* * * * *

I would not discourage authorized legislation upon those kindly, generous, and noble feelings which Providence has given to us for the best of purposes; but when power to act is under discussion, I will not look to the end in view, lest I should become indifferent to the lawfulness of the means.  Let us discard from this high constitutional question all those extrinsic considerations which have been forced into its discussion.  Let us endeavor to approach it with a philosophic impartiality of temper—­with a sincere desire to ascertain the boundaries of our authority, and a determination to keep our wishes in subjection to our allegiance to the Constitution.

Slavery, we are told in many a pamphlet, memorial, and speech, with which the press has lately groaned, is a foul blot upon our otherwise immaculate reputation.  Let this be conceded—­yet you are no nearer than before to the conclusion that you possess power which may deal with other subjects as effectually as with this.  Slavery, we are further told, with some pomp of metaphor, is a canker at the root of all that is excellent in this republican empire, a pestilent disease that is snatching the youthful bloom from its cheek, prostrating its honor and withering its strength.  Be it so—­yet if you have power to medicine to it in the way proposed, and in virtue of the diploma which you claim, you have also power in the distribution of your political alexipharmics to present the deadliest drugs to every territory that would become a State, and bid it drink or remain a colony forever.  Slavery, we are also told, is now “rolling onward with a rapid tide towards the boundless regions of the West,” threatening to doom them to sterility and sorrow, unless some potent voice can say to it,thus far shalt thou go, and no farther.  Slavery engenders pride and indolence in him who commands, and inflicts intellectual and moral degradation on him who serves.  Slavery, in fine, is unchristian and abominable.  Sir, I shall not stop to deny that slavery is all this and more; but I shall not think myself the less authorized to deny that it is for you to stay the course of this dark torrent, by opposing to it a mound raised up by the labors of this portentous discretion on the domain of others—­a mound which you cannot erect but through the instrumentality of a trespass of no ordinary kind—­not the comparatively innocent trespass that beats down a few blades of grass which the first kind sun or the next refreshing shower may cause to spring again—­but that which levels with the ground the lordliest trees of the forest, and claims immortality for the destruction which it inflicts.