The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-06
ONGRESSION AL.
SPEECH OF HON. w. A. RICHARDSON,

SPEECH OF HON. w. A. RICHARDSON,
OF ILLINOIS ~ s
On the Nebraska and Kansas bill delivered In the House
/ OF Representatives, May 20 1854. AtIts
The House being in the Committee Of the Whole on the
state Of the Union
| Mr. RICHARDSON said
| Mr. CHAIRMAN; propose to examine but few OF the
many subjects which have been discussed pending the
sidefation OF the Kansas and Nebraska bill We're to
tempt TO examine ALL should but pass fields already
reaped by abler hands content to abide the verdict
Of the country on the discussion and the merits Of the bill
not doubling for moment what that verdict will be-
proposition that equality to the States and the
rights under the constitution to all the people, uI
mately triumph. s3s
During the progress Of this discussion various gentle
men representing what they pleased TO call northern
States have said that they have stood by the South
upon the other proposition, sometimes even when it
did not meet the approval Of thcr Judgments have
occupied such position sAad by the South upon
questions where they meet the approval Of my Judgment
In the disposition Of great questions which have pre-
sented for consideration during the time that have held
seat upon this floor have novpermtted myself 70 ask
whether 1t would be beneficial to this portion Of the Union
to that portion of the Unon whether section
would derive more advantage from It than another
the great interests and augment the Of the
republic? When have determined those questions in the
Affirmative have always been ready to lend them my
support Gentlemen misapprehend they suppose that In
any that have pursued here have been IA
yorable to the North than to the South the South than
the North look upon all alike as my country. Wherey
Iy.
ready to-day to vndicate the righa Of the
and fishermen of the North and if need be- in yindcation
Of their rights to declare war and fight it through in de-
other class Of citizens But would do this
for them than any other class Gentlemen may boast
that they have stood by the South stood by the North
but acknowledge obligation to stand by any prnc
pie unless my judgment approves it.
Mr.. Chairman have said that would not discuss this
Question in all s bearings 90 not mean to DO i There
bound to meet Some gentlemen have said Why, two
ago you introduced from the Committee Terrific
ries bill to organize the Terrory % Nebraska without
the repeal Of the Missouri restrictions now you introduce
bill repeating that restriction and you state
for it that carrying out the principles Of the Com
Of difcultynone not the slightest when they learn the
facts When the bill introduced by Mr.. Hail. Of Mis-
souri, two years ago, TO organize this Territory stated
distinctly in all the conversations that had with gentle
men, privately it is true that in order carry the
principles of the Compromise Of 1850 in reference to the
Territories must repeal the Missouri restriction said
Also that will introduce such proposition myself
did not do it then and would not do myself But
if it had been proposed them should have pursued the
same course that shall. now.
When the senator from Kentucky mr. DMosl intro
duced his proposition to repeal the restriction at this
son without hesitation determined upon my and
think that il is probable that had quite much do
in fixing others opinions they had in fixing mine I
shall not and could not would extenuae what have
done propose to do in this matter by the Of
human being. ] have taken my position uninfuenced
by any one, and shall stand fall avowng what have
DONE sH1 saaH4 aii heG
Dir. CHAMBERLAIN. VIII the gentleman allow me a
Mr. RICHARDSON have already given away q great
deal of my time and If get through with what have
say before my hour has expired, win most cheerully
yield him the floor
Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN | trus, that the gentleman from
Illinois win permit me to make single remark
Mr.. RICHARDSON. II | have misrepresented the gen
teman in any particular viii yield the floor cheer
fully. s&F .Gtt
Gentlemen ask, why two Territories lone they say is
enough In the first place, the extent Of country is
entire frontier and II there Territory, the
population would be extended thousand miles of
frontier Again. there must be through this country three
four routes to the Pacific, and settlements along the
routes by the pioneer better protection to the emgant
than any you can give him BY the army
Since the introduction of this bill every expedient has
been resorted to intmidate members from giving il their
support The pulpit have undertaken to speak in the
name Of Almighty God against it They have desccrated
the sacred desk with profanity and sehood The sbol
on press have placed the Of members in what they
pleased to call the roll of nfnmy, who have voted for
the bill. Such abuse is courted rather than avoided
The opponents Of the bill say the people viii condemn
us forever have heard the sort Of talk before
Why, they have told years ago here that might
look green spot by the side OF some gentle stream
where might find my political grave Sir instead OF
that they have found their political grave and have
been continued here by the wish Of my constituents and
against my desire.
But sir gentlemen Of freeso and abolition procvitie
tell II persist in urging this they viii leave
the democratic party hope they viii for in the hour Of
danger and trial they opposed and have ever
been and il Ia only when the victory is certain and the
spoils 10 be divided that they Act with They have
marred the moral Of the victory by their canor for the
spoils For one have desire 10 propitate thcm Sir
shall pass the BILL settle great principle and settle
II that in all future time sustain IT. the country
win approve 1t and these gentlemen camorous
win acquiescc-yes sr believe tha, is the word-or
that they always for the principle but opposed
10 its application 10 these Territories and Of them
viii doubtless be able back 20 speech essay
where they maintained the doctrine that apply
But sir must pass want 70 call the atcn-
ton Of the committee for short time TO OF the re-
marks Of the gentleman from Missouri r BESros and
do not reply to him because think nm his equal
probably all the arguments which be imbodied against
The bill and believe his arguments 20 be hlscous
Most II his positions have been replied and triumphant
y rfned and those do not propose to touch There
others which have been passed over TO which wish TO
refer
And first wish call the attention Of the committee
TO declaration of the gentleman Just the close OF bis
speech. II was in these words
II months since this movement for the abro
cation Of the Missouri Compromise commenced In thiS
Rress. 1t began without memorial, without q petition
without request from human being u has abored long
and hard in these halls and 10 this hour there Il not petit
tcn for IL from the class o States for whose benefit the
ment processes 20 have been msder
This speech was delivered by Mr. Brsros ON the 25h Of
April last On tho goth Of March last resolutions Of the
legislature ofGeorga introduced into this House. and
plnced upon yonr files Here Ia one OF them
H. are.o'red By he aud house Of Representatives Of
he Sos Of Georgia general assembly m~ That the lcgm
siure OF Georgia. the o the people, speak
ing their will and expressing their feelings have had their
great body Of the northern people TO carry ont In good faith
those principles In the practical application of them
bills reported by Mr. Douglas from the Committee Ter
rtoes In the United States Senate the present session
RI