Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-06-12
N. p. Danka, Jr., among bio Constiluents


! The Boston Journal, Of Saturday evening,
contains an abstract of the Speech of Hon. N.
P. Banks, Jr., member of Congress, from the
7th District, which was delivered at Waltham,
on the evening of the 9th inst
Mr.. Banks commenced by remarking that
he appeared before the audience under peculiar
circumstances. He had separated himself by
an irretrieyable step from the friends with
whom he had heretofore acted. A crisis i'll
our public affairs had arrived. The country,
he said, was now under the dominion Of a
power which had never shown itself before.
1t has become the propagandist OF human
slavery.
Mr.. Banks then proceeded TO review the
historical features of the slavery question:
Abiding to the various antagonstic questions
which have been presented, he said that all had
been heretofore settled by mutual agreements
or concessions between the North and the
South, but the south had violated allcompacts
and agreements.
He then proceeded to expose the character
ard objects of the Nebraska measure. This
act, he said, legislates slavery into the terri
tories. 1t recognises the principle that the
institution of slavery accompanies the Amer
lean flag. 1t repeats the institutions and
aboishes the line of freedom, and plants sla-
very i'll Nebraska and Kansas by an act Of
Congress.
The inconsistency Of the principle Of popu-
lar sovereignty which is claimed to be involved
i'll this bill, was foreibly exposed. The SOW
erignty of the people of the territories is a
mere sham; every power which they exercise
is under the supervision Of the Executive of
the Unite1 States. The U. S. Government
dictates their form of government, appoints
+ ha offa aud IF of fhn far-
ritorial Legislature must be approved by the
Governor. who is not responsible to the peo-
pie of the territories. (31
! Passing to another consideration connected
with this act, Mr.. Banks remarked that he
thought the government Of this country was
| in the control of men who have not the
strongest love for the Union-men Who have
been disunionists and secessionists. They had
relinquished these dogmas not because their
regard for the Union had increased, but be-
cause the love for the Union was so strong
among the people that they were only laughed
| at
| can see reasons, said Mr.. Banks, for the
| acquisition of new territory, but in the rea-
sons which led to these events l cannot
acquiesce. He was against all measures which
lead to the establishment of the principles en-
uneated by the South, and against the men
| who support them, and, said he,$"by the
help of God, l will never yield to those
principles or those persons one moments sup
| polt."
Mr.. Banks said that while he was in Wash
ington he was flooded with letters urging him
to vote for the Nebraska bill, and one would
have thought from the tone of these letters
that none of his constituents opposedit. But
never doubted as to my own course, and
from first to last no vote, act, advice, sugges-
| fInn or of mir had favorad hi
His attitude had been one Of vindictive hos
tility to that measure. He referred to the
| charge that he had given the bill sly aid, al
though he had spoken and voted against it,
| and explained his vote on the question of
| postponing the Pacific Railroad bill. That
vote, he said, so far from aiding the passage of
the bill, had actually postponed its passage
nearly one week. The bill had been debated
for several weeks, when not properly before
the House, and although the Wings and Free
Sellers had been allowed full liberty to express
| their opinions, it was difficult for democrat
who was hostile to the measure to obtain the
floor indeed it was openly said that no Dem
ocrat from New Hampshire would speak
against the measure. Under these circum-
stances the resolution was introduced to close
the debate OH Friday. We notified the major
| ity that we should resist to the bitter end,and
insist upon fair discussion, We did resist
and carried our point tor time. We went
into the House on Monday determined, if
| possible, to have the time for debate extended
until Friday, thus giving US four or i've days
in which to discuss the measure. Mr.. Banks
| explained at some length the parliamentary
means which were adopted to bring about this
| determination, and SAID that when the ques-
ton was taken on postponing the Pacific Rail
| road bill, and taking the vote on the Nebras-
ka bill on Friday, Mr.. Chamberlain, one of
the most staunch opponents of the bill, moved
an amendment that the vote be taken on Sat-
urday. This was our own proposition, and it
was accepted by the majority. 1t was voted
upon instantaneously, and when the yeas and
nays were called, my name was the first on
the list. l had no time for consultation, and
as this was my own propositon as a man of
veracity. had nothing to do but assent to it,
aud have no doubt that if had had time to
consult my colleagues in the opposition, they
would have pursued the same course.
Mr.. Banks contended that the postpone
Inent of the question and laying aside the
special order, was in reality a triumph, and
gave time for debate which could not otherwise
have been obtained. The majority had the
power, and under the partial rulings of the
Speaker would have passed the bill Immediate
ly, had not this compromise been made. Even
had the special order been reached it could
have been postponed by simple vote of the
majority.
The adoption of the proposition Of Mr..
Chamberlain, said Mr. Banks, gave us four or
five days debate on the bill, and it was the
strongest debate we had. During that debate
Democratic representatives from Maine, New
Hampshire, Vermont, and Connecticut, and a
Hard Shell Democrat from New York, as well
as many of the Massachusetts delegation, de-
nounced the measure in strong speeches.
Had not this postponement been obtained,
said Mr.. Banks, myself should have come
home without having had an opportunity to
speak upon the bill, and it would have been
said that did not use my influence against
the passage of the measure.
In conclusion, Mr.. Banks disclaimed all
ambition for the future There were more
charms for him in retirement than in public
life. have acted, said he, on this measure
as my own conscience has convinced me was
right, and cheerfully submit my motives
and acts to the judgment of my constituents.
i General News Summary.
A case Of cholera was reported to the
| citv authorities of fSosfon last 'rhursdav a