oportion to the whole number of free persons, but also in proportion to three-fifths of the number of slaves. "Sir, this question of domestic slavery is a weak point in our in stitutions. Tariffs may be raised nl most to prohibition, and then they may be reduced so as to yield no adequate protection to the manufacturer; our Union is sufficiently stron.g to endure the Rhoclc Fierce political storms may arise; the moral clements of the conn try may be convnl ed by the struggles of ambitions men for the highest honors of government. 1'he sun. hine does not more certainly sneered the storm than that all will again be peace. Touch this qt1cstion of slavery seriously- let it once be made manifest to the people of the South that they cannot SLAVERY IN TilE DIS'fRICT OF COLUMBIA. 315 Jive with us, except in a state of continual apprehension and alarm for their wives and theie child ren, for all that is ncar and dear to thom upon the earth, and the Union is from that moment dissolved. It does not then hecomc a question of expediency, but of self-preservation. It is a question brought borne to tho fireside, to the domestic circle, of every white man in the Southern States." OPINIONS OF MR. BENTON . .A..t the session of 1835, Mr. Buchanan presented to the Senate the memorial of the Society of Pricnds, adopted at their Cain quarterly meeting, requesting Congeess to abolish slavery and the slave trade in the District of Columbia. Mr. Benton rose to cxpre. s his concurrence in tho suggestion of the Senator from Pennsylvania, [Mr. Buchanan,] that the consideration of this subject l>e postponed until Monday. I t bad come up sud(leuly and unexpectedly today, and the postponement would give an oppol'Llinity for senators to reflect, and to confer together, and to conclude what was best to be done, where all were united in wishing the same end, namely, to allay, and not to produce excitement. He had risen fot· this purpose; but, being on his feet, he would say a few words on the general snhject, which the presentation of these petitions bad so suddenly and unexpectedly brought np. With respect to the petitioners, and those with whom they acted, he had uo doubt but that many of them were good people, aiming at benevolent objects, and endeavoring to ameliorate the condition of one part of the human race, without inflicting ealamiti~s on another part; but they were mistaken in their mode of proceeding; and Ro far frorn accomplishing any part of their object, the whole effect of tbcie int01·position was to aggravate the condition of those in whose behalf they were interfering. But there was another part, and he meant to speak of the |