The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-03-02

slave, 30 are all equal in natural Unborn rights;
and, pardon me, if say, it is vain sophism to
adduoe In argument against this vital axiom of
Liberty, the physical or mental inequalities by
which men are characterized, or the unhappy
degradation to which, in violation of common
brotherhood, they are doomed. To deny the
Declaration of Independence ia to rush on the
bosses of the shield of the Almighty, which, in
all respects, the present measure seems to do.
10 the delunve suggestion of the able Sena-
tor from North Carolina, Mr. Badger that by
the overthrow of this prohibition, the number OF
slaves Will not be increased, that there will be
simply benefcent diffusion of Slavery. and not
its extension, | reply at once, that this argu.
ment, of any value-if not mere words, and
nothing else-would equally justify and require
the overthrow of the prohibition of Slavery in
the free States, and, indeed, everywhere
throughout the world. All the dikes, which,
In different countries, from time to time with
the march of civilization, have been painfully
set up against the inroads of this evil, must be
removed, and every land opened anew to its de-
structive flood. It is clear, beyond dispute,
that by the overthrow of this prohibition Sla-
very will be quickened, and slaves themselves
will be multiplied, while new Groom and
verge" will be secured for the gloomy opera
tons of slave law, under which free labor will
droop, and vast territory will be smitten with
sterility. Sir, blade of grass would not
grow where the horse of Attila had trod nor
can any true prosperity spring up in the foot
prints of the slave
But it is suggested that slaves will not be
carried into Nebraska in large numbers, and
that, therefore, the question is of small practi.
cal moment. My distinguished colleague,
Mr.. Everett, 10 his eloquent speech, hearkened
this suggestion, and allowed himself, while up
holding the prohibition, to disparage its i'm
portance in a manner, from which feel con.
strained kindly, but most strenuously, to dis
sent. Sir, the census shows that it is of vital
consequence. There is Missouri at this mo-
ment, with Illinois on the east and Nebraska
on the west, all covering nearly the same spaces
of latitude, and resembling each other in soil,
climate, and productions. Mark, now, the con-
trast! By the potent efficacy of the Ordinance
of the Northwestern Territory, illinois is now
free State, while Missouri has 87,422 slaves !;
and the simple question which challenges an
answer is whether Nebraska shall be pre-
served in the condition of Illinois, or surfen-
dered to that of Missouri? Surely this can
not be treated lightly. But for myself, am
unwilling to measure the exigency of the pro-
hibition by the number of persons, whether
many OF few, whom it may protect. Human
rights, whether in a solitary individual or vast
multitude, are entitled to an equal and unhes-
itating support. In this spirit the flag of our
country only recently became the impenetrs-
bic panoply of an homeless wanderer, who
claimed its protection in a distant sea and
in this spirit, am constrained to declare that
there is no place accessible to human avarice,
or human lust, or human force, whether in the
lowest valley, or on the loftiest mountain-top,
whether on the broad hower-spangled prairies,
or the snowy crests of the Rocky Mountains,
where the prohibition of slavery, like the
commandments of the Decalogue, should not
60.
But leaving these things behind, press at
once to the argument.
/. And now, sir, in the name of that Pub
lie Faith, which is the very ligament of civil
society, and which tire great Roman ora
tor tells us it is detestable to break even
with an enemy, arraign this scheme,
and hold it up to the Judgment Of all who
hear me. There is an early Italian story of
an experienced citizen, who, when his
nephew told him he had been studying, at
the University of Bologna, the science of
right, said in reply, "You have spent your
time to little purpose. 1t would have been
better had you learned the science Off might,
for that is worth two Of the other" and
the bystanders Of that day all agreed that
the veteran spoke the truth. | begin,
sir, by assuming that honorable Senators
will not act in this spirit that they will
not substitute might for right = that they
will not wantonly and flagitiously discard
any obligation, pledge, or covenant, be-
cause they chance to possess the power !;
but that, as honest men, DESTROYS to do
right they will confront this question.
Sir, the proposition before you involves
not merely the repeal of an existing law, but
the infraction of solemn obligations orig
inally proposed and assumed by the South
after a protraeted and embittered contest,
as a covenant of peace - with regard
to certain specified territory therein de-
scribed, namely "All that Territory
ceded by France to the United States, I'M
der the name Of louisiana" according
to which, in consideration of the admis-
sion into the Union of Missouri as slave
State, Slavery was forever prohibited in all
the remaining part of this Territory which
lies north of 36 deg. 80 min. This ar
rangement, between different sections
of the Union-the Slave States of the
first part and the Free States of the sec
ond part-though usually known as the
Missouri Compromise, was at the time
styled a COMPACT. In its stipulations for
Slavery, it was justly repugnant to the
conscience of the North, and ought never
to have been made; but it has on that side
been performed. And now the upper
formed outstanding obligations to Free
dom, originally proposed and assumed by
the South are resisted.
Years have passed since these obliga-
tons were embodied in the legislation OF
Congress, and accepted by the country.
Meanwhile, the statesmen by whom they
were framed and indicated have, one by
one, dropped from this earthly sphere.
Their living voices cannot now be heard, to
plead for the preservation of that Public
Faith to which they were pledged. But
this extraordinary lapse of time, with the
complete fruition by one party of all the
benefits belonging to it, under the compact,
! gives to the transaction an added and
most sacred strength. Prescription steps
in with new bonds, to confirm the origi-
nal work to the end that while men are
mortal, controversies shall not be i'm NOR
tai. Death, with memorable scythe, has
moved down the authors of this com
pact; but, with conservative hour-glass, it
| has counted out a succession of years,
which now defle before us, like so many
sentinels, to guard the sacred landmark OF
Freedom.
A simple statement of facts, derived
from the journals of Congress and con-
temporary records, will show the origin