The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-11
C0NGB ESSI0NA AL.
SPEECH OF nos. LEWIS CAss,

On the bill organize the Territories OF Nebraska and
Kansas delivered m the Senate OF the United States,
Monday, February a. 1854
Mr. CAsS Mr.. President but four brief years pass
ing away, brief IN the life of nation since this hall
sounded with angry and agang discussions upon the very
topics that disturb and divide u.s. and since every
breeze that spread to the heaven the flag waves
usour father flag and blessed be God yet own
brought US from crowded city and from lonely cabin
from HILL valley, and PRAIRIE from and lake the
echoes OF anxiety and alarm passing the country and
which announced that people had reached crisis
in their destiny which for veal or for woe might mark
their history during long ages 10 come. Well all this
passed away by the mercy of Providence rather than by
wisdom of man, and beautiful tribute furnished to the
inestmabe value OF free institutions for there is anot
under heaven which could have entered into
such trial. and of unscalhed Peace and pros
pcrly and good feeling restored and looked for
ward to long years of tranquility. The upon
another illustration OF the vanity of human expeca-
tons But yesterday the whole hemisphere without
cloud in the distant horizon To-day the signs of
approaching tempest audible and visible and the only
question which put heard and safe
ty presents itself for solution With the honorable
from Massachusetts Mr. EvERErrl frankly avow, that
filled with doubt ana alarm during the troubles and
tests which were terminated by the compromise
of 1885, and he who umoved had more apathy less
apprehension than had But though the ominous cry of
Woe, woe 10 Jerusalem is heard, do not be-
leve that the country is in any danger the least but
still do not deny that these frequent almost periodical
newas and revivas Of this threatening subject
sarily produce irritation and excitement, tending array
section Of the country against another and thus
weaken those Ties of confidence and affection essential
Events connected with territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
seemed their necessary consequence 10 lead the former
agitation but the present has burst upon without
warning and, as think, from which might have
been avoided.
Mr. President have withheld the expression of my
regret elsewhere, shall withhold it here, that this
question of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise which
opens all the disputed points connected with The subject of
congressional action upon slavery in the territory Of the
United States, has been brought before do thnk
the practical advantages result from the will
outweigh the injury which the ieelng fated to
pany the discussion Of this subject through the country
to produce. And was confirmed in this impression
by what was said by the senator from Tennessee, MIR.
JoEEs,] by the senator from Kentucky, MIR DIXON and
by the senator from North Carolina, [Mr. BApoEn and
also by the remarks which fell from the from Vr-
gina lMI. HusTER and in which fully concur that the
South viii never derive any benefit from this far
respects the extension of slavery for egsate
may, no human power establish it IN the regions
defined by these bills.
And such the sentiments of two eminent patriots,
to whose exerons we are greatly indebted for the salts
factory termination of the difficulties of 1885, and who
have since passed from their aborswc may humby hope
their rewards Ii is excluded by law, borrow the
words Of of them which the other fully aequesced
superior to that which admits it elscwherehe law of
Nature, of physical geography the law Of the formation
the earth That law settles forever, with strength beyond
all terms OF human enactment that slavery cannot exist
there.
Thus believing, should have been better had the
whole subject been left the bills when
roduced by the senator from lncis without any provision
regarding the Missouri Compromise / aware 1t
reported that intended 10 propose the repeal Of that
measure but it was My intentions wholly
misunderstood. had no design whatever to take such
STEP and thus resuscse from Its queude deed of con-
citation which had done It's WORK. had done we'll and
which haowed by patriotism, by and by its
association with great names now transferred TO history IL
belonged past generation and, IN the midst OF po
cal tempest which appalled, the and the mes the
land had said the OF agitation, Peace be still
they became STILL 1t would have been better, in my
opinion disturb its sumber, all useful and pract
cal obecls could have been attained without il. But the
question here without my agency, and am called upon
take my part IN ITS djusment shall do SO frankly and
earlessIy.
MIR. President in the report made by the COMMITTEES
Territories the introduction of these bills, is said that
there important question connected with the subject
about which opinions have been much divided which
the committee did think expcden investigate. That
is whether the citizens Of the several States had under
the constitution, into any territory and there
hold any kind Of properly belonging to them whether per-
things though prohibited by the local law.
important question: and do not see how ts consideration Is
be avoided, connecting itself II docs with Of the
grayost provisions be found IN these bills, When they
first introduced they contained merely general grant,
caledrccog niioo, call itof power in the terri.
orial legislatures all rghuu subjects OF legislation
compatible with the constitution. believe this provision
would have secured these local assemblies jurisdiction
this subject; but as that was denied desired more
speche declaration and introduced in the amend
men proposed by the from Illinois, MIR. DOUGLAS
That amendment declares hat the people, whether the
Territories the States be formed from them free
to regulate their domestic institutions IN their way,
subject only the constitution of the United Suites. am
content this arrangement though If any amendment IL
Introduced TO make me pfoNthlou cheer-
fully for But What to be it's effect upon these
communities, Is legitimate subject Of inquiry the
constitutional claim which have already referred s well
founded then neither congressional territorial action
can interfere with and whatever power this clause may
give TO the local legislatures abolish establish slavery
for their citizens, gives them prevent the
savehodcr from Of The stotes from introducing hs
slaves into these regions, and there holding them The
general duty submission the muni,Ipa laws Of
try no denies He therefore, who claims any eYemp-
ton from their obligations establish IT, he becomes
expoeed 10 their penalties Under these circumstances
think the course of the senator from Virginia, Mr. Hus-
nal and Of the from Mississippi, Mr. BRows
was entirely correct in introducing aod discussing this
topic involving the great question OF tho night of seigoy
eminent. and shall follow their example. consider II
duo TO my and to myself that doubts should
est upon my sentiments and that should state clearly the
constipation put upon the effect Of my And 1
with the ess hesaon this is the first opporuni
ty have had redeem myself from the oboquy and
proach which long ago heaped upon in the
Sou h, with ttle moderation though had betrayed
my country foreign enemy.
A short this claim to introduce slaves into the
Territories, though prohibited by the local laws,
thortavely advanced and became the subject public
discussion here and elsewhere With establish
w and extent shall refer TO declarations then mads
public bodies and by prominent public men enjoying the
confidence of their felow-cuzens.
And first, viii introduce the authority Of the general
ASSEMBLY of Virgnia ls47 which unanimously declared
by resolution all territory that may be acquired by the
arms the United States, yielded by treaty with any
foreign power belongs The several States OF this Union
their joint ard common property IN which each and all
have equal rights and they further declared that the ci
Of every State have constitutional rightto emgrate
to such territory with their property Of whatever descrp
ton. Resolutions of similar import were passed by the