Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-03-09

I
endured them long and think no one will
deny that we have endured them patiently.
| To such Senators as have given uttcrance to
their opinions IN that form of argument,
make for myself only this reply-that that
field of debate is relnguished exclusively to
themselves. Now, as on similar occasions
heretofore, the relations of political parties,
and their respective merits and demcrits,
have entered largely into the discussion.
| Sir, ! shall forbear from entering into that
part of the debate, for the reason that am
addressing, not politicians, but statesmen.
| So far as the Justice or expcdiency of the
measure under consideration is concerned, it
can make no difference whether thos, who
advocate it or those who oppose it are Wings
or are Democrats, or belong to that new class
of men who arc popularity called Know
Nothings. Arguments based on such grounds
may have their weight somewhere ese-out-
side of the Chamber, or possibly up there
[pointing to the gallery but certainly not
down here. Inquisiton has been made con-
cerning the circumstances and influences
which attended the recent elections of men,
bers not only of this House, but of the uouse
of Representatives, for the purpose, as it
seems, of awakening prejudces against those
who oppose the passage of this bill. give
notice to honorable Senators who have adop
ted 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 eresuts are before the world.
They explain themselves. Equally derogatory
to any duty, and disrespectful to the states
men around me, and to the States which they
represent, would it be, were to inquire into
the manner or circumstances of the elections
~ do hx
Senator here as the exponent of the opinions
and principles of the State from which he
comes. And hear no voice from any State
hut that to which its representatives. give ut
terance. Nevertheless, Mr.. President, shall
not shrink from such an ex position Of my own
opinions and sentiments on collateral issues,
as shall tend to dscmbarrass good cause,
by relieving it from unjust prejudice, directed
against myself as its advocate.
First, in regard to what is called the Ne
braska Question. freely confess, that re-
gard the abrogation of the Missouri Compro-
mise by the Nebraska bill of the last session
as an unjust, unnecessary, dangerous, and
revolutionary act. | voted against 1t as such.
Let that vote stand against me, in the minds
and in the hearts, if it must be SO, of those
Senators who regard it rs Il cause for reproach.
Certainly, thi, is not the time to justify that
.
given, and it's vindication was then duly
made. There is probably another time com
! ing for the renewal of that vindicaton--a
| 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 life, and health and strength, |
hope again to do my duty. To that future
time adjourn the argument on the bill for
the abrogation Of the Missouri Compromise.
There is more propriety in the discussions
Of the Fugitive Slave law, which have been
re-opened during this debate. | have no need, g,
however, to speak on that subject. | have
| fully debated it heretofore, on more occasions
than one, in this place. Every word of what
then said is recorded in the legislative his
tory of the United States. There is not
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
right WHO 'IS Tronoaaaed i"s'ffT Tie fFfGstve Slave
law u Just, and necessary, and constitutional
act, full of healing to a wounded country, or
whether the humble individual who now
stands before you was right when he admo-
nished you that that law was unnecessary,
unwise, inhuman. and derogatory from the
Constitution, and that it would never be ex-
ecuted without new and continued usurpa-
tions. The transaction of this night takes
place. in order that the words of that pro-
phesy may be fulfilled.
am not allowed, Sir, to reach the merits
Of this question, without alluding to a body
Of men who sport in the public gaze under u
name which hardly know how to repeat in
the presence of SO grave and reverend an as
semblage as this-the Know-Nothings. They
are said to have contrived their disguise with
SO much ingenuity that ono who is not u no.
vice cannot deny II knowledge Of their GER
emonies and principles, without implying his
communion and membership with them. New
ertheless, must reply to the Senator from
Illinois, (Mr, Douglas.) who charges me-
among others, with such an afiliation, that
have no knowledge of that body Of men, 9TH
er than what is afforded me by the publica-
tions Of the day. Thu, Informed, l under
stand the Know -Nothings to be q secret So
ciety or order, consisting of two or three
grades, colleagued and mutually sworn to
elect individuals of their own Order, or al
least persons maintaining the principles
which that order entertains, to all Offices o.
trust and profit in the United States. These
principles understand to be, in general, thu
same which, before the organization of tn,
Know-Nothings, passed under the name o
Native Amercansm. /, Sir, have no con
|
J sponsiblity for its doings, and have not tn,
least sympathy with its principles or senti
ments. belong to one voluntary associa
tion of men, which has to do with spiritua
, affairs 1t is the Christian Church-tha
l branch Of it, all imperfect though think i
, is, which, according to my notions most neal
ly retains in their purity the instructions G
f., the Gospel. That association is an open one
t which performs all its rites and gives all it
instructions with publicity, and invites ever
{ man, in the language of its Divine Founder
c to come in and partako Of the privileges wit
n which lie invested it, and Of the blessing
= which lie promises belong to one temp
y, raj society Of men, and that is the polite;
c party, which, according to my notions, en-
e bodies most fully and most truly, although
| confess, as in the other case, very inadequat,
!. ly, the principles of the Declaration of Ind
j. pendencc and ui the Constitution Of the Tn
o ted States. The Association also, Of which
70 have last spoken, ia an open one All i
transactions are conducted in the broad da,
n light and it invites all citizens, and all mt
l who become subjects of the power of tn
:, Government, of whatever cline or race
II color they may be, to enter into its ranks,
1f participate IN its lahors, and to cooperate
d maintaining good Government and in advan
l. ing the cause of Human Nature. These tv
., ASSOCIATIONS, tne one spiritual ana tne Oth
10 temporal, are the only voluntary Association
10 to which now belong, OF ever have belong
re since | became man ; and, unless am b
I'd reft Of reason, they are the only Association
c, of men to which shall ever suffer myself
" belong, Secret societies, sir Before wou
IN place my right hand between the hands
OF other men, in secret Lodge, Order, Class
n Council, and, bending on my knee before the
a enter into combination with them for any O
u ject, personal or political, good or bad,
to would pray to God, that that hand and tn
to knee might be paralyzed, and that might |
is come an object Of the pity and even of t
at mockery ofmy fellow-men. Swear, sir
ss a man, an American citizen, a Christia
H. swear to submit myself to the guidance a
en- direction of other men, surrenderng my o,
Is | iudnment tn their indnments and my q,