Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-06
MAINTAIN PLIoHrED FAITH.
SPEECH OF HON. S. ?. CHASE, OF OHI'

In THE SENATE. FEBRUARY s, 1854,
against TIE Repeal Of the Missouri Prohibition
Of Slavery north Of SO deg. 80 min.
The bill for the organization of tho Terrific
ries OF Nebraska and Kansas being under con-
sderation--
Mr.. CHASE submitted the following amend
ment !.
Strike out from section IA the words was
superseded by the principles Of the legislation
of 1850, commonly called the Compromise
Measures, and;v 30 that the clause will read :
That the Constitution and all laws Of the
United States, which are not locally inapplica.
BILE, shall have the same force and effect with
in the said Territory Of Nebraska as elsewhere
within the United States, except the eighth sec.
ton OF the act preparatory to the admission OF
Missouri into the Union, approved March g,
1920, which ia hereby declared imperative"
Mr.. CHASE said:
Mr., President, had occasion, few days
ago, to expose the utter groundlessness OF the
personal charges made by the Senator from
Illinois Mr.. Douglas against myself and the
other signers Of the Independent Democratic
appeal now move to strike from this bill q
statement which will to-day demonstrate to
be without any foundation in fact or history.
intend afterwards to move to strike out the
whole clause annullng the Missouri prohibit
ton
enter into this debate, Mr.. President, in no
spirit of personal unkindness. The issue is too
grave and too momentous for the indulgence
Of such feelings. | see the great question be-
fore me- and that question only.
Sir, these crowded galleries, these thronged
lobbies, this full attendance Of the Senate,
proves the Deep transccndent interest of the
theme.
A few days only have elapsed since the Con-
gress of the United States assembled in this
Capitol. Then no agitation seemed to disturb
the political elements. Two of the great po-
litical parties Of the country, in their National
Conventions, had announced that Slavery agi-
tation was ut an end, and that henceforth that
subject wss 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,
AZ far az any responsibility attached to him,
the quiet of the country. Let me read brief
extract rom that message:
II is 20 part Of my purpose to give promi-
hence TO any subject which may properly be
regarded as set at rest by the deliberate judy
ment Of the people. But while the present is
bright with promise and the future full of de-
mand ald inducement for the exercise Of active
intelligence, the past can never be without use
FIJI lessons Of admonition and instruction. If
its danger serve not MS beacons, they will evil
IDENTIFY fail to fulfil the object Of wise design.
When the grave shall have closed over all who
are nov endeavoring to meet the obligations of
duty tie year 1850 will be REQUIRED to as u
period filed with anxious apprehension. A
successful war had just terminated. Peace
brought with il = vast augmentation Of terri
tory. Disturbing questions arose, bearing upon
the domestic institutions Of one portion Of the
Confedcracy and involving the constitutional
rights Of the States. But, notwithstanding diff.
ferences Of opinion and sentiment which then
existed in relation to details and specific pro-
visions, the acquiescence of distinguished cit-
zens whose devotion to the Union can never be
doubted. had given renewed vigor to our insti-
buttons, and restored sense of repose and &C.
curity to the public mind throughout the Con.
federacy. That this rcpose is to suffer no
shock during my official term, if have power
to avert il, those who placed me here may be
assured
The agreement of the two old political par
ties, thus referred to by the Chief Magistrate
OF the country, was complete, and large ma
jority Of the American people seemed to ac-
quiesce in the legislation of which no spoke.
A few Of US, indeed, doubted the accuracy Of
these statements and the permanency Of this
repose. We never believed that the acts Of
1850 would prove to be permanent adjust
ment of the Slavery question. We believed no
permanent adjustment Of that question possible,
except by return TO that original policy Of
the fathers of the Republic, by which Slavery
was restricted within State limits, and Freedom,
without exception or limitation, was intended
TO be secured TO every person outside Of State
limits and under the exclusive Jurisdiction of
the General Government.
But sir, we only represented small, though
vigorous and growing party in the country.
Our number was small in Congress By come
we were regarded as visionaries--by some ne
factionists; while almost oil agreed in pro.
nouncing us mistaken.
And 20, sir, the country was ut peace AS the
eye swept the entire circumference of the hori-
zon, and upward to mid hcaven, not cloud
appeared; TO common observation there was
no mist or stain Upon the clearncss of the sky.
But suddenly all is changed Rafting thun-
der breaks from the cloudless armament The
storm bursts forth in fury. Warning winds
rush into conflict
Eurus. Notusqae ruunt crsberquo procellis
Africusr
Yes, sir, 'erebtr protelhs Africusp - the
south WIND thlck with storm, And now we
find ourselves in tho midst Of an agitation, the
end and issue of which no man can foresee.
Now, sir, who y responsible for this renew.
al Of strife and controversy? Not We for We
have introduced no question Of Territorial Sla-
very into Congress-not wo who are denounced
as agitators and factionists No, sir: the quiet
lists and the dnalsts have become agitators;
they who told us that all agitation was quoted,
and that the resolutions ut the political con.
yentions have put final period to the discus
sion Of Slavery.
This will not escape the observation Of the
country. IL is Slavery that renews the strife
II is Slavery that again wants room. II Is Sla-
very, with its insatiato demands for moro slave
territory and moro slave States.
And what does Slavery AK for nowl Why,
sir, IL demands that time honored and sacred
compact shall be rescindcd--a compact which
has endured through whole eeneratiof,--a