The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1854-03-01
mArNrAIN pLIGHTED FAITH.
speech of Hon. s. p. chase, of Ohio


MAINTAIN PLIGHrED FAITH.
Speech of Hon. 9. r. Chase, OF OhiO, |
Is THE SENATE, FEBRUARY 8, 1854,
.4gainst he Repeal Of the Missouri Prohibition Of
Slavery north Of SO deg. 30 min.
The bill for the organization of the Territories
of Nebraska and Kansas being under consider
ation--
Mr.. CHASE submitted the following amendment:
Strike out from secrion IA the words "was super
seded by the principles of the legislation of 1850,
commonly called the Compromise Measures.
and..ss 30 that the clause will read:
That the Constitution and all laws of the
United States, which are not locally inepplicabe,
shall have the same force and effect within the said
Territory of Nebraska as elsewhere within the
United States, except the eighth section Of the act
preparatory to the admission of Missouri into the
Union, approved March 6, 1920, which is hereby
declared Imperative
Mr.. CHASE said
Mr.. President, I had occasion. a few days ago.
to expose the utter groundlessness of the personal
charges made by the Senator from Illinois Mr..
Dougas] against myself and the other singers Of
the Independent Democratic appeal. Inow move
to strike from this bill statement which will TO-
day demonstrate to be without any foundation in
fact or history. l intend afterwards to move to
strike out the whole clause annnIing the Missouri
prohibition.
1 enter into this debate, Mr.. President, in
spirit of personal unkindness. The issue is too
grave and too momenous for the indulgence of such
feelings. see The great question before me, and
that question only.
Sir, these crowded galleries, these thropged lob
bes this full attendance Of the Senate, proves the
deep, transcendent interest of The theme.
A few days only have elapsed since the Con-
gress Of the United States assembled in this Capt.
tai. Then no agitation seemed to disturb the po-
lticai elements. Two of the great political par
ties of the country, in their National Conventions,
had announced that Slavery agitation was at an
end, AMI that henceforth that subject was not to
be discussed in Congress or out of Congress. The
President, in his annual message, had referred to
this state of opinion, and had declared his fixed
purpose to maintain, as far as any responsibility
attached TO him, the quiet of the country. Let
me read brief extract from that message:
g 1t is no part of my purpose to give prominence
10 any subject which may properly be regarded as
set at rest by the deliberate judgment of the peo
pie. But while the present is bright with prom.
Use, and the future full of demand and inducemen
for the exercise Of active intelligence the past car
never be without useful lessons of admontion ant
instruction. II its dangers serve not as beacons
they viii evidently fail to fulfil the object of wise
design. When the grave shall have closed ovel
all who are DOW endcavoring to meet the obliga
dafx, tl,o ..,;IiL
period filed with anxious apprehension. sue
cessful war had just terminated Peace brough
with it vast augmentation of territory. Disturb
ng questions arose, bearing upon the domestic in
stitutions of one portion of the Confederacy, AM
involving the constitutional rights of the States
But, notwithstanding differences of opinion an
sentiment, which then existed in relation to detail
and SPECIFIC provisions. the acquescence of disiin
guished citizens, whose devotion to the Union ca
never be doubted, had given renewed yigor TO ou
institutions, and restored sense of repose aud
curity to'ihe public mind throughout the Coufed
eracy. That this repose is to suffer no shock dur
ing.my official term, if l have power to avert il
those who placed me here may be assured
The agreement of the two old political partie!
thus referred to by the Chief Magistrate of tn
American people seemed to acquiesce, in the legi
lation of which he spoke. ai
a few of us, indeed, doubted the accuracy
these statements, and the permanency of this r,
pese. We never believed that the acts of 1ss
would prove to be permanent adjustment of Il
Slavery question. We believed no permanent a
justment Of that question possible, except by a r
turn to that original policy of the fathers of Il
Republic, by which Slavery was restricted with
State limits. and Freedom, without exception
Limitation, was intended to be secured to eve
person outside of State limits and under the g
elusive jurisdiction of the General Government.
But, sir, we only represented small, thou
vigorous and growing party in the country. o
number was small in Congress. BY some '
were regarded as visionaries- Some as fscto
lists; while almost all agreed in pronoureiug
mistaken.
And SO, sir, The country was at peace. As t
eye swept be entire circumference Of the horzc
and upward to mid -heaxen not cloud appeare
to common observation there was no mist or ST,
upon the clearness of the sky.
But suddenly all is changed. Rattng thund
breaks from the coudless frmament. The sto
bursts forth in fury. Warring winds rush il
conflict.
Eurus Notusque ruuni, creberque procelis
Africus."
Yes. sir, "creber proceliis .99frtcus the Sol
wind thick with storm. And now we find o
selves in the midst of an agitation, the end .
issue Of which no man can foresee.
Nov, sir, who is responsible for This renewa
strife aud controversy? Not we, for we have
tfoduced no question of Territorial Slavery j
Congfess-not We who are denounced as agitat
aad factonists. No. sir: the qustists and
m foalists have become agitators they who told
that all agitation was quieted, and that the reso
tious at the political conventions have put a fl
period to the discussion of Slavery.
Phis will not escape the observation Of
COUNTRY 1t is Slavery that renews the str
1t is Slavery that again wants room. 1t is S
very, with its insatiate demands for more 81