The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-23

And briefly, sir, what that legislation? II was no
ordinary ia the history Of the country We were
acting upon the fundamental and organic laws which
10 call into being political communities extending
six hundred thousand square miles The magnitude
of the subject and the excited feeling of the country had
awakened the most searching and profound spirit Of in
qury Hostile interests arrayed upon the questions
involved for period OF -four years Time was given for
the ample discussion and consideration OF the subject
Two elections for members of ths House. four for members
the State legislatures and presidential election had
occurred during its pendency for decision. All that par
and sectional zeal could arge all that an enlightened
and comprehensive policy could suggest freely spread
before the country We had the most ample experience in
the past to guide and instruct us; had the example OF
nonnterventon illustrated in the practice Of the founders
OF the republic, with its peace, tranquility and content
ment; had the geographical expedient OF 1920 with all
its strife agitao and bitterness; had the Clayton
recommendation with its doubts, difficulties and uncertain
ties and we had the Wmo proyiso with its red flag ofwa
inviting to insurrecton and disunion these and many
more were before as The popular mind was thoroughly
awakened and informed decision made under such cir
cmstnces could not fail TO mbody enlightened popular
Judgment and To leave permanent impression upon the f
re policy OF the country i was destined to close up the
past and to open OF congressional action for the
future and SO proved. The struggewas long and arduous
but truth and right ultimately triumphant So over
powerng the Of public sentiment that both of
the great political parties of the country made its
policy the platform Of their party organizations and
We'd in the manifestations of zeal in lis support Both
of the distinguished candidates for the presidency although
in different degrees Of emphasis and cordially, became
committed TO its policy The prompt cordial and
emphatic Of those measures by the present
Chief Magistrate combined with the greater confidence
posed for the execution of policy in that party which
contributed most to its triumph in the halls OF Congress-
led to the success of Gen. Pierce His
newed triumph Of that policy Sir taking all the circum-
stances OF the election Of 1852 into consderationhe reso
utions adopted BY the two great political parties Of the
country the incidents progress and ssne of that memora
Bile canvasshere has been expressed by this nation
SO emphatic so authoritative conclusive judgment on
any question of national policy has been expressed
upon The adjustment Of 1850 II has become in fact and in
truth the of the PEOPLE, and of the whole people re-
cognsed sanctioned and approved by over two millions
Of votes east at the polls
Now, sir, what that policy which was thus SO sig
nay ratified by the popular voice. far the subject OF
Territorial government concerned? Look at the act OF
1850 II guaranteed to the people of Utah and New MEXICO
right to adopt such regulations the subject OF do
mes slavery they might believe most to their interest
return to the principle of non-ineryenton which
had marked the earlier history of the government II was
regulation of the geographical expedent upon which the
storms Of abolition had driven the country in 1920 II
abnegaon by Congress of its right to prescribe the
internal aud domestic policy Of Territory II was tho
broad clear and distinct recognition of the right OF the peo
pie Judge and determine for themselves what institutions
best calculated to promote their own happiness and
prosperity; and sir this not such result as might
have been expected from the American people in the mid
die the nineteenth century, when guided TO their conclu
sons by the vruous and enlightened statesmen who lead
at that eventful crisis of their countrys hisory2
Sir well that there ID technical pausibity
the argument that the law of 1850 applies only to the
Territories Of Utah and New Mexico and does not by its
terms include Nebraska But is this not too narrow and
sectional view Of the results Of that memorable conestf
Did the South expect TO derive practically, any benefit
from her support Of his principle In 1885, Was 1t not
alone for the principle Of constitutional law established by
that that she zcalousy strugged2 Does not that
principle apply with equal force TO Nebraska o. TO New
Mexico? Is il the government acting over both
Does any suppose that this problem OF territorial self
government solved by the terrible agitaons of $780, rat
fed with unprecedented unanimy by the American peo-
pie in 1852 proclaimed from the eastern portico Of the
Capitol amidst the shouts of exultng feemen on the 4th
Of March, 1853 and clothed with practical power in the
sentiments of every department OF this government
designed restricted 10 the occasion which
revealed il the public mind-that ii was TO have
force application beyond the Territories then being or
gained
Was this lhe sentiment the country Was this the
dict Of the peopeg Was this the opinion Of the lamened
and lusirious Clay Is il the opinion Of Cass Douglas
and those other eminent public who acted In every
step OF the development Of that policy and so materially
aided in bringing il 10 its glorious results Principles very
plain in themselves sometimes very slow and difficult
application For years they often lie buried beneath the
rubbish OF personal interests OF sectional prejudices IL
often requires stirring incident tumult OF the
popular mind some mighty collision Of human passions
to reveal thento the world TO give TO them their just
application but when recognised and acted upon In
the affairs of government they stand thenceorth recorded
upon the page Of human progress and enter permanently
into the thoughts and opinions Of Its antagonistic
sinks before il mist before the rising SUM- The
right freely 10 discuss the conduct and motives OF public
agents would 10 be very plain and unquesuonabe
right And yet il required the revolution OF 1900 to es
ablsh IL firmly in the practice Of this government The
upon equal footing with all the other States has become
rccciy cd and admitted axiom OF system And yet IL
required aqsons of 1920 place IL beyond dispute
so right OF the people Of Territory to frame for them
selves policy best adapted to their circumstances and con
don would 10 he very plain proposition and yet
1t required the mut and excitement OF before 1t be
came finally recognised in 1880 Sir such principles resting
they do upon the foundations upon which lber
ties and rights OF segovernme founded brought
into action take step backwards As soon sir would
expect this glorious empire Of concderated States
turn its colonial dependence upon Great Britain as TO
the repudated principle Of congressional intervention
and dcaton again revived to disturb the peace and har
mony of this people II has had its day II has performed
its function Of evian OF light and progress has risen
upon the country and 1t has sunk amongst the exploded
folIics and delusions Of the past
will proceed very briefly 10 consider the bill which
has been sent TO us from the Senate.
Sir objections have been urged against this bill with
much real and ability by gentlemen both from the North
and from the Soub-by representatives from saveholdng
and non slaveboding States very striking fact to show
that is nothing very sectional in the measure and
that aims and purposes at least catholic and
tionn II they be not wise and expedent claim
them TO be BY several gentlemen from the North II has
been denounced bin 10 extend slavery into Nebraska
by others from the South II has been essaed bill TO
exclude slavery from that Territory II quite certain
that both these conclusions be right and as s not
in Of such wide disagreement the truth
viii be found lie between these extreme opinions The
BILL sir neither establishes excludes slavery from that
Territory but leaves open question: to be determined
by thosc who be affected by whatever Of good
evil there IL in the institution.
have already noticed the most prominent objections
this which have been pressed from the North
examine such have been urged from the South
The high source from which they ennase and the wide
circulation given to their opinions make some reply
proper.