The daily union., 1854-02-17

would bind him for an hour. Is it not clear Suppose
that the honorable senator 10 agree 10 compro-
mise now 10 allow the people Of the IefIit0ries 10
choose whether they would have slavery OF not &C
cording 10 his argument he cannot be morally bound 0y
H. because he thinks that the constitution Of the United
States prohbis slavery in The Territories, and because
he thinks that the people in the Territory cannot be al
lowed Introduce slavery they choose ts do 70.
Therefore, | do not mention ii matter Of CON-
plant II implies moral turp,ude in HIM II '. the
nece aud logical consequence OF The principles whcn
he lays down fundamental upon The SUBJECT and there
fore II is idle 10 talk about compromises with the hon
orable senator; for the honorable senator now pisces
at the head OF his published speech "maintan pGnsed
faith ".while former occasion, when the compro-
mise before Congress for consideration,
he made speech and headed il with the solemn title
"tIeejom without compromises" he is against compF0-
mise- and yet he calls upon enforce that portion
OF the Mlssonn Compromise by which. as we think, our
rights were restricted. .t
meet this question is that suggested by my friend from
Illinois, Mr. SHIELDS Patnto your amendment shall
anything ID ,he constiulion Of the United States which
disabes territorial government and which deprives Them
of he s of Introducing slavery their Terrtoryf
the honorable senator believes that he is sincere in that
opinion then here sits tribunal before who will pass
upon the validity and the consutonalily Of any act
that may be passed by US l have no hesitation, there
fore, in saying that shall vote against his amendment
The clause stands is ample in its provisions. 1t
submits the whole authority TO the people OF the Territory
10 determine the question for themselves That. IN my
Judgment, is the condition in which they ought TO DO
placed II these Territories choose exclude slavery,
far from considering it wrong to me or 10 my
constituents that shall not complain OF IT. II is their
own business.
Again The honorable says that bills passsd by
this territorial legislature subject 10 the revision, the
approval or the dsapprova OF tse governor ana 'nat
they subject TO the revision, the approval or the dis
approval OF Congress. BE 1t SO. But 1t does not apply
particularly TO his subjects il applies to the whole leg
satlye DO OF the Territory The Territory not an
independent State The territory is not emancpated from
paramount jurisdiction and control, and there 10 no
inconsistency at all In retaining both OF these restrictive
Uttk ,a.n rnutas fhn Nj
stands complete and fair The restrictive and the re-
yising power which applies TO the subject OF slavery ap.
plies every other power OF the legislation The bill
does not select this in which the act Of the
territorial legislature shall be submitted to the governor
does not provide, after having received The sanction OF
the governor that in this case with regard to slavery
shall be submitted TO the action OF Congress But
the precise provlsion IN so many words, incorporated
into the bill organize the territorial governments Of
Utah and New Mexico, and Is way inconsistent
with what the bll aeges-that is, that we intend to
leave them exercise just the freedom in relation
10 this subject they are let to exercise IN relation to
every other subject OF legislation.
Mr.. President, was tempted into making these re-
marks was necessarily absent in the court room below
when the honorable senator from Texas Mr. Housros]
concluded his speech desre 10 be heard upon this sob
ject and upon the whole bill am in favor OF the bill,
and wish 10 show why am in favor OF IT, and wish
the objections that have heard taken against
it in this chamber, far as may think 1t necessary
Mr.. BROWN. hope iha, the vote upon this amend.
men will not be pressed this evening There can be no
necessity lor urging US 70 vote upon now, ana me
do desire to make speech upon the bill, nor do
intend 10 make anything like regular argument upon
this particular point. Honorable senators certainly un
dersand that this has been mooted question for long
time; and learn IRON the remarks of the honorable
senator from North Carolina, Mr. BADGER,l that BY
the which has just been takea upon the amendment
of The honorable from Illinois, Mi. Dov0LAs
we have yielded to the North more than think we
ought 10 have yielded H. sir, the gentlemen from the
North and IRON the South make speeches upon this sub
ect which TO 90 upon the record and by which, Ia
after-,imes, action is 10 be interpreted, shall
desire TO submit my views upon the question; 90
that when action upon this subject comes to be
criticised and interpreted il shall be understood that
all OF Us did the time in the view taken
by the honorable senator from North Carolina, at
least AS understand il. will say now, sir, with
ou, intending TO discuss the point, that have not IN
my judgment, and trust that have no, in my action,
here yielded The principle that the people OF the Terrific
the rghtto exclude slavery have not intended 10 yield
that point and do not mean that my action IN future
time shall be so construed
As am not prepared with the pr oper authorities to 20
on with this precise point this evening, trust that
shall be allowed about fifteen minutes before the vote 10
taken, when shall have the authorities present TO ena
bic give my views upon this point, and upon this
alone. Therefore. hope II there are gentlemen who
ready and who want TO discuss this question: mat
they will go and discuss IL this evening; II not,
hope that the Senate will adjourn, with the unde
standipg that the honorable senator IRON North Carolina
[Mr. BAperRl will have the floor to morrow
Mr.. DOUGLAS. As the senator from North Carolina
proposes 10 discuss the main question tomorrow, ~
late this evening" and there is necessity tor 40 ex-
ecuse hope tnat luftner consiueIauOn
the bill will be postponed until tomorrow.
Mr.. CASS. The discussion may Just as we'll 20 on
upon this point upon any other The honorable eens-
Tor from Mississippi has touched the main point and one
which has not been heretofore touched. IL 10 . very
grave and important questonwheiher the people OF the
Territories have the right OF legislation over the suosce
OF slavery other internal during the period
of their territorial existence That right is most clearly
gwen in this bill II the constitution permits II Ii the
constitution does not permit it, then the people cannot
have IT, Behind The nam question OF the BILL therefore.
stands he other question which the senator from Mis-
that point to 90 my constituents II is point upon
which wholly dlber with the senator from M,sses'ppi:
The question is whether, by virtue OF the constitution OF
the United States there kind Of motive power n sa-
very that Immediately spreads any territory and oy
virtue of which slave can be taken TO any teffofy Oh
the United States u Is annexed TO THIS Union
believe state The point correctly II has often been
before u.s. and is familiar to us all Behind the power
given in the bill therefore, stands this grave question, and
the honorable senator IRON Mississippi IL perfectly night
in desiring give hs views upon that particular point
Mr. BUTLER. wish TO say, before the discussion OF
this question further. that am perfectly willing TO
the clause notified by the senator from lli-
noIs the chairman OF The committee, Mr.. DOUGLAS u
but with very clear judgment that il Congress has not
the constitutional competency 10 legsaie either one way
the oher 10 introduce TO prohibit slavery n the
Territories the territorial government can have no deriv-
alive authority from which Congress may pass
one way or the other do not intend TO enter into the
discussion OF this question am perfectly willing 10
leave under The Constitution of the United Staes
MIR. DAWSON and others. Certainly; that - where
II ought TO be left