Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-07-06
Equal Rights.

The right of settlement in the territories of
the United States is common ri ght belonging
to the citizens Of all the states If citizen
of Maine can plant himself in Nebraska, so
can citizen of Kentucky. This is in perfect
agreement with the original compact Of States );
and if at that time it were understood that the
Southerner should be deprived of the right of
settlement in the territories, it is doubtful
whether the compact could have been formed
or the government started. The Nebraska
bill sets this question at rest, establishing
equal rights to the citizens of all the states so
far as the territories are concerned. Senator
WELLER Of California, in his admirable speech
in the Senate on the Nebraska bill alluded to
the question of equal rights IN the following
eloquent manner -
Mr. President, we ought to observe the
golden rule, Whatever ye would that men
should do to you, do We even so 20 them; for
this is the law and the prophets Fit would
be unfair and unjust, if it would be dishonora-
BILE in us to acquiesce in such provision as
that, it would be equally dishonorable, in my
Judgment, to the southern section of the
Union. Any proposition which denies TO one
portion of the cOnfederacy an equal partlcipa-
ton with another in our common rights, is
dishonorable Establish as a settled policy
the doctrine for which we contend, Of nOn-ia-
teruention by the federal government, and 1t is
matter Of little Importance whether the
North or the South has the majority in Con-
gress. Why is it that one portion of the Union
should be denied an equal participation in the
settlement Of the Territories Why is it that
you cannot leave this question where all other
questions are left, to the free and voluntary
decision Of the people who may emigrate to
that region! Has the South ever failed to
discharge her duty? In the hour Of trial and
of danger, have they not stood by you1 Sir,
| have seen many of these southern men,
standing shoulder 10 shoulder with northern
men. upon the field Of battle! | have seen
them stricken down by the balls of the enemy,
lying side by side, their blood intermingling
and moistening the earth on which they fell.
They raised themselves as the lamp of life was
about to be extinguished, and saw their COM
rades rushing on and on; they saw their glo-
riOus flag, the emblem of our common Union,
planted upon the walls Of the enemy, and they
fell back and expired with smile of Joy upon
their lips-a smile of joy because that flag,
around which the warmest affections of their
hearts had been gathered, proudly waved in
triumph And why is it that those men who
have aided us in the acquisition of the territory,
those men who have contributed their money
and their blood shall be refused an equal
participation in the benefits resulting from it
Mr.. President, know not what may be the
feelings Of Others, but | only desire that that
portion of the Union from whence | come
should be allowed to participate in the common
benefits OF this government. We ask no ex
elusive privileges, and we are unwilling to
discriminate between the different sections of
the Union. We are willing to extend to 9TH
ers that justice which we demand for ourselves.
am standing here to-day with no previous
obligations growing out Of the Missouri Com
promise, and with no Identification with that
Of 1850. l am standing here to-day as an
Anne rican Senator, called upon to aid in the
organization Of two territorial governments.
As the men of 1920 and the men of 1850 exer-
cised their judgment and their reason, SO l
| intend to exercise mine when am called upon
a. act AZ M r,aau cav fhaf q & rarthnrn