Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-03-31

moreover, TO the Senator from Michigan,
that if you carry out his doctrine of squatter
sovereignty, as It is called. see no reason
why the people of those Territories may not
institute a monarchical government, or any
other which they choose, as long as they
continue Territory because. although the
Constitution of the United States guarantees
a republican form of government to every
State, It does not guarantee II to be the ter
ritory and II they have the exclusive pow
er of legislation, and taking care Of them
selves, and regulating their own concerns, |
see no limitation upon them until they be-
come a State.
am no convert to the doctrine, new as il
is. that this provision, this restriction upon
the slavery power introduced into he act of
1870, was otherwise than constitutional. |
believe that the similar restriction IN the Joint
resolution for the annexation of Texas was
equally constitutional | believe that the
Wilmot proviso is quite as constitutional (;
and have already said, that under my III
prcssions | would have adhered to IT, /
know Of no other position taken except that
assumed by southern gentlemen, who say
that this restriction is at war with equal
rights; we wish to 20 into that Territory
with our property, say they
do not mean to argue that matter II
has been exposed by the Senator from Mich
.igan fully and conclusively. But ! would
ask southern gentlemen why they cannot go
there on rs good terms as we can. II they go
themselves It would be pc tinent inquiry
how mhny negroes a STAKEHOLDER must take
with him from slave State IN order to place
him on an equalty with northern man P
If, - in
about YOU why there is no southern gon-
tleman within the sound Of my voice, or any
where, whe would not scout the idea that he
was not, in every respect, equal, If not supe-
ror to, any northern man. Aud vet, gen.
tlemen rise on this floor, and grnyely argue
that they cannot 20 INTO that Territory on
equal terms, and with equal rights. with
northern men, unless they can be protected
there in that property" which is so neces-
sary to their social enjoyment. ! do not IN
tend to carry out this iaqury to any greater
extent ! rose merely to state some Of my
own views, and the views which, as ! be-
licve, the people of my State almost IMAM
imously entertain upon this question. They
consider it n mere matter will not say Of
robbery, for that would not be parliamentary
-buta matter of gross injustice. They
make no appeals to the magnanlmIty Of south
em Senators or Representatives. They
know that they gain nothing by such an APP
peal from those who come forward, under
such a state of things, TO repeal this compro-
mise line, after awaiting themselves Of all the
advantages which have resulted from it,
They would gain no more by appealing TO
their love Of peace But we may appeal,
wih some hope, to their Justice, for agree
with my honorable friend from Ohio, Mr..
Wade, that, 10 the matter Of Justice, as ad-
ministered IN their courts, they have been
ready to render just judgments.
But sir, If this Is designed as a measure Of
I peace, let me tell YOU by way Of pro-
/ pAecy, bu as my own opmon-ihat any
thing but peace you will have. 1t gentle
men expect to quiet ali these controversies
/ by adopting what my constituents now con
slider, and very well consider an act OF gross
wrong. under whatever pretence ii may be,
whether on the ground Of the unconstItu-
uonalty the former act or any other az
ter having rested 50 long satisfied with it,
/ let me tell them that this, in my Judgment is
the beginning Of their troubles can an
swer for one individual. have aYowed my
own opposition to slavery, and am as strong
in ii as my friend from Ohio Mr.. Wade. ]
! wish to say, again, tina; ! do not mean that
have asy Of the particular feeling on the
subject, which gentlemen have called " sick
ly sentimentality bu, if this matter is 10 be
pushed beyond what the Constitution origin.
ally intended It; If, for political purpos es
and for political design aud eiiecr-because
10 is political design and effective are TO
he Ar'yen "a the wall By Legislation here Jet
! me tell gentlemen that Tins is MOI The last
Al nr ..rf..a
are not States, and If this restriction Is re.
pealed with regard 10 that Territory lit Is not
YET IN the Union. and you may be prepared
60 understand that, with the assent OF the
free States, 10 my judgment 1t never will
come into the Union. except with exclusion
Of slavery. 1t may be that we shall be over
borne, as we have been before know not
how many people OF the North wall yield to
the cry Of fraternity and concord, aud all that
sort OF sweet lullaby which has been sung in
their ears so long | only know that if their
rights are outraged in one particular they
must look to the next point | speak to n-sa-
uemen as they have spoken to northern men
on this floor. If the compromise Of 1920 is
10 be aunulled, II the Texas compromise IL 10
be considered unconstitutional and 90 for
nothing, the time will come ere long when
question than this of the mere organization
Of territories. speak far myself with all
frankness. Gen leinen talked here of
a dissolution OF the Union. We nave heard
that threal until we are iatgucd with the
sound. We consider 1t now. leii me say, as
mere brutum fiiimen, noise, and nothing else.
1t produces not the slightest impress n up
on the thinking portion OF the public. You
laugh at It yourselves.
Mr.. Butler. Who laugh: Laughter
Mr.. FEssENDES. You at the South. You
do not carry 1t seriously into private CONVEX.
sation.
Mr.. BUrLGR. No, sir; if your doctrine is
carried out, II such sentiments as yours pre-
vail, want dissolution right away
Mr.. FEssENDEN. As has been said before
do not delay It on my account
Mr.. BUTLER. We do not on your &C
count.
Mr.. FEssENDEN. Do not delay it on ac-
count of anybody at the North. | want the
gentleman 10 understand that we do not be
/ heye in 1t. We love the Union as well as
! you do, and you love it as much as we do |
am willing to allow all that But, sir. If il
has come TO this, that whenever a question
comes up between the free States and the
I sldFe Slates OF this Union, we are threaten
cd with disunlon unless we yield, If tlat Is
the only alternative to be considered, il
ceases to be very grave question for hon
orable men and ireemen to decide do not
I wish 10 say anything offensive to gentlemen,
! bat desire them to understand what | mean.
I IL Is that we are ready to meet every ques.
tom on this floor fairly and honestly we are
willing to be bound by the decision OF the
majority, as law. If it operates hardly upon
US, we will bear it. If il is nncon ,ttutDnal,
we must 90 to the proper tribunal for a de-
clsion, and not threaten each other with what
no one ofus desires 10 execute.
Such, sir, are my views IN reference to
this matter. have not spoken then SO
much for the Senate as for the purpose of
giving expression to what believe to be the
sentiments ofthose have the honor to repre.
sent on this floor. Whether right OF moi.