Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-03-15
HENRY WILSON'S SPEECH.


On the BiHto protect persons executing me fugi-
tive Slavs Act from prosecution in State Courts
Mr.. President, have no desire to mingle
in this excited and angry debate, which has SO
unexpectedly sprung up but the tone and tenn
of the remarks which the Senator from TENN
essee [Mr. Jones has seen fit to indulge IN
towards my friend from Connecticut MIR. Gill
lette.l and the extraordinary language he has
applied to Senators from my section oil the
Union, should not be permitted to pass unno-
ticed. Sir, the Senator from Tennessee, with
bitterness of manner, has denounced the Sem
ator from Connecticut, and other Senators
who oppose this measure, as 4" little BAND OF
traitors" men who are "treacherous' to their
country. This is extraordinary language
Mr.. President, to apply to honorable Senators
upon this floor for acting in accordance with
their convictions of public duty. That Sena-
tor may, if he chooses, class me with "the
little band of traitors" for | assure him, the
Senate, and the country, that | shall not
shrink, in this hour of their wickedness, from
standing side by side, with men who, amid
oboquy, sneers, and reproaches. have faith
fully and fearlessly vindicated the sentiments
Of the freemen whose representatives they are.
Sir, the honorable Senator from Tennessee
would do we'll 10 remember that The Senator
to whom he has applied such language repre-
sents on this floor the opinion of at least one
million of the intelligent yotere Of the Repub-
lie, and that they are sustained by the action
of fifteen sovereign States. Cheered by the
approving voicelsf the people and by the con-
seriousness Of growing power, the Senators he
has tauntingly denounced will not be deferred
by epithets, no matter how profusely he may
apply them, from the yindicatou Of their cher
ished convictions. intend to tell you, gen
tlemen of the South, where we of the North
stand upon this exciting and disturbing CUES
ton of slavery, and what we purpose to do.
l intend to deal frankly with you in regard to
this question in which you and your people are
so deeply interested.
Sir | have not an unkind word to utter to.
wards my friends from the South. God knows
| have not an unkind feeling in my heart TO-
wsrds them or those whom they represent
trust that have heart large enough to elm
brace in its affections the whole country, an(
every man that breathes the ali or treads the
soil of the Republic, be that man black Of
white. | have no war to make, and thost
whom | represent have no war to make upol
the Senators from the South or the people o
the South. To me, sir, the proudest master
and the iowliest bondslnen are alike bretherer
and iellow-countrymen.
Sir, believe, and the people of Massachu
sets believe, that slavery is violation Of tho
holy commands to love our neighbor, and tt
do unto others as We would that others SHOULD
do unto US. tell you, frankly, that we o
Massachusetts are unalterably opposed to AT
rican slavery in America, and we are in favol
of all practicable efforts for its entire aboli
ton. But we do not propose to interfere will
slavery in the States. We believe that slav
cry in the States is local insttuton-tha
we are not responsible for its existence, ant
that We have no legal authority,,to interfere
with it in any way whatever. am conten
to leave slavery to the people Of the State
where it exists. | recognize the Democratic
doctrine of State rights in its application tt
slavery as well as to other local affairs, ant
while have scat in this Chamber | shall
resist all attempts to encroach upon the re-
served rights OF the sovereign States of tn
}Uulon. l Will stand side by side with IN.
Democratic friends in vindication of the Vir
gipia and Kentucky resolutions of 1898 ant
1799s which they endorsed at Baltimore il
1852.
Twill tell you, Mr.. President, just what GU
position is in Massachusetts,. We stand upo
the impregnable basis Of the Constitution 0
the United States. We do not propose to en-
croach upon the rights of our Southern breth
rem but we claim that under the express au
thority of the Constitution of the Unite
States, we have ample power to abolish slay
cry in the District of Columbia. We Q
Massachusetts,, and Of the free States, are re-
ponsible for the existence Of human SLAYER
here in the national capitol. Slavery exist
hero by the authority, or rather by the pei
mission of Congress and the people Of Nc
England, Of the central States, and of tn
West, are as responsible for its existenc
as are the sons Of Maryland and Virgin
whose ancestors planted it there.
My friend from Connecticut, Mr.. Gillette
referred to the shocking and brutal sight Of
woman led by man on horseback along tn
streets near the Capitol, with u rope fastene
around her body. The Senator form Tonr
essee, [Mr. Jones poured out upon the Sena
tor from Connecticut, his indignation for cal
ing the attention of the country, and the worlt
, to that degrading spectacle, witnessed by tn
wife of the New England Senator and severe
! other ladies. Sir, that spectacle was witness
ed in North Capitol street, only few day
ago, while the Representatives Of the fire
! States, who have majorties in both Houses
Congress, were in session. The laws undo
which that woman was dragged through til
streets of the capitol of the Republic, may /
repeatedly Congress. The people of the fire
States know that they are responsible for tn
existence of laws under which this degradin
act was perpetuatod. Sir, do you think thu
the men who read Gods holy word will sllent
a the voice of conscience, and the hottest an
h noblest impulses Of their hearts, and tameI
q permit this national ground to be dishonore
n by such scenes Sir we of the free Stat
g. feel that we have clear, unidentified, constit'
/, ftional right to abolish slavery here, and v
n mean to do it. Yes, sir, VIC intend to do
! by securing majority in this Senate? and
. the House of Representatives, and voting 20
gentlemen of the South, down. We propo
> to do it in no spirit of unkindness, and we
not believe that you will dissolve the Union
: we repeal the laws, under color of which W
men may be dragged along the streets OF tt
g national capitol
9 Then sir, we believe that over the terrlt
: ries of the United States we have absolu
: power and jurisdiction. l wish to read to yc
= from a sound democratic authority on tn
6 point, and you know in my State the tendc
a cY is towards demncranu L hold In my har