The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-22
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF HON. p. 5. BROOKS

Mr. BROOKS SAID
Mr. CHAIRMAN; desire 10 express my views upon the
bin which engrossne the thoughts Of every membsr
on this hoor, and wsh 10 d. before the gound A..
together covered BY the army OF speakers who hold
ing themselves an reserve Should asght Of iniem-
peanee OF language escape me ~ The remarks about
10 make trust that may be regarded dlreced to-
wards principles and positions, and not 10 the persons
from whom they proceed.
have lived long enoue 10 learn thA 10 do Justice TO
the opnoAs and pe]adces oi others the suresi
way 10 secare aiusi consideration OF my
Nor, sir, does Il Jump with my humor OF nay apprecia-
on Of honor 10 assa those who. ia obedience 10 local
sentiment are averse to resort but loo common in a
latitude II is cheap display OF chivary 10 in
sul when no risk is incurred and, for my own part,
would prefer The condition OF him who bears The wound
than Of hsm ay whom u IA, under such circumstances
neecseesiy inflcltd
xm frank 10 avo~ MY belief hai il would have been
wiser, and IN better keeping with The general lneIesls OF
the country bad the bill providing territorial gov ernmenis
fos Nebraska and Kansas been delayed until the pressing
wants Of the people OF those Territories had caused them
10 apply 10 Congress for relief
The friends OF The bill maintain that the called Mis-
contemporaries line hns been superseded by subsequent
acts OF legislation which are Inconsistent with II and
tai therefore virtually annuled would have pre-
iened 10 continue in this attitude II would have gwen
Us the advantage ot defensive position.
But, sir, The bill is before US, and il becomes US
OF the South avail ourselves OF the opporune occa
sion 10 bring back congressional legislation within con-
stilutona restraIn4o Tsassert the great constitutional
principles that the people are The source OF all political
power, they have, IN lhe capacity Of sovereign States
the nheren, right Of sell government and 10 regain our
constitutional right 10 20 with property OF every de-
scrielon upoa any par Of the public domain
We rejoice unite with brethren OF the w est IN
so patriotic enieprise and rejoice thar the stars
OF the consultation and uf empire nnglng their rays
together The West We relocs upon ihs coincidence
OF opinion between The people oi Two great stcions
which destined 10 grow together in prosperity and
wealth. and hch God has united a common interest
by that great highway OF commerce which bi4ngs me
treasures of The West into tie lap OF The South. Was
the Wimot proylso incorporated INTO the bill, appre-
bend obstacle would be neTposed its passage
by those who now oppose il Bui, Certain traier-
uiiy who with humble preiensoHs have assumed 10 be
only reliable expoupders oil The constuton-the dis
co-erers Of higher law than the law Of God, in obe
disDce 10 the peculiar lenets Of which they required
10 love then brethren black than those OF The
same color ihemseves-le bs saucimonious tones
OF senatorial digaily TO 'DsiHain pghed faith They
object to the bill
ist Brcause Of the assumption that vas toe original
policy oil the country 10 exclude slavery from the Terri
orIes held in common by tie States.
ID Because OF aci Of legislation in 1920, the con-
sderatOh OF which bas been enjoyed hy the slave States
and the benefits o which have Lot e accrued 10 the free
States.
80 Because Of The assumed angonism Of the free and
slave labor, and that The admission OF slaves into these
Territories will result In the exclusion OF foreign eni-
grants. And
alh. Be,ause Of the immortality and the inerpedieney
OF slavery.
propose 10 reply 10 the objections 10 The orJer which
they stated and invite your attention FIRST 10 thai
which based upon what ls assumed TO have been the
orgnal policy oi the country. II ls not surprising ha
among people ho have just emerged from wasting
and pfotrscied war, waged in defence OF their own
Liberty. the hrrl eBloyaehi OF that liberty many
should have been lecplacd INTO exray OF opn
on ard Of acl. Thete exultant feeling OF III
amgh-nstnra YET daRgerous-Which pervaded every
rans ot society and The prosperity OF be Amencat
States critically periied than Al thai pc
nod Of time which fbiervenes between ne termination
Of be war OF independence and the adoption OF the led
eFal constitution.
