The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-03-02
THE NATIONAL ERA WASHINGTON, d. G, MARCH 2, 1854

But this argument proceeds on an as
sumption which cannot stand. 1t assumes
that Slavery is a national institution, and
that property in slaves is recognised by
the Constitution of the United States.
Nothing can be more false. BY the judg-
ment of the Supreme Court of the United
States, and also by the principles of the
common law, Slavery is local municipal
institution, which derives its support exclu-
sively from local municipal laws, and be-
yond the sphere of these laws it ceases to
exist, except so far as it may bepreserved
by the clause for the rendition of fugitives
from labor. Madison thought it wrong to
admit into the Constitution the idea that
there can be property in man; and l re-
Jolce to believe that no such idea Can be
found there. The Constitution regards
slaves always as "persons," with the rights
of persons never as property. When
it is said, therefore, that every citizen may
enter the national domain with his prop
erty. it does not follow, by any rule of
logic or of law, that he may carry his
slaves. On the contrary, he can only
carry that property which is admitted to be
such by the universal law of nature, writ
ten by Gods own finger on the heart of
man.
Again: The relation of master and slave
is sometimes classed with the domestic
relations. Now, while it is unquestionably
among the powers of any State, within its
own jurisdiction, to change the existing
relation of husband and wife, and to es-
tablish polygamy, ! presume no person
would contend that polygamous hus-
band, resident in one of the States,
would be entitled to enter the national
Territory with his harem-his property, if
you please-and there claim immunity.
Clearly, when he passes the bounds of that
local jurisdiction, which sanctions polyg-
amy, the peculiar domestic relation would
cease and it is precisely the same with
Slavery.
Sir, l dismiss these considerations
The prohibition of Slavery in the Terri
tory of Nebraska stands on foundations of
adamant, upheld by the early policy of
the Fathers, by constant precedent, and
time-honored. compact. 1t is now in your
power to overturn it; you may remove
the sacred landmark, and open the
whole vast domain to Slavery. To you is
committed this high prerogative. Our
fathers, on the eve Of the revolution, set
forth in burning words, among their griey-
ances, that George III, Sin order to keep
open market where men should be
bought and sold, had prostituted his mega
tive for suppressing every legislative at
tempt to prohibit or restrain this execrable
commerce." Sir, like the English mon
arch, you may now prostitute your power
to this same purpose. But you cannot
escape the judgment of the world, nor
the doom of history.
1t will be in vain, that, while doing
this thing, you plead, in apology, the prin-
ciple of selfgouernment, which you pro-
fess to recognise in the Territories. Sir,
this very principle, when truly admins
tered secures equal rights to all, without
distinction of color or race, and makes
Slavery impossible. BY no rule ofjustice,
and by no subtlety ofpolitical metaphysics,
can the right to hold a fellow-man in
bondage be regarded as essential to self
government. The inconsistency is too
fragrant. 1t is apparent on the bare state
ment. 1t is like saying t,co and t,oo make
three. In the name of Liberty you open
the door to Slavery. With professions of
Equal Rights on the lips, you trample
on the rights of Human Nature. With a
kiss upon the brow of that fair Territory,
you betray it to wretchedness and shame.
Well did the patriot soul exclaim, in bitter
words wrung out by bitter experience ::
ooh, Liberty what crimes are done in thy
name !"
In vain sir, you will plead, that this
measure proceeds from the North, as has
been suggested by the Senator from Ken
lucky, Mr.. DIXON. Even if this were
true, it would be no apology. But, pre-
cipitated as this bill has been upon the
Senate, at moment Of general calm, and
in the absence of any controlling exigency,
and then hurried to vote in advance of
the public voice, as if fearful of arrest, it
cannot be Justly called the offspring of
any popular sentiment. In this respect
it differs widely from the Missouri prohi-
bition, which, after solemn debate, extending
through two sessions of Congress, and ample
discussion before the People, was adopted.
Certainly there If, as yet, no evidence that this
measure though supported by Northern men,
proceeds from that Northern sentiment which
is to be found strong and fresh in the schools
churches, and homes of the People. POpula
omneS AID AoUILoNEM positi Libertdtem guam
dem spirant. And could this scheme be now
submitted to the awakened millions whose
! souls have been truly ripened under Northern
skies, it would be branded at once with an in-
dignant and undying condemnation.
But the race of men, "white slaves of the
North" described and despised by Southern
statesman, is not yet extinct there, Sir. 1t il
one of the melancholy tokens of the power
of slavery, under our political system, and
especially through the operations of the Ma
tional Government, that it loosens and de-
stroys the character of Northern men, even al
| distance-ike the black magnetic mountain
in the Arabian story, under whose Irresistible
attraction the iron bolts, which held together
the strong timbsrs OF q stately ship were
drawn out, till the whole fell apart, and be-
came q diejointed wreck. Those principles
which constitute the individuality of the North
ern character, which render il stanoh, strong
and seaworthy, which bind it together as with
iron, are drawn out, one by one, like the bolt
of the Inflated vessel and from the miserable
loosened fragments is formed that human
anomaly Northern man tcith Southern prsn
eiplss. Sir-no such man can speak for tn,
4 North.
Here there was an interruption Of prolonged
applause in the galleries.
| THE PRESIDENT MIR. Stuart in the chair.
The Chair will be obliged to order the galleries
to be cleared, if order is not preserved. NJ
applause will be allowed.
SEVERAL VoIcEs. Let them be cleared now
Mr.. SUMNER Mr. President, proceed
now to considerations of more genera
character, to which 1 ask your best atten
ton Sir, this bill is proposed as measure