The daily union., 1856-12-31
CONGRESSIONAL.
DEFERRED DEBATE.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
In SENATE, DECEMBER ls, 1856.

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
In SKSArE, DEoEMHrR 49, 1856.
The question pending being on a motion to print
Der OF extra copies Of the Presiden,s annual message
Mr. JONES OF Tennessee said; Mr.. President, at the
time this question under consideration a week ago
obtained the floor feeling anxiety take part
in the debate confess that the time which has elapsed
since that debate and the period and the
ments TO which have been subjected have abaed some
what my interest In that aud IT, therefore, shall
innct on the Senate unusually unnerespg speech,
they NAV take upon themselves Of the responsibility
The question beore the Senate Is upon reference Of
portion Of the Presidents message to committee That
is mmaier issue The real question before the Se
ate is the Presidents message aud the arguments which
have been used by senators this oor in connexon with
it. AS far as the Presidents message ID concerned do
not suppose it will be expected that shall stand here
the champion OF the President in vndicaton OF his mes
Sge or the positions he has assumed In that That
duty rather that privilege appertains directly TO
you, sir and other gentemen this floor may, how
ever be permitted say of justice to the Presi
dent 1t be OF any interest to him TO any TO
know what my opinions in reference to that portion
OF the message which has received the structures and
condemnation of gentlemen the other side of the
House. that It was proper just, and SO far as under
stand II, truthful in itself That the President had the
light TO make such message presume nobody WI. con-
trovert IL a matter of with him how far he
should and question OF duty also He has determined
that question for himself and gentlemen have complained
OF his determination am not here as the advocate OF
special prerogatve do not hold that the President is
beyond the reach of censue do pretend contend
that his message is not legitimate subject of animad
sion the part any senator who may choose to pass his
structures upon it, Senators have the right TO investigate
the public documents of the country IL is their duty
scrutnze message of the President II is here for
their guidance and instruction il is therefore their prvi
ege and their duty TO Investigate it, As to the manner
aud mode OF that investigation might differ with some
gentlemen this foor particularly to the terms which
necessary and proper TO be used In regard to OF
highest departments OF government coordinate depart
men with the Senate but that is question of taste of
which am willing that senators shall Judge for themselves
They have chosen to do and the terms they have EN-
paragement OF the President am willing to them 10
the arbuament of enlightened decent public senti-
ment 1t has gone TO the country and the people will
doubtless pass their judgment upon It,
Mr. President there is another question involved in this
controversy OF far greater importance me- and think
to the country thaa any mere qubbss that may be got
ten up the Presidents message That question is NOT
to the powers OF this government deliberately
argued by the senator from Vermont Mr.. CoLLAMEB TO
carry slavery into the Territories That of in
tere grant, but it must be borne in mind that human
ingenuity hgman learning, and human talent, say
nothing that that has not already been said
be apparent To YOU sir and 10 every senator on this
hoor that thar is point Gbout which differ and about
whi,h shall probably continue 10 differ as long as the
minds and inlelects of gentlemen differently ang Pc
cuiary organized The senator from Vermont maintains
that the Congress Of the United States have full and
limited power lRgislae for the Territories and that
therefore they have the 10 prohibit the introduction
of slavery into the Territories Thai hs opnou clearly
expressed and doubtless honestly entertained quite
clear and hope quite as honest in yicuon di-
rccty opposed 70 that which the presents There
other distinguished on this floor who concur
with the senator from Vermont There are Others, far
distinguished than affect assume TO be, VINO
| cur with me Ia opinion
There an issue between Us How Is that issue to be
DECIDED We ght debate the question ON the
resurrection day. II were p-rted to live 50 long end
in all probability We should then stand now stand.
What then we TO doS We let TO the last
and the only resort that which Is provided for by the
stluUn-a reference Of this vered question the
,sion c. the Supreme Court that high tribunal which,
bv way of mn; and derson has been called the ca-
/ tD SatIaD Rl Rl ltha arfr
is place whore tue Constitution resides aGd where
St we have TO look for safety IL indeed, safety Is 70 be
| fund at all
do choose to go into controversy upon this point
Why should do SO? am not vain enough TO suppose
that Can enignten the Senate am vain enough To
suppose that produce single gumeut which is not
str ou ped on the mind OF every senator here. In add
ou lu t0a II would be work Of supererogaon as al
tnis very time this great and importin question is before
the court and few short dAys IL s 70 oe hoped will be
settled by its decision. for Que staud prepard bere
say a southern man. that whilst should regard dc
adverse the rights of the South VITA dep regret
whilst should feel that it placing disad
GRe with the other States of the Union and the citizens OF
the northern States, YET recognising the constitution as
the higher political law above all law considering that
constitution pointing the decisions Of the Suprsme
Court h0a, ready bow submissively 10 the de
cson, be IL what Il may
No President may be allowed to express the hope that
honorable this hoor who manifested
much interest go much zeal and so much talent this
subject Will come 10 the conclusion TO submit 10 the decis
ion and Rrbtrament OF that igher tribunal II they
Of that mind that heart spirit this controversy ap-
proaches ts end shall rejoice and you will rejoice, and
lover OF his country must OiCe that The question
can lind final settlement nov. Surrounded, mlxed up
with that issue s the oher great question Of squatler
triguy. have seen great deal ci humbuR have read
great deal Gt !; have something spiritual rap
pngs aud all that Of aRtrdemun but OF all the po-
ucal humbugs that this world has seen, think the
doctrine OF sQaater sovereignty has been distorted into
the greatest When is Investigated last fully fairly
frankly there is but te In III aud whatever there
IL mixed up with the question Of the powers OF Con-
gress On the decision OF that question, everything OF
controversial nature far concerned
be sefed Whether the Territories have power eI-
cude slavery Sh2t particular time this power begins
to exist, is point about which fer. couitss
astouished much interest manifested py certain
gentlemen this floor TO get up controversy between
those who agree other great vital questions upon this
isolated question Of the power Of the people OF Ter
ritory
The distinguished senator Mr.. CAss who is said to be
the author the doctrine holds that the people Of the
Territory have the po exclude slavery. think he
uhusy charged with being The author Of the term, be-
cause, # read anything correctly in history, the term
squauer sovereignty applied by Mr. Calhoun, by way
OF dersion contempt to the principle that the people Of
Territory could legislae the question OF slavery al
all The senator from Michigan holds that the people Of
Territory have that power hold different opinion. lie
voted tor the Kansas Nebraska bill go did aud gentle
nothing but astonshment Ia the conflict
of opinion THIS point To my mind IL is plain any
proposition can be made. The senator from Michigan,
and those who concurred with him, voted for IL and
tod for il and voted for the identical clause prov
ing the existence OF squaer sovereignty according to
his view and proving directly the according
mine What was That the people OF the Territories
should be left free to form and re1atn their domestic in
sttuons in their way, subject 70 the provisions OF
the conEuton. That believes the constitution
civ and therefore he voted for IL I