The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-18


Ii had been said that this party easure'an
admin and that il had been introduced
into the Senate by distinguished member Of that body
for the purpose OF forwarding his prospects IN relation 10
the presidency. did not know how these things
he was not acquainted with the Of the cabinet he
took an position fthe principles oiany
found examination 10 be right he should support
the measure whether il came from the administrations from
his own party and If he believed 10 be wrong
he would oppose it lift from his party as as
he should If il from any other He in favor OF
this bill because he believed in the general principles i
mbodied and he should therefore support ii if he stood
alone in doing SO.
Mr. r. went on his recoections OF the Congress
OF 1920 with many Of the members of which he had BEEN
in the former part Of his life personally acquainted and he
declared in reply TO certain statements of the opponents
that the Missouri Compromise not imposed the
North by the South but forced upon the South by that
opposition to the admission of Missouri by the North which
would have made all the efforts of that State to obtain ad
mission into the Union futile
Mr. r. continued length to reply the of the
various opponents of the bill and supported the claims OF
the in a lucid and powerful manner
Mr. ETHERiDGE next obtained the floor and declared
his opposition to the Nebraska and Kansas BILL being
Objectionable in several particulars and especially in its
abnegaton of the Missouri Compromise He asked what
benefit could confer the country on any section of
the republic? He contended that il mpolitic to at
tempt the repeal of that Compromise and although he had
been kindly cautioned by gentlemen that If he opposed this
he would not again be returned to his seat in the
House. he had determined follow his convictions duty
believing that he did not do he should be unworthy
Of the confidence Of his constituents.
He urged that the repeal of the Missouri Compromise
opening field of agitation and raising storm which they
could neither rule nor ride.
Mr.. OLIVER, of Missouri advocated the Nebraska and
Kansas bill. The Missouri Compromise did not as had
been asserted, give repose distracted country Did
not he asked the North repudae year afterwards
so far as they could by majority of their votes What
northern would deny ii? The record proved H. The
BILL he argued would be of preserving the Union
by keeping the country from future slavery agitation and
crushing the hydraheaded monster of fnatcism which
had so long agitated the councils of the nation.
At halfpast two O'clock violent storm occurred and
the rain in at the open windows business was sns
pended in the House for ten minutes and the gas was light
Mr. o. resumed his remarks He replied to the speech of
his colleague Mr. Benton contending that that gentle
souri, whilst If he had read all that passed. it would
have shown that the position taken by that legislature
very different to that indicated by that solitary resolu
ton.
Mr.. PARKER, of Indiana, obtained the floor, but yield
ed on condition of having the floor tomorrow, to
Mr.. BENNETT, of New York, who opposed the bill on
the ground that ii proposed to declare the Missouri Com
promise imperative and void lie contended that although
they had been promised that the agitation Of the slavery
question should be set at rest by the Compromise of 1850
more reckless, wanton and uncalled-for agita-
ton had been thrust upon the country 1t had orgina
ted in the city Of Washington and he commended it had
been desired by any part of the country II was said the
South did expect reap any advantage from this
If the Snnth did not he contended the authors
of this bill expected to make Kansas if not Nebraska
slave State there could be for this strong de-
sire their part make this declaration with regard to
the Missouri Compromise.
Mr.. b. continued at length, endeavoring to show that
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise would be Of
value to the South any than to the North, and
argued that it wrong for any interest of the
try to exercise the amount Of influence already possessed
Mr.. STRAUB obtained the floor, but yielded to
Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE, who moved that the committee
take recess until o'clock.
Mr.. SAGE said it would be a tax upon members
to keep them here till midnight
The CHAIRMAN said If any gentleman asked for d.
vision on that subject the committee would find itself
without quorum.
Mr.. HUGHES asked for division, and a motion
made for the committee TO rise
Mr. STRAUB said he did not yield the floor for melton
that the committee rise.
Mr. BRECKENRIDGE said his object was to give the OPP
ponents of the bill opportunity TO fully discuss this sub
jec but rs those for whose benefit lac had intended did
not seem 10 desire it, he should withdraw his motion
Mr. STRAUB then proceeded TO address the committee
in support of the Nebraska and Kansas bill He said the
whole question involved in this debate comprised
within the compass Of nutshell Shall the people of the
Territory have the right to govern themselves This
question: ~ ls affirmative contained the principle Tor
which our fathers bed and which had worked well in
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and it would be
unjust to withhold this right from Territory as it
would to deprive her of that right under which her c-
zens had grown wealthy and her people happy and free
At the conclusion of Mr. STRAUSS remarks, il being
halfpast o'clock the committee took recess until
o'clock ?. m.
After the recess at the time appointed the committee re-
| assembled, and
Mr. WADE in exposing what he called the inconsistent
ces OF the BILL said he in favor Of popular sovereignty
and IL they would amend the bill 10 give the elective
franchise TO every male adult in the Territory he
would withdraw his feeble opposition to the measure and
cease to gae before the people but he would not have
any specification TO what should be the color of the
elecor and he thought he warranted IN saying that
all the present opponents Of the bill wonld longer OPP
pose il they would thus place the power to choose their
institutions in the hands of the whole people But II
was not popular sovereignty that the friends Of the bill
wanted it meant slavery, and nothing
Mr.. BANKS obtained the floor when the committee rose
and
The House adjourned after eight o'clock