The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-26
THE UNION.

proposes extend The constitution OF the Shifted States
these territories. know that the constitution is pretty
elastic sort of matter Ii has been extended good
many things, which think its trainers thought of It's
being extended 1t has been stretched this way and
that until, member Of the other House has said, ii
like gum-eastic over-shoe the toe of which may be
stretched the north pole and the heel high
mountain in the Sierra Nevada. But sir do believe that
the constitution is of such character II propesed
extend the constitution of the United States. Now,
sir, have in my hand tho constitution, and it
if had not been very often read from the remarks
which have been made. | readily imagine that in
the time of King John, the Magma Charta habeas
corpus could be extended the colonies but confess
am loss in looking at the constitution of the United
States, which puports 10 be an agreement of the people OF
the United States by which they to be bound for
purposes, understand how by any possibility
phstry you talk about extending that agreement
body that does not to H. Can you and agree tina, we
will extend the privileges of agreement TO somebody that
did agree it, Ii struck absurd upon the face of H.
We extend it, Ii idle to say We may invite
others and bind themselves and make party in
this coniederacy but 10 talk about extending the privileges
of the bargain which have made, strikes my unso-
phistcaed mind being something very absurdy
What is this proposition II 1t IS anything, SIR 1t IS
fundamental law and if may extend lis provisions TO
people by legislative Fundamentally, Sir, may not by
the means take away from that people any other
peoplei Why sir the trainers of this constitution did not
understand it, IL is enacted in this instrument, that If
nine States of the thirteen shall agree TO il, 1t shall
operation but could those nine States, after having
agreed by act Of legislative enactment, extend
the four States which did not TO II? 1t
that such consideration as this makes any
thing but compact As my friend from Georgia has sug-
gested, may extend any one of its provisions The
people this territory may governed by this provision
of common law, this provision OF the constitutions and
may extend by one the principles Of the cons
tuon and make them law for the colony. Sir, this is
very different thing from extending the constitution itself
There just exactly the objection to this PROPOSE
ton, that there to that famous compromise bill reported
last session. What did that popose' That You should
make any all upon the subject which you
did not dare that time As we did not dare to
meet it, attempted to get round IT, and to transfer to the
hat, .nrnh tn hav AZ
What, sir does this amendment dor If does anything
at all it takes exactly the position with that compro
bill in its relation the subject of slavery. Ii trans
fes the constitution to the territory and then leaves the
Supreme Court to decide what the constitution provides.
This exactly the manner in which that famous compro
mise bill presented this same question.
We formed this constitutions for the United States and
sir there is very great force the argument of the senator
from New Jersey. We do not understand the terri
tories being subject to this provision, being sub
ject to the constitution as an instrument, because the
first section of the third article provides that the judges
Of the supreme and inferior courts should hold their
offices during good behavior Sir, we always appoint
judges these inferior courts in the territories for
limited time This is maniestly conceding in legs-
aon that the constitution does not extend to these ter
rtories IL ia absurdty in terms to say what have
made compact for ourselves, will extend to those
who have become bound by this compact This the
very difficulty in the amendment ltchanges the whole char
acter of the nstrumsntinstead of making 1t contract,
makes it a command which think cannot be done.
Having said thus much in reply to the senator from New
Jersey, allow say word to the from Wis
consin The best way difficulty 10 look in
the face. Many md boys get frightened by ghosts that
would be laid at if they would march boldly up
them. remember the idle discussion in the Senate
at the last session the Oregon question II seemed be
conceded that could do anything with this qies-
ton of slavery, relative to Oregon. 1t thrown out
all over the Senate that could do anything
and because could not do anything, must have a
select committee, composed, of TWO wings and
two democrats-two from the North and two from the
Southland do not know how many more antagonisms,
to help the Senate of this dilemma. Well the com
mtee early and ate labored constantly and brought
forth the production of their abors That would not meet
the ALL for the compromise bill rejected by the
other House and had to meet that question, sir, in
broad, open day. What the RESULT We
satisfactory result upon it Whereas during the whole
Of the session. had been continually told could not
do anything upon this vexed question We had to face
and meet it; and found that could do very easily
indeed and could do now if gentlemen would
give up before they beaen- they would
ccive that they cannot do anything before they We
do great deal How does the senator from Wisconsin
know do any thing? how does any body kno "
hnt' II we give up, indeed, shall know that We can
settle this question.
But the from Wisconsin says it is slavery tina,
stands in the way WE'LL sir, h slavery is stronger than
the observation-disclosures than all of uset know it and
let the be decided and where the victory
goes, there let the banner of victory float know, sir,
very WELL that slavery prevents our action here know
that slavery has planted itself upon the confines of your
territories and stands there like the angel with the
flaming sword at the gate of Paradise, from which our
first pareas ejeced and fobids to enter, bids
defiance to the constitution and legislature and tells you
that the principles of civil liberty, of humanity and of
Chrsany, shall not enter there, unless you grant and
concede that henceorth and forever you will keep this
territory as tenant in common, with slavery claiming to
occupy and control the whole Well sir if it be sof it
has come to thhtif slavery is to rule has ruled, am
willing submit with the best grace can but 80 nc me
God, will not submit until have tried. | am ready to
accordance with the manifest dictate of my const-
tuency al home and in accordance with my convictions
here. We cannot do anything Why, sir have not the
legislatures of nearly every free State in the Union spoken
out upon the subject and told what ought to do
And to dsobey, neglect and pass by our insuc-
tons because fears tell cannot succeed! why,
sir when have tried and have failed, then it will be time
enough for go home and tell constituents that
could not succeed.
| remember when General Scott first ordered to
Mexico not the Mexcans hewas at all afraid Of but
he afraid of the fre in the rear" Well sir, let me
ges northern who may be afraid meet this que
ton here that when they home they may ma IRE IN
the rear hotter than the fire they meet here nope that
the time when the representative OF nor
thern rights and northern eemen who quas and bows down
under this institution, which claims to control your eisa-
ton and your poicyhat the who covers and quais
here shall find hotter fire the among his consitu-
ents than that here which he has bowed down.
This sir lie what wish for | ask that the question
may be tried, and tried fairly coincide with the sugges
ton Of the honorable senator from Ohio, Mr. CoR@IN
that first demand for this territory the old ordinance "f
1887 want that in this matter may walk in the
old WAYS of the repubc--that may walk where our
fathers have walked before us-that may walk IN the
established prccedents have been by the old
bequeahed the inheritance possess the prin
cpes of the highest liberty and which purchased by their
blood. cannot walk safely sir when cannot walk in the
steps red in the blood that has been shed IN the great
contest they have waged for berties and sir will
no, forbear until find lion in the PATH souer, stronger
and more potent than that which they in the efforts
which thew made win the inheritance which they have
handed down to us and which with coward hands,