The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-23
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF ION. j. M. CLAYTON,
OF DELAWARE;

I nslyered in the Senate March / and 2, 1854.
In. Senate having under consideration the bin establish
l,lOnal governments for Nebraska and kansas-
H. CLAYTON said:
eommenc ement Of the present session Of Congress,
any such question as that relating to slavery raised
his bill would have been presented for decision
n no degree responsible for the agitation excite
n which has grown out of its introduction here by
amendment of the honorable chairman. OF the Com
"a on Territories, [Mr DoucLAs have always
dously sought 10 avoid excitement on this delicate
shon and 10 alay il possible when 1t
been excited by others. But the subject is now
se me without any agency of NINE, and am bound
pee it. The public mind is, TO some extent, already
med and if the question 10 not settled now the same
Element will be raised hereafter, and fear with much
II dangerous effect cannot-I ought MOTTO shun the
hopsibiny which devoivcs upon me, and | mean to
IA the whole question with view to a termination Of
controversy sound principles as soon 1t can be
ced.
hs proposition to repeal the MmsouriC Compromise line
not originate with southern II comes from the
krh The ser ator from Illinois Mr. DoueLAsl is it's
tied author. The COMMITTEES on Territories, of which
is the chairman, composed of majority OF northern
b. authorized him to report IT, We know that majority
norhern here with him in pressing It's
cal upon No less than sixteen Of them endorse the
ea ; and the opponents Of the this body from
North are bat twelve all told The southern senators,
erully unapprzcd, as understand, before the measure
sprung upon OF the intention to disturb this line Of
son between North and South, have received this pro-
With almost unanimous they will accede TO IT,
3eciay il il known to be supported by northern
ksdent, and cabinet composed of northern majority
hid not ask for it would not have proposed it and
ay regret that il was offered because do believe it
repay for the agitation and irritation it has cost
can senator, whose constituents hold slaves be ex-
Ted resist and refuse what the North thus freely offers
measure due uss Could one Of us be justified be-
his constituents in refusing it, We senators,
Ind suppose that northern gentlemen here fairly rep
nt the wishes Of majority OF non siaseholdng States
this floor. We have no right to look beyond their
this subject the views of their States
faith be violated by in consuming to their offer,
both parties thus agree to the repeal Of former
angement Of both, it will be difficult for any to ex-
will not be expected Of me, by those who know me,
should carve set of principles TO suit the
Esent exigcncy, which have never recognised before
sclErespect demands of me an adherence to the
nciples which have former occasions publicly ayowed
acted upon unless indeed, it be shown that was
kn in error do not hold that public man is not at
|erty to change opinion. On the contrary, weud at
y time unhesitangy DO il If convinced Of an error But
INV own convictions show that best sustain the
rcsts Of humanity the injunctions Of justice and the
kfae of my country by adhering to the principles Of my
|st public life, strengthened in the course which
am about to pursue by the results which formerly
3ancd
In l8i8 shortly after the acquisition of California and
w Mexico, when debate arose in this body, which ex-
led beyond anything have ever witnessed here, in
ad the disposition Of those Territories in speech
floor proclaimed the principles which governed me,
ID they the Identical principles which viii govern
kw have for references speeches delivered
myself former occasions here elsewhere but on
lis occasion am driven to refer to few extracts
| then said
Although acting obedience the instructions Of the
isature of Delaware, my colleague and myself, the
escnatves of slaveholdng State, before the ratifca
of the treaty of Guadalupe voted for the extension Of
ordinance of 1851 the Territories Of the United
to prevent the acquisition of them as slave territory
did not intend ever TO connect ourselves with any
t.hnrun
the party struggles of the day. leading to the most
|h consequences We look upon the introduction Of a
biographical party upon such principle tending directly
The destruction of the union of these States and there
no, one State within this confederacy which loves the
bnlon than the smallest in population among them
whose lofty patriotism has become proverb, and
hose proudcs boast that she the first to adopt the
american constitution and will be the last to desert It, No,
J.; the men OF Delaware viii themselves with
bh geographical movement Most of US entertain the
non that, whsn the action Of Congress is invoked free
b should remain free and that slave territory ought 10 re-
pain such The doctrine prevailed among us at the time OF
be Missouri Compromise and still prevails that Congress
ould leave the Territory they found IT, We desire to
bdc by the compromises Of the constitution IN that sP'
nder the ngi of the constitution, bat ought not to Dc
arried by us where it existed repeat ann moi
repaired 10 call that political question and deny that
call either this the opposite doctrine mere WING
ocrnc No has right TO saw that tho Wilmot pro
whig principle that its opposite is wing pm
ps We repadiste the question altogether as pollticn
uestion and say, that whenever the members OF thu
republican party, composed of the friends OF Genera
aylor, which hold at this moment to be the majority
country shall descsnd low to make geographica
ay Of this Wilmot provso with view to President
making, getting Office and power IN the country they
Vii loso my respect and think, that Of every honest
In attempts IL now being made force this upon
sy question by the extreme parsans OF the North and thu
But neither the eide the other Of the ques
ON forms any part Of platform and hope there WI
patriotism enough among the American people to keel
he question aport from pary politics for For myself
free say, that although voted in obedience 10 The
of the Stne in part represent, yet dear
he of these States 10 and mine that u this be-
geographical question: shall resort to the remedy
dopsd by the men Of Delaware in another crisis and
ther days shall in the spirit Of the who made
be constitution, and compromise the question: If can
terms equally fair and honorable for tho North and thu
outh.n
ow The debate to which alluded ragged in the Senate,
lsy say with unexamplcd ence until the 10Th July
ghen Eel, bound redeem the pledge had given, and
forward and proposed my brother senators to ares
he debate, and 10 appoint committee OF eight members
our from the North and four from the South whig
om tho North, two democrats from The North two dem
Gratis from the South, and two wings from the Souh-tc
IKE into consideration the then proposed for h'
rganxston of territorial governments in Oregon Caor
ia and New Mexico. The motion adopted and thu
cbae in the Senate arrested On the mex, day the
enaie proceeded to appoint the committee by ballot They
I'd me the honor to select it's chairman, and ast
leccd "a members of the committee with me, Mr.. Calhoun
he senator from Indiana tMr. Br'gh, j Mr.. Clark o.
shode Island the present President Of the Senate MIR
stehison j my friend from Vermont mir. Phelps j Mr.
Dickinson, Of New York and Mr. Underwood, Of Ken
ucky.
The committee immediately entered actively upon the
discharge Of iia duty Both northern and southern mer
Expressed desire for the Of this effort settle the
oniroverry, snd angry words passed until tn,
ommittcc reported.
Now sir am compelled in Justice to both sections o
he Union relate in your presenceyou having been