The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-07
CON
SPEECH OF HON. CHARLEs READY.
or TENNESSEE,

/ .
The House being in the Committee Of the Whole on the
state of the Union--- lt+eH
Mr. READY said. r7ftfTE
/ Mr. CHAmNAS; Silence might become me best under
present circumstances and il not that il is my mis-
fortune to differ from portion Of my respected colleagues
this floor after the proaced discussion which has been
had on the bill to organize the Territories of Kansas and
Nebraska, might have contcnted myself with merely
giving my vote But perhaps the duty owe TO myself
and TO the constituency whose interests represent here
requires that should present to the committee the views
which entertain in relation to this bill aas .a1g
u was my purpose 70 have addressed the committee
weeks this subject; but having failed to obtain the
floor had doubted, until recently, whetcr should nIs
another attempt to discuss It not The subject has been
sa soW 8 am
of interest to the committee scarcely hope for the
attention Of gentlemen this floor shall however en-
which would have originally pursued avoid as
much as may be- touching the ground which has been
already 50 frequently and ably travelled and to
sent other reasons, they to my mind which ought
to control my action this bill
We have now under discussion the Senate bill for the
organization of these Territories with amendment pro
posed substitute therefor by the chairman the Com
mittee on Territories Mr.. RcHARDsoN / take this
cason to state would myself prefer the Senate bill to the
amendment by the gentleman from Illinois, TO which
have referred But Ut the time, shall not be very
asdious in looking into every minnt to hunt out
objections to the substitute which has been offered Inas
much perceive that the amendment mbodies the great
principles upon which the Senate bill is based and mas
much the differences which exist between them are to-
my mind, upon points Of minor Importance, willing
pass them over and not only to take the Senate BILL but
the amendment offered by the chairman of the Committee
on Territories Mr.. RcHAnDsoN ,a..r g;.l 4
Upon bill involving many provisions, II is scarcely
TO be expected that 50 many minds as are brought to
bear upon it will entirely in regard to all the de-
tails If it be found that the great leading and import
ant features Of the bill correct then minor objections
think, ought not to endanger it. a 1# .8f-r,84
II has been said that this is party measures that it is
administration measure; that the bill introduced
into the Senate by the distinguished senator from Illinois,
Mr. DOUGLAS for the purpose of aiding his views in
reference to the presidency How these things know
not am not in the secret councils perhaps, TO which
others may have only know anything in relation
the which may before this body from the
provisions contained in the bills they presented and
cannot regard this party measure 1t is both
oRdl and sc0Ddl question: supported in both branches Of
Congress by large majority of southern members wings
and democrats and by national of the North Its OPP
ponens principally northern men, without regard to
party Is noA party measure, no matter who introduced
or sppoHs II has not and cannot command party allie
glance from any quarter On such question only de-
sire to satisfy mind the provisions Of heill
frect 70 entitle it to my support lls s
occupy different position, in my party relations from
the President of the United States from the gentleman who
introduced this bill into the Senate and from the dominant
party in this House. Yet do not intend now, any
time hereafter so long as may occupy seat here to OPP
y because il introduced and is supported by portion
Of those to whom stand politically opposed; and much
less will do 1t In an instance like this, where all party
distinctions are disregardcd on both sides.
This bill involves great question Of constitutional pow
settlement Of which must be faught with the
tous consequences for good or for evil II in which
the South is peculiarly interested 1t directly involves the
Of popular sovereignty which IS he foundation tbe very
cornerstone upon which political fabric rests Strike
from under it this cardinal feature and the whole super
structure viii crumbe into ruins, and upon its broken
columns and scattered fragments you will erect depot
ism which, though not so in name will soon become ty
annical and relentless as the worst deposm Of the Old
World.
The repeal Of the Missouri restriction upon the subject Of
slavery the great objection which has been urged against
the passage OF this bill and let take occasion here to
aaN ~ my tlr-
pose to cast any imputaton southern members of the
Congress Of 1920 who voted in favor Of the restriction
had in aer-days the pleasure of personal acquant-
with most of the members OF the Congress of 1920
who represented the State OF Tennessee know them
| all To- have been men of ability. can checrfully
say that the two senator's from that State who stood
in the other end Of the Capitol not surpassed
by any members Of tina, body in their patriotism in
their devotion TO the best interests of the country
and in point Of ability they would compare voraby with
most others there Colonel John Williams whose memory
is cherished by every Tennessean Of them The
Hon. John H. Eaton who st survives, and who has oc-
cupcd high and responsible positions under different adj
mnistraiions of this government since the other
The Hon. Newton Cannon then representative Of the
district from which come, afterwards governor of the
State was a remarkable for his Roman frmncss and
patriotism No man. perhaps cherished deeper and
abiding love for the institutions Of his country
greater veneraon for he constitution Of this Unon and
might say of all the representatives of the State of
Tennessee
doubt not that the entire representation Of the south
States who voted for the Missouri restriction
titled to the confidence of their constituents and of the
whole country And repe the idea that the proposition
TO repeal II is charge them collectively ndvidu
ally of having betrayed the South by base surrender
| of her rights
In this connexion take occasion refer to the then
distinguished member from Kentucky the late Hon Henry
Clay do because his has been invoked on both
sides Of this controversy the hand to sbow that
he was opposed TO the restriction of 1920; and the
other that he author and great supporter shall
paas everything that has been said by others the
subject but ask the attention Of the committee to the
document which shall read presently document to my
mi ANYTHING which have or rd
in reference the position of that distinguished
There memorial from the legislature of the State OF
Kentucky presented in the Senate of the United States by
Mr. Logan of her senator's in 1890 pending this Mis-
souri, question That memorial derives its peculiar
porance, at this time from what understand 10 he the
history of its origin understand--and will give my
auhority-hat it dranghted by Mr.. Clay while in the
transmitted to his legislature at home which then in
session and by his procurement adopted returned here
and laid before the Congress Of the United States And my
authority Judge Robinson State Of Kentucky who
was the time member Of this body and presumed TO
have been conversant with oil the facts: Ji
Whereas the constitution Of the United States provides
for the admission Of States into the Union and It is just
proper all such States should be established npon
the footing Of original States with view TO the prescrva
OF State sovereignty the prosperity Of such State
and the good Of their citizens and whereas successful
temp have been heretofore made and making TO
admitted into Union State unless rammclled by rules
and regulations which do not exist in tho original States
tculary In relation TO the liberation Of slavery.
Whereas, also, II Congress thus ranmel control
the Of Territory in the formation Of State govern
mont that body may, the principles reduce s pow
little than those by tho people OF the
District Of Columbia and whilst protesting To mako it
sovereign State may bind It in perpetual vasssage and re