Victorious Sam Houston of Texas, seconded by
Jefferson Davis, fresh laurelled from Buena Vista, urges the claims
of slavery. Foote "modestly" demands half of California, with a
new slave State cut out from the heart of blood-bought Texas. But
the silver voice of Henry Clay peals out against any extension
of slave territory. Proud King of Alabama appeals in vain to his
brethren of the Senate to discipline the two ambitious freemen of
the West, by keeping them out of the Union.
Great men rally to the bugle notes of their mighty leaders.
The gallant son of the South, General Taylor, finds presidential
honors following his victories. In formal message he announces
on February 13, 1850, to Congress that the new State waits, with
every detail of first organization, for admission.
Stern Calhoun, chief of the aspiring Southerners, proudly claims
a readjustment of the sectional equality thus menaced. Who shall
dare to lift the gauntlet thrown down by South Carolina's mighty
chieftain?
In the hush of a listening Senate, Daniel Webster, the lion
of the North, sounds a noble defiance. "Slavery is excluded from
California by the law of nature itself," is his warning admonition.
With solemn brow, and deep-set eyes, flashing with the light
of genius, he appeals to the noblest impulses of the human heart.
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