The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1854-06-21

people; then you lake down all the barriers
prohibiting slavery; and this you call per-
hitting the people to govern themselve in
their own wayl / have seen great deal
Of humbug and elap.trap resorted to in my
day but none 50 bald and miseIsble as
this.
Mr.. Chairman. the people Of this country
have not asked for the repeal Of the Missou-
ri compromise. Up TO the moment the pro-
pOsal was made in the Senate, not a State
Legislature. convention, public meeting, or
individual from any section fthe Union, as
ked for it or expected it. No slavery agitation
distracted the country. All was peace and
quiet. Since its introduction some few have
responded in its favor, but the crest mass
have demonstrated and earnestly beseech
you not to pass it. Now, understand that
in all matters OF grave moment VIC are here
to carry out the wishes of those we represent
| know this is an idea ridiculed and laugh
ed at in this Hall; nevertheless, it is one
which lies at the foundation, and enters into
the structure of, our institutions. l believe
it to be correct, and no laughter, no force of
ridieule, can drive me from entertaining 1t.
Those who choose may misrerresent the
will of their constituents; ! will try to repre-
sent the will of mine. Well, sir, as the
people have not only not asked, but remon-
strated against the measure, is IL not our du-
ty to wait until they have had an opportunity
Of expressing their view upon it through
the ballot-box? Let Mr.. Walkers provls-
ienal government remain in this Territory
another year, and if, in the mean time. the
people shall elect men To Congress faVora-
bic to the repeal of the Missouri compro-
prowise, although unable to agree with
them, | shall eEdeavor to submit with
as good grace as possible. Is not this
fair? Cannot you, who profess to put so
much faith in the capacity of the people to
govern, trust the people?
Sir, hay been panied to see the inAu
ences brought to bear TO force this bill thro'.
The whole power Of the National Admins
tration is arrayed in its favor, and no one
not here on the spot to witness it can have
an idea of the tremendous force it wields-
The Democrats who oppose the bill have
been assailed on every hand. The organ
of the Administration threatens us with ex-
pulsion from the party if We do not follow it
over the pledges Of our party, over its own
pledges, and through all its Sinuous wind
ings. We have been told by the same au-
thority, almost in terms, that if we vote for
the bill we shall have controlling influence
in the dispensation of patronage; while if we
oppose it, we shall have none; and some of
US have already experienced that this was
no mere idle threat. Under its influence
we have gone down like frost-work before
the sun, until from an almost entire unamm-
ily amcng northern Democrats against the
bill, but moiety is left. Sir, there are
members on this floor who were among the
most active opponents OF this bill when it
was first introduced, who called meetings,
and oaucused and committed themselves and
aided in committing others against it, but
who, in a short time, tottered, and
finally fell into the ranks of its supporters.
| learn that they are candidates for offices
at the disposal of the Executive, and desire
like favors for their sons, relatives, and
friends. Iastate current facts, but draw no
iuferences 1t will be time enough to do
that should the favors these men desire tol.
low their votes for this bill. Sir, believe
II at a sufficient number of votes have been
procured by this influence to pass this bill
IN defiance of the wishes of the constituency
of majority of members; and as the evils it
inficts will be upon us before the Senate
and Executive can be changed so as to
procure its repeal, have thought 1t my du.
ty to attempt to defer its passage, with all
the means furnished by the rules, until the
people have time to express .helr wishes, in
the matter. This is my defence for acting
with the minority in the scenes we have wit
messed, if defense is needed.
But, sir, believe the principles of the
section of the Missouri compromise sought
to be repealed is correct in itself. 1t is one
which | have advocated upon all proper oc-
casions; and l am for applying it in future,
as | have been in the past, to all territory
where there is the slightest prospect that
slavery will 60 | have never been able to
agree, with gentlemen who defend its con-
stitulipnality; but shall not 60 into that
question now 1t seems to me, that, after
having applied the principle continuously,
from the period Of the formarlon of the
Constitution through all mutations of party,
for sxty-three years, until it has become
as well settled as any principle can be, it is
too late to put in the plea OF unconstitution-
ality now. ! belong TO the school OF pro-
grssive Democrats, but cannot progress in
the direction of the institution Of slavery
My progressive principles lead me in the
opposite direction, and hence | resist any
new constitutional Interpretation which over
turns the settled policy of the country with
regard to, and sets up another. the effect of
which will be to increase its political power,
and postpone the time of its final eradca
ton. I believe that Congress has right
by the Constitution, to prohibit slavery
out side OF. the States where it now exists
Formerly there was no difference of opin-
ion among men at the North on this point;
but since 1913, portion Of the party to
which | belong, following the lead OF the au-
thor of the Nicholson letter, dispute it. |,
for one, regard the point asoue Of vital i'm
portance, and not to be yielded. have
viewed the practicalap application of the doc
trine as the only sure means of preventing
this Government from becoming the propa-
gator of the system OF slavery. and have
clung to it as the sheet anchor OF our hopes
believe its abandonment in this bill will
lead to the propagation of slavery .and hence
| am opposed to it.
Mr.. Chairman, and gentlemen Of the
committee, you will lot accomplish the OBJ
jects you profess to have in view by passing
this bill at least not without a long and Bit