Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-05-06
SPEECH OF Mr.. CARUTHERS,
OF MISSOURI,
ON THE NEBRASKA AND KANSAS BILL.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, APRIL I, 1854

/ The House being IN Committee of the Whole OF
the state Of the Union
/ Mr.. CARUTHERS said: Mr. Chairman, the import
of the bill to organize the Territories of Kansas
Nebraska and the immediate interest of the State from
which come in the settlement of the question involved
in it, viii plead my apology for occupying the time of thu
committee in its discussion.
do not propose to dwell upon the necessity of the
ganization of these Territories will content myself BY
relnarng that the last House Of in ODE
dience to the known will of the people, passed bill fol
that purpose that the border States, with unanmou:
voice. evidenced by the position Of their Representa-
tives their numerous and large Conventions the voice Of
their prcss-through every avenue by which public SEN
tment be deoared-haye demanded that the protec
ton of our laws should be extended over that region
Their organization, as proposed by the bill now before
us is resisted mainly upon two grounds The that il
violates our treaty stpulations with the Indian tribes
located there and the other that it violates our good faith
our party obligations, and honor by declaring in
operative and void the eighth section of the act of 1920
With regard to the first objection SO often and so eo-
queny urged, have only say that the rights of the
Indians are as well and as scrupuousy guarded by the
provisions OF this bill IS they could be by any possible
legislation 1t provides their lands shall pot be wrested
from them, they included within the Territory pro-
posed to be organized without their consent
Sir it is idle to talk OF this feeble Indian barrier resist
ing the progress of the white man. with all his accompa
niments of civilization! The line of march is west
ward and every obstacle in path must yield to that
imperial tread
The civilized world has always had its west To 20 no
further back, in the times Of the first Cesar it was Gaul
and Britain in the days Of the Pilgrim fathers was the
shores of the Aantic later it the summit of the al
eghanes yet later and it the eastern bank of the
" father OF Hoods - again and it the bank
great river it is the Territories of Kansas and
Nebraska. And is it folly think Of resisting this
proud and glorious marchths march that has carried
with It, at every step OF its progress, the power of
pre- that has brdged the Atantc that has trod down
the Aleghancs; that has subdued wild world of will
deness passed the Mssissppi-by the obstacle of
few thousand Indians upon the borders Of Iowa and Mis-
souri grant you it is sad to think of their fast-coming
fate 1t is sad think while the tide of civilization is
rolling back from the Pacific and on from the Atlantic
that the Indian tribes must be buried forever beneath the
meeting waters and go down into the black and saress
night of humiliation But it is their fate fixed for all
wise purposes by Him who holds in his hands the destiny
Of races, and to that decree bow.
come to the consideration Of the real question in
yolVed in this bill. come to it soemnly deeply i'm
pressed with its present Importance and momentous fu-
ture consequences approach it Invested, far may
be- of all passion, of all partisan sectional feeling de-
string to meet calmly and fairly the high questions of
good faith of honor, of obligations involved. will not
pause long to dwell upon its party effect; for in my
Judgment the questions involved override all party
siderations 1t is true this bill is presented to
Administration measure 1t is true that am here
Wing. But am not here to give this Administration
factous opposition. not here to oppose any
sure brought forward by merely because it brought
forward by it. am here uncommited to a blind oppo-
ston OF blind support to follow to the end the dictates
of own judgment and conscience and the will of those
who sent me-
In this instance believe the Administration has taken
high national ground that it has planted itself upon
great American principle the principle Of sefgoYern-
ment principle involved in of party issues
principle dearer than any party considerations prin-
cipe upon which all sound national of all parties
may meet and stand upon ground alike cherished and
alike dear. 1t was this principle ingrsted in the
promises of 1850 that commended them warmly the
American heart; it this principle which ratified
by both parties in their Conventions Baltimore and it
is for this principle speak to-day.
Inkur Al u.
opponents; between Wings and Democrats as
such but, disguise it you may, bwecn Free
soitsm on the one hand and The right Of epeope to segou
eminent on the Other do not desire to be understood
charging all the opponents OF this bill with Freesoism
for know the opposition contains who have taken
their positions from the highest prompngs of honor and
the purest impulses of patriotism but to
these men will find themselves fighting under strange
banners and strange leaders, To those Wings who are
endeavoring to embarrass the Administration by hwar
ing this measure and to build up party strength by
alying themselves with Northern prejndices, trust
may be pardoned for addressing few words Of sober
ness and truth. 1t is fact, attesed by all past
history all our present experience that sectional
party, no onedea party, command To
coed party must plant itself upon grounds as broad as
Union The history of the Wing party for the last
few glanced at by the distinguished gentleman from
North Carolina, (Mr. CLrNGMAS,) furnishes US with
useful lesson, and one by which might well profit In
the midst of the fearful agitation of 1850 the South de-
manded matter of justice to her interests and of
obedience to the plain requirements of the Constitution
the passage of efficient fugitive slave law But three
Wing members from the free States found voting
for that BILL When the Wing party met in convention
at Baltimore when came to act upon the claims of that
noble National Whig Willard Flmore-he who had stood
so calmly and skully at the helm during the wild rag
gs Of the storm that had swept the lands he whose
deep devotion to the Union had been proved in those
" dark hours )" he who administered the affairs of this
Government with wisdom, purity, moderation,
hrmness only exceed by the great first President; he
who had Embedded himself deeply in the love and con-
hdence OF the good men of all parties in oil the Union
whenh upon the principle Of availability, sacrificed
upon this altar Northern prejudice the sacrifice
allow me to say the unworthy sacrifice propitate their
favor? Did it even gain their votes? No. sir; though
we presented them with name known and honored
throughout the world whose deeds the deeds
which inspire poets, and glow with Immortality on the
the pages OF historians who left us in doubt
whether most to admire the magnificent spendor of his
or the mder yet loveer lusre Of his pr
vate lfe Under this leader all distinguished he was
We went INTO the conflict but the moral power OF the
party was broken by the vote to which have alluded
and the action at Baltimore and sustained Of the
most overwhelming defeats that overlook errng
party, defeat which was well nigh annihation. Is
there 10 lessen of wisdom in these facts Unless
greatly msread all the signs of the times Democratic
friends are being taught something of this same lesson
Gen. Pierce came into power almost by reclamation; the
fires OF party were wellngh extinguished; oppo
nents were disposed approve Did he not in the out
set OF his Administration in the selection of his consttu
tiona advisers instead Of calling around him the sound
national men OF his party to concae factions and
tons, and prejudces call around him heterogeneous
association OF extremes which have given series Of
plumbers and inconsistencies which have weakened the
ton faith the nations confidence aud the nations love
This review, TO mind at least establishes the great
and encouraging fact with which out that no party
cIn gdin sreng bu pdndering 10 seron1l ,phehsr