The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-22
gen. pierce and the Anti slavery Agitation.

The following extract, from speech delivered IN the
Senate in 1888 BY General Pierce upon resolution Of
fered by Mr. Calhoun, will be read with high grahca-
lion a, this time, showing the eminent civil courage
and the patriotic and national spirit 10 which General
Pierce from the FIRST confronted and denounced the pur
poses and the efforts OF ant-slavery aggression. In view
OF the present attitude OF the two parties upon this subject
is suspicious and cheering fact that calnmny
itself is reckless enough to charge upon Gen. Pierce
tina, he has wayeed faiered in the maintenance
OF the noble and national position he thus early assumed
and ably defended
Resolved That the inermeddog OF any State States
their citizens, 10 abolish slavery in this District
OF the TERRITORIES the ground under tue pfeext that
is immoral OF sinful or the passage OF any act OF meas
ere OF Congress with thai view would be direct and
States"
Mr. Pierce. OF New Hampshire. rose and said the Sen
ale had come al length 10 The ground on which the con-
test to be determined. The District OF Columbia
was now emphacay the battle field of the abotonlsts
and the resolution Immediately under consideration,
with perhaps some modification in phraseology, would
present the true issue here and to the counyan Issue
which would raise not mere question OF expediency,
but OF higher character, in which the public faith
is directly involved.
That my position (said Mr. Pierce may be distinctly
understood some explanation is perhaps due 10 the State
which have the honor in part to represent especially
as there a manifest disposition in certain quarters
pervert our votes and misrepIesent our motives.
have given tosdke resolutions all the consideration
which am capaEs Vol besiowing and have listened 10
the debate which they have elected with interest and
profound attention
Ii the grave objections suggested the other side
were sustained by an examination OF the resolutions
themselves, course oil sound augmentation. they
would insure my opposition. What are they The first
that reached my ear was that they contain latent null
cation. have waited to hear the particular resolution,
sentence phrase pointed out in which this heresy is
| supposed to be concealed, and have waited in vain.
Having, then, assertion side, and what appears to
me 10 be the plain reading OF the resolutions, and the
Irap p1 upri m n
other, must be excused if do not take The alarm.
We have next eloquent dispositions upon the liberty
of speech and the freedom OF The press To every seni
men uttered upon these subjects yield my cordial CON
sent; but why introduced on this particular occasion,
have been al a loss 10 determine Would any man here
abrdge The liberty OF speech assa the freedom OF the
press' take il not Is there anything in the resolution
10 sanction the invasion OF eiihfri Not syllable. That
these are privileges most dear TO every American IS freely
been rung upon them in this debate others may determine
/ II is not my province to judge OF motives, and would
take occasion only to remark that shall make up
an issue on any subject Tor me- oppose abouonists
for the very reason that entertain sacred regard for
these in with all other rights secured by the
constitution.
But il is further urged against the resolutions (sad
Mr. Pierce) that they are mere distractions. Sir, is
quite minaerial what name you apply TO them sufficient
is it hatthey meet the case-hat they encounter the abo-
ltionst upon sound and enabe ground, and furnish
conclusive answer to his Representatives, To say that the
petitions refer only to the District and that The principles
asserted in ihe preceding resolutions are consequently
read single number OF the leading abolition periodicals.
without perceving that their object reaches far beyond
this District and stops al point short OF emancipation
in the States And yet sir suspect that you would find
few intelligent aholilioniss who would assert that Con-
gess has the constitutional power to interfere with sla
very the Staes but admitting the want oil power here
they hold their duty Individuals 10 persevere in hs
cause Regarding the institution OF slavery as morally
wrong sinful you please, they consider themselves
citizens oil the Unioa responsible for its continuance
\ wherever it may exist within our borders.
This feeling has its origin, to some extent IN msap
pehenson Of the structure OF government and thi
the preceding resolutions calculated TO correct
They assert in effect. that the citizen OF New Hampshire
no responsible, morally politically for the
s,ence and continuance OF this domestic institution IL
Virginia and Maryland, than he would be for the exist
ence OF any similar institution in France or Persia. Why
Because these matters which the States respect
lively. when deegating portion Of their powers 10
exercised by the general government, retained the Who'll
and exclusive control, and for which they alone
sponsble
Now, let these doctrines be universally understood an
admitted and you take great step towards satisfying
the conscenees of honest but misguided people in
section OF the country and quoting the irritation, TO
which there has been too much the other. 1hi
we have attempted to do. We are bound TO go further
and frankly declare TO these petitioners that long
slavery shall continue in Virginia and Maryland, il is i
vain for them TO expect its abolition here that
forbidden legislae upon this subject under existing
circumstances, by obligations hardly inferior to the con
s,uiion itself that Congress cannot abolish slavery il
this District, against the wishes OF the inhabitants, with
out gross breach Of public faith, and outrageous in
fraction of private rights.