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1 John MacPherson Berrien, Speech of Mr. Berrien, of Georgia, on the Subject of Slavery in the Territories 1 (1850)

handle is hein.slavery/spgalvter0001 and id is 1 raw text is: SPEECH OF MR. BERRIEN, OF GEORGIA, ON THE SUBJECT OF SLAVERY IN THE TERRITORIES. DELIVERED IN THE &ENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, FEBRUARY -11 & 12, 1850. The Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, proceeded to the considera- tion of the resolutions submitted by Mr. CLAY, to settle and adjust ami- cably all existing questions of controversy between the States, arising out of the institution of slavery, upon fair, equitable, and just basis. Mr. BERRIEN addressed the Senate as follows: Mr. PRESIDENT: I am very sensible, sir, of the difficulties which encom- pass the subject that now engages the consideration of the Senate. Of these difficulties, some are intrinsic.. If they do not belong to and inhere in the subject under discussion, they have been so absolutely identified with it, that there have been moments of despondency, in which I have been tempted to fear that it might not be possible to surmount them. An interest of vast magnitude is affected, directly or indirectly, by the prin- ciples which are involved in the discussion before the Senate. It is im- -possible to estimate the magnitude of that interest by a consideration of its pecuniary value, great as that unquestionably is. No, sir; there are feelings inseparably associated with that interest, which no man uncon- nected withit, is capable of appreciating. They are the recollections of in- fancy; they are the occupations of manhood; they are the graver thoughts of declining age. It is associated with our employments, our habits, with some of the very best affections of our nature. That interest has been rudely, perseveringly assailed. It were idle to forbear to state, as it is use- less to attempt to deny, the fact. More recently, the opposition to it has been systematized and extended, so as justly to excite the apprehensions of every reflecting mind. The people of the South are at length aroused to a sense of the danger to which they are exposed. You will permit me to say, sir, that you have awakened a feeling which can no longer be trifled with. I speak plainly; the occasion demands it. I utter no menace. You will, I trust, listen to the friendly voice of the warning to beware, and receive it in the same kindly spirit in which it is offered. I repeat, sir, that I utter no menace. It is not my purpose to do so. My respect for myself, for the Senate, and especially for my associates in this chamber, would necessarily exclude them from any remark which I have to make-my wish is to speak through them to their constituents. I de- sire that this matter should be thoroughly understood by the patriotic and intelligent citizens of the free States. TOWERS, PRINTER. iA3

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