The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-02
CON G R ESSI0N A L.
SPEECH OF HON, E. W. CHAsTAIN,

Of Representatives May 20, 1854.
The House being in the Committee of the Whole on the
state Of the Union
Mr. CHASTAIN said
Mr. CHAIRMAN The people whom have the honor in
mart to represent this floor have many occasions
exhibited so ardent faithful devotion to the Union
npon principles written in the conshtuon as well as 70
ib exposons OF that instrument made by every dlstlf-
rushed champion of State rights from the early days Of its
ratification the present period that am constrained
when sec the existence Of the iearfuy Threatened
aud the other so ercey assailed to defend Them both
however trinmphanty this may have already been done
by members who have preceded me. ! am lmleilea 10
this Mr. Chairman in justice to myself and 10 those VINO
sent here Not only by my vote on the Nebraska b
in all its stages must represent conhdng ana parioue
constituency but sir do all else within my power
10 arrest the evils which threaten TO save the Union froln
i,s enemies and the country NON strife should the la-
er PREVAIL never ending but with the shedding OF blood
tell gentlemen that however this conclusion the one
hand NAV sartlc the other may be inderenty re-
ceyed il nevertheless one 10 which all must come at
last There be union of these States where south
en rights and southern Institutions left to the mercy
Of aboonsts and their abeters with octory inscribed
Mer banner there be dissolution Of this conted-
eracy without resort to arms later to maintain
rights repe aggression The cormorant appetite of
the aboionist who is not satisfied with his feed
upon that natcsm which racrnizes the infdel and the
osd minister Of Christ the scofer and the saint that
Aqhr kaw which oyerrides the constitution and which
Is naeon to him who violates after having sworn to sup
port and defend it. but few of the elements in motion
though sufficient Of themselves, if not checkeds if not
beaten uoNiy ueStfOycu---lO tlS land
blood; land favored by Heaven, with government
the model OF all nations and people the happest and most
prosperous on Garth
But Mr. Chairman another consideration induces me to
take part in this discussion and to this will first briefly
advert had hoped that in support of the Nebraska bill
and the principles therein contained in this body southern
members would have presented an undivided front As
from Georgia. had indulged the hope that all wings and
democrats, from -lavehoding States would have been
found pulling together voting together and inch by nch
section by section Of the BILL battling it with the common
enemy But in this have been disappointed and OPP
position has been made to it from quarters little expected
and by individuals for whom and whose opinions have
much respect and it has been coveruy assaed under
the mask of friendship feel the obligation douby imper
ave to stand forth in its behalf vindcang its every prin-
dpe and feature and urging its passage measure in
strict accordance with the constitution just to the North
Just to the South and just to all now inhabiting who
may hereafter inhabt either Nebraska or Kansas
The period, Alr Chairman, has beyond all doubt
rived when this vast country must be organized into
ntoa governments. But if il had not arrived, the
subject before us and we must do duty n gen
Grafton and III our time These Territories being peo-
pied with hardy and industrious population intelligent
and brave such experience proves the pioneers
that prepare Territories for States No policy is
mendabe than that where legislation directed to the end
contemplated in the bill of the Senate organizing the Ter
tories Of Nebraska and Kansas The solemn duties i'm
posed sir upon the chairman of the Committee Terri
tories in the Senate and this House. have been as earessy
they have been discreey performed They have brought
iorward the true may add sir, the democratic policy
which has thus far proved of ncacuable value to the
growth and prosperity Of this Union. To reard to
oarrass this policy is to crcunscbe natural and
nona resources to arrest enterprise and prevent that
patriotic energetic, and industrious class of citizens who
usually populate Territories from making laws for their
internal government Sir in reference the particular meas
aeundcr consideration does than this plays into
The bands Of party above all others the most crafty sub
ne and obnoxious that infested any country party
otched but killed. traitors to the constitution and
' Unon with the black banner OF abolition for their
sign Garrison for their leader and garrisons of wened
sepnlehres holdng forth the Sabbath to gloomy and
anatcal assembnges spritualiss and slletes Bloom
ers wearing the apparel of men, and men wrapped in the
apparel OF women who know nothing care for nothing
save what ministers 70 their minds diseased = motley
sel SIR Tor whom pity no longer weeps 1t is indeed time
put finishing blow TO all this 1t is time to say TO
such as these "Thas dr hast thou gone Int no further
and the Senate has said let this committee saw with de-
termined voice here shaH hy traorous hands BE- avedi
rsss me Senate bill or the bill of this House embracing
AL he PROVISIONS OF the former and work viii have been
accomplished at this session which will relieve the country
nom enemies like these and restore II healthy tone
politically and morally.
The bill proposes what2 To give TO the people within
certain prescribed boundaries government similar in all
material respects to other territorial governments but en-
orang provisions clearly setting forth the principles Of
nonnterpeHo in so many words repeating that which
was virtually repealed in what is termed tic dcompromse
measures of 1850, to witt the missouri restriction OF
ls2Oa restriction forced upon the South Unconstitutional
ise but submitted to for weghty nthemselves
such a the main opposcrs Of the bill within these walls
unwilling to appreciate and such its reckless and de-
luaed opposers outside incapable Of doing This re-
sicon as all who hear know bad reference to African
aFeyan institution in great degree inherited bv the
south from the North but which the latter as matter of
sheer interest and false philanthropy restricted 10 GER
n limits within the former Until 1850 this restriction
unconstitutional as II was had not been repealed but it
ueh became necessary for the Congress Of the United States
o 70 egisste MS to dispose 1t was hoped of the question
forever This was done by that series of measures known
~ - the Compromise The Territories of Utah and New
required organization II too for any gem
ueman upon this floor forgetit The patriotic and mod
crate o. all parties with fearful anxiety looked 10 the great
statesmen within the walls OF both houses Of CONGRESS for
.ne m preservation Of the Union against fanaticsm which
weak ieaed to resist and with which the corrupt and
designing sought to affiliate But after baraongbt geht
e Dolnpromlse prevailed Utah and New Mexico were or
gsnRed as Territories and the prncpc of nop-nterten
yn o' Congress with the institution Of slavery or any
r domestic institution In the Territories of lie United
oe aud the States to be formed out Of them leaving the
peope 'rce TO form their institutions for themselves
9nphantly established and Is now Of record on your
The FIRST clause Of the Senate bin contain. ill. or.,
ment After prescribing the boundaries Of Nehraska be
enaciing clause proceeds 70 say:
That when admitted State or States the said Terri
any portions Of the same shall be received into the
.p % 'r'oout stdrcry, their constitution may pre-
scribe AZ the time Of their admission" -
AND IN order that all doubt might be removed and api
uon cease IN reference 10 the Missouri restriction in be
"uen'h section Of the bill said restriction Is declared
m ~ imperative and void i being the true intent and mean
g OF this act not 10 lcgate slavery into any Terito ar
~e ~ nor TO exclude It thererom but 70 leave the people
perfectly free TO form and regulate their domestic in
n tba ~ shsr own way subject only to the constitution
And after this follows the BApem broyiso.o as Il i
w" iainiliarly termed, providing:
That nothing herein contained shall be construed 10 re-
w put IN force any law regulation which NAV have
@ pot 70 the act Of 9th Of March 1920 either protect
w estaoishing, prohibiting, or abolishing slavery"
These the provisions Of the bin shi,h have boe,
y an opposition beyond the limits Of tho sayehold-
g States, with and animosity reckless and