The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-21


as that oil non-nteVenton Why, sir, the principle OF
noninerventon is stamped upon them IN characters so
distinct and luminous that am utterly al loss 10 dis
cover how should differ on The subject. The Mis-
sour restriction direct interference The legislation
OF 1850 Is exactly nonnterieIence upon this delicate
subject The anlagoasm could not be more palpabe
The Territory OF LOUISIANA was acquired by purchase,
and paid for out OF the public treasury The Mexican
territory OF New Mexico and California acquired by
purchase and paid for out OF the public treasury In the
one you nereTed, and nefdcted slavery north OF 80
deg. so min. north latitude, by the Missouri restriction
IN the other you refused TO interfere and nteIdel by
the Wmo proyso or BY any other provso, and lei The
question TO the people, and declared that the States
formed and TO be formed therein, should come INTO the
Union with without slavery, the people might de-
termine. BY the Missouri restriction OF 1920, the men
OF that day reversed the constitutional principle oil non
Intervention which had been the settled pfacice OF the
government from it's foundation down 10 that period, and
adopted the disturbing and dangerous policy OF direct IN
reference By the legislation OF 1850, you reversed this
disturbing and dangerous policy OF interference and went
back the earlier and safer policy OF non.inericence
which was pursued by the founders OF the constitution
and the generation upon the stage al the time OF its adop
ton This principle OF non interference win slavery IN
the Territories by the common government OF fifteen
savehoding States and fifteen non. saveholdng States,
and enforcing the supreme law Of the constitution that
fugves from labor shall be delivered were the great
topics OF discussion IN every CIRCLE at The eside 10 The
Streets in the public journals IN the halls OF Congress,
in The State legislatures in the assemblies OF the people,
and, finally, at the elections; and the popular verdict
came Up in hsnder that seemed to ovs n and
direct Interference slavery, absolute inerdct OF
its existence in the Territories, presented and pressed
in every possible way, and was as steadily resisted and
defeated until Congress to the result not TO inter-
ere at all, and lett the whole subject with the people
This s what we call the policy of intervention, as
reesfabshed by the compromise measures oil 1850 and
regard It now the settled and permanent policy oil
the country.
Why should we not carry on, this policys Why
should there be any opposition in the North to this pol
to the people OF the Territories TO decide what their
own domestic institutions shall be. They have taken
that position. Why should northern meH object 10
IT. Will the institution be likely to prevail in those
Territories Climate, SOIL the productions OF the
soil, forbid it. The laws of Nature forbid IT. The
same general causes which expelled that institution from
bounds il, would preclude il from tina, region,
pei il i came i is grain country-a country OF
wheat and cortland il is very poor compliment to the
power and efficiency Of the free labor Of the North be-
eve that in its proper home. il could be supplan,ed
and driven out BY that which is comparatively feeble and
inefficient Is there any danger TO the North II they
right in their opinions, why should they object if
slaves 60 into that Territory and become free Ii they
right in maintaining that slavery local institution.
H. then slaves taken there will become free If, the
contrary, the constitution uphods it, and carries it there,
YOU cannot prohibit it, But where is the danger!
In the non. savehoding States we have white popu-
laon OF thirteen and half millions; in the slavehold
ing States only six and half millions That is about
the proportion. Does any doubt that the North go
ing into this open territory in its own latitude, can CON-
pete with the South maintain itself, and exert its full
share OF influence, according to its views and opn
IONS over The institutions and over the laws OF these new
Terrilores3
Mr. President, there is strong reason to my mind.
which has already been adverted to- why this course
should be pursued. Who object 10 il Ii is carry
ing out The principle OF self governmenself government
practsed by ancestors from the landing al Plymouth
Rock down 10 tue present moment; the principle OF self
governmenihe night OF the people govern themselves
in independent. separate, distinct community, where
they have the Hghtiu power OF legislation. Why should
any object to this prncple IL is the basis OF po
lica liberty and OF popular government II is this on
w he nf nj
nifty to govern itself, and regulate its own internal a-
fairs without interference from any quarter II was this
which, by lis woodworking energy, accomplished the
miracle OF the American revolution II Is this prin-
cple which lies at The foundation OF all our Stale govern
mens and OF this great overshadowing federal govern.
ment III has penetrated lar and wide into the Old
World, and has already wrought mighty change in the
condition OF oppressed and suffering humanity, and IN The
ages TO come is destined 10 prevail wherever earth hah
an nhabliani Sir, VIII go on, and Will overspread the
world intelligence advances, as education ia extended
the people become capable OF sell government And
here, SIR on this continent, IN this American Congress,
which into the place OF the Continental Congress,
is 1t 10 be gfayey debated whether hundred thousand
Americans removing into Nebraska and Kansas TO found
American State, have lost iheirrghs and liberties, have
ceased TO be American citizens, have become political
slaves have forfeited the very tight OF sefgovernmeni
the gh, 10 found their own domestic institutions, and
pass their domestic laws, and whether Congress
may lord il over Them as absolutely as an Eastern despoi
Why should We undertake in this government here to
exercise this power OF debating 10 them What right
have IN these Atlantic States, over The people OF the
rtHOtt itUitolles, 10 uiCldN law 10 ment inty are
American citizens They have gone into these Terrific.
RES with the iu rights OF American citizens Why should
seek 10 exercise this arbitrary power over ibeml Why
SHOULD we assume our part TO govern them at our
will and pleasure Ii would be arbitrary and despoc
power exists anywhere in the civilized uncivzed
world. II will be the same arbitrary power which the
Parliament OF Great Britain undertook 10 exercise
the American colonies when they resisted and revoted.
Ii will be the desposm practised by the worst govern
Europe. ASA, and Africa. Having foundation in the
OF the people who made its slaves, will be
unmxed evil in system, pregnant with the worst
consequences oil tyranny and worse than anarchy IN lis
And am 10 be called upon here TO participate
in exercising any such power deiest IL; will never
participate in H. will 90 TO the people, and will ask
them il they willing 10 be instrumental 10 the
cise OF despolo power their fellow czens because
osooth, he enterprise has borne them 10 the region
OF the Rocky mountains will AJAX II these people have
ceased T. be Americans If they have become incapable
OF exercising The right OF segovernmen because they
have encountered the hardshps OF the wilderness 10 be-
the founders of States and If they have them
selves forgotten the first principles of liberty the
lessons OF the revolution, and the lessons Of the evou-
tonary fathers, that they willing 10 WELD this des-
pOtc power their ohlldrenl Sir. know what the
pouulsr response will be. Sir, know what il will be.
The people of this country will be unaDimousutmae
ly unanimous Their "sober second thought will be,
everywhere lie, the people rule let them govern them.
selves in their way, when in the possession OF egs.
a,ive power LEI this federal government in welding
he power that IL necessary the Territories conform
TO The principles upon which the constitution Ia founded.
lfthai i done, there will be peace. there will be har.
m0ny. Sir, ask for peace | shall strive for peace;
shall cndeavor my part so far interfere in eSs
ation, 10 obtain Il shall strive in the language OF the
President, which upon every tongue. 10 know NORTH