The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1854-02-15


now by the prohibition, but eager to enter the new
Territory with their slaves? Who does not
know that the effect of the Introduction of slaves
will be the exclusion of free laborers, and to a
great extent, of the emigrants from Europei
Why, sir, in my judgment, a concerted movement
5by Slavery confederates to open this great Terri
tory, larger by twelve times than the whole State
OF Ohio-larger than all the existing free States,
with the exception of Cafornia-to the ingress of
Slavery, is mildly characterized by the language
OF the appeal. But will not further review this
document. 1t will appear with these remarks;
and will SPEAK for itself.
shall ask rhe indulgence of the Senate to hear
"'e at another time in reply to the argument of
the Senator from Illinois. 7 have set myself r;obt
IA respect to the two or three points, which the
| imputatons of the Senator ,,oda =. ,a.o,.a,. g..
ne to notice. l am ready to meet his arpumene
any 'ine but 1t is too late to enter upon it to-
day shall ask. however, the attention of the
Senate at an early day, while demonstrate that
the prohibition of 1920 was compact; that it was
not repealed by the Compromise of 1850: that
not single word was uttered in this Chamber, or
in the other House, or anywhere, through the
whole land, indicating any idea or purpose on the
part of anybody thut those measures were to
operate as such repeal; and that when the SEN
ator vouches the authority of Clay and Webster
to sustain him, he vouches authorities which
would rebuke him, could those statesmen speak
from their graves. l will detain the Senate no
longer.
MIR. SUMNER.-Mr. President before the Sen:
ate adJourns, crave single moment. As one
of fba
Senator from Illinois, Mr.. DougIass,1 l accept
now openly, before the Senate and the country,
my full responsibility for it, and deprecate no critic
Ism upon 1t from any quarter. That document
was put forth in the discharge of high public
duty; on the precipitate introduction into this
body of measure which, as it seems to me, is
not only suhversve of ancient landmarks. but
hostile to The peace, the harmony, and the best
interests Of the country. But, sir, in doing this
judged The act, and not its author. Isaw only the
enormous proposition, and nothing of the Senator
The language used is strong, but it is not
stronger than the exgency required. Here is d
measure which reverses the time. honored policy
of our fathers in the restriction of Slavery which
sets aside the Missouri Compromises solemn
compact, by which all the territory ceded by
ever" cunsecrsted to freedom-and which vio-
lates, also, the alleged Compromise of 1850; and
all this is to open an immense Territory to Sla-
very. Such measure cannot be regarded with
out emotions too strong for speech. 1t cannot be
justly described in common language. 1t is a
soulless, eyeless monster-horrid, unshapey, and
| vast-ftly pictured in the verse of the poet:
Monsrum horendum informe, ingens, cui lumen
| .-a+ ademptums'
| And this monster 8 now let loose upon the coun-
| try.
Allow me one other word of explanation. Itis
true that desired that the consideration of this
measure should not be pressed at once with inde-
cent haste as was proposed, even before the Sem
ate could read the bill in which it was embodied.
nad not forgotten that the Missouri BILL as APP
pears from the journals Of Congress- when first in-
| troduced in December, 1919. was allowed to rest
upon the table nearly two months before the dis
cussion commenced. The proposition to undo the
only part7of that work which is now in any degree
within the reach of Congress, should be approach
ed with even greater caution and reserve. The
people have right to be heard on this monstrous
scheme and there is no apology for that driving,
galloping speed, which shall anticipate their voice.
and, in its consequences, must despoil them Of
this right. res
On motion of Mr.. SEWARD,
The Senate adjourned.
|