The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-17

UUly IulEc
upon political and legislative questions, in the OF
the Almighty. and without any responsibility TO the peo-
Pile Ii the whole principle OF our government
and it was only 10 enter my protest against thai prne
pie that called the attention OF the Senate 10 this me
mortal
Mr.. HOUSTON. AS the honorable senator from Hi.
nois the chairman OF the Committee on Territories,
seemed in the most emphatic manner 10 address his
marks 10 me- think him fully entitled 10 The respect Of
my attention. He has dwell upon the abolition character
OF this document So lar abolition may be imbodied
in have nothing 10 say OF IT, There are various
represented upon this memorial, and various opinions en-
terained upon subjects with which have nothing TO do,
and with which have afiliaoD, and intend 10 have
But with this subject presented to the
Senate have connexon. As Tor the controversy be-
tween the honorable chairman OF the Committee on Ter
Titoes and the senators from Ohio and Massachusetts.
on my left, Nessrs. CHASE and SUMNER with that
have nothing TO do | was not here when that contro-
versy originated nor when was first introduced into the
Senate; nor have participated IN II since. However
unpleasant such alterations and controversies may be-
and however may regard them IN relation to The trans
action OF business IN this Senate have forborne either
public private expression OF opinion upon the subject
Mr.. DOUGLAS. | will say to the senator that the
only allusion had TO him 10 what | said was simply in
quoting his remarks the cergymen being the viceger
ens OF Almighty God. My other remarks were intended
for another quarlefor gentlemen near him. III the gen
teman was under any Misrepresentation as 10 my re-
marks, make this explanation II not DO not wish to
MIR HOUSTON resumed / am very glad 10 hear it,
Mr.. President. The remarks of the senator appeared
direct and ubequIyoca that led into the apprehen-
sion that they intended Tor perhaps directly
than was the purpose OF the gentleman had explained,
when up before, that might have misappled the term
vicegerents and expressed the heralds OF Almighty
God, or his ministers OF peace earth. thought the
gentleman need not have caped upon that expression
unless with reference TO particular influence
that my vie mig ht have upon the auditory. Ii
misapplcaon OF The term, and so explained IL,
But, Mr.. President, think that the object of this
mortal is msapPrehended find no fault with its intro
ducton, either before the passage OF the bill 10 which IL
refers after II, The bill may return TO the Senate OF
the United States with amendments Such things very
frequently occur. Al all events, being prepared with
great care and being matter OF importance they were
anxious that their should be laid before the Senate
OF the United States, because other measures,
bracing similar principles might be introduced and they
might have thought most respectful TO lay their views
before The Senate in this way can nothing improp
er in it.
Nor do think any evidence that the gentlemen who
signed that memorial have any disposition 10 establish
theocracy our country that they wish to take this gov
eminent into their hands, 10 exercise control
ling Influence IN IT, We hnd that they sectarian.
Those who signed are OF various denominations There
can be no danger that an amalsamaon of interests or
opinions will take place such TO imbody force sufi.
Client to make any great impression upon the institutions
OF this country, or 10 endanger our liberties.
But this is regarded as substantive and independent
matter as measure intended to produce agation-to
insult the Senate II is the effect OF that pre-
dIcted would have lis influence upon the community.
The exists IN this Senate II exists in the amend
men offered TO the bill, and the proposed repeal OF the
Missouri Compromise This is but responsive action 10
that. The cause is not in the cergymen. The memo
rial is but the effect OF the amendment brought forward
and passed through this Senate
timpugns the action Of 1t was not intended
10 insult senators. But am that senators
such paagons OF morality that they bear have
their characters called in question and then, il
little oath should happen to pop out, they should
chance to take a dram, or something OF that kind
things which would not be considered moral measured
by some Standards bu, which should not be disposed
70 denounce as very immoral ! think our morality
should be OF TOO hardy character 10 be affected by
memorial coming from The land OF steady habits
Responses were to be made to this great principle that
we have heard so much about Here is Of them. 1t
IS very formidable, very audible and very visible
response given 10 that great principle the assertion OF
principle that has lain dormant know not how many
years NO bright genius bad ever illustrated il no bril-
liant conception had discovered it, until the session
had progressed Tor some time, when the principle OF
intervention all at once sprang up lumne the world
and 10 become at some future day the universally
nised principle SIR recognise the principle of self
government recognise that right in every sovereignty
Bn people in tutsage cannot exercise the sovereignty
OF States And during their territorial existence in an
tcipaton of their becoming States, Congress is called
upon TO exercise quasi sovereignty for them Never,
until recognised by Congress State they exer
else sell government Tor the perfection of elfgoye
men grows out OF sovereignty Is the power TO be in
few squaitersS They pass law to-day; repeal To-
morrow and the next day, the year, they pass
another laws and on for successive years. passing and
repeating laws They have power pass organic laws
until The attributes OF sovereignty about TO attach
or have actually attached, to them That is what call
is what call seli-government.
| This response has come back to us. wish we may
never have any more responses OF that description L
pray Heaven we may have another protest OF this
sort. pray Heaven that no such necessity for il may
again exist Had not the necessity for 1.-THE cause Of it,
originated IN this Senate that memorial would never have
been laid upon your table II but the effect The
cause was anterior TO it, II we wish TO avoid caami,ous
| Effects let us not originate pernicious causes
Mr.. SEWARD. do not intend TO be drawn, by any
remarks that have been made into the discussion OF the
question deliberately discussed, and officially disposed
Of so lar as the Senate is concerned, week before last
but have few words to say upon the incident or cir
cumsiance which happened here this morning, and which
Is the subject OF discussion understand that the hon.
orable senator from Virginia Mr. MAsosJ submitted
motion that this petition be not received, when in point
OF iaci IL had already been received and therefore
suppose that that motion not in order, and that he will
not insist upon II. DO not understand the honorable
senator from Indiana Mr. PErrITl as seriously pro-
posing 10 refer this memorial 10 the chaplain OF the Sen
| ate for his consideration
| Mr.. PETIT stated that, II the rules of the Senate
would allow II, should insist upon that reference
MIR. SEWARD | understand the senator 10 assume
that the rules will not allow it, and that therefore, il
will not be done. | understand the senator from Till
mens upon this subject, conserving that this petition
shall lie upon the table, which is precisely what de-
sired by The petitioners themselves Therefore under
stand that there legislative or practical question al
all before The Senate. In regard 10 this memorial whether
respectful or Otherwise right wrong all agreed
that il shall lie upon the table What do understand
10 be The design OF The honorable from Illinois,
and OF those who have addressed the Senate upon this
OCCASION IS 10 reply 10 the remarks which are contained
IN that meporsl upon the subject OF the abrogaon OF the
Missouri Compromise. Though i do not think that this
is the customary The right way in which
MORALS and remohslrsnces, yet nsomuch as several
from the different pats oil the country have