Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-03-23
Yttturt.
Speech Of William II. Seward.
In the Senate cfMs United States. FEB
rxary 23rd, 1855, on The 6iH to pro-
tsct officers ofths United States.


Mn. PREsrprxr:-The scene be-
fore me, and all its circumstances and
Incidents, admonish me that the time
has come when the Senate Of the Uni
ted States is'about to grant another Of
those concessions, which have become
habitual here, to the power Of slavery
in this Republic. For the second time
in period Of nearly three months.
the brilliant chandelier above our
heads Is lighted up; the passages and
galleries are densely crowded; all the
customary forms Of Legislation are
laid aside. The multifarious subjects,
which have their rise in all parts Of
this extended country. are suddenly
forgotten in q concentration Of feel.
ing upon single question Of intense
interest. The day Is spent without an
adjournment. Senators foregoing their
natural relaxation and refreshment,
remain In their seats until midnight
approaches. Excitement breaks out
In every part Of the Chamber. Grim
nation and resrimination, and denun-
Citations ofScnators individually, and
Of Senators by classes, equally OF those
who have participated in the debate.
and ofthose who have remained ST.
lent, CRATE harshly upon the ear.
Such rs these were the incidents that
heralded the passing Of the Fugitive
Slave act Of 1850. Such as these at
tended the abrogation Of the Missouri
Compromise In 1854. I know full
we'll that the fall Of Constitutional
Liberty ls as certain 10 follow these In.
cidents occurring now, rs IL followed
the like incidents on the sad occasions
10 which have referred. And foI
aught that know, the teeming guns,
which proclaimed these former tri.
umphs Of slavery, Is already planted
again under tho caves Of the Capitol
TO celebrate another victory. Ny
course on this occasion. has been the
same as on all former occasions Of .
like character. I have forbornc from
engaging In the debate, until near tn,
end Of the controversy, that the coun
try may know who II Is, and who l
10 not, that disturbs the public harmo
my, and breaks tho public peace, b,
the agitation Of Slavery in these Halls
and Ishall peak now, less in the form
Of an argument against the bill befor,
us. than protest. upon which
shall take iay stand, to abide the ulti
mate judg, ment which shall be rem
dered by H. American people.
For myrsif, there Is q painful aeso
citation connected with the rise Of thi
debate. Iarose in my place at
o'clock this morning, Simultaneous,
with the. honorable Senator from Con
necticut, Mr.. Troucy) and each Of U
demanded an audience, which was as
signed by the Chair TO him He an
nounced this bill, which. however oh
scure in its language, was, a. We o.
. instantly knew. designed for the pro
lection Of the United States officer
: who are engaged in tho execution
the Fugitive Slave Law. On the 9th
erside, ! heldsin my hand a propos'
tion. to be submitted to the Senate
. for the erection Of bronze monu
. ment fifty feet high, in the city
! Washington, which should illustrat
. the life and death Of Thomas Jefferson
: and commemorate the immortal name
Of the signers Of the Declaration ,