When I say that I regard
slavery in itself as a great moral, social, and political evil, I
only use the language which has been adopted by distinguished men,
themselves citizens of slave-holding States. I shall do nothing,
therefore, to favor or encourage its further extension. We have
slavery already amongst us. The Constitution found it in the Union,
it recognized it, and gave it solemn guaranties. To the full
extent of the guaranties we are all bound in honor, in justice, and
by the Constitution.... But when we come to speak of admitting new
States, the subject assumes an entirely different aspect.... In my
opinion, the people of the United States will not consent to bring
into the Union a new, vastly extensive, and slave-holding country,
large enough for half a dozen or a dozen States. In my opinion,
they ought not to consent to it.... On the general question of
slavery a great portion of the community is already strongly
excited. The subject has not only attracted attention as a question
of politics, but it has struck a far deeper-toned chord.
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