The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-23

cohiefs In this respect allow me 10 say IN this
nexon u is better bill Than the compromise known as
the Clayton compromise Of ls4s IN which my late dis
tingushed colleague Mr. Calhounl acquiesced What
was thai compromise wish 10 bring up that issue so
as TO compare the two, and lei them stand upon the
lprinclple.
During the time when that bill was under considera-
ton by the committee OF eight, Of which Mr. Calhoun
was member. was frequently consulted and will
not give the opinions Of anybody else The predicate OF
northern was. that whatever compromise should be
entered into the Mexican law should not be repealed BY
The act expressly or otherwise; and. what more,
remember il was sad. ''We will not consent confer
upon the territorial government the power repeal that
existing Mexican law which excludes slavery" The
northern men said, very properly "Here is southern
rfesdeal you propose to put into operation govern
ment under his auspices and direction Will he not ap
point governor and udges9 Will he put into opera
ion government that may repeal that Mexican law and
thus introduce slavery into tbs Territories r
know what Nj Cahouns views were, and know
what were the views OF OF his disng ushed leg gal
advisers Sir, Mr.. Calhoun's view was. that as com.
mon territory belonging TO all the States as equals. and
held by Congress trustee administer it for them, the
constitution OF the United States propro vgoe extended
over the Territories whether carried there expess-
" or not; and that It had not only controlling, but
repeating operation upon the laws OF the conquered
! try. appeal TO my friend from Delaware MIR CLAY.
TONI if ] am not right in ths
Then that bill with even the Mexican law, then exist
ing was 30 shaped that we willing TO abide by the
decisions OF the courts. Sir, will here stale what
have never said beioe In the councils which | had
upon the subject, said that whatever might be Mr.. Cal
houn's opinions upoh these subjecs-and concurred
with hint was hazardous experiment 10 leave to The
courts so important question. | recoect his reply
well He said: cit will give rise TO the greatest debate
that has ever been conducted in America; let that
be made before the federal courts OF this Unon and there
never has been such debate will then arise the
American mind has never been engaged in such debate
as will take place upon that issue" He added "If,
sir II is decided that The common territory by the
common blood and common treasure of the South as well
as OF the North shall be appropriated 10 one class in
preference TO another the sooner the South know their
late the better, and then et them look either
qulesce or TO take the position which free people have
right TO take when they think their rights have been
inyaded" Those were his views
Now this bill is infinitely better than that, because
we use Tins bill as sponge 10 wipe out the Missouri
line. As long as The Missouri line remains, it is
iainly that southern men will not carry their slaves
he line There is that certainty before you If you draw
the line and lei exist But say TO southern gentle.
men, who are pryng into this matter with something like
legal su5tey, and letting the great question OF southern
nghts-i will not say southern rights but the
nights oi The country-res upon mere open Jtris,
mere point OF laW-ihose who are looking about
deavorng 10 lind flaw here and there, with view, in
some measure TO dssatsfy the South-let them take this
alternative which now present Let any any southern
man take this alternative Will you take this BILL with
It's legal provisions and certain legal import by which the
southern Shareholders may have-I do not say by which
they pA have, but By which they may bave-a potential
capacity 10 enjoy the common territory OF the country,
will you reject the bill upon your responsibility pub
lie man, aud hug the Missouri Compromise, and keep
that odious geographical line force Under the one,
Is certain we can have no rights under the other,
may.
Now Mr. President, is il not something for southern
.
TO the invasion OF northern ianacism is there anything
wrong IN her southern sisters coming her rescue. do
moi say that would wish Missouri to carry slavery
| INTO Nebraska or Kansas. We wish such thing But
when the certainty rs before that, If that line conn
ues and the waves of agitation are poured upon H.
Missouri may be swept from the map OF southern States
mol something ior southern at least TO 10
lhe rescue OF that border ssor OF ours do not say
thai will be the fact but very much inclined 10
think that the operation OF This BILL If it shall become
law, Will be such that the territorial will pass
no statute upon the subject OF slavery way or the
obeF. think will continue TO be neutral territory
neither slavery going into it, free sosm and anati.
eism rolling their waves upon Missouri | am inclined
u think will retain It's position, If it maintains
anything Ike dscfeiion--,he position of neuiray-be-
ins neither sne way the other. | satisfied for
one, ha, the territorial legislature after have sponged
out this line, will no, pass law upon the subject, Do
yoa suppose that any territorial Legislature will pass
law 10 exclude expressly 10 admit slavery Ii would
be suicidal ACT the part OF the legislature and they
are not going to commit such act of folly. No, sir
they will leave TO be settled by American citizens, with
oui regard TO whether they do not own slaves
That will be the operation OF the bill in my opinion and
say iba, TO my southern friends aud 10 my southern
associates who are disposed 10 act with US upon this
subject.
Now, sir is there not something due from the South
Ought they not cordially give up much in order TO
concur 10 the deliberate judgment OF portion of our
northwestern and northern friends, who have come for
ward amidst perls among which have trod, to
/ do us justice SIR, would 90 very far TO stand by
them will be The last to desert them will stand by
them because believe they are right | will and by
them because they have ntrspidly assumed the position
OF justice. with the prescription OF uncalculaing ia
nalicism their heads. Something due to them
and will stand by them,
But there is another remark which wish 10 make /
was mol IN the chamber at the time when the honorable
senator from Michigan claimed The passage of this bill as
triumph Of what is called The inherent right of the peo
i pie OF Territory to invest themselves with govern
ment He claims this, ! understand, upon the broad
ground that they upon themselves such rights
whenever they may think that proper case 10 do 30
arises
Mr, CASS. Does the honorable senator lay that down
as my doctrnel II is not so at all.
Mr.. BU TIER. Then do not know what IT is
Mr.. CASS. Then do not attribute that doctrine TO me-
4 | never laid Il down at all.
MIR BUTLER do not wish to do the senator injus.
1 lice
Il Mr. CASS. know the senator does not
/ Mt BUTLER Certainly not
! Mr CASS My doctrine is simply the doctrine OF our
revolutionary fathers do deny The power Of Con.
gfess, matter OF necessity to prescribe form of
government for the Terrtores but the moment they do
so then the inherent right OF the people to reg
ulae their internal affairs for themselves This is pre-
osey the ground which revolutionary fathers took.
do no, wish to argue this question now and have not
The strength do II | would but repeat, what l
said former OCCASION that there may be difference
OF opinion and very rghtful one, 10 how far such
powers o. legislation may 60 AS the honorable senator
from North Carolina has said under our legislation al
one tine, governor aud three judges authorized
20 govern a Territory. We did have such regulation,
but think il all wrong Better ideas have now be.
gun to prevail and have definite idea than we
had formerly 81 how Jar may properly 60
| Mr. BUTLER would be The last 10 DO iniustice 10
the distinguished senator from Michigan bat allow me
TO say, although younger man than he s-though do
mot know lbal the world will think so--thai think it
Twas outside the record conradietad by the