The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-09-06

forward bill containing items Of appropriation pay
officers for the discharge Of their duty in the execution
this law has by bis vote not only sanctioned its cOnstitu-
tionality, but the propriety Of its enforcement
Mr.. GlDDlNGS. VIII the gentleman from Georgia al
low TO ask him question: understand he s in fla
vor Of the tughyeslaye law but ask him whether he
voted for the ugiyesaye law to which he alludes the
other day
MIR. STEPHENS did not.
Mr., GIDDINGS. Then the gentleman and disagree.
Mr.. STEPHENS. Yes, we disagree Ia many things but
not that point in that BILL if the gentleman really
in favor Of what lie voted for The gentleman voted for
the bill suppose Notwithstanding it contained the fugi
Veave clause because ii contained arbitrary and alb
solute restriction upon the free 0 of the free white in
Kansas II upon that point disagreed The fugi
veaye law is already in force in that Territory by the
original Kansas bi for which voted But how that
gentleman and Others who gave the vote they did the
other day hereafter raise their voices against the
sioaaly of this law, and in denanoiaon of those who
voted for il in 1902 recoect member from Michigan
Mr.. Buell. who literally down in his State for
voting for 1t at that time Pictures were got up was
told representing him with stakeholder in pursuit of his
fugyes He was beaten before the people in his election
for giving that vote Perhaps who aided in that
defeat is present If So and If be was in his place and
voted two days ago, he reaned by his vote the very
law Let this be made known 10 his constituents
Ii is but due TO the character and worth of noble and
true man. who fell victim to the Moloch of party in the
discharge of public duty and in the maintenance OF his
constitutional obligations
But sir the point VAS on is this: How can gentlemen
raise such objections TO that feature in the Kansas election
law which denies tbs right of suffrage TO those who are
guilty of violation of statute of the United States which
they by their votes have affirmed shall subject them TO the
pains and penalties of ielony Grimes of certain grades
in many of the States deprive of the right Of voting
Why may not felony in Kansas be disqualification as
well anywhere elsei Why not leave this matter TO
ory Of the honest people in the Territory to settle for
themselves at the next election The reason, sir obv-
The party to which have alluded opposed 10 the
principle OF the people in each State and community attend
ing to their internal affairs, and of allowing those
in other States and communities to do the same All our
I Apbarf
opposed TO it, Men in Massachusetts, Now ork and Ohio
not content with looking after the webeng of their
States but they wish to set themselves up snperv-
sors Legislators and rulers of the people in other places be-
yond their jurisdiction and these the who
constantly pratiy about the slave powerits aggressons
its insoence, and its dctaon When, sir-w did the
slave power such nsoence put onsnch
gance such dication, claim such pre0gayes, as
this class of do in this instance? Whendd southern
statesmen seek to impose their institutions upon
other State Territory? know is said that they have
| endeavored to extend slavery by Congress
The gentleman from Indiana lMr. CuMBAcK the other
day said the object of the Kansas bill to make Kansas
slave State by act of Congress No such thing sir The
object OF the Kansas bill neither e make 1t slave
State free State but after taking off the restriction
OF 1920 to leave that NATTER without any interference die
taon control the part of Congress, TO the people
there to settle for Themselves subject only to the consttu
ton of the United States The object is clearly forth
in the bill itself Here are its words:
That the constitution and all laws the United States
which not locally napplcable shall have the force
and effect the said Territory of Kansas elsewhere with
in the United States except the eighth section of the Act
preparatory the admission of Missouri into the Union,
approved March g. 1920 which, being inconsistent with the
principle of noninterventon by Congress with slavery in
the States and Territories recognised by the legislation OF
1850 commonly called the compromise measures hereby
declared imperative and void it being the intent and
meaning of this act not to egate slavery into Terrific
ry State to exclude thererom but to leave the
people thereof perfectly free to form and regulate their
domestic institutions in their way subject only to the
constitution of the United States"
The difference between southern statesmen and northern
reesoiers upon this subject is that the former are willing
and have baen leave the question OF the domestic
institutions in the States to The people to settle for
themselves; while the latter seeking mould and
fashion them according to their peculiar preudices All
that the South asked in the annexation of Texas and all
the guarantee she got simply that the people in
tain States hereafter be formed Of Texas might
into the Union either with without slavery the
people may determine for themselves This is what free
soilers call aggression of the slave power We at the
South consider it nothing but the establishment of the
great principle of segovernment which the germ of
the American revolution. Freesoilers hold the position
towards the Territories and States which Lord
North and his ministry in the British Parliament did tow
ards the colonies lie and they in adherng TO their policy
OF governing the colonies in all whatsoever severed
empire II may be that their imators on this continent
by pursuing similar policy may sever far more glo
rous prosperous and happy conederacy of States South
statesmen this question occupy the grounds OF the
old whigs the old democrats and the old republicans Of
the days Of the revolution They say is only unjust
but republoan, for the representatives on this floor
from the various States Of the Union to attempt arhra
ry impose laws and upon the people OF the
upon this floor
When addressed this House some time ago. called at
tenton TO remarks made by Mr. John Quincy Ad-
ans Pttsburg in November ls43 upon the subject Of
abolishng slavery in this District These remarks
pertinent TO the present question His antslavery sent-
ments quite strong perhaps as those OF any man
present but he opposed the abolition Of slavery
in this District by Congress because 1t was antrepub
These are his words
CAS- to the abolition of slavery in the District Of Coum
ba, have said that opposed to itnot because have
any doubts Of the power Of Congress TO abolish slavery In
the District, for have But regard it a violation
Of republican principles to enact laws the petition of
people which are TO operate upon another people against their
consent"
pies to enact laws the petition Of people which TO
operate upon another people against their eonss " and for
the reason TO you who have assumed the title
Of republicans you violate every principle consecrated by
the you bear by attempting TO force institutions
upon the people Of Kansas against their consent If
orty there fiji TO assign the negro the same condition
he occupies In the southern States let them do IT, II
jority Of them shall prefer that he shall be outcast
amongst them, without the franchise of freeman the
protection Of master, he Is In many States Of the
Uuion-a vagabond, in condition than that Of
Cain-for he had a mark him that should hurt
him-let them so determine. This is our position.
Mr. STANTON. Does the gentleman hold that the terri
toria legislatures have power to exclude slavery
Mr.. STEPHENS | say that IL Congress has the power
has the territorial legislature The gentleman believe
holds that Congress has the power do not and
queny do not hold that the territorial legislatures
rghtfuly exclude slavery hold that the public domain
being public property purchased by the blood and
common treasure Of all should be left free and open for set
Element and colonization equally by the citizens Of all the
States alike until they to form their State consttu
ton but repeat what have said before that II major
ty Of the peope of the Tertiary upon fair xpresson