Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-21
THE LANDMARK OF FREEDOM.
SPEECH
HON. CHARLES SUMNER
AGAINST THE REPEAL
OF SLAVERY NORTH OF THIR-
TY-SIX DEGREES THIRTY MINUTES


MR PRESIDENT:
| approach this discussion with awe The
mighty question, with untold issues, which it
involves, Expresses me. Like portentous
cloud, surcharged with irresistible storm and
ruin, it seems to gil the whole heavens, making
me painfully conscious how unequal am TO
tho occasion-hpw unequal, also, is all that
can say, TO all that | feel
In delivering my sentiments here to day,
shall speak frankly-scoording to my convic-
tons, without concealment or reserve. But If
anything fell from the Senator from Illinois,
Mr.. DoueLAs, in opening this discussion,
which might seem TO challenge personal con.
test, desire 10 say that shall not enter upon
il. Let not word or tone pass my lips to
direct attention, for q moment, from the tran
scendent theme, by the side Of which Senators
and Presidents are but dwarfs. | would not
forget those amenities which belong to this
place, and are so we'll calculated to temper
the antagonism of debate nor can cease to
remember and to feel, that, amidst all diversi-
ties Of opinion, we are the Representatives of
thirty-one sister republics, knit together by
indissouble tie, and constituting that Plural
Unit, which we all embrace by the endearing
name Of country.
The question presented for your considera-
ton Is not surpassed in grandeur by any
which has occurred in our national history
since the Declaration of Independence. In
every aspect it assumes gigantic proportions,
whether we simply consider the extent Of ter
ritory il concerns or the public faith, or ma
tional policy which il affects, or that higher
question-that Question Of Questions, MS far
above others as Liberty is above the common
things Of life--which it opens anew for judg-
ment.
II concerns an immense region, larger than
the original thirteen States wing in extent
with ali the existing Free States, stretching
over prairie, field, and forest--interlaced by
silver streams skirted by protecting mountains,
and constituting the heart Of the North Ameri-
can continent-only little smaller, let me add,
than threegreat European countries combined
Italy, SPAIN and France, each of which, in sue
cessiou, has dominated over the world. This
territory has already been likened, on this floor,
to the Garden Of God. The similitude is
found, not merely in its present pure and vir-
gin character, but in its actual geographical
situation, occupying central spaces on this
hemisphere, which, in their general relations,
may well compare with that early Asiatic
home We are told that,
southward through Eden went river large;
20 here we have stream which Is larger than
the Euphrates. And here, too amidst all the
smiling products Of nature, layished by the
hand Of God, is the goodly tree OF Liberty,
planted by our fathers, which, without exag-
geration or even imagination, may be likened
10
---------the trec of life,
High eminent, blooming ambroaal fruit
OF vegetable gold.
It is with regard to this territory, that you
are now called TO exercise the grandcst function
Of the lawgiver, by establishing those rules Of
polity which viii determine its future oharsc-
ter. As the twig is bent the tree inclines; and
the influences impressed upon the early days Of
an empire--like those upon chld--sre OF m
conceivable Importance toitsduture weel or woe.
The bill now before ns, proposes 70 organize
and equip two new territorial establishments
with governors secretaries, Legislative counoils
iaaisIatora iud0es m arahale and tho whole