55
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1848
slaves to a region inclement as that is, and incompatible as it is with the labor. I cannot conceive that it is inconsistent with the slaveholding interests in this country, that the citizens of that Territory should inhibit slavery. But I act upon the prin- ciple which I find to be established, and by virtue of which Texas was admitted into the Union. I find it was a point conceded, established,. and laid down, that north of 36° 30' slavery was clearly prohibited by the joint resolution that brought Texas into the Union. Whether the principle recognized by that resolution and by the Missouri Compromise, is to extend to Oregon, must be a matter for future adjudication. These are my opinions in relation to this subject. But I do not conceive that it involves the slaveholding interest in the least. I wish to guaranty to the people of Oregon all the rights that belong to them; and any laws not incompatible with the Constitution that may be in existence in Oregon, I desire shall continue in existence, and inure in their benefit. I would be the last man to wish to do anything to prejudice the interests of the South, but I do not think that on all occasions we are justified in agitating this mooted question. I am not one of those who feel disposed to croak, and who feel alarmed whenever this question is alluded to, believing that a crime is at hand, and that the Union is about to be dissolved. I have too much confidence in the integrity, intelligence, and pa- triotism, not only of gentlemen upon this floor, but of the people of this Union. The little agitations that may arise in this hall or elsewhere are not calculated to affect the great interests of the Union. Our institutions are ·too valuable, and have cost too large a price to be easily parted with or disturbed. The intelli- gence of the people have taught them to appreciate those institu- tions. They consider them a sacred legacy left them by their fathers, and they will not allow the petty schisms and agitations which may prevail for a time among politicians, to endanger their safety. If I come into this Union under a compromise, I will stand upon that compromise; upon it I will plant myself, feeling no apprehension of any encroachment being made by the North upon the rights of the South, so long as they are not goaded by an untimely and uncalled for assertion of rights and privileges which are guaranteed by the Constitution under which we live. For these reasons I offered this amendment, in the hope that it would meet the views of every gentlem~n, as it embraces the constitutional interests of every section. These questions are
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