Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-02-12

Sir, these reports, made in 1903 and 1907,
and the action Of Congress upon them, in con-
formity with their Recommendation, saved Hi
nois, and perhaps Indiana, from becoming slave
States: When the people Of Illinois formed
their State Constitution, they incorporated into
il q section providing that neither slavery nor
involuntary servitude shall be hereafter intro
duced into this State. The constitution made
provision for the continued service Of the few
persons who were originally held as slaves and
then bound to service under the territorial laws,
and for the freedom Of their children, and thus
secured the final extinction OF slavery. The
senator thinks that this result is not attribute
BILE to the ordinance differ from him. But
for the ordinance, | have no doubt slavery
would have been introduced into Indiana, llli-
nois, and Ohio. 1t is something to the credit
of the era Of conservatism, uniting its infu-
ences with those Of the expiring era OF enfran.
chisemeDr that it maintained the ordinance Of
1877 in the northwest. heB.AN
The era Of CONSERVATISM passed also, by inn
perceptible gradations, into the era OF SLAVERY
PRoPAGANDIsA. Under the influences OF this
new spirit, we opened the whole territory &C.
quired from Mexico except California, to the
ingress of slavery. Every foot of it was COW
cred by Mexican prohibition; and yet, by
the Legislation of 1850, we consented to expose
it to the introduction OF slaves. Some, | be-
lieve, have actually been carried into Utah and
into New Mexico. They may be few, perhaps,
but few are enough to affect materially the
probable character Of their future governments
Under the evil influences of the same spirit, we
are now called upon to reverse the original
policy ofthe republic-to subvert even solemn
compact of the conservative period, and open
Nebraska to slavery.
Sir, believe that we are upon the verge Of
another era. That era will be the era Of RE-
ACTION. The introduction Of this question here.
and its discussion, will greatly hasten its ad-
vent. We, who insist upon the denationaliza-
ton Of slavery, and upon the absolute divorce
of the general government from all connexion
with it, will endure with the men who favored
the compromise acts, and who yet wish to nd
here TO them in their letter and in their spirit,
against the repeal OF the Missouri prohibition.
But you may pass it here. You may send it
TO the other House. 1t may become law.
But its effect will be to satisfy oil thinking men
that no compromises with slavery viii stand,
except SO long as they serve the interests OF
slavery; and that there is no safe and honora-
BILE ground for non-slaveholders to stand upon,
except that Of restricting slavery within State
llIultS, anu cACluulug IL absolutely lTOHi the
whole sphere of federal jurisdiction. The old
No great question so thoroughly possesses the
public mind as this Of slavery. This discussion
will hasten the inevitable reorganization OF
parties upon the new issues which our circum
stances suggest. 1t will light up FIRE in the
country, which may, perhaps, consume those
who kindle it.
cannot believe that the people Of this coun-
try have so far lost sight Of the maxims and
principles Of the revolution, or are so insensible
to the obligations which those maxims and
principles impose, as to acquiesce in the VIOLA
ton OF this compact. Sir, the senator from
Illinois tells us that he proposes final settle
ment of all territorial questions in respect to
slavery, by the application of the principle of
popular sovereignty. What kind of popular
sovereignty is that which allows one portion Of
the people to enslave another portion? Is that
the doctrine OF equal rights Is that exact
justice? Is that the teaching Of enlightened,
liberal, progressive democracy? No, sir; no!
There can be no real democracy which does
not fully maintain the rights of man, as man.
Living, practical, earnest democracy impera-
lively requires us, while carefully abstaining
from unconstitutional interference with the In
ternal regulations of any State upon the subject
of slavery, or any other subject, to insist upon
the practical application of its great principles
in all the legislation Of Congress.
j repeat, sir, that we who maintain these
principles will stand shoulder to shoulder with
the men who, differing from us upon other ques-
tons, viii yet unite with in opposition to the
violation OF plighted faith contemplated by this
bill. There are men, and not a few, who are
willing to adhere to the compromises of 1850
If the Missouri prohibition, which those com
promises Incorporates preserves among its
own provisions, shall be repealed, abrogated,
broken up, thousands will say, away with all
compromises; they are not worth the paper on
which they are printed; we will return to the
old principles of the Constitution. We will as.
sert the ancient doctrine, that no person shall
be deprived Of life, liberty, or property, by the
Legislation Of Congress, without due process of
law Carrying out that principle into its prac-
teal applications, we will not cease our efforts
until slavery shall cease to exist wherever it can
be reached by the constitutional action of the
government.
Sir, have faith in progress; have faith in
democracy. The planting and growth Of this
nation, upon this western continent was not an
accident The establishment of the American
government, upon the sublime principles of the
Declaration of Independence, and the organi-
cation of the union OF these States, under our
existing Constitution, was the work of great
men, inspired by great ideas, guided by Divine
Providence. These men, the fathers Of the
republic, have bequeathed to US the great duty
of SO administering the government which they
organized, as to protect the rights, to guard the
Interests, and to promote the well-being of all
persons within its jurisdiction, and thus present
to the nations of the earth q noble example Of
wise and just selfgovernment. Sir, l have
faith enough to believe that we shall yet fulfill
this high duty. Let me borrow the inspiration
of Milton, while / declare my belief that we
have yet country not degenerated nor
dropping to fatal decay, but destined, by
casting off the old and wrinkled skin Of cor
ruption, to outlve these pangs, and wax young
again, and, entering the GLORIOUS WAYS OF
TRUTH AND PROSPEROUS VIRTUE, BECOME GREAT
AND HONORABLE IN THESE LATTER AGES. Me-
thinks see in my mind a great and puissant
nation rousng herself like strong man after
sleep, and shaking her invincible locks. Me.
thinks see her as an eagle mewing her mighty