The daily union., 1854-03-04

cease and It is precisely the same with slavery.
Sir, dismiss these considerations Ihe prohibition
OF slavery the Territory of Nebraska stasds found
atons OF adaan upheld by the early policy Of the faith
ers, by constant precedent and tmehonore compact II
is in your power 10 overtun II you may remove the
sacred landmark and open the whole vast domain to
slavery To you is committed this high preIogatve
Our fathers, the OF the revolution, set forth In
burning words, among their grievances, that George Ill
sin order TO keep open market where should be
bought and sold had prosltuied his negative for sup
pressing every legislative attempt 10 prohibit restrain
this execIable commerce" Sir, like the English mon
arch, you may prostitute your power TO this same
purpose. But you cannot escape the judgment oil The
world, nor the doom of history:
1t win be in vain that, while doing this thing, you
plead in apology, the principle OF sell government which
you profess TO recognise in the Territories Sir. this
very principle when truly administered, secures equal
rights to ALL without distinction ol color or race, and
makes slavery impossible By no rule OF justice and by
no subety Of political metaphysics, can the right TO hold
fellow in bondage be regarded as essential TO SELF
government The inconsistency 100 hagrant 1t is ap
parent on the bare statement. IL is like saying so and
fipo make three In the name OF liberty you open the
door slavery With professions OF equal rights on the
lips, you lrample the rights OF human nature. With
kiss upon the brow OF hat a Territory you betray 1t TO
wTechedness and shame. Well did the patriot soul ex-
claim, p bitter words, wrung out by bitter experience
"Oh Liberty what crimes are done 10 thy name y
In vain. sir you will plead that this measure proceeds
from the North has been suggested by the senator from
Kentucky [Mr. DIxoN Even il Ibis were true It would
be no apology But, precpl'aed as this bill has been
upon the Senate at aomenl Of general calm, and in the
absence OF any controlling exgency and then hurried to
vote in advance Of the public voice. if fearful OF
rest cannot be Justly called the offspring Of any popu
lar sentiment In this respect differs widely from the
Missouri prohibition, which, after solemn debate, extend
ing through sessions Of Congress- and ample discus
sion before the people, was adopted Certainly there is
as yet no evidence that this though supported
by northern proceeds from that northern sentiment
which iB 10 be found, strong and fresh in the schools
The churches and homes OF the people Popt AID
AoUmoNEM posh Lbsrtatem quandem spirdnt And could
this scheme be submtten to the awakened millions
whose souls have been truly pened under northern SKIES
itwould be branded al once with an Indignant and un
dying condemnation
But the race Of men, .swhte slaves OF the North" de-
scrbed and despsed by southern statesman, Is not yet
extinct here sir Ii is of the melancholy tokens of
the power OF slavery. under political system. and es
pecialy through the operations of the national govern
ment that loosens and destroys the character OF north
mountain in the Arabian story, under whose irresistible
attraction the iron bolts. which held together the strong
mbers of stately ship, were drawn out I'LL the whole
fell apart, and became disointed wreck. Alas! too
often those principles, which give consistency, ndividu-
atty and form TO the northern character which render
il sauncb, strong, and seaworthy which bind il together
with iron, drawn out by one, like the bolts of
the il-faed vessel, and from the miserable, loosened
fragments is formed that human anomay-a northern
man 'ch southern principles Sir, no such man can speak
Here there interruption Of prolonged applause
The PRESIDENT, (Mr STUART in the chair, The
Chair will be obliged to order the galleries 10 be cleared
If order is not preserved. No applause will be allowed.
Several voIcEs. Let them be cleared now.
MIR. SUMNER. Mr.. President, | advance now 10
considerations OF general character, TO which
ask your best attention. Sir, this bill is proposed
measure OF peace In this way you vainy think with
draw the subject of slavery from national politics. This
a mistake, Peace depends upon mutual confidence,
IL rest broken faith and injustice
And sir, permit me to say frankly, sincerely and earn
from the national politics until we return more 10
the original policy OF our fathers, at the first organization
Of the government, under Washington, when the
iona ensign nowhere on The national territory covered
single slave.
Slavery, which our fathers branded as an "evil." a
"curse," ''enormty," "nefarous institution" is
condemned at the North by the strongest convictions of
the and the best sentiments OF the heart. 1t is
the only subject within the field OF national politics
which exces any real interest. The old matters which
have divided the minds OF men have lost their import
ance One by one they have disappeared leaving the
ground TO be occupied by question gander far The
bank, subreasury, the distribution OF the public lands,
are each and all obsolete issues Even the tariff
question which opposite political parties united
taking opposite sides And instead OF these super
seded questions, which filled for the part with
the odor OF the dollar the country is directly summoned
10 consider face face which connected with
all that divine in religion, with all that pure and
bein morals with all that is truly practical and const
iutona in politics. Unlike the other questions, it is not
temporary on local in IT'S character Il belongs to all
times and to all countries. Though long kept in check,
il now by your introduction, conirons the people, de-
mandng TO be heard To every man IN the land 1t
with clear, penetrating voice, Are you Tor freedom
are you for slaveryT And every in the land must
answer this question when he votes.
slavery question is settled Sir, nothing be settled
that s right Nothing be settled which is adverse
10 freedom God, Nature, and all the holy sentiments OF
the heart, repudate any such false seeming settlement
Now, SIR, mark the clear line OF our duty. And here
let speak for those with whom in minority and de-
feat proud 10 be assoclaed-the independent demo-
Gratis who espouse that democracy which is transhgured
ia the Declaration OF Independence, and the inuncons
OF Christianity The testimony which we bear against
slavery, against all other wrong is in different ways
according 10 position. The slavery which exists
under other goverpmentsas in Russia or Turkey-or IN
other States Of the Union, in Virginia and Carolina,
can oppose only through the influence OF literature
als and religion, without IN any way invoking the polt
cal power. Nor is IL proposed 10 act otherwise. But
slavery, where are parties 10 t-whefe we are re-
spoDsible for it--everywhere within our jurisdiction
must be opposed not only BY all the influence OF tera
tue, morals, and religion, but directly by every nsru
ment OF political power In the States IL is sustained
by Ocal laws, and although may be compelled 10
share The shame which its presence infcis upon the
laiI lame OF The country, yet II receives no direct
sanction at our hands We are not responsible for
is not within jurisdiction. But slavery everywhere
under the constitution OF the United Sates-everywhere
within the exclusive Jurisdiction OF the national govern
ment--everywhere under the national hag--s al our
own particular DOORS within the sphere OF our own per-
sona responsibility and Exists there in defiance OF the
original policy of fathers, and OF the true principles
OF the constitution.
TO interfere, through Congress, With slavery in the States
n any way 70 direct the legislation OF Congress upon
subjects not within s jurisdiction Our political aims,
well political duties are coextensive with our
political responsibilities. And since we at the North are
responsible Tor slavery wherever exists under the ju.
rsdcon OF Congress- It IL objectionable In us not 10 ex
cn every power TO enlist Congress against
~ To- II