The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-14

claim upon our connehvy1hn regard Nay more, sir
there IS reason 10 fear that the forfeiture Of public respect
generated by such exhibitions may affect not only those
really cupable but operate though all unjusty 10 the dis
credit Of that holy religion whose is perverted 10
purposes so fepugnant 10 the procps and practice Of s
\ Divine founder
Before leaving this question of compact and 4plighted
faith Mr.. Chairman wish to call the attention of the
House and more particularly of that class of opponents Of
this bill known abolionists another clause Of the
eighth section OF the act or820 which has not yet been
particularly noticed II is in the following words;
P.osidsd, aays, That any person escaping into the
State or Territory of the United States such fugitive
DO lawfully reclaimed and conveyed to the person claiming
/ his or her labor or service as aforesaid"
This sir is part and parcel Of the same secon hieh
establishes the Mssour-Compromise line If k enact
ment in question be compact this proyiso is lion Of
sssena @ cosion u hs vadr
Gentlemen cannot play fast and loose in this matter They
cannot take the benefit Of part OF the spuatons and
ect the residue. 1t is good for the whole nothing
Now sir when these gentlemen euogize the Compromise Of
1920 as Landmark OF freedom sacred and nvolabe do
they mean to this clause of it by their endorse
ment2 Will they abide by and execute this proviso in
good faith? Would they, if living within these Terrific
ries aid in the execution Of law made carry into effect
its provisions Let the past answer Their denuncations
of similar law enacted TO carry out plain and per-
empory provision of the federal constitution yet sound
ing in They have euogzed the military despot
isms of Russia and Austria as cer and better govern
ments than own because OF the imputed cruetes and
denominations of this law Others not members of this
body thank God have promulgated law of civil
duct repugnan the constitution and higher than it,
der which they have called upon excited to violate
the constitution to resist the laws, and shed the blood Of
citizens of sister States in the pursuit Of rights guaranteed
to them by the statutes and affirmed by the highest judicial
tribunals From of tumult and bloodshed excited
by their inamatory appeals and for the guilt of which
they morally if not legally responsible they here
to arragn the friends Of this bill as breakers OF solemn
compacs yioatos of public faith Are these men to be
recognised OF the public moralsi Are their full
mnaons be respected as judgments upon questions of
political ethics No, sir not by Their praise is
sure and their praise Let them clean their hands
hnf.r
tribunal Of the American people to prefer such accusatons
Let them be thankful if they not made TO occupy the
place of the criminal instead of that of the prosecutor and
think themselves fortunate if the public contempt shields
theuffrom the retributons of public justice,
have already adverted the fact Mr.. Chairman, that
during the proceedings resulting in the compromise meas
of 1850 Congress refused to extend the line of 36 deg
30 min the Territories then organized Instead Of
that sir they inserted in the bills for Utah and New Mex
/ co the following proviso:
sThat when admitted as State the said Territories on
portion of the same shall be received into the Union,
with without slavery their constitution may prescribe
4 at the time ofits adoption"
This leaves the question Of slavery in the States and
Territories where, in my Judgment it should be left
Instead of arbitrary geographical
line it establishes sound and just general principle 1t
adopts not temporary expedien provocative of eontn-
ual strife leaving open the door for fresh agitation upon
every occasion of territorial acquisition organiza
ton, but permanent rule of action always applicable to
the social and political relations of men, aordg the basis
for ready adjustment Of every like question In all time to
As SUCH the country understood and accepted it.
It sir the great and distinguishing feature of the pend
ing bill 1t is imbodied there in the following words:
4 II being the intent and meaning of this
legate slavery into any Territory State to exclude it
hereo but to leave the people thereof free to form and
regulate their domestic institutions in their way subject
only to the constitution Of the United States"
This sir is plain and explicit 1t enuncates the broad
doctrine of nonntererence the part of the federal gov
ernment with the institution of slavery and the control
aud regulation thereof by the States and Territories
cerned is principle which TO be understood needs but
to be stated and obe approved needs but obe understood
II addresses itself TO all notions of expediency and
right 1t appeals to strongest sympathes is strength
ened by traditions and sanctioned by all our expe-
rence individuals and people II peculiarly
genial to the American mind and dear TO the American
heart Attachment TO it the most unyeldng has, in all
ages been distinguishing characteristic Of the from
which sprung Upon il the framework and the details
of system of government State and national are based
For il the battles of the revolution fought II was
for the money sought to be extored by the stamp act
and the duties on tea and sugar that our forefahes en-
baked in that perilous struggle 1t was sir because vi
tai principle inyoyed-their right Of fsefgovernment
at stakoherc to be taxation without representa-
on--hey to be made subjects Of an uncontrolled
central power For this they took up arms With Gods
blessing they umphed The principle they established
has been sacredy cherished and will be faithfully main
ained II is the ground which all our local and mun
cpa institutions rest 1t insists first upon national in
dependence and separate sovereignty II would leave to
the central government no power the state can properly
exercise-to the State no function which may well be
performed by the countyto the county nothing that
as well be done by the town. IL would delegate TO no
human hands any power or prerogatye which The nd-
It's grand results SUPREMACY STATE RIGHTS AND
INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM Wherever understood and applied 1t
has been in a lands and ages the sures safeguard of civil
bery-the strongest barrier against the encroachmens Of
arbitrary power That principle sir lies at the foundation
of this bill As supporter Of the compromises of 1885,
voted for it then j stand upon it The ground 1
then assumed shall maintain. know, sir, that upon me,
upon every other northern who occupies this posi-
ton the Hoodgacs Of abolition yituperaton win be opened.
II has been heretofore As has not moved me in the
past il will not disturb Defamation and menace
win pass the idle wind The position rests upon the
rock Of mrutable truth The OF error fanatcism,
and fasehood will beat against IL in vain Whoever plants
himself upon il will stand lie who seeks its overthrow
I wall fail In the hopeless attempt
4 oAs some tall cliff that lifts It's awful form,
4 Swells from the vale and midway leaves the storm,
i Though round its breast the rolling clouds spread
II Eternal sunshine settles on It's headP'
in order TO make present action consist with the
promise legislation Of 1850 The is obvious the
plain The object in both is TO leave the peo
pie Of the Territories free in respect to slavery from the
interference of the general government NoN-iNTERyENToN
is the end TO be attained A congressional prohibition
Nebraska and Kansas that did exist in the ter
ritory acquired from Mexico, to which the Compromise OF
1850 applied To have non-inerventon is necessary in
the present instance do what not required in the
I action Of Congress
II has been feared by that the suspension Of s Mis-
souri, restriction will revive the slave laws Of Louisiana
which existed prior TO the act Of 1920 and abrogacd
by IT, upon the ground that Mt common law the repeal OF
repeating statute in revyes the original law
These Territories in 1920 occupied wholly they
\ now mainly, by wild Indian tribes, and il may well be
doubted whether the laws in question applicable
or in force there a The opinion that they had APP
ulication there fntmaed by the Ala