The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-11

and wns among the earliest urge Justice OF passage
and the injury done TO inc South by the delay Inc reia
sa 10 accept proposition seemed inerpose unpeoes
nary barriers the way OF the investigation Of questions OF
human liberty for certainly the objections which might
reasonably been urged against the submission Of these
cases 10 northern jury and which induced me oppose
the provision had application 10 southern jury which
pfeudices TO overcome IN the examination OF
fhe rights OF The parties. But not inch of ground was
welded and determined 10 give my assent the law
Ii was bed Of Procruses, and had wish be short
ened or heightened by rigid adaptation it, found 1t no
place for me Had the northern senators been firm upon
the point this tribute TO great principle interviewer with
the American heart and institutions, would have been
cured.
Ii requires but little exertion swim with the current
while he who opposes put forth all his strength and
even then may become its victim Popular feeling is pow
or hard TO resist and the eproach of being be-
longs 10 him who panders to IT, and him who strives
TO maintain the constitutional rights of ALL in oppos
ton to his community, which holds in its hands his
political life and death This is precisely the condition
which no southern has had encounter in
nexon with his grave subject and is precisely the
dton which he cannot comprehend will not do justice
TO- when the of northern is in question IL is
not enough with too many of the southern politicians that
public men from the free States maintain, firmly and an
hnchingy, the rights of The savehoding portion of the
Union and ready the however
disastrous to himself rather than participate in their viola
tion ths say is not enough; sometimes, indeed, is
raj question adoped and unreserved allegiance professed
the decaraton that SLAVERY is THE BEST CONDITION OF
SOCIETY.
Now sir believe no such doctrine and no, believing it,
will profess believe it, from whatever high quarter
announced We heard avowed Saturday, by the SEN
from Mississippi Mr. BRows,l for whom have sin.
cere especa respect all diminished by this frank
and fearless avowa of his opinions II the sentiment,
aso of eminent citizen whose words OF poweran Wis
dom have offer resounded through this hail. and who was
taken from the service of his country to the universal re-
greet of the American people. His peculiar views upon
this general subject and the frame of mind with which he
regarded it, indicated by his denial of the truth of the
received axiom, he justly called 1t, that all men are
created free and equa paraphrasc of of the incon-
establc rights of enumerated in the Declaration OF our
Independence But Mr. Calhoun pronounced 1t " utterly
untrue" because, among other obectos he said Men
not born--ntants born. They grow TO be men,"
Ii may reconcile the unequal distribution OF
intellectual power when find that It's highest possess
sion instres no exemption from and from
in this case, would think obviously upon the sur
face to escape detection by the hunb!es ineli-
gence u scarcely necessary to that the word MAN,
the above employed IT often and iegt
aisiy in its generic signihcalon without reference TO
the varieties OF species, SEX or age Man that Is born OF
woman, says the book of inspiration, us OF few days,
and full of troublen The inde who should undertake to
deny the authenticity of the Scriptures, because the cond-
ton of child is here mistaken for that of man. might
easily be taught that is his own ignorance, and not their
errer, which he exposes
..The proper study of mankind is man."
says the great English ddacc poet but it is the study OF
the human family which he RECOMMENDS and not any par
tcular portion of But this lesson may teach us the effect
of strong excitement upon the wisest and best in periods Of
public agitation.
Slavery is in my opinion have said than
before in the Snae-and have doubt unacceptably to
manya great evil SOCIAL and POLITICAL but is an existing
one from which escape and for which the South
is not responsible the North any other tribunal but
TO His who made both bond and free and while either in
public or in private life, have strength TO express my
views of peculiar regard TO any section of the
country but in obedience the dictates of my
science shall uphold the right Of the South
to determine every question relation this species OF
property for themselves, and the duty ofhe whole Union
carry effect the constitutional provision IN good
faith and with kind feelings. do not know any northern
man who is disposed go beyond this Nor there any
southern man who should desire IT,
NJ T,rnH Gin IN
my views relation to the subject of slavery, connected
with the Territories and my led me to the con-
power regulate this condition in those political commune
ties and second whether the people there may ghuuy
regulate for themselves. feel little disposed TO go
this again the Senate con be to hear me- and
shall restrict myself very brief reorganization, which
necessary the explanation OF my present position
coutendcd then, do now, that Congress has no u-
rsdicon the subject of slavery And the process by
which reached that conclusion viii now merely touch,
rather than dwell upon.
The government of the United States is of limited
hory vested with no powers not expressly granted or
not necessary TO the proper execution of such as ere
There is provision in the constitution granting any
power of egsa ion the "terrtory other property
Of the United states except such as relates 10 reg
aon and disposition" Political jurisdiction is entirely
withheld nor isithere any just implication which can
supply this defect of original authority
AS matter of necessity, just Mr.. Madison defends
the action Of the Congress of the Confederation upon
this subject, the Congress of the Constitution may be
defended for establishing governments for the /" ter
tory" of the United States original acquired without
the limits Of any of the States, such being
essential their Gndoed otheir exist
ence.
In the exercise Of this power arising from necessity
authority should be assumed than is required at
tain the object That object is the organization Of terri
toria governments and with its accomplishment fairly
ends this assumed jurisdiction, for the people
peent to conduct their internal affairs for themselves
when government instituted; and whatever just
latitude of discretion there may be laying down gen
erRl principles there be which would authorize
Congress interfere With the local and domestic affairs
Of those distant communities. There would be neither
power nor reason, necessity to warrant the assump-
non
So much for the authority OF the federal legislature
this subject.
The power of the people legsate for themselves upon
all these questions Of domestic policy the inevitable result
Of the preceding principles and OF institutions. If
Congress have jurisdiction the subject the people
have it, the important Of social and
OF civil life would be left without security protection No
has questioned their claim regulate by
their immediate representatives the various questions
nectcd with their civil and social relations except this rea
ton Of and land this exception cannot stand
the test of any reasonable scrutiny. am of the
objections which have been urged the existence Of
this right of sefgovernmen founded the connexion Of
the people Of the Territories with the government of the
United States; and have been amazed the subtle argu
menis potico-mctaphysca indeed which have been pre-
scented against the enjoyment of Of the most sacred
rights which God has given TO man. he inseparabe
between representation and the regulation OF the do
mesc affairs of community, including taxation, Of
the cardinal principles Of American political faith ad down
in State papers, taught schools and triumphant
" asserted and defended the batte-felda principle
which the Continental Congress- in IVA declared in these
words