The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-17

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be binding after the organization of State government
(See Sd Howard, pages 2l2 and $50 also 10th Howard
page o2 Even my respected colleagues who have spoken
against tins bill Messrs MACE and CHAMBERLAs do not
object TO that clause which declares that these Territories
when they apply for admission States shal be received
into the Union, with or without slavery, their consl-
tons may prescribe al the time OF their admission AS
far ms know, the entire delegation in IT, do
believe i is objected toby considerable number upon
| this floor.
Forever then as used in the Missouri restriction and
the Wimo prosiso according TO the views of these
gentlemen does not mean in legal or literal
sense but only untl such time the people shall form
State government, and decide this question for them
1 selves.
Now leave TO my worthy colleagues and those with
whom they act upon this OCCASION TO show why the people
through their representatives in territorial legislature,
not as colaent and much entitled 10 cgsate upon
TINS g le same people would Is Ioxonnow
bor living within few rods or each other but the
Kansas side and the other the Missouri they
dowed with equal intelligence and alike interested in all
that pertains to government and socetynow, what kind
justice that which denies that voice in framing
the laws Of his country which is freely enjoyed by the
oher2
Sir portion Of my constituents will no doubt desire
emgrate to these Territoricsmany Of them, perhaps
should tho homestead BILL which have passed receive
the sanction OF the Senate and the President Why will
they leave the home of their fathers and the ties Of
early assoctions to endure the privaons of frontier
life? Why, sir they will 60 with the praiseworhy motive
of lettering their condition. of securing homes for them
selves and their children Does that make them less intel
gent less patriotic or less entitled to participate in the
they were before?
With what propriety say to constituent whose
vote, perhaps aided in sending me to this hail. that if he
goes into Kansas Nebraska he shall no longer
all the rights of free American citizen Shall deny
him voice in framing the laws and institutions under
which he is live? Shall deny to him the privileges
which he and have heretofore exercised in common?
Shall lend my aid to further that policy which King
George attempted in vain towards the people of the Amcr
can coonics2 Shall he be taxed to support the govern
ment and yet not have full voice in that legislation
which Is to govern him?
know Mr.. Chairman, that in certain quarters these
frontier men are not held in the highest repne They
contempuonsly called squaters and have received
much consideration from the leaders of certain party in
this country They have been denominated land pirates
and their right to form their institutions is
times spoken OF in terms of derision squatter
eighty Such men especially in bad odor with the
goldfish aristpcracy They not sufficiently cultivated
and refined to suit the exalted notions of these gentlemen
who probably regard them the connecting link between
savage life and civilization the orangouang is between
man and the monkey tribe and not sure but few
years ago they were in the habit of sending mission
aries to Chrstanze and cvze these hardy of the
Far Vest as they are presuming to dictate to the
representatives OF the people ~ the name Of ne Aiagh
how they ought to vote on this question Sir, thank
God that parake OF none of this feeling have abb
dns aith IN the honesty OF purpose and soundness of
Judgment Of these rugged of the frontier They may
know little of books and still less Of the cold forms and re-
hnements of what is termed fashionable society, but
they have knowledge of far practical and useful
kind They have read the great volume of Nature-they
have studied men and things and after ALL sir Popewas
not far wrong when he said !; s-t,..as wv
'sThefropcr study of mankind Is man."
The gentleman from Ohio [Mr. CAMPBELL well said
" have known in the West sir who born log
cabins rocked trough and by light
hickory bark torches in winter evenings who
made their mark this and have been recognised for
their talents and virtue and craftsmanship and patriotism
all the world over time we will send YOU more Of
them from Wisconsin, and Minnesota, and Nebraska"
Yes, sir these Of the border these pioneers these
squaters if you choose call them who gone
forth to uSdue the wilderness with the rifle and the axe
have done much TO advance the prosperity and glory Of
the republic as any other class of society
Princes and lords may flourish and may fade,
breath make them breath has made;
But bold yeomanry--our country's pride
When once destroyed can never be supplied"
1t is this class Of men, than any other who de-
veopng the resources Of the great Westa region sir
which win probably one day govern America and possibly
the world IA region, contemplating the future, of which
the eloquent Webster said, with prophetic words:
"Nobody overlook the face Of this country the pres
ent momennobody where its population Is the most
dense and growing without being ready to admit and
PEELED admit that long, Imsroa pia DC ne valley
Of IL. Nississippi."
Mr.. Chairman, do not choose upon this occasion, TO
express any opinion to the power of Congress to legis
late for the Territories because the improperly Of execis-
ing such power is clear my mind make the
sideraon of the constitutional question entirely unneces
sary.
am willing said upon previous OCCASION to trust
the people with the power Of regulating their domestic in
stuons in their way not only under State govern
ment but through their regularly constituted territorial
legislature. hold that If the people OF sufficient
bers and imporanceto merit territorial government M
ALL they capable Of governing themselves who
has exercised the attributes Of free citizen in Indiana
any other State loses OF his powers of segoyern-
ment by cmigratng TO Territory. Is he less viruous
less intelligent less mbuod with the spirit of patriotism
and love OF country because he resides in Territory and
not in State Ia he less object Of government regard
has gone into the wilderness endure the hard
ships of frontier life in preparing way for that tide of
population civilization and empire, which still flows TO
the Wcst2 Sir, such be trusted | would refer
the question of slavery and all other questions them
TO that best and safest Of all tribunasthe people 10 be
gored They the best judges OF the soil and climate
and wants Of the country they inhbt they the true
judges OF what will best suit their condition and pro-
mote their welfare and happiness.
And sir surprised that in this republic in the year
1854 any party should be found deny the privilege TO
each organized State and Territory Of the Union Of rcgua
ting their domestic institutions in their way subject
the constitution and particularly that such anti
republican doctrines should be advanced by any one claim
ing TO be member Of the democratic party.
Ny respected colleagues who have spoken against this
bill Messrs. CHAMBERLAIN aud MkcF, took occasion to
let this House know they active parcpators in the
great OF lsss We were told that one acanvassed
the State to its furhcst borders in favor Of the Cass
PLATFORM and the other took the stump in behalf Of Gem
era Casa taking for text to the question Of slavery
the position which he occupied in his Nicholson letter.
Sir what was that position and what the position of the
democratic party upon that occasion Why Mr.. Chair
man. article in the democratic creed stood out in bode
relief in that than non-,rrenfon The part of
Congress nth NE saea Of slocoy The States and Ter
rories and how gentlemen, at heart In favor Of the ee
vaon of General CAss the presidency in 1913 OPP
pose the leading features Of this bill and retain their
ssfency leave for others TO determine The position Of
General Ckss and the democratic party emphatic
and distinctly understood that cannot conceive why
my worthy colleagues exerted themselves with much