The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-22

Mr. SPEAKER; would have been pleased II the senator
from Dauphin had been heard upon these resolutions
that my remarks would the character Of reply
He is responsible for the introduction of the resolutions and
the consequent debate and should have furnished those
who are opposed 20 them with the grounds upon which
they pressed. But the from Wyoming only
has spoken in their favor and he rather in explanation Of
his course than as participant in the debate
But ! will proceed There is enough of merit and
strength in the Nebraska bill to permit waiver of all adj
yantages of position however conormabe to the usages Of
discussion
The question raised by the resolutions is familiar one
The question in other forms has often been up and
been the subject of debate But although this is So great
misrepresentation exists in the community on the subject
have doubt that eventually the judgment Of the peo
pie OF this Commonwealth will go, with great unanmity
in favor Of the bin assled by these resolutions But pres
emit there necessary work to perform in the exposure
OF falsehood and correction of error.
Sir during the last thirty years public opinion in this
State has been msed in the outset upon almost every
national question that has arisen II is matter OF regret
but is true The public records of the State prove it,
Upon the tariff have than struck hands with
Massachusetts, and after wandering in error been obliged
10 rerace steps In 1916 refused 40 per cent duties
coal and IRON in order to continue partnership
with Lowell and Boston and time the yindieator Of
truth has been required TO convince us that we were fol-
lowing the lead Of selfish and blind guides Upon the
bank question: contributed legislative resolves and votes
in Congress in aid Of the money power and when the
bank was crushed as national embraced ii State
institution We gave it countenance until j. staggered
into bankruptcy, and the lamentations Of its victims
to constitute the requiem its corrupted remains In
lS4T by statute refused the of jails for pur
poses under the national constitution That enactment
copied from act of Massachusets--the quarter
where most of political hereses originate and il was
only after patriotic struggle in 1851 that its repeal
secured might with other illustrations establish
ing the fact of which have spokena fact which has had
much to do with the secondary position assigned State
in the political history Of the country. There has not
been with that necessary unanmy in the outset upon
great national questions to enable State to take place
in tie Union commensurate with her population, resources
and geographical position Tie rmness and sagacy for
assuming promptly position in great national emergen-
cies indispensable to the dignity honor and influence
of State in republican Union
Why sir in those stormy debates extending through
years. and terminated by the passage Of the compromise
measures Of 1850, our State was in an uncerain if not
false attitude Resolves passed by the legislature
hostile in character to the of adjustment which
afterward prevailed That we eventually right
owing to the force Of truth gradually disseminated and to
that patriotism and of justice which characteristic
of our people
Shall repeat former errors in the case before 2
Shall we again take position, which cannot in the nature
of things be maintained Shall ourselves with
political interests whose has been vicious and evil
throughout and whose companonshp upon this question:
we will presently be Obliged TO abandon?
In order prevent this believe il is only necessary
understand that the Nebraska bill is founded upon and
but reapplcation Of the principles settled by the com
promise acts OF 1850 The people of this State not only
acquieced in the legislation of that year. but approved
the principles then established In order their approval
of the Nebraska BILL il will only be necessary show that
consistency and justice require its endorsement Every
will inquire why the State should position
in 1850, and without cause abandon it in 1854. And
may inquire why this body, which approved by resolution
the acts of 1850 should stu itself by pronouncing
condemnation of the principles they contained
Sir the sixth section Of the Nebraska bin contains the
following provision:
THAT the legislative power of the Territory shall
TO all rghu subjects of legislation consistent with the
stuton of the United States and the provisions this
but no law shall be passed interfering with the primary dis
posal Of the soil" &c.
This section contains the whole doctrine assailed and
verbatim from the Utah and Nep Me1co bills Of 1850 In
stead of being to legislation it adopted by Con
gress in $780, and sanctioned by the country How then
OF ear
Of the b2 No new principle is introduced The peop,
OF Nebraska are to enjoy simply the rights Of loc
legislation those of adjoining Territories This provs
ion was necessary to define the powers of the territorial
legislatures and from the grant of legislative power il
the abolitonists be consued erclade power
the subject Of slavery In this way only could tho
control of Congress the subject the authority
the 9th section of the Missouri act OF 1920 be preserved
But If the section had been constructed would il no
have introduced the slavery question into Congress TIT
bill would have been subject to amendment and discus
son IL would have contained provision the subject
slavery, IL does only of different character and
the author Of the bill could have been charged just alb
surdly as he is charged with the Introduction Of TIN
slavery question into Congress. Sir its introduction
unavoidable No sensible man supposed that the sub
ject would not arise.
Such expectation would have been foolish If INDUCED
What contemplated after the struggle of 1850 by thos
in favor Of the acts Of that year that the basis
ton then established should be maintained Congress
then decided IN favor OF the principle OF
on the question and passed II over to the people of the Ter
rtores concerned The general government by that de
csion sundered from all connection with the Question
In the Territories then about being organized No
ment emanatng from it could thereafter be quoted sane
toning excluding the institution of slavery In Utah
New Mexico. The principle Of the Nebraska bin wa
plainly enacted just and wise disposition of the
roversy then existing Doubtless, il Nebraska and Kan
bad then been prepared for territorial tn
arrangement precisely would have been made bill
for their organization Does any suppose that tn
who figured in the debates Of 1850 would ha
extended rights Of selgovernment the people of New
Mexico and Utah. and refused the rights those
Kansas and Nebraska Would they have dealt TINS
9uay and therefore unjusty with the people Of adjoining
Territories
Sir the Territories Of Utah and New Mexico as organized
ia 1850 included portions of the Missouri Territory
by the 9th section Of the Missouri of 1920 and
northern Texas covered by similar provision in the
annexng that State to the Union In 1850 therefore Con
grcss not only decided in favor of the principle the Ne
braska BILL but applied that principle In exactly the sam,
wnythai is, to territory from which Congress had pre-
vously enacted exclusion of the institution of slavery
The plain fact is that Congress decided TO withdraw all
interference with the question the Territories concerned
without distinguishing between regions acquired from
France Spain, Texas and the Indian tribes No matter
whence title derived what legislation had thereto
fore been had by foreign governments own popular
local authority substituted for congressional dctaon
The night OF those who lay PROSTATE the forest and give
cviizaon another advance westward their local
laws, vndicaied and established Congress wisely
surrendered doubtful constitutional power into hands
competent TO ITS exercise Welded by the general gov
crnment IL is power productive Of ceaseess and ioca,-
liable evils Vested in the hands Of the people Of the Ter
rtories Is justly lodged and Its unattended nv
national commissions The question to the location III
this power whether in Congress in the territorial e
gsafures elected by and representing the people thereof
had to be met in constructing the Nebraska bill II was
impossible TO construct ii otherwise than il was construct
cd ftA,as HalaA ~. ~ T.. -