The daily union., 1854-02-23

years. go further and use stronger expression: i
Is territory that was reclaimed from slavery relieved
from The thadom Of bondage, aud where Tor many long
years every bough OF every shrub has been vocal with
when they have grown old IN years OF purity with ber-
y they not 20 be startled from their
with ihe hideous and irigha cry OF the bondsmin OF
slavery extension.
have said. sir that this is affirmative legislation ioI
the spread Of slavery, How is that TO be proved | an.
swer hfs because slavery has been excluded by positive
enacments and the repeal suspension OF said
ments gives license 10 slavery TO exist where ii did
before. The contingency OF lis rejection by the people in
legislative capacity IN The Territories by no pre-
eudes The possibility OF its entrance. is prohibit
ed you pass this bill and II may advance and plant its
standard upon that soil,
apprehend ii would be no difficult undertaking 10
prove 10 The satisfaction OF all who hear me- that slavery
has no legal existence in aay OF the Territories OF the
LOUISIANA purchase.
Prior to lis cession 10 the United States slavery was
abolished IN all the French terrlloIi0s; aud that, OF
course, spoke freedom all ensaved Louisiana and
have been unable find any express statute author
izlng lis existence or creating slavery therein.
You will find The Compromise OF 1920 permitting il
south OF 50 deg 80 min. you will find statutes regua-
ting its government, and pointing out the relative duties
oi master and slave which statutes assume all OF them,
that The institution legally existed there the time o the
purchase from the French Ay sir did exists but ex.
ised only by arbitrary exercise OF power and is
other painful exhibition of Tie condition of the helpless
when exposed TO The action OF the strong, when that ac-
ton Is based upon The cnpIdty OF man.
But, sir for the purposes OF this argument will con
cede that slavery legally existed in that territory DIP
the time oil the Compromise of 1890 and existed by virtue
OF law, tand think il has been adjudcaed that il can
only exist by virtue of positive aw,) and then will as
sume that il was abolished in these Territories by law
Then submit that The repeal OF the statutes OF 1870 re-
yves the previous existing law OF louisiana
Hence say the bill under consideration, although
negative its face is affirmative in its character for the
spread oil slayerya principle. sir cannot sustain, nor
will, believe. the people OF this country sustain It.
believe. sir that nineteen out oil every twenty OF the
citizens OF the free States opposed to the measure
More: believe il this measure was concoc,ed for the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT oil any individual, or set OF men, they
will hnd--perhaps when too late to save from political
bankruptcy-hey are counting without their hosts, and
the ladder they have built which TO climb 10 power
will be found too weak TO sustain him them, and they
will, long, be found IN that unenviabe position incl
dent to action based upon The prejudces rather than
the principles Of men.
lii claimed that this bill is only an aiirmance OF the
Compromise OF 1850. Is not this the first time that il
claimed that these compromises counenanced
the extension oi slavery, and especially beyond the Ter
rii0res then organized Neither those who participated
in The debates oil ha. Congress, any Of the hundreds
OF thousands in The free slave States, for moment
supposed that the measures OF 1850 to supersede,
in conflict with the compact OF 1920. Not SEN
aor representative in the last session oi the last Con-
gress when bill was introduced and passed this House
entirely silent upon the subject OF slavery aud Compro
mise of So entertained such opinion II such prin
cipe had at the time been avowed. venture that no
question of this kind would have been raised, for
they toouid hare nsuer passed
Then, permit me, while acquiesce in these Compro-
misses OF $780, and not unwilling TO abide by them in
good faith, 10 warn gentlemen against strainng one OF
provisions beyond what coBended Tor then. Let
gentlemen repose the advantages slavery then gained
freedom; for otherwise you will hasten the day
when freedom will assert her rights. and produce that
inevitable result which will be to end forever all compro
misses the subject OF slavery, and bring The whole
question 10 direct issue OF votes in which the most
merous must succeed.
Time lorbids that dwell upon the Objectionable fea-
fuses OF this bill in detail, among which may be men
toned the violation OF Indian rights the formation OF
two Territories, when but called Tor needed ;
and the distinction and unjust discrimination in favor Of
the slaveowner the holder OF other kinds OF prop
erty, in suits brought before the of The Territory
writs OF appeals from belr decisions TO the
Supreme Court OF the United States, where IL provides
the value ot the property, or the amount in controversy
shall exceed 81 900, except IN cases involving title
slaves. wrs OF appeals shall be allowed and de-
cided without reference 10 the value OF the matter prop
eriy, or title in controversy. (See section Senate bill
will stop TO discuss this unjust aud arbitrary dis
ncton in favor OF the OF slave property the
poor man, with hs horse. his wagon, his oxen all
a less value than 81 600
desire that nothing have said shall be taken OPP
posed to the admission OF this Territory, its orsaniza
lion under law that shall be silent upon the subject Of
slavery, (eveD though Objectionable other
specisnot TO the violation OF Indian rights)and will
let the Law determine whether slavery 20 there
not.
No, sir; will 20 far as the furthes, TO give this
Territory government adequate to lis proecionjusi
in all its provisions, placing all upon exact equal
lily of republican freedom. In that shall have the ap
pfoya of my conscience, the approval OF my
stuenis, the approval OF all good men, and in The end
the approval OF all my countrymen, when they shall
those Territories studded all with the ahodes of
ireemen surrounded by cultivated and fruitfsl fields,
which their efforts have made 10 bud and blossom the
rose.