The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-23

upon lis very face II dernonstrabe that win have
the effect 10 point q law . oyerurn the latitude o.
power which the previous words propose give, 20 re-
strict that power which the senator says he desires to
large The poweris given the first place. the people Of
the Territories 70 decide TINS meter both ways But the
amendment of the senator proposes TO restrict II
provided they decide Il In particular way. think,
therefore, the senator from Michigan Mr. SruAsTl is
mistaken In reference the rule which have laid down.
II is rule that in the Transaction Of their
business. IL the old rule 10 which think my friend
advertedthe old Trojan ruleo look with suspicion upon
Greeian enemies and even with more dsust when they
came with the external appearances OF friendship Pretend
ing offer presents them. This bill good BILL right
stands and for my own part want no help from Its
enemies TO improve Il; and far my vote is con-
cened, | will accept of none
Mr.. DOUGLAS. MIR. President, rose an hour ago
make explanation of personal matter which would
have occupied me about mnute but one of my esteemed
friends asked give way, and he occupied half hour
and that explanation has almost gone off my mind Then
again. rose TO reply to my friend from Michigan MIR
STUART but that too, has now almost got cold must
however, say word to him.
The from Michigan read us lecture here In
terms which do not think becoming him or be-
coming the Senate. He tells us that he votes IN way
which requires explanatory and then charges that this
Senate, by threefourths vote, voted historical false
hood the record That may be his opinion, but do
not think that Is very respectful TO say So The record
shows that wohrds of the Senate thought otherwise and
do not think becomes either young old SENATOR
after has been recorded here solemny get up and
boast that he in small minority, voted for that which was
true, and that every who was not wise enough 10
he did, voted for that which historically untrue
do not think that il becoming either an enemy or friend
to the bill. For one, sir do not choose 10 allow any
senator Judge opposition to two-thrds vote of the
body, that my vote untrue. That point had
been argued and fully discussed and had been affirmed by
vote Of the body but think It IS not proper time 10
wards moved an amendment 10 make the idea more clear
explicit and satisfactory the body and then he voted for
that amendment, and it was adopted
The also says that he dectness In the Ian
guage Of this BILL implying that there is indlrectness In
direcness upon what ponti Upon the point that this bill
leaves the people to do they please in respect to their
domestic instituons He says The doctrine Of non-nler
venton has become popular at the North that you could
get abolition meeting big his hat in opposition
it, Where is the evidence ofiti Is II upon the rati
cation Of the compromise of 1862 That is the
only evidence know Of Those the only bsin which,
far am aware, there has been distinct issue made
before the country upon atying that principle Then he
have referredand presume he will correct me if
mistakento the adoption of the compromise measures
and the acquescence of the people in hem when he says
the country with such unaninty has approved of this
principle. If he referred the Utah and New Mexico
bills does he forget that this in the precise language of
those bis' Were those equivocali He must allege that
they equivocal if this Yet does SEEM accord
ing to his statement, that the people deemed them
equvoca but they approved of them and sanctioned Them
until aboitionism had far died that he could
the whole of it with his hat.
Now sir il there any doubt about this bls The sixth
section provides that the legislative power of the Territory
shall extend TO all rghu subjects Of legislation conss
with the constitution of the United States.n 1t does
not except slavery it excerpts no question pertaining to
slavery, but applies to ALI rghtul subjects of legislation
consistent with the constitution of the United States
Then, in the fourteenth section, it stands we de-
clare the object 10 be egsae slavery into the Terri
tories out of The Territories, but to leave the people
perfectly free to form and regulate their domestic nst
of the United States" Is there anything equvoca there
The Senator to know why, instead Of saying that
you leave them free to form their domestic institutions"
you do say that you leave them free regulate
that question:" Would that chsngeiti Is il not
hypercriticali Is there man in America who doubts
but that such language as leaving them free TO regulate
their domestic Institutions in their way includes the
question of slavery No doubts that.
II is true, the senator from Ohio MIR. CHASE says
that there limitation that subject What the linz
ation Subject only to the constitution of the United
Satesn He to get that limitation off, so that
may say they shall be free legsate upon their domestic
institutions without any limitation. The senator from
Michigan thinks that ought to say, in 80 many words,
they power legsate upon the subject Of slavery
either to introduce TO exclude. Why, sir there is no
doubt that that is sad in the bill now clear language
use except that the power is to be subject
the limitations of the constitution the United Can
you make any ceare Do you not desire to have their
legislation subject TO the constitution If you leave out
these words will you confer any power than If you
retain them You have given the power here in language
explicit and comprehensive as man can USE unless
the exercise of the power prohibited by the constitution
IL the constitution itself prohibits IT, how you confer
it, The power which these gentlemen desire is gwen
unless it be prohibited by the constitution Their objec
ton therefore, is that make legislation subordinate
to the constitution, which sworn TO support The
whole objection is that conforming to the consttu
non Of the country and the only necessity for this amend
rid of the Of the United States
The senator ON Ohio draws attention, with great
deal Of emphasis TO the fact that the first bill which
ported left the the people of the Territories with
out saying anything about the constitution The present
bill puts in the words, subject the constitution of the
United Stntes" Then the whole Of complaint IN his
speech is, that have inserted those words Does he not
wish his action subordinate to that sacred insru
mcn Ia he willing have his action here limited by
the inunctons of the constitution Of the United States II
he is, why complain Of the words subject only TO the
constitution of the United States" Suppose you were to
stuton prevails there Then, not the action Of the
territorial legislature be subordinate to the eonstisuton
il you strike out these words' Clearly II must
Sir tell gentlemen that have given IN this bill all the
power which possibly confer upon the people Of the
Territories by any which Congress pass. By thus
bill given to them all the power which we can give under
the constitution. We certainly can grant no more The
attempt TO give only betrays unwillmgness 70
adhere with fidelity to the constitution, which we have
sworn support am not, therefore, willing TO take this
lecture about ndrectness in the bill have heard cavil
enough about my amendments The senator from OHIO
has taken the pains 10 go through the different amendments
which the bill has undergone, and tried to make appear
that the committee had changed position upon the question:
when prove by his speeches and addresses that
there has been particle of change IN Its legal effect
When the discussion Of that question, he IS a
Witness and competent one, will prove that his charge
on that point is well founded will not, however,
enter that desire vote tonight upon all
the amendments. have SAID only much was neces-
sary to explain my position this one amendment
When this disposed Of shall have TO offer myself,
and hope shall dispose OF all the amendments opght
MIR. STUART. Mr. President, this is not the first time
have had the honor Of scat IN this body that the
from Illinois has sought personal difficulty with
me- Now sir, am disposed set that right upon
~ kxC., rke all