Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-02-18

now---if they could only see this, Il would tale
UNFOLD at which the heart of the patriot would
sink within him. ay, sink within him, that corrup-
ton and vice should in this early day Of the re-
public have reached the high places ofthe country.
This administration is eminently economical,
eminently faithful to the law and the Constitution;
and although in one or two particulars principles
have been loreshadowed which cannot approve,
yet IN the general scope, plan, and policy of the
administration, we have the comfortable assur-
that fair and equal rights will be extended to-
wards every member of this Union. Each State
will have the right to go and come when il
pleases, and with whatever property il pleases.
shall not dwell on this subject but | can ask
this committee in this calm moment in this hour
of deliberation, when there no passions TO ex-
cite and thwart the judgment, whether II is not
monstrous that citizen, because he lives upon
the southern side Of 800 30', has no right TO oc-
cupy the public domain on the northern side,
where the larger portion Of the public domain s
TO be founda The people OF the north can 10 on
either side, but we cannot go on the Srihern
side. How can you sanction such q INDUSTRIOUS
injustice? And my life upon il, this President OF
ours--a universal favorite with the country, and
universally acceptable with the democracy every
where--and his cabinet advisers--for they are
unit on every question of democratic policy--wll
be found carrying on their great duty with sue
cess and prosperity which rarely, under any cir
cumstances, falls 10 the lot OF this great people.
Mr.. LANE, Gnterrupting) would like TO in
Qulrc Oh the Beutltmdn IrOu virginia Wnctner ne
intends TO commit this administration in favor OF
the repeal of the Missouri compromise?
MIR. SMITH. The gentleman from Indiana
Mr.. LANE ought to recolect that distinctly sta
ted in the commencement OF my remarks, that
spoke from general observation and my own
knowledge, but without authority, except such as
is given by the consciousness of my own BOSOM
But. sir, am happy TO believe, and utter my
belief with every confidence, that the administra-
ton will be found unit--a unit on the abroga-
ton of the Missouri line, at least far az Ne
braska is concerned. Mse
answer distinctly. Did he say application, or alb
rogation2
Mr. SMITH said abrogation Yes, sir,
say to this House that, without speaking by au-
thorty, have nevertheless, the proud satislac-
ton Of believing that the administration is unit
on this great question 1t will be an act of JUS
tce TO all parts of the American Union that the
glorious and delightful and the fowery fields OF
Nebraska-at least portion ofit--will be open to
the sons Of the south, with their dusky associates
and servants, if they choose to go there.
Is the gentleman from Indiana, Mr.. LANE an
swered? He is answered at least, as far as il is
in my power to do So speak in all candor. ]
have ever spoken in candor in the performance of
my public duty, in any other relations in which
| have spoken at all. believe, repeat it, that
the administration is, on this question unit
Why, sir, TO have them otherwise, would be a
source of the most profound regret; and to have
the softs /" false TO It, would insure their damna-
ton before high heaven. The bright sun Of our
future is before us. While the right to every
American to occupy the domain Of the American
Union is co-extensve with its limits, we present
field in which all the citizens ofthe country can
act together. E,
Now is not this a glorious idea? Is there
man here opposed to the extension of slavery
who can in his heart say that all have not COM
mon interest in the whole territory of the Union?
Here we are in all the power of our manhood, full
of all the human passions, and Of all the human
sensibilities, full of the appreciation Of all our
rights; and will il do for the north to get up and
say "there is a portion of the Union acquired by
common blood and treasure to which the south
shall not have any rights"
shall take occasion, on question in connex-
ion with this subject, to express myself more full
ly at an early day, when il will be necessary for
me to address word to the gentleman from New
York, fMr. SmTH.l
Here the hammer fell.