The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-03-15
TIE INTENTIONS OF THE FREE STATES
SPEECH OF HENRY WILSON, OF MASS.

very respectfully, OEO. w. JULIAN.
TIE INTENTIONS OF THE FREE STATES.
SPEECH OF HENRY WILSON. OF MASS.
IN THE
SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES,
BIZ to Protect officers Of the United States.
DELIVERED FKBHUARy % 1855.
Mr.. PRESIDENT: have no desire to mingle in
this excited and angry debate, which has so I'M
expectedly sprung up; but the tone and temper
OF the remarks which the Senator from Tennessee
Mr.. JONES has seen fit to indulge in towards
my friend from Connecticut, Mr. GILLETTE Il and
the extraordinary language he has applied to
Senators from my section of the Union, should
not be permitted to pass unnoticed. Sir, the
Senator from Tennessee, with bitterness of man.
ner, has denounced the Senator from Connecti-
cut, and other Senators who oppose this measure
as little band of traitors" men who are
"treacherous" to their country This is extraor-
binary language, Mr.. President, to apply to hon
Orable Senators upon this floor, for acting in &C
cordance with their convictions of public duty.
That Senator may, if he chooses, class me with
the little band of traitors" for assure him, the
Senate, and the country, that 1 shall not shrink,
in this hour of their weakness, from standing side
vs.
reproaches, have faithfully and fearlessy vindi-
Gated the sentiments of tho fresmen whose repre-
sentatives they are. Sir, the honorable Senator
from Tennessee would do well to remember that
the Senators to whom he has applied such Ian
Quage represent on this floor the opinions of at
least one million of the intelligent voters of the
Republic, and that they are sustained by the ac-
ton of fifteen sovereign States. Cheered by the
approving voice of the people and by the con-
sciousness of growing power, the Senators he has
tauntingly denounced will not be deferred by
epithcts, no matter how profusely he may apply
them, from the vindicatiou of their cherished
convictions. | intend to tell you, gentlemen OF
tie South, where we of the North stand upon
this exciting and disturbing question of Slavery,
and what We purpose to do. | intend to deal
frankly with you in regard to this question, in
which you and your people are so deeply interest
ed.
Sir, | have not an unkind word to utter towards
my friends from the South. God knows have
not an unkind feeling in my heart towards them,
or those whom they represent. | trust that have
heart large enough to embrace in its affections
the whole country, and every man that breathes
the air or treads the soil of the Republic be that
man black or white. | have no war to make, and
those whom ] represent have no war to make
upon Senator'S from the South or the people OF
the South To me, sir, the proudest master and
tho iowhest bondman are alike brethren and fell
low-countrymen.
|. Sir, believe, and the people of Massachusetts
believe, that Slavery is violation of the holy
commands to love our neighbor, and to do unto
others as we would that others should do unto us
1 tell you, frankly, that we of Massachusetts, arc
unalterably opposed to African Slavery in Amer
ica and are in favor of all practicable efforts
for its entire abolition. But we do not propose to
interfere with Slavery in the States. We believe
that Slavery in the States is local institution
that we not responsible for its existence, and
that we have no legal authority to interfere with
1T in any way whatever. l am content to leave
Slavery to the people of the States where it exists
| recognise the Democratic doctrine of State
Rights, in its application to Slavery as well as to
other local affairs; and while have seat in this
Chamber, shall resist all attempts to encroach
upon the reserved rights of the sovereign States
of the Union. | will stand side by side with my
Democratic friends, in vindication of the Virginia
and Kentucky Resolutions of 1893 and 1899,
which they endorsed at Baltimore in 1852.
will tell you, Mr.. President just what our
position is in Massachusetts. We stand upon the
impregnabe basis of the Constitution of the Uni
ted States. We do not propose to encroach upon
the rights of our Southern brethren, but we claim
that, under the express authority of the Constitu
tion of the United States, we have ample power
TO abolish Slavery in the District of Columbia.
We of Massachusetts, and of the free States, are
responsible for the existence of human Slavery
hsre in the National Capital Slavery exists here
by the authority, or rather by the permission, of
Congress; and the people of New England, of the
central States and of the West are as RESPONSE
BILE for its existence as are the sons of Maryland
and Virginia whose ancestors planted it here.
Mr. friend from Connecticut mr. GILLETTE
referred to the shocking and brutal sight of a
woman led by man on horseback along the
streets near the Capitol, with rope fastened
afSund her body. The Senator from Tennessee
Nr. JoSns1 poured out upon the Senator from
Connecticut his indignation for calling the atten-
ticn of the country and the world to that degra-
ding spectacle witnessed by the wife of a New
England Senator, and several other ladies. Sir,
that spectacle was witnessed in North Capitol
street only few days ago, while the Representa-
tses of the free States, who have majorities in
both Houses of Congress, were in session. The
laws under which that woman was dragged
through the streets of the Capital of the Repub
lie, may be repealed by Congress. The people of
the free States know that they are responsible
for the existence of laws under which this degra-
ding act was perpetrated. Sir, do you think the
men who read Gods holy word will silence the
voice of conscience, and the hottest and noblest
impulses of their hearts, and tamely permit this
national ground to be dshonored by such scenes
Sir, we of the free States feel that we have
clear, undoubted, constitutional right to abolish
Slavery here, and we mean to do it. Yes, sir, we
intend to do it, by securing majority in this
Senate and in the House of Representatives, and
voting you gentlemen of the South down. We
propose to do il in no spirit of unkindness and we
do not believe that you will dissolve the Union
if we repeal the laws, under color of which,
women may be dragged along the streets of the
National Capital.
Then, sir, we believe that over the Territories
of the United States we have absolute power and
jurisdiction. / wish to read to you from sound
Democratic authority on this point, and you know
in my State the tendency is towards Democracy.
hold in my hand resolutions written by the chair
man of the national Democratic committee of the
United States, the Hon. Benjamin F. Halett, a
gentleman of talents and national reputation, or
he would not have been placed in a position SO
high--a gentleman who was appointed district
attorney by the present Administration. And, sir,
this Administration leans upon his arm to support
it in that section of the country. will read one
or two of these resolutions and l wish to say
that, in regard to them there is in Massachusetts,
hardly dissenting voice. At the time they were
written and adopted, Mr.. Hallett was chairman OF
the national Democratic committee, and chairman
of The State committee of Massachusetts, They
were passed onthe 10th Of September, lS49.
Mr.. BENJAMIN. Where?
Mr.. WILSON. In the State Democratic Conven-
ton at Springfield, on the 10Th of September,
l849.. They were published in the Boston Post, |
the leading Democratic organ of New England,
them and now, edited by Colonel Greene gen. |
tleman who was appointed navy agent by the
present Administration:
I" Resolped, That we are opposed to Slavery in |
every form and color and in favor Of Freedom |
Gods heritage
Sir the ueople of Massachusetts n,ost heartily