The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-16
CON NGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF HON. VIM. $. BARRY,

The House DciiE III bOHiHittt VI lt hHViV On iie
state OF the Union,
Mr. BARRY said
Mr. CuAIRsAS came here with the opinion that this
ss !. constitutional government have however, heard
Il repeatedly affirmed in debate that ours is government
of COMPROMISES The theory under which Was reared s
that the constitution formed by compromises but with
lis adoption the era Of compromises ended and that OF con-
sluona government began. had supposed, that in the
twelve pages OF this book which hold in my hand was
comprised all that is recognised the organic law OF the
land that in this brief instrument was frame OF govern
nent adapted to the line of Atlantic States by whom II
was created and yet capable without amendment of ex-
panson to the wants Of government which belts CONT
nen and fronts upon two oceans.
The constitution designed 10 organize certain great
principles for the division and exercise of power into
system which should be excepted by the solcmny oflts
sanctions from the changes Of temporary interest from the
expedicnccs Of legislation and from the maurest ac
ton OF the people themselves except by amendments IN the
mode prescribed by that instrument itself 1t was 10 be
guarded from assault and nacon not by the errors Of
snperstitionno by the prcence OF superhuman origin
but by the respect and of the people for whom
was framed founded their belief of its adaptation TO
their wants and its fitness to secure their highest happi
ness The constitution thus became the sole bond OF union
and its preservation its letter and spirit the only
urance Of the just balance Of the originally
established,
But we are told that there has been compromise after
compromise since the year 1887 and that each is bind
ing as the constitution. opposed to this theory Of
our government deny that ours government of COM
promises 1t IS government OF the constitution That
instrument contains the powers delegated to the federal
governments and neither construction nor compromise
can augment diminish them That section of the Union
which claims power than the constitution grants or
contents itself with the loss Of the rights which the CON
siution secures is thless to its trust and responsible
for the evil which may follow Anxious for power which
the constitution has wisely denied the maconten strive
toaccomplsh their object by compromises The text of
the instrument is corrupted with their interpretations its
simplicity is perverted by their CLOSES and its bulk multi
piled by their commentaries Their patchwork additions
claimth respect due only to the original creations and
the fruit Of their pernicous graft must be declared excel
lent as that OF the first uncorruped stock
These compromises spring out of the exgences of the
moment; they born out of the storm and excitement
which preclude calm discussion and wise deberaon.
They are resored to to serve temporary purpose
they forced through Congress by bare majority often
burdened with mpertections immature contradictory un
constitutional loaded with all the vices of hasty legsla
ton and the Difference is claimed for them for the
constitution The political system subjected violent
and unnatural nostrums becomes radically diseased
by the quackery which attempts to relieve it. In the Ian
uage OF Burke the extreme medicine of the constitution
becomes its daily bread"
These compromises may to increase confidence in
the stability of the government but they destroy all faith
in the efficacy and protection of the constitution They
introduce new body laws binding the constitution
and when they conflict superseding it, Instead of finding
the constitution in the instrument which bears that title
we must search for it amid the acts of Congress and in
stead OF being governed by the organic law framed by
Washington Madison and other worthless of the
on Of 78 and adopted by each of the States separately
we have for constitution the laws of successive Con-
geses which declared rrepealable because their ad-
mrers have called them compromises This course is an
invitation TO actous men to disturb the country by agit
lion for some selfish guilty purpose and when the public
safety threatened honest patriotic men feel compelled
assent to measures which their judgments condemn
save the country from the pers which threaten Thus the
sgaor reaps the profit Of accomplishing half his guilty
purpose while better endure the with which
The measures OF adjustment may be visited in quiet
tines 1t is offering premium upon selfish agitation and
unconstitutional demands and inctng penalty cour-
age and patriotism.
But after n season. when a healthier public Judgment
rejected both the
unwse of it. both sections which adopt
ed the compromise disclaim IT, and each attempting fix
the responsibility of its adoption upon the other What
more striking condemnation Of the Missouri restriction
could be offered than this unwngness manifested on all
sides TO be responsible for it. the keen anxiety fix its pa
ernty solely upon the heroic who filled this hall
hriyour years since, and the singular modesty which
disclaims all connexon with compromise which Il affects
70 honor?
The North, Notwithstanding every member Of the House
nom that section except four finally voted in favor Of the
line OF 36 deg 30 min upon its adoption distinct prop
osiuoni and the South, although large majority of her
senator's and majority Of two Of her members also voted
f9r that line alike discam the MEASURE and each casts
he responsibility upon the other Could any condemna-
ton e more emphatc2 Even the euogies layshed upon
The patriotic men Of 1920 scarcely mitigate it.
In fabulous times when child born, the union Of
Whose parents had been haowed by riesy with the
kndlng Of no nupa torch and the spreading of bridal
east some god affirmed TO be his Father and the credu-
my OF the world was taxed 10 disguise the frR which il
was unwilling condemn Time thckened the obscurity
moving the witnesses who might dprove it, The admi-
rers OF compromises attempting the same policy The
aathorship OF condemned compromise is ascribod 10
whose high character it hoped would give 1t respect
aoy which It's merits did not deserves and the
sure OF an unconstitutional act IL socned by cxag-
geraton Of the excited and dangerous times in which II
vas adopted
Finding power in the constitution 10 Justify the lcgis-
aiion OF ls2o il is said be conceived in the spirit
he constitutions and their opinions of its spirit are made
apretext for reversing its plain intent and destroying the
rights meant TO Out of this right to make
compromises Congress extract any power it may wish
70 assume and the gro5sness Of the assumption will only
x xnytnon TO devise the pretex of urgent necess
Wi and more imminent peril TO the country which must
ne alerted faDaticism and political ambition viii make
e very necessity which they plead in extcnuaon Of their
pnNaranted exercise OF power But when the subject Of
compromise is the rights Of section which stand in the
way on the pretensions ambition Of another section
winch has the numerical power In Congress 10 pass its
measures through that body Is easy 10 rosc the course
ana INC result of compromises.
The constitution was designed to render compromises
neoessary TO hx permanent body of law which should
- mpregnabe TO the assaults Of the srongns the weak
anu ehlnd which, in haven every right however
minute ana every section, however feeble and prosecuted
,mghl ma shelter and repose But compromises obtain
y y sua'agem what they cannot procure by assault i
constitution cannot OF rights II is id,
@nope mat Il wiz protect others The weaker section
nh may seem to have gained in tho first compromise BY
ng portion Of its rights spared, viii soon learn that
Ios what Is left not by the tenure OF the constitution
~ ~ he iorbearance OF triumphant majority The
@ Z mN holds the first Of its rights in constitutional
sonslhmcnt by the charity Of compromises will soon b,
49, 49, upon TO abandon the last Of them We have
r, suuton grow and diseased under The
hheh ot compromises We have seen discord become
na more prevalent the fetds Of sections become more
.o'ered, the chances Of dsmembered Union grow
vioget, and thus while the popular mind under the
Fssslng anodyne OF compromises There have been sir
st nv me constitution, four acts called compromises
ssoona Inc S, hrst Missouri Compromse Of 1920,