The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-23


sumo il viii restrict them, whether We mention il or
not
Mr.. STUART am Obliged 10 the senator from Vir-
ginia for making the statement but ne wall mud think
that that precise statement not made ~ his speech
Nj, HUNTER think the senator Will md that II To-
Mr. STUART; Notso pointediy. listened WIN great
pleasure 10 what he said and did not hear him express
himself exactly as NJ has done but that Is not mat
YER OF any Importance for my argument now. was not
discussing that question at ALL But said that some sena-
tors OF the South who belonged the political organization
that dad have denied that this bill conferred the power
stated distinctly that that this because
the constitution did not tolerate desire no language
which was not subserven to that instrument said DIS
nety said that several other belonging 20 the
some political organization had spoken all and said
that the distinguished senator from Delaware mfr CLAY
IN his speech yesterday and to-day had put forth the
doctrine that the laws of the country covered by the pro-
posed Territories prior TO the legislation of 1890 tolerated
and established slavery and asked the senator to correct
me IT was wrong. Then said that If II were expected
that was to vote for this BILL hse be amendment
attached TO H. SO that should meet upon the ground upon
which we proposed TO Was there anything wrong in
thatf desire clean sheet say, that If my friends at
the South going with and adjust this ques
ton, let adjust the face Of things UNDER
stood to adjust IT, DO not let repeal the law of 1920 and
then have It SAID, al future day. that by that repeal we
the old French law which previously covered the Ter
ritory and that in force and will remain in force until
the people of the Territories abolish it.
Now do Think say il in sorrow, and not in anger
that when the from Illinois and addressed the
Senate and addressed the style that he did II was UNI
unustabc from anything that had said and
upon principles OF etiquette when ought 70 exist
between senators this floor and especially unusihabe,
because had in private conversation with that senator
before he got up expressly disclamed any such thing
Now, Mr. President say conclusion, that hope the
friendly relations which have existed between and the
senator from Illinois to be interrupted but tell him
hat if he expects maintain them there must be mutual
Kindness and mutual respect Sir shall meet no man on
earth on any other principle than that.
Mr. GWlN. Mr.. President, I think there is mn entire
mistake in regard 10 this whole matter was very much
like the senator from Illinois thought the remarks Of the
senator from Michigan impeachment of the vote Of
the Senate, which he alluded; and nasmuch paid
very little attention to the dscusson and intended TO vote
for the bill presented by the Committee on Territories,
struck me with great deal of force. may, however, have
been led into in that If the senator from Illinois had
not made the same remarks intended TO investigate the
question But II IS perfectly evident now that the senator
from Michigan nothing in the world but strong
comment upon the action of the Senate
/ Mr. DOUGLAS. Mr., President, am now satisfied,
from the tenor of the speech Of the from Michigan,
that he did intend to be personally offensive, although
think he did say that which the Senate might justly have
considered ndccoous But passing by that ne says ne is
going submit any dcutiop Sir desire to dictate
one and having said this, have disposition to
pursue the matter further.
! Mr.. WALKER. | am glad to hear express ayowal
that there disposition dictate the part of the
friends of this bill for have heard much that sounded
like it, that had begun think something like Wlmot
provao something else of that naure ought to be enact
ed in order prevent the opponents Of this BILL in this
chamber being converted in fact slaves have seen,
sir sitting this side of the chamber, gentlemen high IN
position in the country high in position IN their States
ty, who seeking to maintain their principles by
dictated by their coDsciences and by their own
convictions, held up light which, unexplained, would
Indicate to those who did know them that they
among the viest wretches upon earth | have regretted
to it but am truly pleased to learn that the DISPOSE
ton to do not really felt.
do step forward the defender of those gentlemen,
or as their spoogist but feeling | do, disposition
to act my judgment and my own conscience
may dictate know not how soon may fall under the
same kind of ban and censure and how may be
ffe6 my ph be
ating denuncation must say, sir, to be candid that
for myself have heard precious little said by the r.
Of this blu when sprg to rs wsa "a
ry and censorous have heard but precious little from
them that was persuasive. Among the last who had
supposed would adopt such course was the very disn-
better than he does in his heart that entertain for him
a very peculiar respect, and have manifested it.
Mr.. BADGER. Will my friend allow me to ask him if
said anything denuncatory of anybody this hoori
MIR WALKER. | dc, sir.
Mr. BADGER. That lis question of construction.
Mr. WALKER. Yes; and am giving my construction
Of il. think the remarks Of the would naturally
have fallen the of any as being extremely like
When man, senator--onc honorable at
home who is esteemed for his virtues, his temperance his
morality and his recttude of feis placed category
foul that he is from which proposition that
should be considered by honorable come
seems TO very much like denunciaon And If men do
not consider this such, they view in very different light
from what do differ from the honorable senator from
Ohio, but know him be Of virtue standing and
and his people al homo recognise such
They have told by sending him here = take position
this floor of our colleagues and hope and trust
may least fairness this subject may make
the remark with regard to the honorable senator from
Mr. SUMNER.
differ from the political sentiments of both Of those gen.
tlemen do not belong the political organization to
which they do; that liz well known have said nothing
before this BILL but have listened to others, and must
confess that my feelings have been narrowed by the
which has been taken the debate in regard those two
gentlemen.
few words now sir the propney OF the conduct
OF the senator from Michigan, Mr. SruARr1 The drh of
that argument and statement possble TO
elicit from the members OF the Senate whether there in
the bill IL stands that cloarness Of meaning which
he desired He docs to have been
full in asccrtanng whether there one, two
suctons put upon the language Of the bill by its friends
Following his track, shall endeavor TO ascertain, If 1t is
my power whether the friends of the bill do understand
IL alike The bill stands, 1t has been amended
the motion Of the from Illinois proposes to de-
that the legislation of 1890 being inconsistent with
the principle Of non,ervcnton by Congress with slavery
in the Sa,es and Territories recognised by the Legislation
of 1850 commonly called the compromise measure lie here
by declared imperative and void being the true intent and
meaning of this eglsate slavery into any TEN
tory State exclude thererom, but TO leave the
people thereof perfectly free form and regulate their do
institutions in their way, subject only to the
stution Of the United Statcs.n
Now will appeal to two of the Oldest lawyers in the
Senate the meaning Of this provision Let me ask the
question which put by the from Michigan,
and which only answered Ia so far as silence gives
sent, by the from Delaware. understood him
say in his speech that prior the adoption of the Mis-
souri, Compromise line the whole territory acquired from
France slave territory that the law OF slavery prevailed
there The senator from Michigan put TO him this ques
ton which repeat II, now, the Missouri Compromise be
.l-J. IL