Washington sentinel., 1854-03-03

United States, or they attempted TO passa law
containing the provision which has been so much
reprobated, allowing polygamy, plurality of
wives, should bring i promptly before the Sem
ate. have the constitution OF Utah before me
now and if it should contain provision SO
abominably averse 10 the laws and civilization Of
the United States as TO sanction poygamy /
should bring it 10 the Senate, and then should be
able 10 see whether gentlemen would be willing
TO resume a jurisdiction over the subject If we
cannot resume jurisdiction over the Territories
in this mode, and if our power is ended when we
put in operation the machinery of territorial gov
ernment, there is an end Of the subject. Can il be
that territorial people, under any form ofpower,
whether il be one claimed by themselves, or one
that is conferred on them, can assume 10 do what
Congress could not? II is unconstitutional Tor
Congress to pass the Missouri compromise, or 10
impose territorial restrictions, but may give the
power 10 do so TO clandestine squatiers, &C..
Having expressed my views freely, Mr.. Presl-
dent, am willing TO take this bill as it is am
willing 10 take il, even upon the assumption that
no slaves will go into Nebraska or Kansas am
willing 10 take il upon the ground that, II you
adopt il, il will take fostering thorn from the
side of the south. | am willing 10 take II upon
the ground that by it the sentiments OF honor are
regarded Even if were perfectly certain thst
the bill! would operate iEjuriously 70 the south,
with the convictions on my mind that the Mis-
souri, compromise is unconstitutional, should be
bound 10 vote for the bill. never will compro-
mise with measure Of transient expediency.
We, of the south, have lost by compromises. |
say this boldly TO my northern friends; and there
are some of them 10 whom can appeal with con-
fdence. There are men upon this hoor who would
maintain Justice men both from the north and
from the south; and would as soon trust the
northern man, when he is honest, rs anybody else,
| say so of the Supreme Court. would as soon
trust the northern members OF the supreme bencn,
who are sworn to administer the law and observe
The Constitution OF the United States, as wonld
,ba I0as uhp sit L
so far as regards tie administration OF the laws OF
the country affecting the north and the south,
some of the northern members OF that court nave
been more favorable TO the South than others.
do no not say that like northern man WIN WY.
nouthern principles, or southern man win
northern principles ! have no objection TO man
having any principles, provided they are honest.
l am willing, however, 10 trust judges upon Inc
bench who are sworn to adminlstar the law, ana
observe the Constitution. am, therefore, per-
ectlv willing TO trust this bill 10 forune under the
impulse of Justice.
Sir. believe that Cicero, in his oration for Milo
said that, when Minerva hestated, she did not dis
dain to call in the counses of fortune. am will
ing TO believe that the destinies OF this country
may be carried out by trusting the people have
a confidence in the people. have belief that
the prent democratic spirit of this country will be
guided by intelligence, honor, and Justice. ! am
not one of those who believe that the masses
should constitute the government. have always
said that believed this was confederacy of re-
publics and that the more distinct the entities OF
the States could be preserved, the better 1t would
be in all respects. would rather see IT conied-
eracy Of States than democracy OF conventions.
All agencies that are employed to fuse the people
of the United States into an entirety is wrong. i
is giving up TO party and party organization the
controlling power contemplated in the Constitu-
ton 1t is 10 allow the masses, under the lnfiu-
ence of popular leaders, to control the Judgment
that should come from an organized wiA duly ex-
pressed with sound mind and disposing memory.
I am willing TO trust the people who have had
inculcated upon them the principles OF the Const-
tuition Of the United States, and who have been
familiar with the great principles OF Anglo-Saxon
liberty I am willing to trust those who under
stand the complications of a free government; but
am not willing, and never will be willing TO
trust the simple despotsm OF majority. VIII
always protest against that II anything shall
come from either ofthose Territories, initiating
against the principles of the Constitution OF the
United States, and leading TO the greatest catas-
trophe which Mr.. Calhoun said would befall this
country should not hesitate to expose IT as
member and the chairman OF the Committee on
the Judiciary. Twill make any issue which the
Constitution will allow me to make. and II aglta-
ton should grow of it, be 1t so. will hush up
nothing when an exposure OF the truth VIII main
tain equal rights and constitutional franchises.
According 10 the tenor Of my remarks; wish
nobody 10 my views where tho Consfitu-
ton is concerned; and certainly go to no ones's
views where right is concerned--a fair under
standing, with generous cofdence, honest observ-
ance Of constitutional right. am willing TO en-
bark Nebraska under the chart of this BILL She
will be fool not 10 consult the compass, and she
will be wrecked if she does not consult the chart
Of her voyage and mission.
This government can be preserved as
tirety. It can be preserved as glorious republic
of equal States, if you keep clear OF that fanatica
spirit which is nursed by sickly morbid, sent-
mentality, inconsistent with the wisdom, and Jus
tice, and responsibilities of a statesman.
Sir, we have gone very far We have discuss
ed these matters very often. This is new issue.
do not know what is to be the consequence
flowing from the judgment which may be pro-
nounced upon it by the Senate and House of
Representatives at this time. II may be, that II
will serve to afford oil 10 the lamps of wild and
distracting fan aticsm, or II may be- that they VIII
be extinguished. God grant that the latter may
be the case, and that reason, instead of frenzy
may rule the northern mind. The decision Of this
question, whether made one way or the other, is
not likely to make practical difference as 10 the
relative strength ofthe different portions of the
confederacy; for lei it be decided either way the
north retains her ascendency. The south wants
her heart lightened not her power increased.
The south has no bgotry, no disposition TO
make war upon or TO assume an adversary posi-
tion TO the northern portion Of this confederacy if
she can receive constitutional justice. They new
er have had any but the interests of equality. In
situations are frequently made against those who
assume the attitude Of secessionists. They occu-
py different position from those who call them
selves abotionists The former are defending
their rights, the latter are aggressors Sir, if the
south, at any time were united, they coulc stand
on the threshold and say: "Thus far shalt thou
60 and no further" If however, they mean to
go on with this agitation, give notice as far as
can speak for the south, that if they keep it up,
they must do so at the peril of this Union
have not entered willingly into this discussion;
| have had very little to do with this bill, and
believe the south has had very little to do with
the provisions of the bill. II comes from the i'm
partial and just portion Of the non-savehoding
States; and here let me pay fair compliment 10
the honorable gentleman who has been much
aspersed upon the subect-the chairman of the
Committee on Territories, Mr.. DoUGLAs.l II is
said that his proposition has assumed different
shapes, that i, has been sometimes one thing and
sometimes another. Why, sir, wise man. in
tending TO get river, will not go up the
stream and be overwhelmed by the torrent, or
meanly surrender and float down, as is very com
mon with those who find it easier TO float than 10
cross. but he generally takes such course as will
enable him 10 accomplish his purpose. The chair
man has evinced uncommon address in presenting