The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-09-28

Ihz
ia consideration The bill making appropriations Tor
The civil and diplomatic expenses OF The lof
,bs 6scaI year ending the 30th OF june ls53 The Com
miitee on Finance submitted an amendment 70 silKe ou
of tbe bill the following words
.sso O And be IL Uather enacted, That no person
ha,saftsr who holds stall hod office under the gov.
ernmen, o. ha 1 amount Z, he sum Of s2 500 shall receive
com pensaton for dschafging the duties Of any ohef
office
and insert in lien thereof s
Gee 4ad B, IL farther enacted, That where the min
sal officers the United States have or shall incur ex-
Sinarv expense Ia executing the la vs. thereof tbs pay
q whsh = "g tss allow s the pay
sn thereof under the special taxation OF the distict
or court q hs 10 70 M ned o o ah he
n1iaIion for delsyng the expenses OF the lndciary'
Mr. SUMNER. move to amend the amendment, by
adding to il the following:
pyopided That such allowances shall be authorized
III 1850 or the surrender o from service or labor
which said act is hereby repeated
Mr. President, here is provision for extraordinary
expenses incurred in executing the laws oil the United
States Extraordinary expenses Slr beneath these
specous words turks the very subject on which, by
solemn vote of this body was refused hearing Here
il is no longer open 10 the charge oil being an absac-
top but actually presented for practical leglsalion not
introduced by me- but by OF the important commit
tees 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
IN remove one chief occasion OF these extraordinary
penses And now, at last. among these final crowded
DAYS of our duties here, but at this earliest opportunity
am o be heard nol as lavor M bst y n bu he
established privileges OF debate cannot be abridged Par
amentary courtesy may be forgotten but parliamentary
law mus, prevail The subject is broadly before the
Senate By the blessing OF God it shall be discussed
Sir sev vere lawgver OF early Greece vainy sought TO
secure permanence for his imperfect institutions by pro-
vidng that The citizen who at any tme attempted an al
nG nv ri in
the public assembly with halter about his neck, ready
to be drawn if his proposition failed to be adopted
tyannca splrlt among US m unconscious nli alon OF
an offensive institution with similar safeguard In the
existing dslemper OF the public mind and at this present
juncure enter upon the service which now
undertake without personal responsibility such as can
be sustained only by that sense Of duty which, under
God is always our best support Tnat personal respoa-
ability accept. Before the Senate and the country LET
me be held accountable for his act and Tor every word
which utter
With me- sir, there is alternative Painfully
vnced OF the unuterable wrongs and woes OF slavery
profoundly believing that, according to the true spirit of
the constitution and the sentiments OF the fathers IL can
find no place under national government-hat IL is
in every respect ste0nH and in respect nIiion1hat
il il always and everywhere the creature and dependent
OF the aiss and never where the creature depen
OF the nation and that the naioa never, by egs-
ative other act, impar TO i any support under the
constitution OF the United States-with these coa-
vctions l could not allow this session 10 reach It's
close, without making OF Selling an opportunity to
declare myself openly against the usurpation injus
ce, and cruelty OF the late enactment by Congress FOL
the recovery of fugitive slaves Full well know, sir
the difficulties Of this discussion, arising from preu
dices of opinion and from adverse conclusions, strong
and sincere as my Full well know that am In
small minority, with few here to whom NAV look for
sympathy or support Full well know that must Ut
ter things unwelcome TO many IN this body which
not do without pain Full well know that the instl.
ton OF slavery in country, which proceed Ia
consider, is as sensitive as II is poweru--possessng
power shake the whole land with sensiIveness that
shrinks and irembes at the touch. But while these
things may properly prompt me 10 caution and reserve
they cannot change my duty or my determination 10 per-
form IT, For this willingly forget myself and all per-
sona consequences The favor and good will OF my el.
low citizens of my brethren OF the Senate, srgraeful
to me as il Justly ISL ready il required 10 sacrifice
All that am or may be freely otter TO this
And here allow me for moment TO refer 10 myself
and my position Sir, have never been politician.
The slave OF principles call no party master BY
timent, education, and conviction, friend OF human
rights in their utmost expansion, have ever most sin
cerely embraced the democratic dea-no inieed rep
resented proessed By any party, bat accoplng o
real Significance ssan,hsure ~ the Dscllaton Of In.
Dependence and IN the inIunclns ot Christianity, 10
this idea no advantages merely for indI.
vduas or classes but the sovereignty OF the people and
the greatest happiness OF all secured By equal laws
Amidst the vcissuees oil public affairs, ! trust always
10 hold fast to this idea, and 10 any political party which
Party does not consrain me nor is my independence
essened By any relations TO The o'hce which gives
title 10 be heard on this floor And here sir may spea
proudly By no effort, by no desire OF my own
lind myself a senator of the United Safes Never be
fore have held public Office OF any kind. With In,
ample opportunities OF private life | content NJ
tombstone for could bear fairer inscription thar
this "Here lies one who, without the honors eno
umens OF public station, did something for his fellow
man" From such simple aspirations l was taken away
by the free choice OF my native Commonwealth, ant
placed in this responsible post OF duty without persona
obligation of any kind beyond what implied in ms
life and published words The eanes, friends by whose
confidence was first designated asked nothing from me
and throughout the long conflict which ended my eec
tion rejoiced in the position which most carefully
guarded. To all my language was uniform. that dit
not desire TO be brought forward that would do moth
ing 10 promote the result that ! had pledges o
promises 10 offer that the office shoald seek me, anc
moi the oifc and that il should find me in all respects
an Independent man, bound to party and to human
for the good OF all Again, sir speak with pride, boil
for myself and others, when add that these avowal
found a sympalhizing response. In this spirit | hav
come here and IN this spirit shall speak to-day
Rejoicing in my independence, and claiming no,hin
from party ties, 1 throw myself upon the csndor am
magnanjmity OF the Senate. | now ask your attention
but trust not to abuse it. may speak strongly, for
shall speak openly and from the strength OF my convc
lions | NAV speak warmly, for | shall speak IRON ~
heart But IN no event can forget the amenities which
belong 10 debate, and which especially become TN
body Slavery must condemn with my whole soul
ou, here ! need only borrow The language OIL slave
holders themseves nor would II accord with my habit
or my OF Justice 10 exhibit them as the impersona
Ton OF the inslitutonJederson calls u the enormy
which they cherish OF them do not speak but with
out fear and without favor az without Impeachment o
any person, assail this wrong Again. sir, may err
oui ~ will be with the fathers plant myself on IN
ancient ways OF the republic with its grandest names
me.
And now, on the very threshold / encounter the OBJ