The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-21
CON CIR RESSI0NAL
SPEECH OF HON. JOHN >. TAYLOR,
on NEW YORK,

IN he Nebraska and Kansas bill delivered in the House
Of Representatives, May 8, 1854
The House being in Committee of the Whole on the
staie of the Union, s..
NJ TAYLOR OF New York said;
Mr. CHAIRMAN On subject exciting so much interest
AZ that now before the committee il seems almost necessary
a. 4 representative TO give bis reasons for has votes
parhans for anoher cause ought To say WORD on
,s snbect Ii has been brought TO the notice OF the
House BY my colleague, Mr. BENsErr unnecessarily as
IbongLt though do not complain of it-that respeeta-
e number Of my constituents differ from me IN reference
10 his measure II would be pleasant certainly, II we
could agree with all our constituents ana aci aeeofols
y tha views of them all But this Is hing mpossi-
ia The hest course doubtless is for each one unless duly
instructed to follow the dictates OF his own Judgment ana
conscience trusting they will not lead him asray Having
creat confidence in the intelligence and sound judgment
those whom represent and being satisfied am IN the
right wav shall pursue il calmly and steadiy treauhs
no sers backward shall do with the more sausacnoa
from conviction that the poleac of opposition 70 TINS
measure in my district elsewhere has been altogether
out Of proportion TO its Strength and that the excitement
is rapidly giving way TO that sober reason whch ieaus 70
right conclusions. ,,,,
rhe ar "a he accomplished by the passage Of the bill un
der consideration has been described with an eloquence
which cannot hope to initiate as one Of great magnitude
and importance Gentlemen have referred TO the extent
and variety of the country TO be affected by IT, to the CEN
tra position of that country in this great continent to Its
magnificent streams and 10 the fertility OF its virgin soil
and with prophetic anticipation, looking into tuturity,
have bcheld peopled with millions of human beings To-
be affected for veal or for by what about 10 do
here at this time This, sir is all right duly sensi-
bic believe, OF the Importance OF the business we nave
in hand Though laboring under disadvantages
think have brought TO il the careful consideration which
lis Importance demands. And sir that consideration has
carried my mind back to act recorded in history for or
ganizng the government Of infant settenentfor, so
to speak, establishing territorial government OF tar
greater moment and Importance 10 us to some who have
gone before us, and probably to millions who will come
after us than anything have before US here 10 doan
act the influences OF which, hope viii be felt for ages
not the Territory alone for which about to take
step towards government but everywhere where free
dom may gain foothold.
In November 1920 fortyone freen representatives Of
one hundred and souls about form infant colony
90 forth to subdue the wilderness and make the abode
of civilized, Christian man. assembled in the cabin of
the Mayfowcr, and there with no power but God above
them restraint from those who not their represent
atiyes interference by Congress who understood not
their wants their interests formed government for
themselves and the country they about to occupy
They there by compact aested by their signatures, SOL
emny and mutually in the presence of God and one an
other covenaned and combined themselves together into
pl 6opoic for their better ordering and preserva-
ton and by virtue thereof to enact constitute and frame
such Just and equal laws ordinances acts constitutions,
and offices, from time to time as should be thought most
convenient for the general good Of the colony
Sir this was act based upon the great right principle
cfseEgovernmenta principle which, judging from the
language hear about me from the sentiments expressed
this floor, and in the public journals OF the day.
should be led TO believe had made advancement since
that time should say did not understand how much
mems opinions sometimes modified by their interests
wishes, and feelings.
From these opening remarks it will be understood which
side take of this question II will be understood that
hold 10 the doctrine of non-inervcnton by Congress IN
the local affairs OF the Territories including the question
Of slavery in the Territories That would leave to the
communities who may nhabit them the right of selgov-
gnrlent so far as may be consistent with the relation
which they bear such inhabitants to the government OF
the United States II is the intention of the bill, now
moved by the chairman of the Committee Territories
substtue for the original bill reported by him. to carry
out these principles Believing II does so, shall give IL
my support Its language by which these principles are
mainly sought to be carried out is as follows;
That the constitution and all laws of the United States
which are not locally inapplisabe shall have the same
force and effect within the said Territory of Nebraska else
where within the United States except the eighth section OF
the act preparatory to the admission of Missouri into the
Union approved March ls20 which, being inconsistent
with the principle of noinervention by Congress with a
very in the States and Territories recognised by the legs
aton 1880 commonly called the compromise measures,
hereby decar imperative and void IL being the intent
and meaning Of this act not to esate slavery into any Ter
rory State exclude il thercfo but to leave the
people thereof perfectly free form and regulate their do
nestle institutions in their own way subject only 70 the con
in contained shall be construed to revive put in force
law regulation which may have existed prior to the act o
gh March, 1920 either protecting establishing prohibiting
q aboshing slavery"
This sir, suppose repeating the Missouri prohibition
leaves the Territory without law the subject of slavery
and the people who 10 nhabit il TO make for them
selves such law that subject TO them shall seem meet
But say class Of oblecors "why disturb this old
law against slavery II enacted long since and m
are not responsible for IL why not let it alone But arr
we not responsible for itY Who made it. and who keeps
not Of two years duration merely but having perpetual
succession, legally speaking OF continuous duraona
body which constitute which Others constituted
recenty and which Others still must constitute soon but
still the Congress Of the United States That body
IN 1920 enacted prohibition Of slavery in that Territory
That was intervention. SO long this prohibition con-
tnues, the Intervention continues So long we, the
Congress Of the United States suffer II TO remain
Peaed upon the statutebook long practising
Intervention
II there is anything wrong in intervention nothing car
be more plain than that those who continue il just
guilty OF the wrong those who commence It, And, es
ay, when the subject Is brought before us 20 act upon
now can we be held gulics of the wrong II II be wrong
I've sustain Il 1t Is in vain that attempt TO cast tb
reponsbility Of this matter predecessorsto say
that is thing that has been done and have only e
g alone II is thing which they controlled and haC
me responsibility OF when they the American Con
V aud the control and responsibility Of which have come
Gown TO US now that the American Congress nt
hs responsibility which cannot escape The Who'll,
question Is this Intervention by Congress this suhjcc
nght or Is il wrong If il is rgbtfit is justified by
ue cohshtutonf IL Is founded correct principles
sour duty TO let il stand RI il Is wrongfi is IN
accordance with the letter with the spirit of the cons
non-if 1t is not founded correct principesit Is
merely our right II is duty 20 repeal H. This position
~ ~ mnst admit unless on the ground that the Missouri
compromise is compact which, matter Of good aitl
"een parties or between sections Of the Union onght
be preserved
While, sir consider this TO be important point il
m controversy do not purpose 70 spend much time upor
y partly because have other work to do and partly he
use y has already been very eaboratey, and
me very successfully done by Others the side
@ %e question which occupy II has been shown think
uml u was not regarded compact at the time IL
passed that acquicsced 10 such by the Nortl
LIVERY next year thereafter that repeatedly from tint
ue northern legislatures and northern delegations IL
ugess have taken ground utterly inconsistent with th
a mat y was binding in good faith upon anybody, ox
w long as Congress might regard IL as suitable anf