Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-03-11

the Of slavery under political system and
peciay through the operations Of the National Govern
men that 1t oosens and destroys the character Of North
men, even Mt distance--lke the black magnetic
mountain In the Arabian story under whose irresistible
attraction the iron bolts which held together the strong
tmbers of stately ship drawn out till the whole
fell apart and became DISCOUNTED wreck. Alas too
often those principles, which give consistency, ndyidu
atty and form to the Northern character which render
it sanch strong and seaworthy, which bind it together
with iron, drawn out by one like the bolts of
the Inflated vessel and from the miserable, loosened ag
ments is formed that human anomaly--G Northern man
with Southern principles Sir, such man can speak for
the North.
Here there interruption of prolonged applause
The PRESIDENT, (sIr. STUART in the CHAIR The
Chair will be obliged to order the galleries to be cleared
if order is not preserved Noappause will be allowed
Several VOICES. Let them be cleared now
Mr.. SUMNER. Mr.. President, advance now to con-
sderations Of general character, to which ask
your best attention Sir, this bill Is proposed as mea
sure Of In this way you vainy think to withdraw
the subject Of slavery from national politics. This is
mistake. Peace depends on mutual confidence. 1t can
rest secure broken faith and injustice And,
sir permit me to say, frankly, sincerely and earnestly
that the subject of slavery never be Withdrawn from
the national politics until we return to the
original policy Of fathers at the first organization of
the Government under Washington when the national
ensign nowhere the national territory covered single
slave.
Slavery, which our fathers branded rs an ssevl" q
"curse" 'enormity," 'nefarous institution is
condemned OF the North by the strongest convictions Of
the reason and the best sentiments OF the heart
the only subject within the field Of national politics which
excites any real interest The old matters which have
divided the minds Of have lost their Importance
One by they have disappeared leaving the ground TO
be occupied by question grander FAR The bank SUBJ
treasury the distribution Of the public lands each
and oil obsolete issues Even the tariff is not question
which opposite political parties united in taking
opposite sides And now instead of these superseded
questions which filed for the most part with the
consider face to face which is connected with all
that is divine in religion with all that is pure and noble
in morals with all that is truly practical and constu
tiona in politics. Unlike the other questions, 1t is not
temporary local in its character. 1t belongs to all
times and to all countries Though long kept in check
it now by your introduction conroRts the people, de-
handing to be heard To every in the land it says
with clear penetrating voice, "Are you for freedom
you for slavery" And every in the land must
answer this question when he votes
Pass this BILL and it will be in vain that you soy the
slavery question is settled Sir, nothing be settled
whch moi right nothing be settled which is adj
verse to freedom. God, nature and all the holy SEN
timents of the heart repsdate 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 defeat
am proud to be associated the Independent Democrats
who epouse that Democracy which is TRANSPORTED in the
Declaration Of Independence and the ipjunctons Of
christianity The testimony which we bear against sla
very, as against all other wrong, is in different ways
der other Governments, in Russia Turkey, in
other States Of the Union Virginia and Carolina
oppose only through the influence ofteraure morals
and religion without in any way invoking the political
power proposed to act otherwise But slavery
where parties to it, where responsible for
it, every where within jurisdiction must be opposed
not only by all the influence ofterature morals and re
gon but directly by every instrument of political power
In the States is sustained by local laws and although
may be compelled to share the shame which its pre-
inicts upon the fair fame Of the country yet it
receives direct sanction at our hands We are not
sponsible for it. The wrong not ct own particular
doors. 1t is not within jurisdiction But slavery
every where under the Constitution Of the United States
every where within the exclusive jurisdiction Of the Ma
iona Government every where under the national flag,
is at particular doors, within the sphere of
personal responsibility and exists there in defiance
Of the original policy of our fathers and Of the true prn
ciples Of the Constitution.
tits mistake to say is often charged that seek
to interfere through Congress with slavery in the States
in any to direct the legislation Of Congress
subjects not within its jurisdiction. Our political aims
well political duties co-extensive with
political responsibilities And since ut the North are
responsible for slavery wherever exists under the urs
dction of Congress- it is objectionable us not
every power possess to enlist Congress against it.
Such is our To Of all parties and opinions
who wish well to the Republic and would preserve its
good ii appeals Alike the conservative and the
reformer it appeals for it stands the rues
yasm and the ruest reform In seeking the reform of
existing evils seek also the conservation of the princ
Piles OF our fathers The cause is not sectional Oh no
sir, it is not sectiona for it simply aims to establish
under the National Government those great principles
justice and humanity which are broad and universal
As well might it be said that Jefferson, Franklin,
and Washington sectional 1t is not aggressive;
for it does not seek in any to interfere through Con-
gress with slavery in the States It is not contrary to
the constitution for it recognises this paramount law and
in the administration of the Government nvokes the spirit
of its founders Sir it is not hostile to the quiet Of the
country for it proposes the only by which agta
ton be alayed and quiet be permanently established
1t is not uncommon to hear persons declare that they
teal efforts to make this opposition felt At the
time they Enthusiastically visit with condemnation, with
proach contempt the earnest souls who for years have
striven in this struggle. To such would say-could
reach them with my voice-fyou sincere in what
you declare if yeur words not merely if
in your hearts you entirely willing to join in any prac
teal efforts against slavery, then by your lives by your
conversation by your influence, by your votesdisre-
gardng the ancient forms Of party ste"-seek to carry
the principles Of freedom into the National Government
wherever its jurisdiction is acknowledged and its power
can be felt Thus without any interference with the
States which beyond this jurisdiction, may you help
to erase the blot of slavery from natonsl brow.
Do this and you will most truly promote the harmony
which you much DESIRE You will establish tranquili-
ty throughout the country Them at last SIR the slavery
question will be settled Banshed from its asurped foot
hold under the National Government slavery will long
er enter with distractpg force into the national politics,
making and unmaking laws, making and unmaking Pre-
sdens Confined to the States where 1t ives left by the
Constitution it viii take its place local institution
it, alas continue il mustor which in no sense
responsible and against which we cannot exert any poll
teal power We shall be relieved from present pain
full and irritating connection with it. The existing anita
gonism between the North and South will be softened
elimination and recriminaon will cease; the wishes OF
the fathers will be fulfilled and this great evil be left to
the kindly influences of morals and reg on and the pre-
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