Daily national era., 1854-06-07
HEsHAsxA AND KANSAS.
SPEECH OF HON. EMERSON ETHERIDGE,
OF TENNESSEE,
[coscLuDED.l

ltoNtLuDED.I
Among those who signed this pledge, are the
entire Whig delegation, nj that time, in the House
OF Representatives, from Tennessee Williams,
Gentry, Watkins, and anderson. With three OF
them am personally acquainted, and the fourth
enjoys too high character for talents and pa
triotism not to be known by reputation TO every
Tennessean--and without hsoacag the sentiments
of these gentlemen, doubt not they and each OF
them still remember and recognise the binding
obligations OF that pledge.
This declaration at the time, might have seem
ed but feeble effort towards quictng agitation,
but sir, Time has demonstrated that twas
suitable forerunner Of the events which were to
follow. Very soon, similar sentiments began to
be expressed in primary assemblies of the people,
in county and State conventions, in the Legisla-
lures Of different States, and in Congressional
caucuses. And when, in 1852, the Wing and
Democratic parties met at Baltimore to make
their Presidential nominations SO powerful and
overwhelming was the public sentiment of the
country in favor of those measures, that each
Convention incorporated the sentiments OF the
pledge have read into their platform of prnci-
pies, and proclaimed to the world that acqnies-
cence therein should be regarded MS test OF po-
litcal orthodoxy.
Among the resolutions adopted by the Demo-
cratic party is the following:
"5 Resoloed, That the Democratic party will re-
the AGITATION Of tho Slavery question, under whatever
shape color the attempt may be made"
Here, sir, we have the deliberate pledge of tho
Democratic party, made BY the Convention which
nominated Mr.. PieGe, that they would RESIST
ALL ATTEMPTS AT RENEWING, IN CONGRESS- OR OUT OF
IT, THE AGITATION OF THE SLAVERY QUESTION" and
that resistance is promised us UNDER WHATEVER
SHAPE OR COLOR THE ATTEMPT MAY BE MADE.
True sir, / never attached very much Importance
to this resolution, although then and now think
it asserted proper and necessary line OF policy
for any party to have pursued, which preferred
the peace of the country to the rawlings OF fanati-
cism; but have said elsewhere that which
will avow here, that had no confidence in the
ability or sincerity of the various factions who
composed that Convention, to discourage or dis
countenance the agitation of Slavery, whenever
that agitation might be thought necessary to
their retaining or securing power. still think
so, and subsequent. events have confirmed me in
that opinion.
The Wing Convention met few days after the
nomination of Mr.. Pierce. Before the Southern
Wings would consent to make a nomination for
President, they demanded that the Convention
should assert the principles upon which the can
vass was to be conducted, and, especially, that a
guarantee should be given by which the country
should be assured Of repose from the dangerous
Slavery controversies which had caused so much
apprehension during the administration OF Mr.
Fillmore. That guarantee was given by the Con-
vention, in the adoption Of the following resolu-
tion:
Resolped That the series Of acts Of tho Thrty-rst
Congress, commonly known as the Compromise Ad-
Justment the act for the recovery OF fugitives from
labor included,) received and acquiesced in by
the Wings of tho United States final settlement
in principle and substance of the subjects to which
they relate and SO far as these acts are concerned
wc will maintain them and insist on their strict en-
forcement, until time and experiences shall demon
sratc tho necessity of further legislation to guard
against the evasion Of the laws the hand and
the abuse of their present efficiency to carry out the
requirements of tho Constitution; and We deprecate
all further agitation of the questions thus settled rs
dangerous to our peace, and will discountenance all
efforts to continue such agitation whenever
wherever, or however made; and We will maintain
this settlement essential to the nationality of the
Whig party and tho integrity of the Union"
The meeting of these Conventions gave salts
faction, in one respect, at least, to the largest
portion of the American people; for while many
Wings and Democrats disapproyed of the nomi-
nations, STILL they could perceive, in the resolu-
tions adopted by the Conventions, assurance
that the triumph Of either candidate would bring
us four years Of domestic tranquility The result
of the election disclosed the fact that about three
millions of freemen had recorded their votes in
favor of Scott and Pierce, while not over three
hundred thousand had expressed a preference for
Hale, the candidate of the Abolitonists, and less
than ten thousand had voted for Troup, the can
didate of the extreme men of the South. Thus
sir, the compromise measures Of 1850 were rati-
fled and endorsed at the polls, by the great body
of the people.
Mr.. Pierce was inaugurated on the 4th of March,
1853. AT that time, he pledged himself, in the
presence of assembled thousands, to faithful
support OF these measures, which he then declar-
ed TO be eminently just and constitutional That
pledge elected the applause of his friends, and
wrung from his enemies the tribute of praise.
At the meeting of Congress, in December last
great anxiety was manifested for the reception of
his first message, which, il was supposed, would
define his administrative policy. That message
was true TO the conservative sentiment of the
country in this respect and to the platform upon
which he had been elected and he announced
that during his administration the repose of the
country should suffer no shock, il he had tho
power TO avert it,
can commend, with confidence to all those
who are now engaged in this new crusade against
the public repose, the following from the message
Of the President, at the opening of Congress
:" 1t is no part Of my purpose to give prominence
to any subject which may properly be regarded as
set rest by the deliberate Judgment Of the people
But while the present is bright with promise and the
future full Of demand and inducement for the exercise
OF active intelligence the past can never be without
useful of admontion and instruction III its
dangers not beacons, they will evidently fail
to fulfil the object Of wise design Whom the
grave shall have closed over all who now endcav
orDg to meet the obligations Of duty the year 1850
will bc rccurred to as period filed with anxious
apprehension. successful war had just terminated
Peace brought with ii vast augmentation Of terri
tory. Disturbing questions arose, bearing upon the
domestic institutions Of portion Of the Conedera
cy and involving the constitutional rights Of the
States. But notwithstanding differences Of opinion
and sentiment which then existed in relation to de-
tails and specific provisions tho acquiescencc OF dis
tnguished citizens whose devotion to the Union can
mover be doubted. had given renewed vigor to our in
stitutions and restored Of reposc and security
to tho public mind throughout the Confoderocy
That this rcposc is to suffer shock during my Off
cial term, IL have power to avert it, those who
placed me here may be assured"
ask gentlemen If the signs Of the times do not
already indicate that the repose which we were
promised at the commencement of this Congress,
is moi disfu rlaed2 Cir L. a1,ii In fair