The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-23
COAGR ESS OF TIE u. STATES,
OEFERREu DEbA rE,
THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1854.
IN coNTINUATIoN.
SENATE.
NEBRASKA AND KANSAS.

IN coNTINUATIoN
SENATE.
NEBRASKA KANSAS
The having under consideration the bill organize
the Territories Of Nebraska and Kansas
Mr.. DOUGLAS obtained the floor, but gave way
Mr.. BADGER, who said wish to say word in refer
what has been said by my friend from Michigan,
Mr. STuART.l was absent from my seat for moment
when that alluded to the position which Took that
would vote for amendment to this bill offered by the
senator from Ohio. / reassert that position and though
did hear what SAID by the honorable senator from
Michigan, very certain that offer any
thing which can Justly shake The validity or the proprey Of
part of il which embraces the amendment offered by the
honorable senator the chairman of the Committee Terri
tories, Mr.. DOUGLAS, clear undoubted satisfactory
preston of the will of Congress devove upon the people
of these Territories the power of determining themselves
the adjustment of all their domestic relations slavery ncu
ded. Now when known be hostile the prin
epe thus declared known be utterly and irreconcably
opposed to what believe to be the principle of Amer-
legislation upon this subject, when who
known entertain opinions directly and rreconciaby hos
tile the best Of the people that represent pro-
poses amendment TO this disnct clear, maured and
mistakeabe provision, viii not vote for IT, will
for it: and why' Because have the fullest and
satisfactory for believing that nothing
quarter which intended otherwise than to embaass
and disaPpont the very purpose OF the provision IN
question. The Senate knows that that his purpose the
does disguise that that his purpose The
whole principles, declared the part he has
taken the discussion upon this foor show that he is utter
amendment measure which shall no, be hostile 10 the
purpose IN question
Mr. CHASE, II the senator will allow me, will cay
that have distinctly stated that the purpose of this
oson incorporated in this bill, not hostile. If
the and the Congress purpose to leave this question
TO the people and repeal the prohibition then say leave
il TO the people in the largest sense completely and
resctedy. And the whole purpose of my amendment,
has been well said by the senator from Michigan, Mr.
SruAar effect this object and reach II in the only
mode in which, in my judgment, il can be reached
Mr.. DOUGLAS. must rise here and claim the floor.
If yield one, and he TO another ADD he to another and
so on / cannot tell when shall be able to be heard
Mr. BADGER. hope the senator from Illinois Mr..
| DoucLAs will allow me a few words further
| Mr. DOUGLAS. Very well; will yield.
Mr. BADGER The senator from Ohio says that his
object is to carry the principle declared in this BILL Of
leaving this matter to the people Of the Territories in the
most unrestricted form Now, If his Amendment is put IN
this BILL does he know that that will restrict the power OF
the people these Terrtoresi Does he not know that IS
designed restrict the previous latitude given by the previ
GUS wordsof the bill OF he does. Here is the
provision substance which he proposes to amend the
people Territories shall have the right to settle for
themselves the question of domestic slavery subject only to
the of the United States and then in the
amendment of the senator, $50 that they shall be thereby
enabled to prohibit slavery
Mr. CHASE. " Under which the people, through their
4 representatves,n etc.
| MIR BADGER. II is mmateris which form Of express
sion is used Under which the people, through their
repre- scntaves shall have the right exclude slavery
Very we'll; then that is distinct legislative explanation
that far the institution Of slavery is concerned, they
shall the right under this BILL to act only for the excu
sion OF slavery. That is clear beyond all dispute And
here assert upon my professional reputation lawyer
that the tribunal in chamber below would undou
so hold il would be obliged TO hold IL That was so
intend by the from Ohio, evident from this fact
Why when the senator from Illinois Mr.. DoUeLAs,) sug-
gesed him the propey OF putting IN the alternative Of
allowing slavery he declined to receive IL. But esk the
honorable gentleman suppose pot IN with the largest
latitude which he he ia DESTROYS OF obtaining, OF allow
ing Them to admit exclude slavery would he for the
bill with that provision in ~ understood him to say the
| other day that he would not
i A.
| Mr.. BADGER. Then he does no, intend to help this
bill
Mr.. cAss |, does give the right Of government to
| Mr. BADGER Unquestonaby does not give the
right which this bill proposes to give TO them to regulate
these subjects for themselves. The matter is clear.
Some Of us think--he honorable senator from Michi-
gan, the distinguished senator from Michigan, Mr.,
CAl ia Of opinon-ths to the people Of the Territory
alone belongs this power do agree with him; think
with the honorable from Indiana Mr Prrrr that
Congress has plenary power TO govern and egsae for
these Territories But, without regard TO that question:
have agreed Of us because think the only right
mode of think it, right mode, and
under existing circumstances the preferable mode to confer
this power upon the people Of the Territories And here
comes the from Ohio svowed opponent to the
principles of this BILL who will not vote for II
gives full powers the people Of the Territories, and
proposes restrict the to side OF the alternative
he says he in favor of giving the largest latitude
have said and repeat, that viii vote for no amend
men coming from any such source. would not vote for
this amendment coming from any source II The honoro
j
propose H. should be decidedly opposed to il
as IL il from the senator from Ohio And should
the right and should certainly tell the honorable
from Illinois, MIR DoucLAs, II he offered this amend
ment that he had abandoned the position of his bill
that he had changed 'front.' and gong against what he
advocated at first.
And will you tel that look ht the sourc,
from which amendment comes We rft look 10 1t
common and common reason tell IA tbt we mus
look It, Suppose, MIR. President that you md were ~
charge of bcsieged city, and deendingt against the
enemy. And suppose that the commandern-chlef Of the
very body Of men lying outside Of walls and endeay
oring TO conquer to send proposep plan, 70
make defences moro secure; would consider III
Would we adopt nj Would say that, com
ing from that source, II must be intended, whether
see not a adverse nioress' There
fore upon the priya faos of this amcndmenthat II
comes from evowed enemy this blu from who j,
opposed the recognition OF the rights Of
where in the Territories Of the Un,ed States man who
will vote for nothing which will give what we and q
majority of the people of the Und States suppose we ar,
entitled 10, here the Territories Of the United
Siass--when amendment comes from such source We
have n right ssy, prto ae,s, ci independent any
| examination, thotit is obliged to be wrong