The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-15
SPEECH or MIR. ID. $. DICKINSON,


Mr.. DICKINSON said
Mr.. PREsrDEsr: IL will be recolected that the motion
10 refer this subject to select committee made by
the honorable senator from Delaware mir CLAYTON /
after irritating debate of many days which gave al
that tune promise Of termination which entire
~ sectional IN It's character and every day and every
hour making the breach wider and the line broader which
separates members OF this conederacy from each other
upon the question OF domestic slavery [ hailed the
proposition TO refer as a motion of peace and so an
nounced al the tune upon the floor of the Senate To
such pitch, indeed had the feeling of been raised
that upon the motion 10 raise mis- committee with vie w
TO satisfactory disposition OF the question: the sena
tor from Connecticut MIR NLEsl denounced all action
even the attempt TO adjust it, in advance and declared
substance that senators who should vote for any com
promise OF this question would be burned in eifgy in
some sections OF the Union This, sir had very little
influence upon me at the time; for regard as very
suitable proceeding, that those who have no better re
sons or arguments TO offer should make images heart
less and worthless as themselves, upon which to ven
Their brutal fury. Such threats their execution
have no terros for they did not influence control
my action at the time, nor will they now or hereafter
The SENATOR in giving the admonilon, doubtless spoke
more than was set down for him." and probably mad
Veenty gave clue to plot secretly contrived, but not
yet developed
perenced SENATOR whose views upon the question which
so much dsubs the harmony Of the Union known to
oe moderate and conclliaory i was raised ior the Pnr
position Of it, and OF giving law and order to three great
empires, now destitute of either.
The vote of the Senate ordering the committee though
strongly resisted by those who desire keep the question
open, was about three to one, and the members were
elected nearly unanimously The members of the com.
mttee entered upon their abos with every disposition to
discharge the duties cast upon them by the Senate, with
the stricest fidelity They Oregon, which had long
been without law, Except such as it's inhabitants asso
ciaed provisional government had funished0 the
prey of ferocous tribes of savnges who were numbering
its defenceless peoples and they felt deeply the necessity
of extending the protecting ags of our laws and consu
ton over ltof Strengthening its hands, and placing it
Its way to the Unions especially since it to be the
settled policy OF this government to exercise Legislative
authority over the Territories OF the United States; and
they placed the Oregon bill in form TO which none
can object, unless such objection is taken without
pretending its provisions, or for the mere purpose Of
cavil. They saw the provinces OF California and
New Mexico destitute of any law whatsoever, except
such had been left by subjugaed people, and with
40 authority to administer even that-a military author
ity having terminated with the treaty of peace. They
found the subject of organizing these Terltores-divi
ded in opinion they were and as they knew the Sen
ate TO befu of difficulty, and after much labor and
terchange, presented the bill in its present form, the
best and acceptable that could be presented with
any approach to unanmy hope OF success before the
Senate. If the South asked too much, and the North
willing TO concede too little, they have neither given
TO the taken from the other. They have en-
croach he'd upon the rights of neither They have left the
question of slavery where they found it-subjec to the
constitution and Congress OF the United States while,
the time, they have placed the Territories their
way to the Union, by the organization of provisional
government, which restrained IRON any Legislation
that embarrass this difficult subject. That is what
las been done They have not given an elective legs
lature to the Territories of New Mexico and Caliior.
'NA 49,
who are to control their destiny But they have ex-
tended the laws and constitution them and pro-
vided for the appointment. by the President and Sen.
ate of officers who will carry the laws of the United
States into execution They have also provided that
these officers may make local laws police regulations,
they may be properly called, restraining them
from acting upon the subject of slavery, way or the
oer whilst all their laws must be brought here for our
revision. The whole matter may be summed up in the
inquiry, Is there any evil TO be apprehended from
tending the laws and constitution OF the United States
these Territories, and enforcing them there until
the people in condition to legisate for themselves
The bill does not in all respects, suit my personal
views, but it is the best could produce by agreement
its duration is TO be temporary and support cheer
fully
Mr. NILES explained. that what he had said about
burning in egy related what had taken place in years
past He thought Mr. Dickinson did not truly represent
the sentiment OF his State and, in approving of this bill
had taken ground inconsistent with his speech at the
commencement OF the session. lie also sad the bill was
skuiklng and cowardly.
MIR Dickinson. 1t seems, when the honorable sen
aor referred to senators being burned in egy that he
alluded to what had been done-hat he made the refer
ence TO influence the past and not the future 1t struck
me then as most extraordinary remark in the Senate oil
the United States and even with the explanation which
has been given, do not regard in any other light 1t
is certainly honor to be burned in egy but as that
proceeding is the resort only of the coward and the ruff
fan, 1t nfcts no disgrace neither shall be induced to
alter my views IN any respect by such threat by the
auson to the fact that portion OF my constituents
have other views. shall be my Judge of what are
the wishes of my constituents While opposed to slavery
they are opposed 10 useless and mischieyous agitation
RhuDg 70 no good end, but calculated II not intended
create sectional jealousy and strife and destroy the har
mony OF the Union, and they will frown upon those
who for any purpose under any pretence shall lend
themselves to these schemes OF disturbance and agitation
~ what authority does the senator call me to account
Where did he obtain his warrant? would saw TO the
honorable senator, in the language of book with which
he is perhaps familiar, "Who art thou that judges
another mans servant; to his he sandeth or
taleih I" But, sir, if the senator can show that am
responsible to him, will render him my for my
course with pleasure And, in the mean time when he
shall have rendered an account of his stewardship
TO his constituents upon all the great questions of the
last few years. IN the language of the banker he has
ANY thing over" and need it, will draw on him.
Inc senator says that my position is inconsistent with
speech winch delivered here al the early part of the
session. If l had on reviewing a former opnion be-
eved 1t TO be erroneous, would not, for the mere sake
of being consistent refuse to become wiser on the sub
ect But my present position perfect harmony with
that assumed by me on the occasion to which the honor
able senator has alluded Allow me to recall his atten
lion TO the resolution which had the honor introduce
1t was follows
Resolred That in organizing territorial government
territory belonging the United States, the principles
seltgovenment upon which federatvc system
viii be best promoted the spirit and meaning Of the
constitution be Observed and the conedeTacy thencd
by leaving all questions concerning the domestic policy
therein to the legislature chosen by the people thereof
This il the resolution and the speech embraced the
same views IN eItenso
Now so far as the Oregon bill is concerned il recog-
nses TO the very letter the principle of that resolution
and would here add, feel at liberty do, that in
committee voted Tor the extension OF ii to New Mexico
and california but my brethren OF the committee over
ruled me, and do say that their were not
good-because the people inhabtng these Terrific
haps not qualified to exercise all the rights OF govern
men and deemed best for the rive them