Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-06-06

SPEECH OF HON. EMERSON ETHERIDGE,
OF TENNESSEE,
In the House Of Representatives, May II, 1854


on the state of the Union, (Mr. STANTON, OF Ten
nessee, in the chair,)
Mr.. ETHERlDGE said
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: There was a time when de-
sired, more than now, TO submit to the Commit
tee, my opinions in relation to the bill for organ
izing Territorial Governments for Kansas and
Nebraska. The stirring and exciting scenes
through which we have passed, within the last
few days, have not increased my anxiety to be
heard, or given me confidence in being able to
| secure the attention OF the House. Still, sir,
feel that until the measure is consummated, there
is hope, and while there is hope remaining, my
duty shall be performed freely admit the diff
Guilty OF moving men from positions already
taken, or persuadng them TO renounce opinions
publicly expressed; still, sir, there are many
here who are now struggling between the man
dates of duty and the exactions OF party and
sectional association To these would address
myself; for when right and party allegiance have
clashng interests that man who pauses for hon
est deberation, will not always sacrifice the first
on the altar of the last.
AS but an hour is assigned me for the express
sion of my opinions upon subject which, con-
fessedly involves the nationality of the two great
political parties of the country and, in the jadg-
ment of many, the integrity of the Union-a sub
jcct which, all admit brings no practical good to
any section of the country, while it is addressed
to the worst passions and prejudices Of EACH
subject suggestive Of future, which even bold
ness is unwilling to portray-when ! think, sir,
of all these things, and the consequences involv-
cd in our action, | feel my unltness for the task
which duty imposes. In attempting to pro-
ceed--
II stand In pause, where shall first begin"
To the dispassionate observsr-aye, sir, to the
whole American Peoplc-have you not for weeks
| tod oh cnactacla2 A M
your daily proceedings striking commentary
upon those assurances, which your own party so
recently gave the people? and that, too at a time
wheni it was being borne into power, as you al
legged by the conservative and national sentiment
of the country Are you not, this day. furnish
ing a powerful and satisfactory argument TO
those sectional agitators, who have always in
Weighed against the truth and sanctity of polit-
ical pledges? And is not all this sufficient to
make us suspect weakness or corruption in those
who, for their supposed political worth, were so
recently called to the highest places of position
and power2
Have you not sir for the last four months,
been engaged in bartering away the confidence OF
the people, for that which they will scorn as an
equivalent and against which the voice OF the
larger portion has been raised in tones OF intern
perate opposition, or heard in low murmurs OF
| sorrow and complaint
| ing TO force upon unwilling people measure
they have never required-which no necessity or
i public interest demands, and which its friends and
authors admit will be, if consummated, but bar
| rem victory a iruitless crown u measure, Sir,
| which this House, if left free from the influence
of those threats and promises which are issued,
| daily from the other end of the Avenue would,
| in one hour, bury SO deep, that thousand con-
| situations Of the Cabinet and as many midnight
l. of bafa n0itician2 cOulu
again start it into fe2 Consign it, sir, to an un-
honored grave without a single mourner unless
il should be that little band, who for months past
have kept constant vigil around what they feared
was its dying couch2
| am here to-day to plead for my own section
| of the country-to ask Union-loving Representa-
| tives North and South, TO consider our real, our
practical interests, and not hastily, involve them
| in jeopardy or ruin. | demand no concession OF
abstract principle, which brings with it a real
injury or an abstract wrong. ] prefer the peace
| aud prosperity of the South and of the Union,
| to an empty triumph which may endanger both.
True, sir, in making this appeal, ] bring not
with me that prestige of success which great
names inspire. | must, therefore, rest my cause
much on its own merits, and that sense OF justice
which stirs in every heart to which reason APP
peals.
shall express my views respectfully, but
plainly accord to others as much candor as
/ can claim for myself do not know that ever
| had so much confidence in my own opinions as
1 TO cause me to Judge harshly or impute TO others
| a desire 10 do wrong, rather than n wish to do
right ! had rather be the apologist than the
| prosecutor Of those whose opinions do not agree
| with my own | believe there are more defective
| judgments than depraved hearts, and that much
which the public censor would set down TO the
| account of corruption might more properly, be
/ IN ,ur rarieI intareqfQ and educational
| feelings.
To the differences in our personal and political
interests, Of which many seem unconscious, rather
than 10 the native deprayity OF the friends or OPP
ponents of the bill, may be attributed much Of
that unnecessary bitterness and bad feeling which,
| up 10 this time seems TO have attended the con-
sideraton Of the measure.
The main question which propose to consid-
er is the repeal Of the 9Th section OF the act Of
9Th March, 1920, commonly called the Missouri
Compromise Not that the bill Is otherwise
| free from serious and insuperdbie objections but
because, in the opinion Of many wise and temper
ate men of all parties, the repeal OF the act in
question will, ultimately, result in mischief TO
| the country.
desirc. IL can, to consider the question Prae-
hcaliy 10 test Il by the rules of common sense
and 10 ascertain what good If any, will result to
| either section of the country by the repeal
Before proceeding further, must, however, be
| permitted TO say a word TO those who have
evinced so much anxiety for my political welfare
aud who have admonished me, that should vote
| against the repeal Of the Missouri Compromise
act of 1920, need not expect to be retained in
| public life The dsintercsted Kindness which
| prompted the advice, best bespeaks its own com
incubation but as | shall disregard the entreaties
of some and the expostuatons of Others, il is
due to them to Say that their kindness has been
duly appreciated. A seat in Congress brings
| with il no such charms as have caused me TO
think, for a moment, Of tbs meaHs OF retaining IT,
Were ! to do so, however, should conclude,
that a conscientious and faithful discharge OF my
whole duty, and especially adherence 70 my public
pledges, would be the surest way TO retain the
| confidence OF those who sent me here. When
find myself surrcndering my own judgment Of
the propriety OF public measure, and yielding