Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-07

Ou.
peal it by direct vote. Do not repeal It by
indirection. Do not declaren ii ainopera-
tive 4because superseded by the principles
Of the legislation OF 1902
Mr.. President, three great Eras have marked
the history OF this country, in respect to Sla-
very. The first may be characterized as the
Era OF EEFRANcHIsEMENT. II commenced
with the earliest struggle for national inde-
pendence. The spirit which inspired it ani-
mated the hearts and prompted the efforts Of
Washington, Of Jefferson, Of Patrick Henry Of
Wythe, Of Adams, of Jay, of Hamilton, Of Nor
ris IN short, of oil the great men of our early
history. All these hoped-all these labored
for--all these believed in the final deliverance
of the country from the curse Of Slavery. That
spirit burned in the Declaration Of Independ-
ence, and inspired the provisions Of the Consti-
tuition and of the Ordinance Of 1887. Under
its influence, when in full yigor, State after
State provided for the emancipation OF the
slaves within their limits, prior to tho adoption
Of the Constitution. Under it's feebler influence
at later period, end during the administra-
ton Of Mr.. jefferson, the importation Of slaves
was prohibited into Mississippi and Louisiana,
in the faint hope that those Territories might
finally become free States Gradually that
spirit ceased to influence our public councils,
and lost its control over the American heart
and the American policy. Another Era sue
csedcd, but by such inperceptible gradations
that the lines which separate the two cannot
BIO traced with absolute precision. The facts
Of the two Eras meet and mingle as the our
rents Of continent streams mix 80 imperceptibly
that the observer cannot fix the spot where
the meeting waters blend.
This second Era was the Era Of CoNsERvA-
Jks 49, q
iating condition. Men said, let things remain
as they are; let Slavery stay where it ia; ex-
clude il where it is not; refrain from disturb.
ing the public quiet by agitation; adjust oil
differences that arise not by the application Of
principles, but by compromises
II was during this period that the Senator
tells Us that Slavery was maintained in Illinois,
both while a Territory and after it became n
State, in despite of tho provisions Of the Ordi-
nance. Ii is true, sir, that the slaves held in
the Illinois country, under the French law.
were not regarded as absolutely emancipated
by the provisions Of the Ordinance. But full
effect was given to the Ordinance in excluding
the introduction Of slaves, and thus the Terri
tory was preserved from eventually becoming a
slave State The few shareholders in the Ter
ritory OF Indiana, which then included Illinois,
succeeded in obtaining such an ascendency in
its affairs, that repeated applications were
made not merely by conventions Of delegates,
bat by the Territorial Legislature itself, for a
suspension Of the clause in the Ordinance pro-
hibiting Slavery These applications were re-
ported upon by John Randolph, of Virginia, in
the House, and by MIR. Franklin in the Senate
Both tho reports were against suspension. The
grounds stated by Randolph are specially wor-
thy of being considered now They are thus
stated in tho report:
aThat the committee deem it highly dan
gerous and inexpedient to impair provision
wisely calculated to promote the happiness and
prosperity Of the Northwestern country, and to
give strength and security to that extensive
frontier. In the salutary operation Of this sa-
gacious and benevolent restraint, it is believed
that the inhabitants of Indiana will at no very
distant day, find ample remuneration for tenn
porary priyation of labor and of emigration"
Sir, these reports, made IN 1903 and 1907,
and tho action Of Congress upon them, in con-
forrnity with their recommendation, saved Hi
nois, and perhaps Indiana, from becoming
slave States. When the people of Illinois
formed their State Constitution, they incorro-
rated into it a section providing that neither
Slavery nor involuntary servtude shall be here
after introduced into this State. The Consti-
Of the few persons who were originally held az
slaves, and then bound to service under the
Territorial laws, and for the freedom Of their
children, and thus secured the final extinction
of Slavery. The Senator thinks that this result
is not attributable to the Ordinance. differ
from him. But for the Ordinance, have no
doubt Slavery would have been introduced into
Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio IL is something to
the credit of the Era Of Conservatism uniting
its influences with those Of the expiring Era Of
Acknowledgement, that it maintained the Ordi-
nance Of 1897 inthe Northwest
The Era OF CONSERVATISM passed, also, by
imperceptible gradations, into the Era Of SLA-
VERY PRoPAGANDIsM. Under tie influences
OF this new spirit we opened the whole Terri.
tory acquired from Mexico, except California,
10 the ingress Of Slavery. Every foot of it was
covered by Mexican prohibition and yet, by
the legislation If 1850, we consented to expose
it TO the introduction Of slaves. Some, | be-
lieye, have actually been carried into Utah and
into New Mexico. They may be few, perhaps,
but q few are enough to affect materially the
probable character Of their future Govern
ments
Sir, believe we are on the verge Of another
Era. The introduction Of this question here,
and its discussion will greatly hasten its ad-
vent That Era will be the Era Of Reaction.
We, who insist upon the Standardization Of
Slavery, and upon the absolute divorce Of the
General Government from all connection with
1t, will stand with the men who favored the
Compromise acts, and who yet wish to adhere
to them, in their letter and in their spirit,
against the repeal Of the Missouri prohibition
You may pass it here. You may send il to the
other House. II may become law. But It's
effect will be TO satisfy all thinking men that
no compromises with Slavery will endure, OK.
cept 70 long IA they serve the interests Of Sla-
very and that there is no safe and honorable
ground TO stand upon, except that Of restricting
Slavery within State limits, and excluding il
absolutely from the whole sphere Of Federal
jurisdiction. The old questions between pc.
litical parties are at rest No great question
SO thoroughly possesses the public mind as this
Of Slavery This discussion will hasten the
inevitable reorganization Of parties upon the
new issues which our circumstances suggest.
Ii win light mp fire 10 tho country which
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