The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-21

rule in political affairs was first proclaimed the startled
ears OF the Old World by declaration of Inde-
pendenoe The tenaety with which forefahers elung
10 this doctrine is written In the blood and carnage the
suffering and seltdenal Of the American revolution As
the basis OF permanent government this principle first
recognised IN the American constitution We the peo-
pie, do ordain and establish government" words OF
power which caused the kings Of the earth TO fear and
rembie like Belsazzar of old when the hnger OF man
hand wrote over against the candestek upon the plaster
OF the wall those words Of fearful import Meme meme,
!, tekel upharsinp
Our great growth as nation and our great prosperity
rs individuals under the benign influence Of our consttu
on the legitimate fruit of the great truth that is
capable Of se-goyernment This principle, SIR runs
through the whole structureof governmental organi
zation the central sun OF SYSTEM around which
reyolye all other rights.
Sir, what gives dignity to this House Why are con-
erred up4t those high and exclusive powers which
der II 'e GRAD inquest Of the nation? Merely because il
is the opinions Of the people Not
in mnititude 0feyen by States but the smaller communi-
ties of congressional districts If Territories not TO be
trusted in the management of their domestic affairs why
these small communities allowed within the provisions
of the constitution TO elect and send to this body whoever
they please? YEA more if you dstrust the capacity of
the people of the Territories for selgoyernmcnt why do
you allow them the right Of electng delegate to TINS
House. and sending him here, upon the expense of this
on TO advise us as to the wants and wishes of his
suents? If the local wishes Of the Territory to be
disrcgarded there good why delegates from
them should have sea! in this House.
Sir the whole head and front of the offending of the
Nebraska bill hath this extent-no more that 1t allows
the people of the Territory to regulate their affairs
This is its grand villany this is the pregnant cause of
that terrible excitement which is said will sweep the
North perfect srocco of the desert destroying thing
in its pathway For myself these orebodngs have ter
ror contemplate the future in the light of the past be-
holding my country constantly advancing and the ad-
herence to principles always sustained
Our fathers felt the grievances of being controlled and
governed in their internal affairs BY alien power and
shall We pepetrate alike wrong in territorial organi-
ions? Who the that themselves away from
all the endearments and benefits of old homes and esab
lished society? Not the children of starvation, The
cated eiiemnates Of manufacturing districts but bold
and daring pioneers with strong hearts sinewy arms and
clear heads They are men Of purpose defiant at dangers
and taking courage difficulties increase before them
They men of intelligence setreant testing all opinions
in the aembc of common sense and taking nothing upon
trust -#
The last States admitted to this Union-Caornia and
Texas-came in without undergoing territorial tutelage
From the date of their admission TO the present time the
delegations in Congress from both of the States would not
suffer in comparison with any Of their associates More,
sir they have been who would give character to any
deiberative assembly With this type of territorial in
habtancy before doubt the question Of their
capacity regulate their internal affairs 1t is said,
sir however that to pass this bill dedicatng Terri
tories to slavery which free BY the class
of who make this asseron-it must be in the memory
of us alit was said with equal emphasis that unless the
Wilmot provso put upon California slavery would
extend itself there and the given was that
free labor would not degrade itself by association with
slave labor The event did not justify the peradventure,
but afforded another instance OF the law of demand and
supply Wherever free labor be ted there II
will be found Its efficiency win be its protection
against degrading competition
The passage of the compromise Of 1850 not
the success of party but the triumph Of princpethe
great principle that the people of the Territories should
regulate their domestic Institutions under the const
tuition. The Wilmot proviso was abandoned and new
territorial policy inaughrated. In 1920 and after
wards, when Texas annexed jarrng interests had
been reconced by the adoption of geographical line
putting restriction upon side and allowing the free
dom of the constitution upon the other; but this was
found 10 afford protection from the arts of the dena-
gogues but rather inviting to their exercise il implied
the right of control by the federal government the
subject Of slavery in the Territories Of the Union Sir
while foreign war existed, proposition contemplating
measures for peace by giving the President special agu
ments for negotiation, loaded down by the Wilmot
provso the restriction principle system Of terrific
rial regulation thus liable abuse, most properly
abandoned and principle derived from the capacity OF
man for segovernment adopted as the rule of action
Our former policy arbitrary and opposed TO the genius
Of government Our present policy based upon the
consent Of the governedthe only true Of political
power and not liable TO abuse
Sir change OF territorial policy like all other ad-
yances viii stir up opposition In the history OF our coun-
try has meyer been any departure from the beaten
tracway Of the past without exciting the fears of the
tmid and ahordng occasion for the song Of III omen
could give many illustrations of this remark, but will
only name two
When Louisiana was purchased Of France the measure
was violently assaed The debates in Congress
marked with bitter acrimony the northern federal press
yelled with rage and the political priests Of the country
then now joined the noisy clamor member of Con-
pess from Massachusetts, declared In his place that he
should regard the adoption Of the equivalent to
the dissolution Of the Union What would the citizens Of
Boston any proposition TO recede this territory
Let her commercial her shipping and manufacturing inter
ests
The annexation Of Texas was another occasion for most
fearful apprehension for the wellbeing Of the North and
the Union You find the northern party--the same
northern press and the northern political clergy
menin opposition to that who found op
posing this Most prominent in the opposition to the
nexaton Texas the abotonists and the political
priests OF the country The las~named class
fortunate for they always found opposed to the inter-
ests and honor Of the country would suggest to them
that instead Of mounting the judgment scat and protesting
in the Of the Amighty-that, instead Of bespcak-
ing prayers for President Pierce the eminent from
Illinois and this ouse-hat they put the garments
humility the saccoth Of repentance for offences committed
against pa,riotismof they pray for emscesthat their
own hearts as well as lips may be touched with the rt
that gows in every patriots heart-iope Of country. Sir
rejoice that the people not only indifferent but that
they viii not tolerate ministerial dictation political sub
ljects.
Who now sir viii question the wisdom Of the annexa-
ton Of Texas Most certainly, not the commercial and
shp-buldng interests Of Maine-alhough the original
resolutions for her annexation received but from
her delegation in Congress.
ri viii not stop here to talk about the complete failure OF
all the evil prophesying Ia conne1on with the purchase Of
ude 10 that subject in another place But would suggest
TO the gentleman from New York. who the other day had
something 20 say about those who fell victims TO northern
sentiment for their in favor Of the Missouri Compro-
mise In 1920 that this Texas question there
eminent example Of victim national scntiment-not
Of the advocates but from the opponents Of the
now in retirement near the banks Of the Hudson
Sir am that there is class of opponents 70 This
bill who plant themselves upon the acredness Of the Mis-
souri, Compromise. Admitting all the doctrines I have
contended for the right of the people Of the Territory
10 ayaf