The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-07
CONGR ESSI0N AL.
SPEECH OF HON. $. oARUTHERs,
OF missouri,

state Of the Union
Mr. CARUTHERS said:
M Crny,N, The importanee of the bill TO organize
~ orritories Of Kansas and Nebraska and the immediate
terest OF the State from which come in the settlement
n the question involved in it, viii plead my apology ior
ocnnying the time of the committee IN its discussion
a nnt propose 10 dwell upon the necessity OF the or
a;1otion Of these Territories win content myself by
nakng that the last House OF Representatives, "a obe-
rc IA ihe known will Of the people passed Dill Tor
MAJ purpose that the border States, wth unanimous
oe "a evidenced by the position of Their repfesen
their numerous and large conventions the voice o ,her
@ m declaredhaye demanded that the protection OF our
laws should be extended over that region :
Their organization, proposed by the p now before
ia 4 resisted mainly upon two grounds e one ina, y
oates our treaty stpulatons with the indian rihes 10
therc and the other that II violates our good faith
onr narfy obligations and honor by declaring "nop-
a,iye and void the eighth section OF the act Of 1920
W;t regard to the first objection often and so elo
,v urged have only say that the rights Of the In
s Are is well and as scrupuously guarded by the pro-
visions Of this Lii they could be by any possible legisa-
ion II provides their lands shall not be wrested from
them nor they included within the Territory proposed to
be organized, without their consent
Gil Il Is idle to talk of this feeble Indian barrier resist
inc the progress Of the white with all his accompany
ments of civilization The line Of march is westward
and every obstacle in path must yield to that Imperial
tread 80 ~
The civilized world has always had its West To go no
further baekn the times Of the first Cesar 1t was Gaul
and Britain; in the days of the Pilgrim Fathers it the
shores Of the Atlanc later it the summit OF the Al
leehanes yet later and it the eastern bank OF the
father of foods again. and il the western bank OF
u great river now it is the Territories Of Kansas and
Nebraska And is it not folly to think of resisting this
proud and glorious marchths march that has carried
With it. every step of its progress the power OF empire
that has bridged the Atlantic; that has rod down the
Aleghanes that has subdued n wild world OF wilder
ness passed the Missssippi-by the obstacle OF
few thousand Indians upon the borders OF Iowa and Mis-
souri, grant you it is sad to think of their fast-comng
fate 1t Is sad to think while the tide of civilization is
rolling back from the Pacific and from the Atlantic that
the Indian tribes be buried forever beneath the meet
ing waters and go down into the black and starless night
of humiliation But it is their fate fixed for all wise pur-
poses by Him who holds in his hands the destiny of races
and to that decree bow
come to the consideration Of the real question in
yoved in this bill TO 1t solcInny, deeply impress
ed with its present importance and momentous future
sequences approach il diyested far may be- OF all
passion of all partisan sectional feeling desiring to mee
ey and fairly the high questions of good faith, OF hon
or Of obligations involved will not pause long to dwell
upon its party effect for in my judgment the questions
involved override all party considerations IL is true h
bill is presented to administration measure. IL u
true that am here whig But not here to giv'
this administration actious opposition am not herr
oppose any measure brought forward by it, merely be
cause i Is brought forward by it am here uncommtteC
to blind opposition blind support to follow to th
end the dictates of my Judgment and conscience ant
the will Of those who sent me-
In this instance believe the administration has taker
high national ground that il has planted itself upon
great American principlehe principle OF selfgovern
mcnt aprincipie Involved in of party issues
principle dearer then any party considerations prnci
pie upon which all sound, national of all parties
meet and stand upon ground alike cherished and ak
dear II this principle ingraed in the compromise
1850 that commended them warmly to the Americar
heart; il this principle which ratified by botl
parties in their conventions Baltimore and it is for th
principle speak to-day.
Sir this no war between the administration and il
opponentsno between wings and democrats such
but disguise IL yon may is bcircen Jreesoii,sB
Eh ono hand and ae right Of ne people 10 segopcrnmen
q ne ether do not desire to be understood charging
a the opponents Of this bill with freesosm for know
The opposition contains who have taken their posi-
lions from the highest prompngs Of honor and the pures
impulses Of pairiotsm but TO these vii
find themselves fighting under strange banners and strang
leaders, To those wings who endeayoring 10 embar
ass the administration by thwartng this measure and L
build up party strength by allying themselves Will
northern prejudice trust may be pardoned for address
ing few words Of soberness and truth" II is fact at
tested by all our past history all our present experience
That no mere sectional party, no oneded party CO com
mand success To succeed party must plant itself upoi
grounds as broad as Union The history OF the whl
party for the last few years glanced by the distinguished
gentleman from North Carolina Mr. CLISGuAs furnisbe
Us with useful lesson and one by which might wei
profit In the midst ofhe fearful agitation of 1850 the Sou
demanded matter OF justice 70 her interests and OF obe
dence to the plain requirements Of the constitution the
sage Of efficient fugitive-slave law But three whil
members from The free States found voting for ha
bill, When the whig party met in convention at Balti
morewhen IL TO net upon the claims Of that nob
national whig, Willard Filmore-hc who had stood y
calmly aud lfuily at the helm during the wild raging
W he storm that had swept over the andhe whose ucc
devotion 70 TIE Union had been proved in those darl
hours-be who administered the affairs Of this govern
menf With wisdom, purity, moderation hrmncss
only eIceled by the great first Presidenhe who had i'm
bedded himself deeply in the love and confidence Of h
good men Of all parties In all the UnionAe upon th
principle OF availability, sacrificed upon this alta
ofnorthetn prejudice, did the sacr6cealow me 10 say
he unworthy sacrihco--propitia,e their aNort Did
even gain their votes 2 No sir Though We prcsente,
them with known and honored throughout tn
SeFd-a man whose deeds were the deeds which nspir
poets and glow with Immortality the pages Of hs,ori
Ans-a who left us in doubt whether most TO I'D
mire the magnificent, spendor Of his achievements
or the milder yet lovelier ustre Of his private life
under this leader, all distinguished he was, wen
into the conflict; but the moral power Of the party
was broken by the vote 10 which have alluded, auS
TIE action at Baltimore; and we sustained Of tn
most wheming defeats ihnt overlook crrnf
lary--e defeat which wcll-ni9h an annihaiion Il
there no lesson Of wisdom in these facts2 Unless greatly
msread all the signs Of the times democratic friends
are beng taught something of this lesson Genera
Pierce into power almost by acclamaon-the hreg
party We're well-pigh cx'nguished; opponents wcr
disposed 70 approve Did he not in The outset Of his a.
mnisiraton the selection OF his constitutional advisers
instead of calling around him the sound national men
hs party TO conclate factions and sections and preu
ores ca around him heterogeneous association Of ox
uenes which have given series Of buuders and ncon
asencies which have weakened the nations aith the
uons confidence, and the nations lover
rms review, TO my mind ut least establishes ue grca
ho encouraging fact with which out that no part
can gain arenef Jv paB9riaq 10 sectional rdices rethe
.,yfh ~ South; that party can stand in this country
soelt upon broad national basis But desire TO COM
Immediately 70 the questions involved in the bill be
y ssserted IL we pass this bill lis operations viii
@ ~ Wanst ,he South To this argument have only Il
ns he doctrine Of congregational nen-iaerrenon, ans
reht o. the people to determine for themselves th
s m Their domestic institutions is just within v
,I sound national policy IT. then The recognition .
aoernos should bear hard upon any particular sec
oputh-that section should in all honor and pa