Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-03-24
WHOLE NO. 494.

Now sir assure Senator'S from the South that
VIC of the free States mean to change our policy,
tell you, frankly, just how feel and Just whas
we propose to do. We mean to withdraw from
these Halls that class Of public who have be.
trayed us and deceived you mon who have misi
represented us, and not dealt frankly with you.
And we intend 10 send men into these Halls who
will truly represent us and deal justly with you.
We mcan sir to place in the councils of the naI
ton men who in the words Of jefferson, "have
sworn on the altar of God eternal hostility to evl
cry kind Of oppression Of the mind and body Of
man." Yes, sir mcan t1 place in the national
councils men who cannot be seducgd by the bland
ishments, or deferred hy the threats cf power;
/ men VINO will iearlessly maintain our principles.
| assure Senators from the South that the people
| Of the North entertain for them and their people
no feelings Of hostility; but they will no longer
consent to be misrcprcscnted by their own repre-.
prescribed for their fidelity to FREQ
dom. This determination OF the people of the
North has manifested itself during the past few
months in acts not to be misread by the country.
The stern rebuke administered to iaithless North.
ern representatives, and the annililaton of old
and powerful political organizations, should teach
Senators that the days Of wanihg power are upon
them This action of the people teaches the lesi
SOM which hope will be needed, that political
combinations can no longer he successfully made
to suppress the sentiments of the people.
Mr.. Beuiamn-I should be exceedingly unwil-
ling to disturb the course of the Senator'S argu-
ulCht, VI lulcIIh pl MS SpStCI buN, as he is
us what certainly is very interesting to the coun.
try, an exposition of those views which he enter
tains, and Of which he is the exponent this
floor, would the honorable Senator be kind enough
to statethat may understand fully his views
and those Of his party-whether, in conformity
with the principles Of that party, if Territorial
organization were now superseded by State con-
stituiion in any Of the Territories Of this Union,
and 10y that constitution, the people Of the State
should adopt slavery as one Of their domestic i'm
sttutiOnS, it would he consistent with his princiI
pies to admit that State into the Union with thas
constitution?
Mr.. Wilson, will answer the Senator frankly.
stand here ready to answer any questions put by
the Senator from louisiana any other Senator.
The party with which | act is new organization.
It has, so far as know, in Massachusetts,, and in
all the other States never expressed any opinions
or assumed any position on the question of slavery.
| cannot therefore, speak for it. The members Of
that party in my State, in their individual Ca
paeity, would be decidedly opposed to the admis-
sion of slave States into the Union.
Mr.. Beniamin.-I shall trouble The gentleman
with one more question if he will permit me- I
will ask that Senator if frankly and conscien-
tiously, he believes that in the event of the repeal
of the fugitive slave law the State and people Of
Massachusetts would adopt effective measures by
which fugitive slaves from the South would bo cap
tured and returned to their owners2
Mr.. Wilson, believe that il the fugitive slave
act should be repealed the Commonwealth Of Mas
saehusetts will fulfil her constitutional obligations,
Sut she will do it in her way, as to protect
fully the rights Of every man within her jurisdc.
ton.
Mr.. Benjamin.-I fear the Senator may think
that these interrogatories unfair encroach!
mcnts upon his time and shall not push them, if
they are unpleasant to him.
Mr.. Wilson.-Not at ALL sir; am ready to an
swer.
MIR. Benjamin. / should like to understand if
under his own convictions, under the principles
entertained by those whom he represents OF by
the population of the States or Massachusetts, he
really believes that in the event of the repeal of
the fugitive slave law, fugitive slave would bs
captured and restored to his southern owner, TN
der any circumstances?
Mr.Wilson. l certainly cannot say what Massa.
chusetts would do, under any circumstances that
may happen. But will say that,in my judgements
she would fulfill the obligations which the Consti'
tuition imposes upon her.
Mr.. Benjamin. That is satisfactory answer.
Mr. Weller. Yes, if they would only do it do
not believe they would. Laughter.
Mr.. Wilson. have confidence in the fidelity OF
the peopeof Massachusetts 10 the obligations ims
posed upon them by the Constitution of the United
States.
Mr.. Rusk. Will the honorable Senator allow me
to interrupt him moment? As he is explaining
the opinions of new party, which will be import
ant for good evil, desire to ask him few
questions. First does that party regard the States
and their citizens equal in rights under the Con-
stitutiOn?
Mr. Wilson So far as know the Sentiments Of
the members of that party, they regard the sover-
eign States Of this Union as equals under the
Constitution. This is the true Americah doctrine;
and certainly think they will go for the equality
Of the citizens of all the States.
Mr. Rusk-I desire to ask him another Question
although | assure him | am reluctant to interrupt
him. Does that party recognize the right In Con-
gress to exclude either directly or indirectly, tho
citizens of any State from equal rights of person
and property in any of the Territories of the Cni'
ted States7
Mr.. Wlson-So far as the party with which | act
in Massachusetts is concerned, it has never taken
any position upon this subject but win say that
do not know man in the ranks Of that party
who does not bclived that the Congress Of the
United States alone has the power TO legisa.e for
those Territories and that nobody has right 10
carry a slave there and keep him in bondage with.
out the permission of Congress. In my opinion,
Congress has no right to establish slavery in the
Territories, or to allow the people to establish it,
Mr.. Rusk-My question is answered.
Mr.. Wilson. l have spoken, Mr.. President, in
no spirit OF unkndness towards our fellow-citzens
of the South of the sentiments, feelings aud pur.
poses of the people of the North. ! do not refer
to the action of political parties. refer to the
people without distinction of party. Party cohi-
binNtiOns not strong enough to repress the ht-
terance, or TO control the action OF tne people
aroused at last to the yndicaton Of their rights.
If politicians here, or elsewhere, believe they can
make any political combinations that shall ieuore
the issues forced upon the people of the free States
| tell them frankly that they will gnoinininusly
fail. The people of the North are beginning TO
realize the responsibilities and duty imposed up.
on them by the condition of the country They
feel that the hand of prescription has been laid
upon them, and they will no longer consent 10 be
prescribed for holding opinions sanctioned By pa.
triotsm, humanity, and religion
These sentiments aud opinions are the matured
convictions of my judgement, and while l have
scat in this Chamber / shall adhere to them with
fidelity, and support them with irmnessi hope
at all times to meet honorable Senators from the
South in spirit of Kindness and conciliation but
no fear of denunciation reproach or ridicne, here
n fr1ar,a tha rIrdica.