The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-23
CON G r ESSI0N A Il.
SPEECH OF HON. MIR. FAULKNER,
or VIRGINIA,

SPEECH OF HON. MIR. FAULKNER,
VIRGINIA,
On the Nebraska and Kansas bl delivered In the House
4 Of Representatives, April 10, 1854,
The House being Committee Of tho Whole the state
Of the Union
Mr. CHAIRMAN: Ii the complaint uttered by my friend
who has just taken his seat [Mr MAcpoSALDl be well
founded that this subject has already been fully dis
cussed discourage all hope OF securing the attention
Of the committee that Of embarrassment must natu
rally increase with each succeeding speaker and Is espe
ciay felt by me- in rising after the able and animated
marks which have just fallen from that distinguished
teman There much Of what he said that meets my
warm approval. We of the South fail TO
Der that in the perilous struggle Of 1920 there stood in this
Capitol from the State Of Maine and from the same
district unaided by single colleague firm and intrepid
statesman, whose became household word in the
South; and placed as my friend near me Mr. MACDONALD
h in circumstances not dissmar have abundant ey-
dence in what has just fallen from him. that he is not be-
hind that remarkable in independence of spirit and
soundness of constitutional principle.
Sir rnAppily this is not subject OF discussion
probably question has arisen in this country which
has excited extensive interest and elected higher
efforts of intellect than that which has grown of the
powers and duties of Congress in relation to morgan
zed Territories For nearly eight years that subject has
been the theme Of constant and animated discussion, in
which the ablest and most prominent statesmen Of the
country, both in public and private life have taken part
and all the light which the most acute talent and the most
elaborate research have been enabled to throw upon the
history Of the past and the policy of the future has been
freely poured into the public press and conveyed every
reader in the land well aware, sir, that
tribute but little If indeed anything upon subject
thoroughly exhausted. And yet engaged as are
in extending the benefits of political organization the
last remaining segment of expanded empirc believing
that the action which Congress will take upon the present
bill will go fnr to fix the future principles and policy OF
this government feel that expression Of opinion is
due by TO the constituency which have the honor TO
represent and the especially of the provisions
Of this bill have been severely assaed from the South and
by one of my own respected colleagues
propose sir before replying to the objections which
have been urged against this bill from the South to make
remarks upon points connected with its general pol
Unlike the gentleman from Pennsy ylvania mr. CHASp
LEa and some others who have already addressed the
mittee had not the honor OF seat in this House when
that series Of enacments usually called the compromise
Of 1850 received the of Congress know
impressions under which the friends and opponents Of
that policy acted derive whatever knowledge possess
Of these measures from the public records and discussions
which alike accessible to every man in the country
II is sufficient however for here to say that after
those several bills received the of Congress- after the
subject had passed from the control Of the national legisla
tu and had been submitted TO the judgment of the people,
did, in opposition to strong current of opinion in my
section OF the country announce prompt aequies-
in the policy indicated by that legislation and my
determination to adhere faithfully to the spirit Of its
promises did stop TO inquire whether the North
the South had been the gamer by the immediate results Of
that adjustment II was sufficient for 70 believe that at
least constitutional principle had been invaded by its
terms and that il presented the res prospect which the
country had for many years witnessed of final ermna-
ton Of this most dangerous and exciting subject Of section
al controversy In this spirit promptly acquiesced III those
connected system of COMPROMISED and in
that determination have persevered without change, TO
the present hour.
In that adjustment Mr. Chairman ! saw or thought l
saw the triumph OF two principles Of public policy vital TO
the repose of the South and 10 the peace and tranquility
of the Union.
The first the distinct and practical recognition by
Congress Of the federal obligation imposed by the second
section fourth article of the constitution Of the United
States in relation to fugtyes from labor The act Of
and t.sbar ~
provisions be adequate and efficient remedy Its ad-
cal that il relied for its execution wholly upon
STATE laws and State agents Fanaeism had made it un
der the operation of hostile State legislation perfect
mockery. And whilst the law which passed in 1850,
may take occasion al some future time 20 show falls short
ofa complete fufmcn of the obligations of the federal
compact its failure to meet the requirements Of the const-
uton according TO my conception of them has resulted
am grathed TO believe from ndisposion upon the part
Of the national democracy Of the North discharge its full
duty but from unfortunate diversity Of opinion amongst
southern statesmen TO the wisdom and expedcncy Of
some of the remedies proposed attach ocnsure to
those gentlemen from the South who dissenting from the
views which entertained OF the power and duties OF this
government frustrated some important provisions sought
TO be ingraftcd upon that bill ] sure could never
question the purity of their mot and have been long
accustomed respect the wisdom apd sagay Of their
acts STILL the law 1t Is has been found, practically OF
great benefit and clear distinct recognition Of tc
obligation Of the federal government to be enforced by the
and Of that government and be
altered modified according to the declared pledges Of
the two great political parties Of the country except
crease its efficiency, ii element in that adjustment
well calculated to concate the favor Of section Of coun-
try deeply interested in the enforcement Of guara-
tee OF the constitution that which have the honor
represent upon this floor.
Sir the second great constitutional triumph achieved in
the enactmens Of 1850 the abandonment by the fed
ea government OF the dangerous power Of legislation upon
the subject OF domestic slavery in the Territories and the
recognition of the right Of the people establish for them
selvs-free from the control and dication Of the federal
eothority-such local and domestic institutions not repup-
nant to the constitution OF the United States they might
believe 70 be best adapted 10 their circumstances and
cond,tona principle which from the earliest period of
the government has been cherished and sustained by the
south one Intimately allied to the doctrines Of own
revolutionary struggle; necessarily resulting from the
aous limitations of our federal system and import
hnt IN us practical results upon the peace and harmony OF
this country than any which has received the assent II
congress since the foundation of our republic
Dir y u of infinitely less importance 10 the North or
south whether slavery left 10 its intrinsic vipor or
debility shall extend north or recede south OF the biry
sIh parallel Of latitude hnn il Is important 10 both that
e disturbing element Of national repoae shall be now
and forever withdrawn from the halls Of Congress II i
WRn-upon this theatrc-ninged with the rvaries OF nc-
on and with the of sectional cupdity and amb
non That the subject Of slavery assume form
dangerous 70 the peace and stability OF the Union and Il
alone by firm adherence 10 the principle Of nonnter-
enhon imboded in the legislation Of 1860 that we can he
assured Of our future safety aud repose
MT Chairman, can sufficient or adequate cause
ior me excitement which has sprung up in the North In re-
muon TO this The public mind Of that section OF
e Union has been abused, shamcfny abused by per-
eron o. the true issue involved in this hill II Is not
quon Of slavery slavery in these Territories Com
bessonal legislation with all its agtations and excite
m as never yet in the progress Of history prac-
p made or unpade foot Of slave territory. The
rl., hefs 4 one Of constitutional powerone that