Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-06-15
black or white, as the Legislature may see ct to


obvious duty of all Governments TO intervene. 10
the full extent of all their just powers for the
protection of mankind from oppression, injustice,
and crime Yet the friends OF this bill insist
that men cannot be really free unless permitted
TO enslave, ilog, and shoot each other. This
they call popular sovereignty" and insist that
we shall repeal the law which prohibits such
practices in Nebraska. | had supposed it
the dhty of Congress TO protect all the people
who go there in their lives their liberties, their
property, health, and reputation. From this
duty, no argument, no circumstances, can excuse
us.
The whole eternity of the past has brought to
us no instruction more important than this duty
OF Governments. In the darker periods of man s
existence, brute force constituted his only safety
Go TO the continent of Europe visit the ancient
castles, erected at period when moral and po-
litical darkness covered the world. Those frown-
ing towers were erected at immense expense, for
the purpose Of protecting their inmates from
violence. They tell us Of period when right
was maintained by physical means, by massive
walls, by coats of mail by the sword, and by the
lance. These were confded in as the only pro-
lection Of their owners. Those mighty fortresses
are now deserted; dilapidaton and ruin mark
the crumbling masses, The light of civilization
taught mankind that reason, "just and equal
laws are more powerful than granite walls, than
coats of MAIL or swords, or spears. Protected
by just and enlightened laws each man may sit
under his own vine and fig-tree, and there will
be none to modest or make him afraid.
Sir, | repeat, it is this safety, this protection
to each and every individual, which constitutes
the object, the end, and design, Of all Govern
ments. Nor is this duty confined to Govern
ments; it attaches to individuals. Wherever |
am, if see my fellow man, who is weak, bese
by the strong, either for the purpose of rob-
berry, revenge, or MURDER it becomes my duty
to protect him, so far as | can safely do so.
The moral duty continues far beyond the reach
Of municipal law. am morally bound to pro-
tect my. fellow man, if in my power, from acct
dent, from wild beasts, from storm and tempest,
from cold and hunger, aye, from the machine
tons of shareholders and doughfaces, from petty
despots, and from those who would play the
tyrant over him. But the Senate, by passing
the bill before us, has clearly denied that this
duty of protection extends to the people of that
Territory. portion of this body, and think a
majority, agree with the Senate. 1t is also said
ON all sides, that the President and Cabinet unite
in the opinion that "non-intervention" shall be
the policy of this Government. | therefore arrive
at the conclusion, that if this bill becomes law
Congress will not protect the weak and oppressed
who shall hereafter reside there On the con-
trary, the bill in distinct language repeats the
law which now protects them, and leaves por-
ton of the people who shall 60 there, to Cypress
and enslave another portion, if they choose to do
so.
Now, sir, if Congress refuses such protection,
by adopting the policy of MISREPRESENTATION"
it will leave to the slaves there the right and the
duty to protect themselves. 1t will be the duty of
other men, to the extent of their power, to aid
them in the laudable work of protecting their
lives and liberties.
The thousands Of American citizens, of Ger
MANS of French, of English, of Scotch, and Irish,
who have come to this country to enjoy a free
Government and "equal laws win sympathize
with the oppressed and as they go to Nebraska
and Kansas, by thousands and tens of thousands
let them go pnh arms IN their hands. I.would
from this forum speak to them as one who is in
earnest on this subject; one who deeply feels the
dishonor which this bill will bring upon our
country. | would say to them, Go there, pre-
pared to defend the democratic principle of
"equal laws" of "protection 10 all" 90 there,
recognising the great truth that "aH men are en-
doped By their Creator wiM The maliendbie right 10
life, liberty and happinsss;" go there determined
to make it free land determined that you will
not associate with siaVes nor with shareholders ;
that You repudiate every tyrant, every oppressor
Tell the slave who comes there, his rights; teach
him his obligations to himself; put arms into his
mode of protecting himself Tell him that "Ron-
Intervention is the policy of Congress Were a
resident of that Territory and slaves were held
in bondage around me, would do by them as
would have them do by me- were ! in their con-
dition. | would supply them with arms, and
teach them to use all the means which God and
nature has placed within their control to main
tain their freedom and their manhood
Mr.. Chairman, most freely will contribute of
what little substance possess, to arm the slaves
who are taken 10 Nebraska. Most cheerfully
shall do whatever may be in my power, if this
bill passes TO make that Territory the battle
ground of freedom. | would far rather meet the
conflict there, than to continue it here; | would
rather meet the arms of shareholders than the
corruptions of the Executive.
Sir until recently have cherished the hope,
the expectation that this conflict would be
brought TO peaceful termination. But the re-
cent development Of Executive plans has brought
me near the conclusion that il must end in blood
know Of no better place for the work TO COM
mencc than our Western Territory; nor any pol
icy better adapted TO bring il about than that Of
passing this bill. The redemption of our nation
,ciH come, and the sooner il comes the better.
One striking feature distinguishes this conflict
from all others that have preceded it. We hear
no threats Of dissolying the Union, from South
people has expelled that miserable humbug, so
long held forth TO brighten Northern men into
submission. Southern members now "roar you
gently as sucking doves"
Again, Mr.. Chairman, / feel some desire to ex-
pose the craftsmanship of this Administration.
They have openly adopted the policy Of "soS-
INTERVENTION they have tied their hands, and
when the Americans, and Germans, and French,
and English, who emigrate to Nebraska and
Kansas, shall put arms into the hands Of the
slaves and the colored men shall drive back the
shareholders, killing some and frightening others,
we shall have ordinations of horror from South
ern members, and from the President, calling for
an army TO put down the civil war which will
then be going on. But, sir, do you not think
that one general, united exclamation of "non-
Intervention will then come from the North
Will they not hold the chalice, which you have
prepared, TO slaveholding lips2 Will they not
hold you 10 your present policyf
Southern gentlemen complain of this prohibit
ton also, for the reason, as they say that it pre-
cludes them from carrying their property lmeaning