The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-20
SPEECH OF MI. CALHOUN
or SOUTH CAROLINA,
ON THE OREGON BILL.
In SENATE, JuNE 81, 1915.

1
between the position which the vehoding and nor
slavehodng States stand subject under
consideration The former desire action of the govern
men demanded law TO give them any advantage the
Territory about be established willing leave it,
and other territories belonging the United States open
all their citizens long they continue TO be territories
and when they cease to be 10 leave To their inhabitants
TO form such governments might suit them, without
restriction condition, except that imposed by the
sti'uon as prerequisite for admission INTO the Union
In Short they willing to leave the whole subject where
the constitution and the great and fundamental principles of
se-government place it. On the contrary, the slave
holding States instead of being willing leave il on this
broad and equal foundation, demand the ineposon of the
government, and the passage Of exclude the
Of the slsvhodng States from emigraling with their
property into the territory order to give their citizens
and those they permit the exclusive right of settling
while that condition. preparatory subjecng
i 10 like restrictions and condons when becomes
State The 18th section of this bill Intended
and maintain this demand Of The nons veholdng States
while it remains territory, not openly directly, but
indirectly by extending the provisions Of the bill for
establishment of the Iowa Territory this, and by a,ify
ing the of the informal and self constituted government
of Oregon which, among Others contains one prohibiting
the introduction of slavery 1t thus reality adopts What
called the Wlmot Proviso only for Oregon but
the bill stands for New Mexico and California The
amendment the contrary, moved by the Senator from
Mississippi me, Mr.. DAs) intended and
maintain the position of the saveholdng States 1t leaves
the territory free and open all the citizens of the United
States and would override, if adopted, the act of the self
constituted Territory OF Oregon and the 18th section far
il relates the subject under consideration. We have
thus fairly presented the grounds taken by the nonsaye
holding and the savehoding States, shall call them
for the sake OF breviy the northern AMI southern States
their whole extent, for discussion.
The FIRST question which offers itself for consideration is
Has the northern States the power which they claim
clude the southern from emgratng freely, with their prop
erty into territories belonging to the United States, and to
monopolize them for their exclusive benefit
1t is indeed great question. propose discuss it
calmly and dirpassonately. shall claim nothing which
does fairly and clearly belong the southern States
either members of this federal Union appertinng
them in hen separate and individual character shall
yield any which belong them either capacity. | am
influenced neither by sectional party considerations
If know myself would repel promptly and decidedly
any aggression of the south the north. would any
the part Of the latter the omer. And let add hold
the obligation to repe aggression to be not uch less solemn
than that of absanng from making aggression; and that
the party which submits it when be resisted be
not much less guilty and responsible for consequences than
that which makes it, Nor do stand party grounds.
What shall say in reference to this subject shall say
entirely without reference the presidential election.
hold be infinitely higher than that and all other ques
tons Of the day shall direct my efforts to ascertain what
is constitutional right and just under thorough conviction
that the best and only way of putting end TO this the
dangerous of all questions Union and insu-
TONS to adhere rgdy to the constitution and the dictates
Of justice.
With these preliminary remarks, to the question.
Has the north the power Inch claims under the 18th
found' Not certainly in the relation in which the
northern and southern States stand each other They
the constituent parts members Of common federal
Union and such, Equals in all respects both dig
nifty and rights declared by all writer's governments
founded such Union and may be inferred from argu
deduced from their nature and character Instead
them Of aording any counenance authority in favor of
power the relation in which they stand each other
furnishes strong presumption against it.. Nor can 1t be
found in the fact that the south holds property slaves
That too, fairly considered, instead of afording any
thority for the power, furnishes strong presumption
against it, Slavery existed in the south when the constt
framed fully to the extent in proportion TO their
population does this time. II is the only property
recognised by the only that entered into its foma
ton political element, both in the adj astment Of the
relative weight Of the States in the government, and the
apportonmcn of direct and the only that is put
under the express guarantee of the tution. well
known all with the history Of the forma-
and adoption of the constitution, that the south
very jealous reference this property that constituted
Of the difficulties, both TO it's formation and adoption
and that would not have assented either had the
vention refused allow its due weight in the govern
ment place under the guarantee of the constitution
Nor be found in the way that the territories have
been acquired will not go into particulars this respect
this stage Of the discussion Suffice il say the whole
acquired either by purchase Of the common fnds of
all the States the south well as the north or by arms and
mutual sacrifice Of and money which, instead of giving
any counenance in favor Of the power claimed by the
NORTH every principle Of right and justice, furnishes
| strong additional presun ption against it.
Bat it be found either il it exists at all the
power be looked for in the constitutional compact,
which binds these States together in federal Unon and
be found there? Does that instrument
any provision which gives the north the power
cude south from free admission into the territories of
the United States with peculiar properly and monop
olize exclusive USE Ii in fact
such power expressed implied it must be found in
specific grant, be inferred by irresistible deduction from
clear and ackno wedged Nothing short OF the
one the other overcome the strong presumption
against It,
That there such specific grant may be Inferred be-
yond doubt from the fact that has attempted
designate it, Instead Of that has been
Tor granted without particle of proofhat Congress has
The absolute right govern the territories Now, concede
# it does reality possess such power, may exclude
from the territories who what they please, anu admit
them who what they please and Of course may
the power claimed by the north to exclude tho south from
them But again repeat where this absolute power be
IT, then, exists all be inferred from such
power ask where is that to be ound' The Senator from
New York behind me- Mr. DIX points to the clause in the
constitution which provides that Congress shall have
power dispose OF and make all needu rules and regus
respecting the territory and other property belonging
the United States" Now, 1 undertake affirm arid
maintain beyond the possibility of doubt, that far from
comforting absolute power govern the territories
ers governmental power whatever; no, particle
1t refers exclusively territory irded simply public
lands. Ev,ry word relates in that character, and s
wholly nappcabc considered m any other character
but property Take the expression dispose Off with
which i, begins. Il is easily understood what it
when applied to- lands and Is the proper aud natural
preston regarding the territory that character when the
object confer the right sell make other disposition
Of it. But who heard the expression applied guv
ernment And what possible meaning have when
ippiedi Take the expression, ITO make all needfu
rules and regulations These regarded separately, might
indeed, be applicable government loose but
they applied the constitution In every
where they used they refer property things,
process such the rules of court Of the house Of
Congress for The their proceedings but
gcveSmsn which always implies persons to bc governed
But il there should be any doubt this case, words
immediately following which restricts them TO making
sruae and and oshe