The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-06-08
FINAL PROTEST AGAINST SLAVERY IN
KANSAS AND NEBRASKA.
SPEECH OF HON. CHARLES SUMNER,


AND NEBRASKA BILL.
MIR. PRESIDENT: It is now nearly midnight.
At this late hour Of a session drawn out to I'M
accustomed length, shall not fatigue che Sen.
ate by argument There is time for all
things, and the time for this has passed. The
determination of the majority is fixed; but it
is not more fixed than mine. The bill which
they sustain, | oppose. On former occasion
| met it by argument, which, though often at
tackled in debate, still stands unanswered and
unanswerable. At present | am admopished
that | must be content with a few words of
earnest protest against the contamination of a
great wrong. Duty to myself and also to the
honOred Commonwealth Of which find myself
the sole representative 10 this immediate ext
gency, will not allow me to do less.
But | have a special duty, which | would
not omit | have on my desk remonstrances
against the passage of this bill, some of which
have been placed In my hands since the com
mencement of the debate to-day-and desire
that these voices, direct from the people, should
be heard. With the permission of the Senate,
| will offsr them now
The CHAIR, (Mr. STUART.) The remon-
strances can be received by unanimous consent.
Several VOICES. Let them be received.
The CHAIR. The Chair hears no objection.
Mr.. SUMNER. Taking advantage of this
permission, l now present the remonstrance Of
a large number of citizens Of New York against
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise.
| also present the remonstrance of the clergy
and laity of the Baptist denomination in Mich
igan and Indiana, against the wrong and bad
faith contemplated in the Nebraska bill. But
this is not all
hold in my hand, and now present to the
Senate 125 separate remonstrances from cler-
IF prptaStonk
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont Massachu-
setts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, constituting
the six New England States. These remon-
strances are Identical in character with the
larger one presented by my distinguished col
league, Mr.. EVERETT whose term of service
here ends in few days, by voluntary resigna-
ton, aud who is now detained at home by i'll
ness-and were originally intended as a part Of
it, but did not arrive In season to be annexed
to that interesting and weighty document.
They are Independent In form, though supple
mentary in their nature-helping to swell the
protest of the pulpits of New England.
With pleasure aud pride | now do this ser
vice, and, at this last stage, interpose the sane
tity of the pulpits of New England, to ar
rest this alarming outrage believing that the
remonstrants, from their eminent character
and influence, as representatives of the intelli-
gence and conscience of the country, are pecu-
liarly entitled to be heard and, further believ-
ing that their circumstances, while respectful
in form, embodY just conclusions both of opn-
ion and fact. Like them, sir, do not hesitate
to protest here against the bill yet pending be-
fore the Senate as great moral wrong; as a
breach of Public Faith as measure full of
danger to the peace, and even existence Of our
Union. And, cir, believing in God, as | pro-
foundly do, | cannot doubt that the opening of
an immense region to 50 great an enOrmity as
Slavery is calculated to draw down upon our
country his righteous judgments
ain the name Of Almighty God, and in his
presence" these remonstrants protest against
the Nebraska bill In this solemn language.
which has been strangely pronounced blasphe-
nous on this floor, there is obviously no assump-
ton of ecclesiastical power, as has been per-
versely charged, but simply devOut obser-
vance of the scriptural injunction: Whatsoever
We Co. in word or deed, do ell in the name Of
the Lord" Let me add, also, that these re-
mOnstrants, in this very language have followed
the example of the Senate, which at this pres
eut session has ratified at least one important
treaty, beginning with these precise words:
" In the name of Almighty God" Surely, if
the Senate may thus assume to speak, the cler-
gy may do likewise without just criticism, at
least in this body.
But | am unwilling, particularly at this
time, to be betrayed into anything that shall
seem like a defence Of the clergy. They need
no such thing at my hands There are men
in this Senate, justly eminent for eloquence,
learning and ability; but there is no man here
competent except in his own cOnceit, to Sit in
Judgment on the clergy of New England.
Honorable Senator'S, who have been so swift
with criticism and sarcasm, might profit by
their example. Perhaps the Senator from
South Carolina, Mr.. BUTLER, who is not in
sensible to scholarship might learn from them
something of its gtaces Perhaps the Senator
from Virginia, Mr.. MASON, who finds no sane
ton under the Constitution for any renonstrance
from clergymen, might learn from them some
thing of the privileges of an American citizen.
And, perhaps, the Senator from Illinois, TMr.
DOUGLAS, who preciptated this Odious meas
ure upon the country, might learn from them
something of political wisdom. Sir, from the
first settlement Of these shores from those early
days of struggle and privation-through the
trials of the Revolution-the clergy have been
associated, not only with the piety and the
learning bus With the liberties of the country
For long time New England was governed
by their prayers more than by any acts of the
Legislature and, at a later day, their voices
aided even the Declaration of Independence
The clergy of our time may speak, then, not
only from their own virtues, but from the echoes
which yet live in the pulpits Of their fathers.
For myself | desire to thank them for
their generous interposition. They have al
ready done much good in moving the country,
They will not be idle. In the days of the
Revolution, John Adams, yearning for indie
pendence, said" Let the pulpits thunder
against oppression ~ And the pulpits thun-
dered The time has come for them to thun-
der again.
There are lessons taught by these remon-
strances, which, at this moment should not be
UNDECIDED The Senator from Ohio. MIR.
WADE, on the other side of the Chamber, has
openly declared that the Northern Wings can
never again combine with their Southern
brethren in support of slavery This is good
augury. The clergy of New England, some
of whom, forgetful Of the traditions of other
days, once made their pulpits vocal for the Fu-
gitive Slave BILL now, by the voices of learned
divinea, eminent bishops, accomplished profess
ora, and faithful pastors, uttered In solemn re-
monstrauce, atlast unitein putting a permanent
brand upon this hateful institution. In con-
sistency with this act, from this time forward,
they can never more render it any support
Thank God for this Here is q sign full of
premise for Freedom
These remOnstrsnces have especial sicnif-
canoe, when it is urged, as it hes been often in
this debate, that the proposition still pending
proceeds from the North. Yes, sir. proceeds
| from tho North for that 10 it's excuse and
apology. The ostrich is said to hide It's head
in the sand, and then vainly imagine its cow
ard body beyond the reach of It's pursuers. In
similar spirit, honorable Senators seem to shell
ter themselves behind certain Northern votes,
and then vainly imagine that they are protect
ed from the judgment of the country The
pulpits of New England representing to an