While The States employed in common resist
sRcs 70 common enemy, they secure against nvsl
res and leaUnsles amongst themselves. But with tht
relaKsons oi peace The inoKirailons al hbeiiy
We hsn N " he infancy OF the science Of eonstiu
ions and Of confedtracies = and Eiciorl
complete until the liberty bad achieved bad been reg
uaed by law and tie rights oi The States ther rela
ions 70 each on er and 70 to- general government iheI
about established had been defined and guarantieC
By written constitution.
That The light uf liberty during THIS interval shoult
have been reflected from the white 10 The black
bot natural and that men hlgb lame FOR wisdom snt
patriotism have aeres sentiments adverse 10 the eYien
zion OF slavery Il would be unfair and uBrHe TO deny.
MIR. Mason, oi Virginia, The ieoetal convention
avoved tie opinion Ihsi slaves bring the Judgment o
Heaven a coshtry. A cannot be rewarded o
punished IN The nex world they must be 10 this. By
inevitable chain 81 and effects, Providence pun
shes national By nauoBs eslsnIiies he iamenisd
however, n al O eastern brethren bad, from
lost Of gsin. embarked IN hs nefsrious traffic"
Mr.. Ellsworth. Of Connecticut said
Les intermedde A. popuiation increases, poo
sborers vii be plenty fenIsr Bseisss siu
very, Ia me, VIII 20, be speck ! the country I"
Authority may BE- aatuoed 10 support Of a ihOusaEt
exploded theories Authority, and high auihoriy, nay
be bIoeshl Tor converting this government into conso
dated d.sgoiisHa authority for giving the President
e-ienpre Of Office, and authority for conierring upoT
hiu the appointment Of members ot the other branch o
his Congress And 10 what does this authority amount
You may vel give The EutkOrIty oi QuaktrE agains
usf. and the sphoniy Of shsys rebellion against III
blessings o The very liberty bad achieved b revolu
uon
or what weight is lbe Authority Of Mr. Mason IN yr
gina now-tbs he Judgment Of Heaven il visited upoi
he owners Of slaFes3 And Of what weigh, - Cunnre
tcUt IL the Wholesome renonsrance OF Mr.. Ellsworth
iei not ialemeddls
slr, the judgment OF Heaven has fallen upon land
and ~ such plenieous showers Of prosperity and o
great ess n al he ri The Old World the
tyss upon Us n sdmrEton and smazemeuL Our staple
proeOcons. the productions Of slaves Gil every
themselves ub The occnpsuous he habits. and toe
oesssfss oi nan, hsl ialgEs q The slave ctups b
Anerlcs wcuio thrcaieb feruluCn Europe, and bring
upon thousands Oi cur uwn couBtfymen. who, fr
ihef blns ianapc sm. would row spoi be udder whct
has fed ard fantGed them
The policy of government il not r. " learned from
isolated oPnlars, Irresponsby gveu loose 6ebae bu
BY its schema enssmeHiH executed proper form, AMI
by competent authcr1y
Bat or sinOe figs pout has been made We may Itsr,
81 The policy 81 ne conHy By examining tbs optn
ions a oher gentlemen ol he federal convention.
hr. Sberan 81 Connecticut, observed that the A.
Ilton Of slavery seemed 70 BE- gong jn the United
States, and tha the good oi ihe several States
would. probably, bg degrees complete IL =
MIR. Dickinson, o Deiawars considered il iua8 mis-
siss, oa every principle o honor and saiey, that tbs in
pafision oi slaves sAoad be authorized The States bl
The constitution
Mr. Lalber Na lin. of Maryland, vas for prohibitai
tbe importation 81 slaves Il aeansiseni with Ii,
principles q lbe Isvoluuoa, ard Cishonofsbs @ ~,