The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1855-01-19
AMERICAN POLITICS.
SPEECH OF MIR. BANKS,
OF MASSACHUSETTS,,
In THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
=. December Is, 1854.

December Is, 1854.
TIE House being in the Committee of the
Whole on the state ol the Union
Mr.. BANKS said:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: In the speech of the dis
tnguished gentleman from Missouri, (Mr.
BENToN,) just read by his colleague, (Mr.
OL1vER.) tits stated that he, ut the last ses-
sion, intimated to some members of this
House from the eastern Etutes his belief that
the movement .or sending emigrauts to Kan
sas and Nebraska would excite sensations in
that country injurious to the cause in which
the people of the East were engaged. The
gentleman from Missouri, now absent, made
such declaration to me; and ! wrote to
some Of my friends, who were interested in
that movement, expressing his views and
my concurrence, in some degree, in the fears
he entertained. So much Ted in regard TO
myself is strictly true; and have no doubt
that it is true with regard to others.
But there is another statement in which
do not concur; and that is, that the State o.
Massachusetts, and the State of Missouri, are
equally culpable in the efforts made in the
Territories referred to. The people of Mas
sachusetts, so far as they engaged in the en-
igration movements, acted in good faith
They sent 20 the new Territories Of Kansas
and Nebrasl its best men; men who were
calculated to advance the prosperity Of any
State, to establish sound institutions, and
who intended 10 DO injustice t. no section OF
the country But it Was not with Missouri
as i, was with Massachusetts. W,thn a few
days an official letter, kind sqaasi proc
Iaination, has been received here from Gov
ernor Keeder, in which he declares distinct
ly, that public meating, held in lRsis,
for the purpose Of controlling the govern
ment of that Territory, was, composed of the
ci.izens of Missouri, and not those of Kan
sas; and that they did not come there to act
as citizens of that Territory, but for the
purpose of cont iolng its Institutions, in
which, as citizens of Missouri, they lad nci-
thor interest nor right. Thcy wire organi-
zed for that purpose, and they seem to desire,
not only to participate in the election Of "A
territorial Delegate, but also manifest de-
Termination to inllcnce the Governor in the
performance OF his executive duties. These
are his words:
"The meeting was not of the 'ctiz NJ OF kansas,
a.your proceedings will show, it YOU will prd!m
them 1t was meeting composed mHh'y U citt-
aeis Of Missouri and lew OF the cl"""nS ei hHh'
sas Your own boIy, whom am nov addressing
contains two nRl0abted residents u Missouri, one q
uriom is your chairman, uho reSihS Wih strmHr, IN
tho torn Of Lb,rty Missouri, as las d. os tcrEdrS
nLd whose only attempt ut esd nee III Kansas
consists OF n card nailed tree, upon grouud long
since occupied by other setter', who have built and
lvel upon the claim. The president vi your meet.
ing was .dr. John DougherIy,a resilient, and large
in np ri It.h hnas
ted to me since the meeting, and will not hesitate to
state again, as he il high minded anl honorable
man. above all cunccalment ami disguise. The
gentlemen principally com osln4 your meeting
came from across the river, thronglns the road from
the ferry TO the town. on hor ebdck, and in wagons
in numbers variousiy estimacdb b. different arsons
a., from tuo hundred TO three hHndred; and alter tic
meeting was over, they returned 10 their hOmcS IN tie
State Of M,SSOari. These are facts as nutI uS here
as any public occurrence can be-, and every man
VIII. had eyes TO see and to hear, is coJ.ia an
'of them.h
No such charge has been made, or car be
made, against emigrants from Massachusetts
They neither attempted Lor desired to in
'terlere with the political affairs Of any other
State or Territory, except that in which they
had planted themselves as settlers. They
have done for those Territories exactly what
the citizens of Massachusetts, have done
since the commencement Of the history o
this country-they contributed what was il
their power to the settlement of new terrific
~ with intelligent, honorable, and brave men
So much their duty required Of them, and s,
much only have they done. Those who de
sire to promote the prosperity OF Kansas will
never regret the advent of Massachusetts
emigrants.
! little while ago, desired to speak some
what at large upon topics introduced by the
gentleman from Georgia, (Alr. STGPHENs)-
shall seize an early opportunity to do so-bu
now confne my attention, as seems to b'
expected Of me, 60 the remarks of the honor
able gentleman from Mississippi, (Mr. BAR
RY1 who has just taken mis- seat
j had not anticipated a debate upon the
Erb1ect he introduced, and am not altogethe
.prfpared to participate therein. | may say
fkoWever, that it admits of, if it does not cal
4 }or, more thorough investigation than he ha
0}fsp it. Indeed, it cmbodes the grea
qnestons OF government; i, touches the FUN
sdamental rights of the people of this Union
Il goes to the heart Of every nationality Of
the face of the earth, ard it IS well worth
y eur attention. do not regret that my lrien
has introduced it. IhGve listened to his re
marks with pleasure, and with many OF hi
Conclusions, taking his point of view, Nigh
Sconcur. But the principles which lie at tn
&bssis of political assoc ations, and the right
<of pArties'interested in them, are SO variol
and 50 profound that, in the investigation
this matter, | can well entertain dfiereI