Washington sentinel., 1853-10-13

might say they are part ofmy constitutional inher-
tonce--eyery thought and feeling and impulse OF
my heart--evcry verse and chapter of my political
creed--cvery syllable OF my political education
teaches me that our political institutions found
ed in equality; and repudate, as one of the ioul-
est calumnes, that am in favor of slavery in any
form. look on democratic institutions as having
gone ont into the earth great mission of light
disseminating light carrying the glad iidngs OF
freedom and good viii TO men, and second only in
their iertilizing influences 10 the benign spirit Of
the Christian religion itself. l believe that the
work of extending freedom to all mankind cannot
be accomplished in mans brief moment, but that
that mission is abroad and will accomplish its good
works in the time OF Him who controls the destiny
of nations. My position, then, is not in favor of
slavery, and not favoring the institution, cannot
favor its extension.
q repudiate the insinuation, in all lis forms and
in all places, whether at the north or south, The
east or the west, whether the bondman be black
or white, and whether the limb orthe mind be held
in servitude. But see il having existence and
operation in some Of the States Of the confederacy
existing not only there, but recognized by the
Constitution which binds MS together family
of States, and that II is matter OF their own and
that we have nothing 10 do with il. In this state
of things, unfortunately, to say the least,
tional party has been formed. cannot and will
not act as would have acted, or speak as would
have spoken, had there been no such party formed,
tcrfered with the rights Of others cannot, a
citizen, or legislator, do what would have
done otherwise. Whoever else may, will not
by thought, word, or deed, manifest my contempt
for the parting injunction of the Father of his coun
try, against sectional organizations"
Again:
n "But | stand here to-day
in the spirit of democracy, to invoke every one
whether here or elsewhere-in the populous city
or in the log hut between the mountains--to come
up 10 the support Of democracy iron, un-
yielding national democracy-a laying aside nom
essentials to take the great cardinal principals of
early faith, and with them march forward TO vic
tory On this territory slavery question my posi-
tion is this: am, an individual and legislator
not in favor OF the extension OF slavery, but ont
and out, up and down. live or die. am opposed
to its extension. That is understood, suppose
Mr.. Van Buren must have "harmoniously'
forgotten the following part Of the same para
graph, as he omits it. a
Bit especially since sectional parry has been
formed am equally against the nffeyanee Of sec
tionai opinions By ne sorrreg,i soice on the snert
this sciH proceed to state 5rieqy:
1T is most generally conceded that we ought
not to act upon il that there is necessity for
action ON the subject. The agitators themselves
generally regard the question as an abstract one
But they saw that there should be an expre sson of
differ from them no more than they differ from
me. | will not censure them for their abstract
opinions, though they may censure me just as
much as they please iliberal as may think them
The reason why would not speak upon the ques-
ton in the sovereign voice of the State, is TO me
most satisfactory. The members of'this contcoeyacy
are eqnaL-fhey are families Of The same neighdor
hood and no one has The rgitto aconna Tie ftings
or humble the pride of another"
Again:
elf said anything, would say that am not in
favor of the extension of slavery. Aud that is not
distinction without difference. Iwoud say
further, that would stand there and if you please
like him OF the flaming sword and that the first
effort which proposed to extend slavery there, l
would oppose. But until that was attempted,
would not do il. would simply stand guard on
the frontier. l would not act myself nor let any
one else act; would moi permit laws by Con-
gress TO extend, nor ask for laws to prohibit, but
let the people of the territory take care Of it, as
they so soon to be States. would not oppose
slavery extension in advance, by law, extend il
by law. Both extremes OF opinion can stand by
and suffer the people Of the territory, already
State, except in form, to dispose Of the question
with propriety and in peace. Therefore, instead
of saying am opposed TO the extension of slavery,
would say am not in favor OF IT, That is the
doctrine OF non-nertcrencc, and that is and must,
and will be the doctrine of the national democratic
party. Congress shall not touch the question, but
it being domestic question, the people OF the
territory, about 10 become States, may and ought
10 dispose of it, Is not that fair and common
ground2 And FIVE have faith in the capacity of
the people 10 govern themselves, il is ground on
which all can stand.
*t# #t# N at has been said
that the south has done this, and that and the
other--and that we of the north have a right to
complain. But look back moment to 1S40--when
the proud Empire State quailed under the blows
OF the enemy--and when the south stood united
in favor of New York's candidate for the Presi-
dency. To be sure they were borne down by
the overwhelming vote Of the northern States
but did the South give way then? Away, then,
with this spirit of elimination and rccrimnaton.
The democratic party Of the Union must stand or
fall together. Under no more sectional organiza-
ton can it act at ALL much less with success in
presidential contest. The north is bound TO he
just. and afford to be generous towards the
south. II should hold no language but that of
kindness and generosity. Above all things should
we avoid the language of irritation and reproach."
1t was we'll known that my position was one
of strict non-interference with the slavery ques
ton, and was early stated BY me in the Senate,
as follows:
81 wish to state once for ALL that II is not my in
tenton, either directly or indirectly 10 favor by
voice or vote, the extension of slavery or the
strcton of slavery in the territories by Congress-
or any interference with the subject whatsoever
Nor am influenced in this conclusion by the local
laws OF lne territory IN question: elmer natural or
artifcal-the laws OF nature, or the laws of man !;
and for all the purposes of present action, will
not inquire what they are, in either respect. will
stand upon the principles of nonintcrvention by
Congress, in the broadcast possible sense, for non
interventions sake, and to uphold the fundamental
principles of freedom, and for no other reason
and viii leave the people Of the territories and Of
the States TO such rights and privileges theirs
under the Constitution and laws of the United
States, without addition to, or diminuiion from,
such rights, by the action of Congress"
Since coming here this evening, friend has
placed in my hands the Washington Union Of
the I'd instant, engaged in the harmonious office
Of proving upon me freesoir' sentiments. ]
hold no controversy with newspapers, but turn
it over to the Richmond Enquirer, Washington
Sentinel, and other sterling democratic journals,
which have already properly characterized its
efforts. If it fails to appreciate their exhibi-
tions of its spleen, / have not the vanity to
suppose that can reachits sensibility. Itpur-
ports to give extracts from my speech al Rome.
will only add, that if the writer of that article
had tho epepcb haforp hin, nd ba bs % yc,,<jo