The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-02-16
MAINTAIN PLIGHTED PATH
SPEECH OF HON. s. P. CHASE, OF OH

liz THE SENATE, FEBRUARr 3, 1854,
against The Repeal Of the Missouri Prohibition
Of Std~ry north Of SO deg. 80 min.
The bill for the organization Of the Terrific
ries of Nebraska and Kansas being under con-
sideration-
Mr.. CHASE submitted the following amend
mont:
Strike ont from section IA the words was
superseded by the principles of the legislation
OF 1850, commonly called tho Compromise
Measures and" 80 that the clause will read :
"Tbat the Constitution and all laws of the
United States which are not locally inapplca-
be, shall have the same force and effect with
in the said Territory of Nebraska as elsewhere
within the United States, except she eighth sec
ton OF the act preparatory to the admi, sion OF
Missouri into the Union, approved March 6,
1920, which is hereby declared imperative"
hi MI GiHftA Ais said i...,. vvvu..v.,
ago to prpose thc,gtter grsandsesspess Of the
personal charges made by tho Senator from
Illinois Mr.. Douglas against myself and the
other signers of the Independent Democratic
appeal. i now move to strike from this bill
statement which | will to-day demonstrate to
be without any foundation in fact or history. |
intend afterwards to move to strike out the
whole clause annulling the Missouri prohibit
ton.
enter into this debate, Mr.. President, in no
spirit of personal unkindness The issue is too
grave and too ,nomentous for the indulgence
Of such feelings. | see the great question be-
fore me, and that question only.
Sir these crowded galleries, these throngcd
lobbics this full attendance Of the Senate,
proves the Deep transcendent interest of the
theme.
A few days only have elapsed since the Con-
gress of the United States assembled in this
Capitol Then no agitation seemed to distui b
the political elements Two of the great po-
litical parties Of the country, in their National
Conventions, had announced that Slavery aSi-
| tation was at an end, and that henccforth that
| subject was not to he discussed in Congress or
| cut of Congress The President in his annual
| message, had referred to this state Of opinion,
and had declared his fixed purpose to maintain,
AS far AS any responsibility attached to him,
the quiet of the country. Let me read brief
extract from that message:
[" 1t is no part of my purpose to give promi-
hence to any subject which may properly he
| rcgai ded as set at rest by the deliberate juJg
ment OF the people. Bat while the present is
bright with promise, and the future full of de-
mand and inducement for the exercise of active
Intelligence, the past can never bc without use
| full lessons of admonition and instruction. 1t
|
IDENTIFY fail to fulfil the object Of wise design
| When the grave shall have closed over all who
are now endeavoring to meet thcobligations of
| duty, the year 1850 will be REQUIRED to as q
period filed with anxious apprehension. a
successful war had just terminated. Peace
brought with it a vast augmentation of terri
| tory. Disturbing questions arose, bearing upon
| the domestic institutions of one portion Of the
| Confederlcy, aud involving the constitutional
rights of the State1 Bot notwithstanding DIFF
| ferences Of opinion and sentiment, which then
existed in relation to details and specific pro-
visions, the aequiesccnce OF distinguished eth
| zens, whose devotion to the Union can never be
| doubted, had given renewed vigor TO our iusti-
tutions, aud restored q sense OF repcse and Sc
curity to the public mind throughout the Con.
federacy. That this repose is 30 suffer no
shock during my official term, il have power
to avert ia, those who placed me here may be
| assured"
The agreement of the two old political par
ties, thus referred to by the Chief Magistrate
of the country, was complete, and large ma
jority of the American people seemed to ac-'
auiesce in the legislation of which he spoke.
A few OF US, indeed, doubted the accuracy Of
these statements, and the permahency of this
repose. We never believed that the acts of
1850 would prove to be a permanent adjust
ment OF the Slavery question. We believed no
permanent adjustment Of that question possible,
except by a return to that original policy Of
the fathers of the Republic, by which Slavery
was restricted within State limits, ind Freedom,
without exception or limitation, was intended
to be secured to every person outside of State
limits and under the exclusive Jurisdiction Of
the General Government.
But, sir, we only represented n small though
vigorous and growing party in tho country.
Oar number was small in Congress By some
| we were regarded as visionaries--by some "a
factionists; while almost all agreed in pro-
nounoiRg US mistaken.
And so, SIR, the country was ut peace AS the
eye swept the entire circumference of the hori-
ION, and upward 10 mid heaven, not a cloud
appeared Ito common observation there was
no mist or stain upon the clearness Of the sky.
But suddenly all is changed Rafting thun-
der breaks from the cloudlcss armament The
storm bursts forth in fury. Warning winds
rush into conflict.
Eurus. Notusque ruunt, creberque procellis
Africus'i
Yes, sir, crebsr prOcelhs Africus" - the
south wind thick with storm. And now we
find ourselves in the midst Of an agitation, the
end and isaac Of which no man can foresee.
Now, SIR, who is responsible for this renew
al Of strife and controversy Not we, for Wa