Washington sentinel., 1854-03-08
NEBRASKA AND KANSAS.
SPEECH or HON. R. BRoDHEAD,
OF PENNSYLVANIA,
In tbe Seuate Februdrg %, 1854.

and Kansas,
Mr.. BRODHEAD said:
Mr.. President AS made speech IN favor
of the principles of the bill now under con-
sideration nearly six years ago, in the House
of REPRESENTATIVES, and then discussed at some
lenpth the questions which have been brought
TO the notice of the Senate during this debate,
had determined to give silent vote. There
is another reason, sir why had determined
to remain quiet. | did not, at the commence
meat of the debate, feel the same interest IN
the question | did when the Wilmot proviSo
was first brought to the notice of Congress
and the country for | have witnessed too
great willingness on the part of some parties
south to unite with the Wilmot proyiso wings,
and Buffalo platform democrats and Abolition
lists. whenever it suited their convenience to do
Sc. | felt that injustice had been done to the true
men of the north. But, sir, put these things
behind me: principle is at stake; | have
duty to perform, rs well as feelings to crafty.
Mr.. President, nv honorable and respected
colleague and myself come from and represent
The same great State which occupies so impor
tent a position between the dividing interests,
and may add. between the dividing tanaticism
Of the north and the south, and / therefore
regret that he has taken q position and ad-
yanced views against this bill in which | cannot
concur. had hoped that there was one whig
upon this floor from northern State who
would not separate from his southern wing
brethren No doubt he honestly believes all
he says A difference of opinion between US
renders it quite proper and necessary that both
shopld have a fair hearing, and hence took
the floor last evening rs soon rs he concluded
his remarks | will endeavor to bring facts to
The notice Of the Senate and the country. and
win slate the case as | understand 1t, and will
attempt but little more for always endeavor
to make myself useful as q working man,
rather than conspicuous in the way OF speech
making. Orations for the benefit of the gal
leres or sentimental readers at home are out
Of place here They serve no useful purpose.
Debate III the true sense Of the term, is one of
the objects for which we meet. .."
Nv honorable colleague Mr.. COOPER last
evening asserted that the measure under con-
sideration is fraught with danger: that it is
creating a silent feeling Of Indignation in the
minds of those Of the north who have hereto
fore maintained the constitutional rights and
institutions of the south; that it is repugnant
10 the compromise measures Of 1850, and
violation of plighted faith, by the repeal of
the Missouri compromise, after the south had
had the benefit Of the bargain. He did not as.
sert, as some do at the north that we are about
10 legislate and plant slavery in the Territory,
and proceed to hold meetings upon that idea.
These are the positions which under
stood my colleague to assume, and upon all OF
which take issue with him, and affirm before
this august body and before our common con-
stituents- #.
l.. That the bill being based upon a correct
principle, the right OF the people or colimuni-
Ties to govern themselves and regulate their
own domestic institutions, it is not traught with
danger Ear distant States or communities
should not be ruled hy decrees-star chamber
DEGREES issued from the palace at Washington.
> That the same men who were the oppo.
nents OF the admission of Texas, and the noisy
advocates of the Wimot proviso, with some
few exceptions, are now attempting to excite
popular prejndce against it, No evidence is
needed upon this point; it is part of the history
of the country. .". :.
,. That it is far from being repugnant to the
compromise measures of 1850, it carries out
the principle of those measures, and so three
fourths Of this Senate will decide.
!. That the. Missouri compromise was vio-
lated, repudiated abrogated and annulled BY
the advocates of the Wilmot proviso, land my
colleague was one of them,) in opposition to
the votes and earnest protestations of the whole
south, and in opposition to the votes and
speeches of men like myself who opposed the
Wilmot proviso. AT any rate, the advocacy Of
the Wilmot proviso caused the virtual repeal OF
the Missouri compromise in 1850.
5. The bill recognizes principle and estab-
fishes a rule better and more beneficial forthe
north than the Missouri compromise; because
south Of go 30' slavery was implicitly to be ad-
mittsd or the compromise was cheat; and
because we have only about 100000 slave own
ers in population Of over $4,000, 600 so that
1t is quite certain that majority of the people
having no interest IN slaves will 90 into the ter
ritory south of 36o 30, and pass laws, and
adopt constitutions prohibiting slavery wher
ever ther are not prevented by the character of
The soil and climate If, therefore, the southern
States are content with the present bl and are
willing to repeal the Missouri compromise, the
north should be also This bill gives no pro-
te44ion TO slave property in Nebraska. The
Constitution, which is the supreme law, may
81 NAV NOT give il in opposition TO local terri
foyial legislation. That is left an open question
Tor the Supreme Coari Of the United States to
decide. ..
q. The Missouri compromise was an expe-
dent TO get the two Houses Of Congress ont OF
a difficulty in which the spirit Of aboitionlsm,
fanaticism, and demagoguism had involved
them in 1920. and only acquired respect by
State, congressional. and individual acquies-
cenee 1t was intended to reach the Pacific
ocean, and to divide that which could not be
peaceably enjoyed in common.
Before proceeding TO discuss the points in
issue between my honorable colleague and my
self, | beg to make few remarks Of a pre-
liminary character.
The question at present is of no practical
importance whatever. 1t is only important as
establishing permanent rule BY which terrific.
rial governments are hereafter to be organized.
so that debates like the present may be avoided
We never acquire territory north bu, ALWAYS
south. from weak and drfenceless nations. Here
after territorial governments will be organized
south Of SO" 20, as well as north OF that line.
In all territory belonging to the United States,
wish the people Of the north well as the
south, to have fair chance.
have said that the present question il of no
practical Importance, for every sensible man
knows, and every candid man will admit, tha,
IL. IL