Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-22

drawn out, till the whole fell apart, and be-
came dikjointed wreck. Those principles,
which constitute the individuality OF the North
ern character, which render il stanch, strong
and seaworthy, which bind il together as with
iron, are drawn out, one by one, like the bolts
Of the Inflated vessel, and from the miserable
loosened fragments is formed that human
anomaly--G Northern man t0ith Southern prsn-
ciples. Sir --n no such man can speak for the
North.
Here there was an interruption of prolonged
applause in the galleries.
THE PRESIDENT Mr.. Stuart in the chair.
The Chair will DO obliged to order the galleries
to be cleared, If order is not preserved. No
applause will be allowed.
SEVERAL VoIcEs Let them be cleared now
Mr.. SUMNER. Mr. President, | proceed
now to considerations Of more general
character, TO which ask your best atten-
ton. Sir, this bill ia proposed as a measure
Of peace In this way you vainly think to
withdraw the subject OF slavery from Ma
tional politics. This is mistake. Peace de-
ponds on mutual confidence. IL can never rest
secure on broken faith and injustice, And,
sir, permit me to say, frankly, sincerely, and
earnestly, that the subject OF slavery can never
be withdrawn from the National politics, until
we return once more to tho original policy Of
our fathers at the first organization OF the
Government under Washington. when the
| National ensign nowhere on the National ter
ritory covered single slave.
Slavery, which our fathers branded as an
"evil, curse, an "enormty,' "nefariOns
institution is condemned nc the North by the
strongest convictions OF the reason and the best
sentiments or the heart 1t is the only subject,
within the field Of National politics, which ex-
cites any real interest The old matters which
have divided the minds of men have lost their
Importance Que by one they have disappear
ed, leaving the ground TO be occupied by u
question grander far The Bank, Sub Treas
ury the Distribution Of the Public Lands, are
each and all obsolete issues Even the Tariff
is not question on which opposite political
parties are united in taking opposite sides And
now, instead Of these superseded questions,
which we're filed for the most part with
the odor Of the dollar, the country ii directly
summoned TO consider face to face cause
which is connected with oil that is divine in
religion, with all that is pure and noble in
morals, with all that is truly practical and
constitutional in politics Unlike the other
questions, it is not temporary or local 10 its
character. II belongs to all times and to all
countries. Though long kept in check it now,
by your introduction, confr0nts the people, de-
manding to be heard. To every man in the
land it says, with clear penetrating voice,
"Are you for Freedom, or are you for Sla-
very?" And every man in the land must
answer this question when he votes.
Pass this bill, and it will be in vain that you
say, the Slavery question is settled. Sir, moth
ing can be settled l0hieh is not right. Nothing
can be settled, which is adverse to Freedom
God, nature, and all the holy sentiments Of the
heart, repudiate any such false seeming settle
pent.
Now, sir, mark the clear line Of our duty.
And here let me speak for those with whom, in
minority and defeat, am proud to be associat-
ed, the independent Democrats, who espouse
that Democracy which is transfgured in tho
Declaration Of Independence and the injunc-
tons Of Christianity. The testimony which we
bear against slavery, as against all other wrong,
| is in different ways, according to our position.
j The slavery, which exists under other Govern
ments, as in Russia or Turkey, or in other States
of the Union, as in Virginia and Carolina, we can
| oppose only through the influence Of literature,
morals, and religion, without in any way invok-
ing the Political Power Nor is it proposed to
act otherwise But slsvery-where we are par
ties to it. where we are responsible for it, every
where within our jurisdiction-must be OPP
posed, not only by all the influence of htera-
ture morals, and religion, but directly by every
instrument Of Political Power. In the States
it is sustained by local laws and although
we may be compelled to share the shame
which its presence infiicts upon the fair fame
OF the country, yet it receives no direct sane
ton at our hands We are not responsible
for it. The wrong is not at our own particular
doors II is not within our jurisdiction. But
slavery everywhere under the Constitution Of
the United States--everywher within the ex.
elusive jurisdiction of the National Govern.
ment--everywhe under the National Flag
is at our own particular doors, within the sphere
Of our own personal responsibility and exist
there in defiance Of the original policy Of our
Fathers and of the true principles Of the Con.
stitution.
IL il q mistake to say, as is often charged
that we seek to interfere, through Congress,
with Slavery in tho States, or IN any way
TO direct the legislation Of Congress upon
subjects not within its jurisdiction. Our Po.
itticai aims as well az our political duties, arc
co-extensive with our political responsibilities
And since We ut the North are responsible for
Slavery wherever it exists under the jurisdic.
ton Of Congress, it is objectionable in US NOT
to exert every power we possess TO enlist Con
gress against IL.
Such il our cause To men Of all parties
and opinions, who wish well 10 the Republic
and would preserve its good name, IL appeals
Alike TO the Conservative and the Reformer, d
appeals; for il stands on the truest Conserva
tism and the truest Reform. In seeking thu
reform Of existing evils, we seek also the con
servation Of the principles Of our fathers. The
cause is not Sectional; for ID simply aims to es
tablish under the National Government those
great principles Of Justice and Humanity
which are broad and universal rs man. Al
we'll might il be said that Jefferson, Franklin
and Washington, were sectional IL is not az
gressive; for il does not seek in any way to in
terfere through Congress, with slavery in the
States. II is not contrary to the Constitution
for it recognises this paramount law, and in
the administration of the Government invokes
the spirit OF its founders. Sir, il IL not hostile
10 tho quiet of the country; for it proposes the