The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-18
SPEECH OF MIR. DODGE,


The Senate having under consideration the bill organize
the Territories OF Nebraska and Kansas
I, Mr.. DODGE, Of Iowa, said:
Mr.. PaEs.DENr have heard, with mingled feelings OF
establishment and regret the speech which has just been
made by the senator from Mississippi, mr. BRows No
seniments which have listened during my sena-
sora have made unavorabe as
those which have Just fallen from him. With perfect re-
spect for that senator and the Senate desire that he and
shall know my opinions upon some topics connected with
the subject under consideration and to which think he
mos. improperly alluded. Upon those matters wish to
say then, differ from him widely the poles asunder
and II anything wanting sasfy that there
10 imminent danger that at some period IN the history OF
this country to be brought to the shock of arms, the
sentiments which he has avowed and the anagohstc ones
going entire equality between the white and black
raees which have been uttered by ee-soiers upon this
6oof would satisfy me of fact beyond doubt Sir,
TIL the from Mississippi speak il upon the floor
Of the American Seaa OF my father who VIII
attest It's truthhat have performed and do perform when
Il home all of those menia 10 which that senator
referred in grating to my feelings As general
thing my own wood; do al my own marketing u
never had servant of any color 10 wait upon me day
my life have driven teams horses, mules and oxen, and
considcrsd myself respectable then do, or as
any senator SpSn Ss pG bo IS ,o ne % .,no
MIR. DODGE Certainly
Mr. BROWN. The senator from Iowa has wholly mis-
taken the drift of my argument said nothing against en-
mans backing his own boots if he had fancy for III
driving his neghbos horses if he had fancy for that
certainly meant to say thatabo dsrepuabe IN
country where slavery exists because knew perfectly well
that such declaration would have been untrue Let me
repeat the senator that said there certain mena
smpioyments-no labor genernly-whch were performed
only by and which people who lived equality
could DO hired do for the other Persona csun-
ss where slaves may do these things and very rc-
qusndy do Them for themselves IT, however, the senator
upposes that meant to convey the idea IN the remoes
possible degree, that labor dsrepuabe he has wholly
and entirely misconceved me.
Why. cir was brought up at the handle of the plough
and There 10 anything in the history Of my boyhood of
which am proud, it 10 that was brought up TO manual
labor and to labor alongside of my fathers saycshe few
that he then owned considered II dsreputabe
do not consider il so But sir the day never was
when my neighbor could have hired black his boots
That day does not exist now and all the wealth of Col
conda could not purchase from service like that ne
guest at my house, and had no servant to perform
this duty might do il of hospitality, bu, not for
pay. Did the senator understand mei
simply take the ground, that labor itself
dsrepuabe but that there certain kinds employ
msnt-aad undertook to designate them-which white
in my country could be hired to do. You can
hirs white there perform many kinds Of labor They
be hired to work plantations and we do hire them
and treat them equals We hire them to work at the
mechanical trades and they and their employers equal
But spoke Of mental employments Of the lower
grade did not to say that might not do these
things himself guest house, Of hos
pitsty he choose but that he would be hired do
them that he would not 60 to hotel and hire himself out
70 Be . boot-back.
Mr.. DODGE. Mr.. President, | am very glad to hear
the explanation OF the senator from Mississippi, for UNI
derstood him, if directly, least indirectly attack
and TO sneer at the dignity labor and the esmen of the
North
Mr.. BROWN. The senator entirely misunderstood me
IL he understood any such thing
Mr. DODGE am very glad to hear 1t. felt the more
keeny perhaps hat the SAID because sincere
believer the doctrine which he sneerney calls squat
sovereignty" and which has been ably expounded by
your colleague, Nr. CAss,l (Mr. STUART of Michigan,
being in the chhir.)
With this DEPRESSION upon points wholly unlocked for
In the discusson and being sincere believer in the doc
ne of "squaer sovereignty in fullest, broadcast dee o.
sense, propose my humble way offer some
Arguments in support of the bal for The organization Of Ne
braska and Kansas, being IN its psent shape OF as IT'S
Ea
yet been offered by The Congress of the United States
10 tho sovereignty Of the people.
The great principle mboded in these territorial bills, and
II the houy contested To tho nature and extent
Of the of Congress the citizens Of the United
States who either have settled may settle in the Terrific
Hes Of confcderaey II Safes Before discussing the pro-
visions OF the bill which are operate upon those ezens
and regulate their local internal it should be
Ars settled whether such legislation they themselves
adopt for their own safety and happiness, when restricted
kept within the provisions of the constitution Of the
republic be interrupted by Congress by The exercise
., any powers either eaPres1d OF implied N the constr
In the enumc Of the powers Of Congress- nothing
be found in the constitution which conveys the right to
Iegislate for American citizens residing upon any Territory
Of the Union excepting the District OF Columbia and sueh
places purchased Of States for the erection OF FORTS
For many years after that rc-brand called the Wilmot
prcv'so" was attempted 10 be introduced into legislation
70 defeat b,s and drive victorious in die
grace from Mexicoto humin,e Mr. Polk and his cabinet
BY forcing them TO insert stipulation into any treaty that
might be made with foreign government that American
slavery should be forever prohibited and especially from
territory that might be ccded by the free enlightened
hw-And order-loving republic Of Mexicothen and Tor
several years after, this power located that of
ths constitution which says;
"The Congress shall have power dispose Of and make
all necdful rules and regulations respecting The territory or
other property belonging to The United States"
But think it thoroughly exploded by the senator
from Michigan in HE speech of January 81 and %
1850, against the Wmot proviso General Cass quotes
from the decision OF the Supreme Court in the OF the
United States vs.. Graioi and Others follows.
The territory, here used s merely descripse
II kind Of properly and equivalent the word snds
and Congress has tho power over any other
properly vcsted in tho United Sntcs,n &c.
He then goes remark;
"Ths territory, here used, is merely descriptive
OF one kind Of ,prrty (ssys tho cou and equivalent
e the word lands. How the Supreme Court, after thus de-
Gliding that territory here could decide
the to sell and regulate land includes The power of
unlimited political jurisdiction, profess my inability com
prshsnd, morc especially the power be exercised
b nesdfu and this necessity upon the face OF IL nco-
patbs With the idea that this power Congress
,v{sh.osai limitation
Way then have Congress exercised the power of gov
ssnng Territories and why has their action been sub
itted In the absence of any tuonal authortyi
Let the remarks of Mr. Madison the assumption Of The
same power by the Congress Of the Confederation and
which he participated give the only ,hot be
given 10 the question All this has b. en- DONE he says
In the Fsersstho H. governments have been organized
&c - without the least color Of constitutional auihouty'
He adds that he impues blame to Congress- because
they could have done otherwise The public interest,"
the necessity Of the case imposed them the task of
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