Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-03-25


is no question before the Senate but because have md
them in the debate the BILL and think it
to reply to them again. know that Northern and Soutl
ern men put different constructions this bill to sui
the latitude Of their residence and have no desire
embarrass them by any further observations.
Mr.. STUART Mr. President it is known that Will
this subject was under discussion before the passage
the BILL forbore to discuss its general features. d
intend to do it now, further than to meet sus
gestions which have been thrown out by Senators til
morning.
| am prepared to agree generally with the remara
made by the Senator from North Carolina that the pl
babe Interpretation of the BILL before the adoption of To-
amendment which he offered would have been the sac
that 1t would be now. not prepared to say, h0-
ever that that would certainly be the think TIT
Senator's lay down that proposition little too strong.
think there was room for debate There certainly As
room for difference of opinion for since the bill pas-
ed the Senate we have certain Southern pressese-
it good for nothing to the South hecaus, Of
the adoption OF that amendment and another which
offered by the Senator from Illinois, (Alr. DOUGLAS Ak
ing away the revising power of Congress over the ega-
ton of the Territories. 1t is known ut least here hat
the amendment which was offered by the Senator fom
North Carolina that amendment which drew and
which had declared must in substance be appendd to
the BILL or could not consent to vote for it. lie wano
much because, say should have made any dfer-
myself lawyer in the Interpretation of the bill
it stood and amended that it left it matte OF
opinion as it stood ! stated them what repeat ow
that whatever controversy is to grow Of that queon
is to be looked for in the Northern States and not
South and, sir that controversy there should not rest
upon the construction of the bill far opinion merely
might 60 for when gentleman takes the stump against
you and asserts opinion which is antagonstc with
yours he will claim what every has right tocai,
that hs.opinon is as good yours Therefore insit
ed and beg to refer to it now, because gentemn
thought it threat upon my part though nothing
could be further from my thoughfor it would not hate
altered the fate of the bill if had voted against ttht
if Southern gentlemen should claim that this controversy
should again up in the North should have tro
xbah
ton as it said here it intended to be met, CO.
erring upon the Territorial Legislature oil the poWr
which we possess over that question. There vi
ling to meet it If it became necessary. There, thk,
with all respect to the opinions Of others, it be net
and met successfully Ni !
Now, Sir, cannot acquiesce precisey-I never ID, I
and do not nowin the belief that this measure as
brought forward as Northern measure That it III
mately assumed that phase admit; but never herd
OF 1T until 1T brought in here in that bill I've
never seen that Northern who could tell me thahe
was consulted about it; and have inquired of sne Il
Southern gentlemen and have not found any from lat
quarter who were consulted about it. I never belcd
it was wise to bring it here never believed any sod
could grow out of it. met it, so far MS my actonnd
vote were concerned, as measure brought here th-
out any action Of mnea measure for which nobodfas
responsible except the committee who introduced to
be acted upon like other before the Safe,
let the consequences be what they might.
Mr. President ask the attention of Me Senatehile
state IN few words the greatest fear have ev
terained in consequence of the introduction of thea-
sure and the fear that still entertain though lpe it
will prove to be groundess fear. ~. .,.
Under our institutions, whenever sectional dieulty
has arisen, and whenever any sectional dicultshaH
hereafter arise, the only way known among M by
which to settle that difficulty has been and viii tby
compromise of opinion. That was true when tbMis-
souri, restriction, it is termed was adopted Tit was
eminenty true in 1888, when difference of opnid sec,
tona in its character grew up upon the tariff qstion
never shall forget the effect that produce upo
me by reading the language of Henry Clay when hcas
forward as one of the three great compromisers the
time. do not know that can recte it verbatit bS
can tell it in substance. Ii is as fixed upon m mid
as that great assertion in Genesis God said lie thee
be light, and there was light" He said he wshedto SO
no desoated towns, sacked cities, no fields of Incl
can blood shed by American arms Now sir iIl85,
when this Union Of States rocked to the very cense, to
patriots of the land again shook hands together pon
compromise Of opinion. have instated, l hesitasd
upon this bill to repeal the Missouri compromise for far
that whenever occasion should arise in the futte,
when the union of these States should be again in
ger if we had done aught which should shake the cof-
dence Of the American people in thesanct the utihy,
and the permanency Of compromises we might have aid
the very germ which should terminate the exisenc OF
the Union But sir, finally yielded all that, because
other gent emen around me, in whose opinions vas
bound to entertain confidence seemed differ fromme
in opinion Now, let suggest word or two upon his
doctrine Of principle. q,
1may say that the language contained in this lill
never had much force with asserting princiie.
There is no principle asserted in compromise lou
agree to lay down the principles by which you havre
spectiveiy been bound heretofore, and to do solitary
act Therefore, there nothing in the comprome Of
1850 which it could be said, with accuracy, conted
with the compromise Of 1920; and, sir, venture the
prediction, that, much this bill to demon
srae this principle, the years very few il the
future in which will be developed to occasion Nhen
we shall have territory that shall be obliged to lgs-
late for from the beginning to the end Of the chatter
Time will bring to acquisitions from the South
people who not only know nothing of institutions nd
laws, but have inbred and Evolutionary hostile fleeing
towards and them. We shall make these acqusitihs
say shall make them because they written ihe
divine law, which is rresistable Having made tim,
We shall get people that shall be compelled lgs
late for and far my action may 60 upon the ub-
ect intend to save my views the right to legate
The question of power yet have discussed md
to discuss it until the question shall arise
when it shall be strictly involved What did agee to
do in this BILL so far as the action Of the Senate
cerned? In my humble judgment agreed to do this:
We agreed to leave this whole question of slavery the
people Of the Territories that they might egslatever
oil others, according to their will and psure.
thought that it was ground upon which men might
meet, and shake hands, and agree. think INV. 1t
establishes principle, far it relates thee two
Territories 1t establishes that principle furthr.
Dir. President in my humble judgment-and ills only
the judgment OF indvidualyou establish 40 other
principle than his that Congress shall do, from time to
time, whatever it shall become necessary to do in respect
to the territories which you hold. That docriie Of
cesty is to be determined by members Of Congress them
selves and has other limit therefore, than the judy
ment of each Congress may dictate Why sir there was
not section in this bill that should have voted for il
had believed that the constitution did not confer the
power legslate for the Territories and for the very
plain that there is not any necessity for govern
there at ALL Then, again, there provisions in
the bill vital in their character respecting the rights OK
the people egslate There is provision which stands
by which Congress declares that the Legislature
of the Territory shall not levy any taxes upon nonres
+h,,t a