Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-02-11
SPEECH os HON. 5. p. CHASE,
In the senate, February 3, 1851,


In the senate, February 3, 1851,
Against The Repeal Of the Missouri P'ohi5i-
iios Of Sldre'Y Rorh 81 So 80.
The bill for the organization of the Terrific.
ries of Nebraska and Kansas being under con-
sideration--
Mr.. CHASE submitted the following amend
meht:
Strike out from section IA the words swas superseded
by the principles Of the legislation Of 1850, commonly
called the compromise measures and so that the clase
will read:
which locally inapplicable shall have the
effect within the said Territory of Nebraska
the preparatory the admission Missouri
the Union approved March $780, which is hereby de
clared imperative"
Mr. CHASE said:
Mr.. President, had occasion, few days
ago, to expose the utter groundlessness of the
personal charges made BY the senator from Hi
nois Mr. DoUeLAs against myself and the
other signers Of the independent democratic
appeal. | now move to strike from this bill a
statement which | will to-day demonstrate TO
be without any foundation in fact or history.
intend afterwards TO move to strike out the
whole clause annulling the Missouri prohi-
bition.
enter into this debate, Mr.. President, IN no
spirit of personal unkindness. The issue Is too
grave and too momentous for the indulgence
Of such feelings see the great question be-
fore me- and that question only.
Sir, these crowded galleries, these thronged
Hobbies. this full attendance of the Senate, prove
the deep transcendent interest of the theme.
A few days only have elapsed since the Con-
gress of the United States assembled in this
Capitol Then no agitation seemed to disturb
the political elements Two fthe great polit
ical parties of the country, in their national
conventions, had announced that slavery agi-
tation was at an end, and that henceforth that
subject was not to be discussed in Congress or
out of Congress. The President, in his annual
message, had referred to this state of opinion,
and had declared his fixed purpose to main
tain, as far as any responsibility attached to
him, the quiet of the country. Let me read
brief extract from that message:
at is no part OF my purpose 10 give prominence
10 any subject which may properly be regarded as
set al rest by the deliberate judgment OF the peo
Pile. But while the present is bright with promise,
and the future full of demand and nducement forthe
exercise Of active intelligence, the past can never
be without useful lessons of admouiton and in
struction. If its dangers not as beacons,
they will evidently fail 10 fulfill the object OF wise
design. When the grave shall have closed over
all who are now endeavoring to meet the obliga-
lions OF uuty, Inc year iSCU Will De required 10 as
a period filed with anxious apprehension. A sue
cessful war had just terminated. Peace brought
with il q vast augmentation of territory. Disturb
ing questions arose, bearing upon the domestic in
stitutions of one portion OF the confederacy. and
involving the constitutional rights Of the States.
But, Notwithstanding differences of opinion and
sentiment, which then existed in relation 10 de-
tails and specific provisions, the acquiescence of
distinguished citizens whose devotion 10 the
Union can never be doubted, had given renewed
vigor TO our institutions, and restored sense of
repose and security 10 the public mind throughout
the cqnfederacy. That this repose is TO suffer no
shock during my official term, if have power 10
avert il, those who placed me here may be
sured."
The agreement Of the two old political par
ties thus referred to by the Chief Magistrate of
the country, was complete, and large major
ity of the American people seemed to acquiesce
in the legislation of which he spoke.
a few of US, indeed, doubted the accuracy Of
these statements, and the permanency of this
repose. We never believed that the acts Of
1850 would prove to be permanent adjust
ment of the slavery question. We believed no
permanent adjustment of that question posi-
BILE except by return to that original policy of
the fathers Of the republic, by which slavery was
restricted within State limits, and freedom, with.
out exception or limitation, was intended to be
secured to every person outside of State limits
and under the exclusive jurisdiction of the gen
eral government.
But sir, We only represented small, though
vigorous and growing party in the country
Our number was small in Congress. By some
we were regarded as Missionaries by some, a
factionists; while almost all agreed in pronoun
cling US mistaken.
And so, sir, the country was at peace. Al
IL IL CT.
horizon and upward to mid-heaven, not CLOUD
appeared; to common observation there was
no mist or stain upon the clearness OF the sky
But suddenly all is changed. Rafting thun
der breaks from the cloudless armament; tn,
storm bursts forth in fury: warning winds rusl
into the conflict.
"Eurus notusque ruunt creberque procellis afrcus.
Yes, sir, "reber procellis aficus TIL
south wind thick with storm. And now W
find ourselves in the midst of an agitation til
end and issue of which no man can foresee
Now sir, who is responsible for this renew
al of strife and controversy? Not we, for W
have introduced no question Of territorial slt
very into Congress; not we who are denouI
ced as agitators and factionists. No. sir, til
quietists and the fnalists have become agit,
tors-.hey who told us that all agitation wa
quieted, and that the resolutions Of the polite,
conventions put final period to the discussio
of slavery.
This will not escape the observation of tn
country. 1t is slare,y that renews the STRIFE
it is slavery that again wants room. 1t is sla
very, with its insatiate demands for more slav
territory and more slave States.
And what does slavery ask for now? Why
sir, it demands that time honored and sacre,
compact shall be rescinded-a compact whcl
has endured through whole generation
compact which has been universally regarde,
as inviolable, north and south--a compact, thu
-constitutionahty of which, few have doubted
and by which all have consented to abide.
IL will not answer to violate such compac
without pretext. Some plausible grouns
must be discovered or invented for such an act
and such ground is supposed 10 be found il
the doctrine which was advanced the other da,
BIZ the senator from Illinois, that the comprc
mise acts of 1850 superseded the prohibiitio,
of slavery north of 800 3O< in the act prepare
tory for the admission of Missouri. Ay, sii
..superseded' is the phrase -" superseded b
the principles of the legislation of 1850, com
monty called the compromise measures
1t is against this statement, untrue in fac