The daily union., 1852-03-13
CONGRESSIONAL.
srEEoH or ma. WILCOX,
OF MISSISSIPPI


Deiusred an the House Of Representatives arch o. 1861
Ihe House being in Committee OF the Whole, and
having under consderat ion the Homestead bill"-
MT WILCOX said Mr. Chairman. am free 10 ad
nll he fact IN rising TO address the House upon the
present occasion, that il is with unaffected dfidence
And permit 10 remark, sir that would willingly fore
80 Tue privilege, did not consider duty deyolved upon
me oy tue extraordinary Developments here ami else
whee since the commencement OF the present session OF
Congress. With regard the merits or demerils OF the
bll now pending, have not word TO say, but shall
aval s myself OF The latitude given in Committee OF the
Whole on the state o the Union to speak upon another
subject Within the last two years startling and sig
nhcant page in the history of this government has been
aniolded and its giant characters, North and South
nave arisen as forerunnes oil state OF things heretofore
unprecedented and which, il arrested by the conser
vauve spirit OF the age, inevitably result in an
overthrow OF the government
Men OF America the day has come, and now is when
recurrence to first principles should not only be our
object, but our aim end, and purpose not only alb
siract reality, but universal presenccwhen the princi
Piles OF the great Father OF his Country must have an
excmpbcation in the action OF the people 1t is known
that appear here Union, jackson democrat instead
OF secession, disunon democrat-as one who bows
IN submission 10 the constitution and laws OF the United
States; regret exceedingly regret, the necessity that
compels me TO aude TO the Compromise and the
sons OF my acquiescence acquiesce, then. sir, first
because all the vexed questions growing out of the
QUESTION from Mexico referred for adjustment to
the gray headed fathers OF the republic, some of whom
had been identified with the government for forty years,
familiar with it's wants and demands, its hopes and its
ears-men who upon thousand altafs had offered up
their morning and their evening sacrifice in behalf OF
their conny's good ;men who had not only illustrated
the annals OF their race upon the tented field but in the
halls OF legislation at home and In the and cab-
nets OF kings, queens and hierarches of Europe; men
who had drank at the fountain of civil and religious lib
ery opened by the heroes and sages OF the republic far
back IN the volume OF its history, and whose hearts
through sunshine and storm, exaltaon and depression,
victory and defeat had hrobbed in unison with the
grandeur and glory the pride and power of the republic
These were they who presented TO the American peo-
pie for their acqulescence the worldenowned Compro-
mise
But, sir, acquiesce secondly because in this plan of
adjustment see no infracon of the constitution. Or
the contrary the bill admitting California as State and
me bills granting territorial governments TO Utah and
New Mexico, were passed IN obedience to principle thai
lies at the base OF the democratic party and which has
been promulged by the action of every southern demo-
cratic convention since the first crusade of abo,ioniss
against the institution of slavery will not discuss these
bills II is not required OF me by my constituents This
was done to their satisfaction during the campaign. But
sir, am right in the statement made concerning the
principles upon which these bills passed Mr. Calhoun
submitted series Of resolutions the American Senate
in ls47, among which, standing in bold relief as the
exponent OF vital principle, may be found The follow
ing
Resolusd That ii is Fundamental principle in our po
tca creed that people, in forming constitution
the u1conditiona right form and adopt the
which they may think best calculated TO their lib
ery, prosperity, and happiness and in conformity thereto.
no other condition n imposed BY the federal constitution in
republican,, and that the imposition of other by Con-
IN direct conflict with the principle which political
system rests"
In obedience to this principle California like Phenix
from its ashes, arose into being and existence. And
there she stands like the colossal statue whose immense
size strikes the spectator afar off with wonder and
lshment Was her constitution republican 1t was.
Then no other condition imposed BY the federal
stlution Acquescence in her admission, then, not
only right but the duty OF every disposed TO be ue
to his government and just 10 bis country. Now to the
territorial bills of Utah and New Mexico Did they
fleet the great cardinal principle of nierventon-a
principle sacred than any other 10 be found in the
creed OF the democratic party and upon the preservation
and maintenance Of which alone depends the perpetuity
OF the Union They did. Were they in harmony with
the doctrine OF intervention lie, President
Polk IN his message OF the 5h OF December ls4S says
"In organizing governments over these Territories, no
late upon the subject Of slavery Whether Congress shall
egsaie or not the people OF the acquired Territories,
exclusive power deiermne whether slavery shall or shall
not exist in their limits"
This sir, is the language OF statesman and patriot
who, his official relations with The government, knew
no North, South, no East. West and who,
throughout bis momentous administration, retained the
confidence OF his friends, and challenged the admiration
and respect OF his enemies Again, sir the democratic
convention of Virginia, held on the 29h OF February,
lS4S, declared
g That there power in Congress, anywhere
ce, only In the people OF Territory In the adoption
OF State constitution preparatory admission into the
Union prevent the migration Of any citizen Of any State
with his properly, whether be slaves anything else TO
any domain which may be acquired by the common blood
and treasure Of the people OF al the States"
This is good doctrine, and endorsed il upon every
stump in my district Again in Stale convention OF
the democratic party oil Georgia, held IN ls4s, II was
Rssoiped. That the people Of the South do ask OF
Congress establish the institution In Of the territory
that may be acquired by the United States They simply
reauire thai The inhabitants OF each Territory shall be ei,
free determine for themselves whether the institution
slavery shall shall not form part Of their social system
Here, again, is the doctrine OF non.intervenon
nounced by the democratic party OF old Georgia-usy
denominaed the "New Eng land OF the South" in CON-
plmen to her progress in railroad enterprise and
featuring industry, being much distinguished Tor her
practical hard o her chyarc sisters is Tor
her love OF political distractions God bless her !-one
OF the Old Thirteen. loyal and true 10 the Union and
the constitution
Upon the principles indicated in Mr. Folks message,
and upon these resolutions, lar the doctrine OF nom
Intervention is concerned. conducted the in my
Stae and was Overwhelmingly sustained in nine out OF
the twelve counties composing the district have the
honor TO represent. will say nothing OF the fugitive
slave bill, and the bill aboshng the slave trade in the
District OF Columbia.
1 now desire, in self.delence, and in vindication
Of the principles OF the patriotic spirits who have
honored me with their confidence, TO give bnef bis-
tory OF the parties they stood in Mississippi, that
this House may pass upon my claims and peiensons 10
democracy Much has been said in and out OF Congress
during the present session. as 10 odfne democrats Ana
play tell me- sir, who are theyl From whence did 'hey
come! From whom do they trace their genealogyf
will proceed sir fearessy and boldly 10 give sketch OF
their acts and dongs South. The rst claron-note 'na'
was sounded was from the headquarters OF the captain
general Ii spread far and wide, and was echoed and re-
echoed by the liners my State until the arched SKIES
themselves were made TO reverbeate the sound III was
thought by them that II would he canonized and that the
historic muse proud OF the rich treasure, would ma1cn
with down latest times, and give bond IN stone anu
I,,r,n hras md