The independent. (Harrisonburg, La.) 1853-18??, 1854-03-29
Debate ON the Nebraska Bill.

speech Of Mr.. Norris, of New Hampshire, de-
livered in the United States Senate on the
Sd inst. It will be seen that he dealt those
notorious aboltionists, Sumner, of Massachu-
sets, and Wade of Ohio, some hard and I'M
palatable truths. In speaking OF the fugitive
slave law, Mr. Norris said that he should like
to know the opinion Of those Senators; what
do they think of the proviso portion Of this
sacred compact; does it smack of freedom
enough to be denomaated sacred and pre-
cious?
Mr.. Sumner. Does the Senator desire me
to answer the question now! If he does, l
will do so.
Mr.. Norris. Not now; will first put an
other question to him. 1.-THE territorial leg
islature Of Nebraska should pass fugitive
slave law, that any negro slave escaping into
the Territory should be recaptured, would
the Senator, if living there, aid in the execu-
ton of such law!
Mr.. Wade. The Senator has put ques-
ton to the State of Ohio; am ready to an
swer it.
E~-~-Mr. Norris. I PAT the question to the
Senator's colleague, Mr.. Chase.
Mr.. Sumner. / stated my readiness to an
swer the Senator's question, so far as | was
concerned.
Mr. Norris. The Senator from Ohio Mr..
Wade1 can leave it to the Senator from Mas
chusetts to answer.
Mr.. Wade. If the question is put to my
colleague, Of course ! cannot answer for him,
and he is not now in bis seat; but if it was
to me, would like to answer it, or any other
question now, and at all times, on this sub
ject, or any subject 81 and this is my answer:
| never did assist and never will assist in ex.
ecuting that law. never helped and never
will help to retake runaway negro in my
life, either in that Territory or elsewhere
Now, ask the Senator from New Hampshire
question: Will he aid to execute the law,
by helping to catch negro, to apprehend
him, to return him to his master!
! Mr.. Sumner Will the Senator from New
! Hampshire answer the question Of the Sena-
tor from Ohio
/, Mr.. Norris. II the Senator fsom Massa-
chusetts will answer my question, l will give
way to him now
As the Senator from Massachusetts, does
not answer, though ! did not refer to the
Senator from Ohio who spoke, MIR. Wade,
am perfectly willing now to answer the
question which he has propounded. 1t is a
question which has beeAspropounded to me
at home, and have answered it fully before
nv people. say that hold myself, as a
citizen Of the United States, bound to obey
/ the laws of the United States. If an officer
commands my assistance, where he has .
legal right to do, o in the execution Of any law,
including the fugitive slave law, | am bound,
as good citizen, to give that assistance, and
/ should do it.
/ Mr.. Wade. Mr.. President
.ls~-Mrs NorlIs.ssI 1anabA .tns ihA
Senator any more; he has answered my ques-
! ton. though not put to him.
Sir, cannot close What have to say with
out noticing certain remarks made by the
Senator from Massachusetts,, Mr.. Sumner
They seem to me to be characterized by such
spirit of studied bitterness-I will not say
self-conceited arrogance-as to demand a
reply. The Senator says:
But the race Of men, white slaves Of the
NORTH described and despised by southern
statesman, is not yet extinct there, sir. 1t is
one of the melancholy tokens of the power of
slavery, under our political system, and es-
pecially through the operations Of the ma
tional government, that it loosens and de-
stroys the character Of northern men, even at
a distance-lke the black magnetic mouns
tain in the Arabian story, under whose irre-
sistible attraction the iron bolts which held
together the strong timbers of a stately ship
were drawn out, until the whole fell apart,
and became disjointed wreck. Those prin-
ciples, which constitute the individuality Of
the northern character, which render it
staunch, strong and seaworthy, which bind
it together as with iron, are drawn out, one
by one, like the bolts Of the Inflated vessel,
and from the miserable, loosened fragments
is formed that human anomaly, a northern
man acith southern principles. Sir, no such
man can speak for the north"
Now, CONTINUED Mr.. Norris,1 we at the
north have had these terms applied to us too
often to need any explanation as to whom
they were intended to apply. Any denial on
the part Of the Senator would only stultify
himself. Who, sir, commissioned-who au-
fthorized that Senator to say who could or
could not speak for the northa Surely, who
ever heard such an assumption-l will not
say shameless assumption before, in this
ssshanhesa Ejr. il, ,aaipilz zaaaahers
from the north in this body, representing six
teen sovereign States of this Union, and as
many millions Of people, to be denounced as
white slaves Of the north,n as northern
men with southern principles" because they
dare to speak for aud vote for what they
thin is right, for what they think their com
stitutional obligations and the great princi-
piles Of selfgovernment requires And who
Is the member who makes this charge! Who
is he, sir2 Why, he is no other than the
Senator from Massachusetts,, who-who, at
the hustingsi No, sir, no; but who, in the
cradle Of liberty, in the city Of Boston, before