The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-07-04
SPEECH
HON. CHARLES DuRkEE, OF WISCONSIN,
THE CALIFORNIA QUESTION.


THE CALIFORNIA QUESTION
Delivered in the House of Representatives June 1880
Mr.. DURKEE said
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: We live in the most interesting
period of the worlds history. Revolutions and
commissions are moving the Old World while
general political agitation pervades the New. In
both hemispheres the struggle is the same. 1t is
Tor constitutional liberty. There is difference,
however, in the modns operondi. On the other si3e
OF the Atlantic the struggle is one Of physical
force Here it consists of debates in our halls of
ne'2les'e, 22d ::c7.: y Sc:;,. tx. tic r
among the people
This is as it should be- 1t will be recollected
that at the close Of the late war with Mexico, in
negotiating our treaty of peace, we pledged our
selves to each other that If we fought again, we
would fight on Christian principles Sir, | believe
we are living up to the spirit of that treaty stipu-
lation. The war now waged in these Halls, and
throughout the Republic, is, in my opinion, con-
Quoted on Christian principles. 1t is movement
Of determination Ii is a warfare between
Truth and Error-a contest between Liberty and
Despotism. II seeks information. IL seeks to I'M
derstand principles, in order to the Infusion o.
knowledge. 1t seeks to enlighten the people as t.
their rights and responsibilities
Glorious warfare! How much more honorable
and becoming an enlightened people, than the
wicked Florida war, where We fought with tn,
weapons OF death against savage people. ltwa,
there where the American name was disgraced
| by shameessly violating the flag of truce in the
seizure of the noble-hearted Osceola-to which
should be added the cost Of thousands of live.
quenched in blood, and forty millions Of treasure
| worse than wasted The Mexican war was SINH
lar in It's origin but more vast in extent, and il
| its enormities.
Thank Heaven, Mr. Chairman, these revolving
scenes have ceased We have passed to more
| pleasing contest And what more interesting
spectacle could we behold than that before us
Here the Representatives of thirty sovereign
States are discussing the great principles Of free
government-the duties and responsibilities Of
nations
Sir, it was said by distinguished statesman
on very interesting OCCASION that when the peo-
pie weep at the loss of the founders Of the Repub-
lie it gives evidence that the Republic itself will
become immortal. Notwithstanding the present
appearance in political atmosphere may aeca
| to some alarming, to me it indicates that we have
already entered upon the career Of Immortality
Mr. Chairman we have entered wide, as we'll Of
an important field in this long and protraeted die
cussion Of the rights Of American citizens. This
struggle may be considered the second American
Revolution 1t is not, as many have stated, SEQ.
tional nor is it merely the question of African
slavery that We are considering. II is reitera-
ton of the principles Of the Declaration Of Amer
lean independence 1t is the sending forth of the
great principle of reform from the bosom of hui
manity. II seeks to redeem the eight hundred
millions that are now crushed under the iron heel
OF Despotism in a variety Of forms II Is what
Mr.. Jefferson foresaw in making the following
remarks:
"When the war Is over and freedom won, people must
make declaration They must declare the rights of
government They must at blow putan end to all the
tcksry Of English law which garnered the charne
Of ages. binding the heart and will with lies They must
perpetuate republican truth by mailing the homestead Of
every holy thing, which law can tonch no iugge
wres from his wife and chidren Until this Is Done the
Revolution will have been fought In vain"
These principles, Mr.. Chairman the champions
Of Land Reform have been diffusng through all
the States with unparalleled success. The young
State Of Wisconsin, which it is my lot to repre-
sent In part this floor, and several other States,
have embraced them. The American is beginning
TO understand these principles as In holy conso-
nance with the objects Of civil government which
is not chess board for political gamblers, but a
divine principle that seeks to enlighten the igno
rant and protect the weak. But the progress we
have already made, and the prospect in the still
more glorious future, has greatly alarmed the
leaders of the old politicians Just as the Repub-
lie begins TO use its arms its legs and its reason
ing faculties, the cry is "dissolution Of the
Unionp A general coDAagration suddenly threat
ems the Republic. Then agitation must cease
investigation must be suppressed by administer
ing an opiate In the form Of a compromise. Why,
sir, these gentlemen were not alarmed for the
welfare of our country by Ahe agitation of the
Mexican war, notwith standing It's bloody terrors!
Hear the remarks of distinguished statesman at
Lexington, Kentucky. He said "Tbis war is
unlike that Of 1912 That was war of defence
this Is war Of aggression, highly offensive on
our part The Mexicans are fighting for their
homes and fre-sides ~ Yet, II Congress would
only say for what object u shall be prosecuted,
no matter IL IL was cruel and unjust, the whole
nation should give IL Its hearty support Such
was In substance the concluding language Of Mr..
Clay. But, II we attempt TO discuss reform prin-
ciples at home, the country Is at once in great
danger Public discussion and political agitation
must be suppressed
Why, sir, agitation Is the life OF q Republic, IL
Is the very element that distinguishes free gov
ernment from despotsm The human mind is
an active principle, and, unless 1t be constantly
enlisted by the spirit of progress II will be sure
TO move In n rctrogressive direction. II cannot
stand still Then let us continue to agtate the
public mind in regard TO every wrong, until all
the evils that afict us are redressed, and our be-
loved country rescued from the cruel hand Of
Oppression.
Let us, Mr.. Chairman, look back at some Of the
great evils that have grown upon us In the abb
sence Of free discussion, and which, we are told,
now threaten the very existence Of the Republic.
There are those now who deny the principles Of
the Declaration Of Independence II pains me to
find some such In this hall Slavery, which was
once universally considered q vice, Is now advo-
Gated as a virtue-nay, religious institution.
The slaves In our own country, have increased
from five hundred thousand 10 three millions
Deeds that we have made piracy upon our statute
books, are now licensed by this Government In
this national District Here, for the sum OF four
hundred dollars a year, you can carry on, as
others are now doing, under the very shadow OF
this Capitol traffic In the bodies and souls OF
men, women, and children
Let me read few extracts from laws for whose
continuance single hour, you and !, Mr.. Chair
man, are responsible
AFTER the srs Of August next IL shall not be sSfal far
any person 10 rso In slaves within the its Of
s provided from the Mayor, tvho 10 hereby
thxsd the same TO be and remsu In force Tor the
t.r Of one year, which the following tar phs be paid
At the time Of making the ,sus, Wis for hosnss 10 trade
tragic ~ ,laps pre rhsthsr as agent or e'h~v's,
four Hundred dollars ~
Here are two others relating 10 the criminal
Jurisprudence Of our Republic;
"ksny slave shall happen TO be slain for refusing