The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-03-08

of awakening prejudices against those who OPP
pose the passage of this bill. give notice to
honorable Senators who have adopted this line
of argument, that it is neither required by the
people whom represent here, nor is it consistent
with their dignity and honor, that should assume
to interpret the motives which determined their
choice of legislators. The results are before the
world They explain themselves Equally de-
rogatory from my duty, and disrsspectfnl to the
statesmen around me, and to the States which
they represent, would it be, to inquire into
the manner or circumstances of the elections
made by those States. l recognise every Senator
here as the exponent of the opinions and princi-
Piles of the State from which he comes. And
hear no voice from any State but that to which
its representatives give utterance. Nevertheless,
Mr. President, l shall not shrink from such an
exposition of my own opinions and sentiments on
collateral issues, as shall tend to disembarrass
good cause, by relieving it from unjust prejudices
directed against myself as its advocate.
First, in regard to what is called the Nebraska
Question. freely confess that regard the ao-
rogation of the Missouri Compromise by the Ne
braska bill of the last session al unjust, I'M
necessary, dangerous, and revolutionary act
voted against it as such. Let that vote stand
against me, in the minds and in the hearts, II 1t
must be so, of those Senators who regard 1t as
cause for reproach. Certainly, this is not the
time to justify that vote. A time to do so was,
when the vote was given, and its vindicston was
then duly made. There is probably another
time coming for the renewal OF that vindieahon[
time in the near future, when the question OF
restoration of Freedom throughout the Territories
of the United States will arise in the Senate
Then If God shall bless me with continued LIE
and health and strength, hope again TO do my
duty To that future time adjourn the argu-
ment on the bill for the abrogation of the Mis-
souri, Compromise
There is more of propriety in the discussions OF
the Fugitive Slave Law which have been re-
opened during this debate. have no need, how
over, to speak on that subject. l have fully de-
bated ii heretofore, more occasions than ono,
in this place. Every word Of what then said,
is recorded in the legislative history of the United
States There is not a thought that would wish
to add there is not a word that | am willing to
take away. Time is full surely and quite rapidly
enough resolving the question whether those
were right who pronounced the Fugitive Slave
Law just, and necessary, and constitutional
act, full of healing to wounded country, or
whether the humble individual who now stands
before you was right when he admonished you
that that law was unnecessary, unwise, inhuman,
and derogatory from the Constitution and that
it would never be executed without new and
continued usurpations. Tho transaction Of this
night takes place. in order that the words of that
prophecy may be fulfilled
this question, without abiding to body of men
who sport in the public gaze under name which
1 hardly know how to repeat in the presence OF
so grave and reverend an assemblage as this-the
Know Nothings. They are said to have contrivsd
their disguise with so much ingenuity, that one
who is not novitate cannot deny knowledge
Of their ceremonies and principles, without I'M
plying his communion and membership with
them. Nevertheless, must reply to the Senator
I M oh mi
among others, with such an utilization, that
have no knowledge of that body of men, other
than what is afforded me by the publications Of
the day. Thus informed, understand the Know
Nothngs to be secret society order, consist
ing of two or three grades, colleagued and mutu-
ally to elect individuals OF their own Order,
or at least persons maintaining the principles
which that Order entertains to all offices of trust
and profit in the United States. Those principles
understand to be, in general the same which,
before the organization Of the Know Nothings,
passed under the name of Native Americanisp,.
l. sir have no connection with that Order am
under no responsibility for its doinge, and have
not the least sympathy with its principles or sem
timents. l belong to one voluntary Association
of men, which has to do with spiritual affairs. 1t
is the Christian Church-that branch Of it, all
imperfect though l think it is, which, according
to my notions, most nearly retains, in their puri-
ty, the instructions of the Gospel. That Associa-
ton is an open one, which performs all its rites
and gives all its instructions with publicity, and
invites every man, in the language 0f its Divine
Founder 70 come in and partaks Of the privileges
with which He invested it, and Of the blessings
which He promises. l belong TO orr temporal
society Of men, and that is the political party
which, according to my notions, embodies most
fully and most truly, although; | confess, as in
the other case, very inadequately, the principles
of the Declaration Of independence and es the
Constitution of the United States. This Associa-
ton also, Of which have last spoken, is open
one. All its transactions are conducted in the
bread daylight, and it invites all citizens and all
men who become subjects of the power OF this
Government, of whatever cline or race or color
they may be- to enter into its ranks TO participate
in its labors, and to cooperate in maintaining
good Government and in advancing the cause Of
Human Nature These two Associations, the one
spiritual and the other temporal, are the only
voluntary Associations to which now belong, or
ever have belonged since became a man and,
unless / am bereft Of reason, they are the only
Associations of men to which | shall ever suffer
myself to belong Secret societies, sir Before
would place my right hand between the hands
of other men, in a secret Lodge, Order, Glass, or
Council, and, bending my knee before them, enter
into combination with them for any object per-
sonal or political, good or bad, would pray to
God that that hand and that knee might be par
alyzed, and that / might become object Of the
pity and even of the mockery of my fellow men.
Swear, sir! |, a man. an American citizen, a
Christian swear to submit myself to the guidance
and direction of other men, surrendering my own
Judgment to their judgments, and my own con-
science to their keeping No, no, sir know
quite well the falibility of my own judgment, and
nv liability to fall into and temptation. But
my life has been spent in breaking the bonds Of
the slavery of other men. l Therefore know too
we'll the danger of confding power to irresponsi-
bic hands, to make myself willing slave. Pro-
scribe a man. sir because he was not born in the
same town, or county, or State, country, in
which was born Why sir, do most earnestly
and most affectionately advise all persons here
after to be born, that they be born in the United
States and il they can without inconv enience, to
be born in the State Of New York, and thus avoid
great deal of trouble for themselves and for others
TLaughterl Moreover, do most affectonately
enjoin upon all such persons as are hereafter to
be born that they be born of fathers and Of moth
ers, of grandfathers and of grandmothers, of pure
American blood. Still more sir, do affection
ately enioin upon all who shall thus have the
wisdom to come into existence on this side of the
] Atlantic, and of such pure and untainted ances-
try, to be either born in tho Protestant faith, or
to be converted as speedily as possible to tina,
/ good and true Protestant Church, within whose
| pale myself am accustomed to worship
| More than that, sir. Speaking fNsn y full
knowledge and conviction of the serious incon-
| veniences which absolute and eternal Slavery
| entails upon Man and upon races of men, do
earnestly, strenuousy, and affectionately conjure
all people everywhere, who are hereafter 10 bo
born, to be born white Laughter. Thus, be-
ing born in this free and happy country, and be-
ing born white, they win be born free. But
Mr.. President, this is the length, and this is the
breadth Of my connection with the new and mys-
| terious Order of Patriots. And, if there shall
hereafter come among us persons who, because
from ignorance they may not be able to profit