The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-30
CONGRE h.
ao,pcu OF nov. WILLIAM IL. WITTE'
oP PENNsYLYANIAi

SpEE(H OF liON. !"
oP PEsSsYLyASIA,
a. ho Nebraska and Kansas bill delivered IN INC ho"''
on ''' OF Representatives May 20 1854
1to uonse beine in Committee OF the Whole OH 'l' W
braska-Kansas BILL Mr.. WlTTE said;
,- c,,p,.x. Nv position in reference TO lhs SUP
W. NJ ianr pnder discussion may not be important az W
H. nimate fate but is of some consequence " ny
~ artcuar inneture and therefore may oe paiuo,ie
hs the attention Of the committee IN inns Tue lAsl
na,ea 10 general debate. regret slr, that ehofs
L Neon made by the opponents OF TINS Dill 70 cIea m
neayorable impression as TO the true ISSUES ~
hove deeper regret for those who consider that gee
t.o siient but now the avowed advocates OF the ihee
m aro influenced by unworthy motives AS 10 the merits
fthe hin consider them clear and lndspuhpiej ae "
n, feelings that would prompt the impugnmen Of not
have an utter and unmtgaied contempt toa ynd;"a y
in am of those who believe that the results Whlch w ~
aow from this great principle now batled ior WIN oe "
and nerlec yindication for every man VINO votes ~,
40 not propose sir to discuss the absraeuonS oa m
mar inonre as To the circumstances, OF the dilefeeo
nlnn ns ID circumstances that brought about the enact
mnt of the law of 1920 will not speak OF the
AZ that time nor the position Of political parues' W
not insult the intelligence OF the conl'ee Of ny nhi
by presuming that any who claims to have te ssn
81 knowledge of the political condition oil the country ~
the past knows anything OF II at the present iue Mi
dare to run parallel to the necessities ana eAgenccs
of The two periods There is no room for such hne
What was wisdom in relation to political tenet alb
straeon in 1920 may be unwise now. We may discard
now and with the same reason, what we then approved
and accepted.
e5 upersede that of 1920 discuss the question to
whether in this age enlightened and intelligent as we all
admit il to be- have theory which seeks to enact
prnciple by the establishment of geographical line or
one which protects the rights Of each by protecting the
rights Of awhich gives TO man. III his sovereign capac-
t the right determine all questions affecting his welfare
hod sir that the only strength of this confederacy lies
in the strength of its independent soyereigntes and there
ha, ofruac aiUutN
intelligent exercise of individual franchise will not ad-
dress myself to these distractions but in hurried and
deuory manner speak with reference to the bearing OF
this question on our party and the country.
Sir great learning and deep research have been display
ed the discussion Of this billl the points which could
possibly suggest themselves have been elaborated by those
who have given the subject much thought look upon
this proposition singe-smple and cearthat can
readily account for the earnest desire OF its opponents to
invest with mysticism that would draw popular atten-
ton not to what the bill really is but to what it is not
Now sir what is the proposition? What the doctrine
congressional nonnerventon which we all understand
but concerning which we may entertain different opinions
What is il? Do entertain the doctrine that by con-
gressiona enactment must determine the institutions
that to be established in Territories or do fall back
as think we must upon the right of the sovereign people
to settle the question to their local institutions? Sir
what do the people of the country deSre 1t is said the
North divided in sentiment take it upon myself TO say
that if the North is divided in sentiment Il speak of
the democratic party of the Norh) il is because they do
no, understand the proposition admit there is strong
feeling in opposition TO the institution of slavery and per-
haps there good ground for it That feeling is prompted
by moral considerations and is to some extent the result
early education for which be responsible, to
that extent to which gentlemen this floor would
hold him. and in the exercise Of which he performs duty
be to himself provided it i exercised within the
limits Of his obligation to his iellownan and the laws of
his country.
