The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-09-02
WASHINGTON, ID. c.
vpEEDom NATIONAL; SLAVERY SECTIONAL.
SPEECH
HOy CHAS. SUMNER, OF MASSACHUSETTS,,
ON HIS MOTION
70 REPEAL THE FUGITIVE SLAVE BILL,
IN THE
SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 1859

The Civil and Diplomatic Approximation Bill be
-, ,,,der consideration, the following amendment
..ss moved by the Committee on Finance
That vrbcre the ministerial officers of the United
c.. bovo ar shall incur extraordinary expenses IN
oentino the laws thereof, the payment OF which Is
not specifically provided tor the ffesiaeht Oil tue
I,;,5 states is authorized to allow the payment
LooF updor the special taxation of the district or
Int conrt of the district in which the said services
80 ar shall be rendered. to be paid from the
onriation for dofraying the expenses OF the judi
ciary.
Mr.. SUMNER moved the following amendment to
the amendment
Pyori1ed That no such allowance shall be au-
tborZed for any expenses incurred in executing the
st of September 49, 1885, for the surrender of ugi-
tyes from service labor which said act is hereby
repealed.
On this he took the floor and spoke as follows
Mr.. PRESIDENT Here is provision for ex-
traordinary expenses incurred in executing the
laws of the United States. Extraordinary ex-
nenses Sir, beneath these specious words
turks the very subject on which, by solemn
vote of this body, | was refused a hearing.
Here it is; no longer open to the charge of
being an abstraction but actually presented
for practical legislation not introduced by me,
Int bv one of the important committees of the
Senate not brought forward weeks ago, when
there was ample time for discussion, but only
at this moment without any reference to the
late period of the session. The amendment,
which now offer, proposes to remove one chief
occasion of these extraordinary expenses
And now, at last, among these final crowded
DAVIS of our duties here, but at this earliest OPP
portunity. | am to be heard not as favor,
but as "A right The graceful usages of this
BODY may be abandoned, but the established
privileges of debate cannot be abridged. Par
hamentary courtesy may be forgotten but Par
liamentary law must prevail. The subject is
broadly before the Senate. By the blessing of
God it shall be discussed.
Sir severe lawgiver of early Greece vainly
sought to secure permanence for his imperfect
institutions, by providing that the citizen who,
at any time, attempted an alteration or repeal
of any part thereof should appear in the pub
lie assembly with a halter about his neck,
ready to be drawn if his proposition failed to
be adopted. A tyrannical spirit among us, in
unconscious imitation of this antique and dis
carded barbarism, seeks to surround an often
constitution with similar safeguard. In the
existing distemper of the public mind and at
this present iuncture no man enter upon
the service which now undertake, without
personal responsibility, such rs can be sus-
tanned only by that sense of duty which, under
God, is always our best support. That per-
sOnal responsibility accept. Before the Sen
ate and the country let me be held accountable
for this act, and for every word which utter
With me- sir, there is no alternative Pain
fully convinced of the unutterable wrongs and
woes of slavery profoundly believing that ac-
cordng to the true spirit of the Constitution
and the sentiments of the fathers it can find
no place under our National Government-that
it is in every respect sectional, and in no respect
adtiondl-that it is always and everywhere the
creature and dependent of the States. and never
anywhere the creature or dependent of the
Nation and that the Nation can never, by legis-
latiye or other act, impart to it any support
under the Constitution of the United States ;
with these convictions | could not allow this
session to reach its close, without making or
selling an opportunity to declare myself openly
against the usurpation, injustice, and cruelty,
OF the late enactment by Congress for the re-
coyery OF fugitive slaves Full well know,
sir, the difficulties of this discussion, arising
from prejudices Of opinion and from adverse
conclusions, strong and sincere as my own.
Full well know that am in a small minori-
ty, with few here to whom | may look for SYM
pathy or support Full well know that
must utter things unwelcome to many in this
body which cannot do without pain. Full
well ! know that the institution of slavery in
our country, which now proceed to consider,
Is as sensitive as it is powerful-possessing a
power to shake the whole land with sensitive
ness that shrinks and trembles at the touch.
pu', ~mle these things may properly prompt
.ne " caution and reserve, they cannot change
py uuy, or my determination to perform it.
roi TINS willingly forget myself and all per-
sonar consequences. The favor and goodwill
OF my iellow-citizens of my brethren of the
1enaIe sslr-grateiul to me as it Justly isl am
ready, IL required, to sacrifice. All that am
OF may be, freely offer to this cause.
ANA here allow me, for one moment. to refer
70 myself and my position Sir, | have never
oevn politician. The slave of principles,
eau no party master. By sentiment, edu-
G G' and conviction, friend of Human
A'ghts, IN their utmost expansion, / have
ever most sincerely embraced the Democrat
iaea not, indeed, as represented or pro-
''sSed by any party, but according TO its real
Hgnlhcance, as TRANSPORTED in the Declaration
VI ", independence, and in the iniunctions of
onrlStIanlty. In this Idea saw no narrow ad-
.,ah'ages merely for individuals or classes, but
we sovereignty of the people and the greatest
happiness OF all secured by equal laws. Amidst
.ne Ncissltudes of public affairs, trust always
hoId fast to this Idea, and to any political
party which truly embraces it.
rarity does not constrain me: nor il NV in
ssspenaenoe iessened by any relations to the
S S'"ce winch gives me title to be heard on this
noor s And here, sir, may speak proudly. By
o. mort by no desire of my own, find myself
senator OF the United States. Never before
,So ! held public Office of any kind With
~e ample opportunities Of private life | was
intent No tombstone for me could bear
%rer inscription than this Here lies one who
. .nnout the honors or emoluments of public
paNon, did something for his fellow man
.ol' such SIMPLE aspirations was taken away
a .. ne Tree choice Of my native Commonwealth,
WI VIZ placed in this responsible post of duty,
S slout personal obligation of any kind, be-
"a iuu what was implied in my life and publish
words The earnest friends, by whose conf
f,n nce l was first designated, asked nothing
WIN, me- and, throughout the long conflict
s,s"n ended in my election, rejoiced in the DO
nv Ia winch most carefully guarded To all
70 b" 'hguage was uniform, that did not desire
"a n Drought forward; that would do nothing
prd mimo'e the result; that had no pledges or
me 10 oifer; that the Office should seek
me anu not the Office and that il should find
% No. "u respects an independent man. bound
aceor Par'y and to no human being. but only,
Food os 70 my best Judgment to act for the
both al, Again, sir, | speak with pride
the nor myself and others when / add that
Ia d. a'owais found a sympathixing response
sr. mus spirit ] have come hare "a ~ ~.