The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-06-08

trade is allowed by law in licensed and enrolled
vessels of the United States so long as men,
women, and children, are sold at auction I'M
der process Of the Federal courts; so long as
fugitive slave acts remain on the statute books
Of National legislation SO long as the powers
of this Government shall be exerted for the
acquisition of additional slaveholding territory,
just so long will this agitation continue, just
SO long viii there be no peace.
But, sir, il the principle of denationalizlng
slavery did not constrain US to oppose this bill,
thu principle of decentrslzing power would
compel us, as independent Democrats, to with
hold our support from it. The patronage OF
the Executive is already vastly too large. we
wish to diminish it, as fer as possible, by with
drawing from the President the appointment
of officers, so far as it can be constituticnslly
done, and confding their election to the peo-
pie. We oppose this bill, because it enlsrges
the patronage Of the Executive, and because 1T
denies to the people of the Territories the pow
or to elect their own officers.
Now, MIR. President whatever others may
do the Independent Democrats will 90 for
ward without faltering or wavering In the path
Of political duty which their honest convictions
prescribe. If men of other parties, seeing, at
length, the utter incompatibility between the
pretensons of the slave power and the just
claims of freedom, and recognising. the sbso-
lutte necessity which requires the nOn-slave-
holders of the country to demand infexibly
the complete divorce of the General Govern
ment from slavery, and the exertion of its le-
Ultimate influence on the side of freedom, shall
manifest q disposition to unite their efforts for
these objects, the Independent Democrats will
not hesitate to make common cause with them.
Ii no such union of the friends of freedom shall
take place, the Independent Democrats will,
trust be found ready to cooperate earnestly
and hOnorably with any other party which is
willing to act with them for the maintenance
of freedom. In ell events, and under all cir
cumstances they VIII be true TO the great
principles Of justice liberty, and progress,
which they have avowed.
| shall rejoice sir, if the friends Of freedom,
disregarding the differences which have hither-
to been suffered to divide them, shall be found
willing to unite for the maintenance and de-
fence of Liberty, in living, earnest, and ener-
getic democracy of the people, against the ma
tionalizers Of slavery under whatever name ar
rayed | listened to the declaration of my
friend and colleague Mr.. WADE with great
interest. He announced distinctly and with
emphasis the final separation of the Southern
from the Northern wing of the Wing party. If
that separation has, indeed, taken place, mil
lion of voters in the free States are emancipa-
ted from the influence of the slave power. And
it must be remembered that what has most
largely contributed to prevent the formation of
triumphant political organization for the de-
fence of freedom, is the fact that each of the
old parties has had a powerful pro-slavery wing,
composed of Shareholders and non -slayehOlders
ready to concede all their demands. The lib.
eral members of each party, OF the other hand,
IL 10 al a,,oIo
ling personally to act against it, have been dis
posed to concede so much to the demands and
wishes of the pro.slavery wing, that their own
influence for freedom has been nullfcd. Let
a separation be effected between the anti-sla-
very and pro-slavery wings Of both or either of
the old parties and it is not difficult to perceive
that the opponents Of slavery in either will be
ready to go as far, at least if not farther, than
we who have so long opposed slavery upon the
grounds which have Indicated
Clearly then, MIR. President, the slavery ques-
ton is not TO be excluded from Congress by the
passage of this bill. That object, which its ad-
vOcates profess to have so much at heart, can
not in this way be attained.
VIII slavery find its way into the Territories
Some gentlemen from the slave States think it
will The greater number express the contrary
opinion. think myself there is danger If
slavery shall not be established in the Terrific
ries, it will not be the fault Of this bill. 1t
breaks down the barrier. 1t offers free en-
trance. | have a strong hope, however, that
slavery will be excluded by the action Of the
people of the Territories themselves. If slave
holders choose to 90 there with their slaves,
non-slaveholdiDg immigrants from the Old
World, and labOring men from our own States,
Will be exposed to great disadvantages in the
struggle-disadvantag from which it was the
duty of this Government to protect them. Not
withstanding these Disadvantages, | trust the
cause of freedom will prevail in the Territories
1t will prevail, if the non-slaveholders of the
country awake to a Just sense Of their rights,
and their duties, and while they extend ready
and abundant aid to free immigration into the
Territories, sternly demand from the Legisls-
ture Of the Nation the exclusion Of slavery
from all Territories by law. trust the people
of the Territories will pay small regard to the
doctrines of those Senators who insist that they
have no right to legislate for the prohibition Of
slavery, until they form Constitution with a
view to admission into the Union. Most ear
nestly do | hope that they will act, and act
promptly, for the protection of themselves and
their children against this great evil.
If, then, the slavery question is not to be ex-
cluded from Congress, and slavery is not to iud
hOIliVbdISS lntO lIl6 ~ Adb OJnCE dU-
vantage do Senators from slave States see in
this bill, which induces them so vehementy to
demand its passage? 1t is given out in the
newspapers, that the principle of this bill is to
serve some great purpose of the slave power, in
respect to future territorial acquisitions 1t is
suggested that Cuba, the territory to be &C
CURED from Mexico under the Gadsden treaty,
the Sandwich islands, perhaps Hayti and Do
n1inica, are to be tho theatres upon which this
principle is to achieve its greatest triumphs.
shall not go into this subject here, and now.
These questions must be met when they arise.
This bill doubtless paves the way for the ap-
proach Of new, alarming, and perhaps fatal
dangers to our country. 1t is the part of free
men and lovers of freedom, to stand upon their
guard, and prepare for the worst events 1t is
because this bill puts in peril great and precious
interests, reverses the ancient and eettled poll
cy Of the Government, and breaks down a
great safeguard of liberty, that | have felt
myself constrained to resist it, firmly and per-
sistently, though without avail. al that now
remains for me is, to enter against it. as now
do, my earnest and solemn protest, and TO Join
with my colleague in recording against it the
vote of Ohio.
SPAIN.