Sir the attempt has been made and regret TO say with
some success to impress upon the northern mind that
seek by the enactment OF this bill to extend the Of sln
As pDrfLa ,l.a {, al
end It only gives strength and efficiency that principle
on which eonfederacy resthe right of elfgovern-
meat Remove IT, and the beautiful edhce reared by
fathers viii otter TO its fall Sir cling to this doctrine
with great tenacy although may differ from gen
ueben as to the nature OF the sovereignty which terrific
nal organization may be permitted TO exercise But how
ever much may differ do say that if the people by the
exercise Of their legal sovereign rights should tomorrow
make every square foot Of territory on this continent slave
territory would have ii On the other hand If by the
exercise Of the same rights and the same power they
snoud say that every square foot should be free,
souia nave y 80. ! say so far as one man can speak
lof 'he North that believe this is only the sem
men OF the democratic party but of the people rrespec
I'VE party We are as sound this great question as
any ohcr portion OF country Il is principle upon which
All tue men can stand 1t is universal in its application
ana should DC hailed with JOY BY all It constitutes
se safety OF the Northit constitutes the safety Of the
oSu-and by treating each alike il constitutes the safety
OIL common country
Again, sir, the North does not seek TO recognise qeo
graphical lines We hold that the same PRINCIPLES thai
govern ana protect the rights Of the North are likewise
thueu IN every respect 10 brethren of the South
@ we are not OF different parenage but heirs TO the same
ngnh ana owners OF the same soil
= Much hss been said about the sympathy Of the soutb
Si Si cannot agree with my friend from New York rMr
" mAsh mat We "despse sympathy" The sympathy of
S s aonln say the North wants the sympathy Of the
SCUM and the South wants the SYMPATHY OF the North
regret the Of such terms a North and Sontb W.
eaen want sympathy from the other whether IN the dis
Voh OF The question under consideration or In e
Ouous rivalry to which all the sovereigns og this coun
Wy are party in the race for distinction ana ron,
70 which we are looking with such undaunted eonfdsnca
etaA want sympathy, that sympathy which Is promp,ed
aJust appreciation OF a common obligation n common
'iggs.nerhood g. and common destiny
This bill as understand IL pronoscs "a ,r,on; ,;,,
na governments for Nebraska and Kansas and ~ hoiish
% e o 1870 which ntereres with the proyisous of this
o ny me passage Of the act OF 1870 No said ba, ala
Sh ST no. e1st on one side Of the line but that II
sn say ihe South has had her share IN he itory and
e now seeks TO get what she allotted 10 The North
usre 70 say IN reference to this a. II we believe IL 10
privilso \, = es'Ale 50 as 70 give the most enlarged
Eegs y the people under the consnton and 10 o} 20
% people Of these Territories an those yghts ana inn,n
~ sn s.on they might exercise IN sovereignty within
is o the constitution, then we nnst decide fheso
Sryen,. tne geographical line established in 1890
peIsne recognition Of this great cardinal doe,ri,e !,
Puviifanism then Il is for ne Ia sav ytcther !, b, ~
H' s moi 70 be rePo'led Is il rcpcalaho9 ii : reveal
aqucston2 " bSn"Vu'ah hioW me 'o ask hin
ana 1877, 1917 hr. Chairman seldom address the IIouae
nerrn,od interrupt any one and although willing 10 10
stood ha, whenever necessary, desire Il to be under
Zoo, ra now ana 50 long as occupy seat on this
w. cannot permit any Interrogation unless do nins
coupena m by nisrcpresenting his language cannot
1ers m the practice which has obtained here Of con
ml"s m 'he forum into witness box
ar Chairman, have said tl,a, r.,,,.d g,o,,
Saa as any other net Of Congress Il hes been IN
~ me opponents Of this bin that Il vas s.red
sut 4 my ought therefore 70 be preserved nyioate
ac, the doctrrs a mat II would he impossible 10 en-.
llna w hon-lnervention and vet nrnserrn ~