The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-05-27

'PEECH OF HON. JOHN KELLY,

| - sAO hous0 VI REPRESENTATIVES,, Mhy zot loou.
Mr. CHAmAAS: Ny brief experience in this body natural
renders me reluctant to speak, and especially upon top
es not connected with the practical business Immediately
invoking the action Of the House trust therefore YOU
will BE- disposed to indulge with the more patience In
breaking at this time the silence have so long observed
wise man has remarked that there two occasions
when speech preferable to silence first when you treat
what you perfectly understand and secondly when you
OF matters concerning which 1t Is necessary speak
IN what have TO say on the politics of New York, think
fulfilled. - s~'
Aspersions have been repeatedly in this House upon
the nationality and good Of the democratic party
my and especially of the wing of 1t with which
and IL becomes my duty the sole Representa-
i've o. that party from the greatest city in the Union to
reiue them; That who have all my life shared in the
struggles the triumphs and the Of that party
quaned 70 discuss these matters intelgeny, one
Mr. Chairman, claim to represent the pureblooded un-
contaminated democracy of New York. the democracy
Tanmany Hall-a democracy which has always followed
where democratic principles lead the waya democracy
I nyed expediency-a democracy which has weathered,
evil report and through good report all
wheh the OF its opponents could raise against it. and
which, be 1t remembered has ltered in Its ae-
glance and support to any democratic administration from
the time of Jefferson to this hour This party has some
Tunes been called the softshel party in distinction from
the hards-a faction whose leaders though arropatino
| the democratic name, are but know w-nothngs In dis
gus and who though pretending to extra nationality
| and the so-called republicans
Before proceed to vndce the truth Of history as the
gentleman from Ohio has it let first lay down the prin-
ted democracy of New York. entertain upon the great
tca questions which in issue before the country
and upon which the approaching presidential battle to
De 1ough VI these the hrs and paramount is the ques
| ton of slavery in the Territories
Upon this question we hold to the doctrine of noninter
yenton-to the principle of the Nebraska bll-which
the people Of the Territory perfectly free to regulate
their domestic institutions to them best accord
ing to the rights on the subject of establishing
or slavery as belong to the people Of the several
satisfactory to all sections of the Union and the only prn-
cpe the adoption of which is consistent with the stability
and harmony Of the Union. We would leave the matter
of slavery in the Territories to be decided between the anti
slavery and the proavey settlers by the peaceful arbir
ment OF the ballobox which, in all political contentious
should be the last resort Of the American citizen This
the only way to avoid that sectional anmosiy and strife
which will inevitably follow the application Of the Wilmot
provso or any other unnecessary unwse restriction of
popular liberty to the Territories of this country
Thsis no occasion for me- Mr. Chairman to argue the
conshtutonality Of the principle of the Nebraska BILL
have no doubt as to its entire accordance with
the letter and spirit of the constitution am no lawyer
skilled in the discussion of anything but ques-
tons which be solved by the untutored
Of the masses whom represent But insist the doc
trine OF the Kansas and Nebraska act because FIRST
just to the people of the Territories themselves secondly
it just to the people of the States in both the great
visions Of the Countrywide North and the South and,
sistenty With the safety and peace of the Union
Mr. ChAirman is not uncommon for certain gentlemen
to speak sghtng Of that Union as fit were not whatis
and the admiration of the oppressed millions abroad who
look forward to its benign protection. We sir the de-
mocracy Of the Empire State do not share in such aocous
sennment We honor revere and shall always exert
utmost efforts to uphold and perpeuate it, presenting an
undivided front against any party faction under what
its stability nOud as s
Of the wise and brave who underwent the horrors of
sevenyears war to establish national Independence,
and TO form that confederation Of States which stands be-
fore the world the nobes example of that principle of self
government for which contending. Aye, sir
and we would not only perpeuate for ourselves but
would extend Its blessings and protection to regions less
favored than ours until the whole continent Of North
America from the Arctic ocean to the sthmus shall be
sheltered by its starry flag We respond to the sentiment
Of the poet of New York. whose verses however at this
time, admire more than his politics:
OF those who framed In high debate
The immortal league Of love that binds
Our fair, broad empire, State with State.
That noble race have gone the suns
or sixty years have risen and set
Yet the bright links those chosen
So strongly forged are brighter yet.
"Wide free race increase,
Wide shall extend the elastic chain,
And bind In everlasting peace,
State after State, mighty train"
Such being estimate of the priceless value Of the
Union and such hopes Of Its perpetuiy and extension
the Father Of his Country, upon any sectional agitation
which might tend TO overthrow put II in jeopardy.
Such an agitation s the slavery agitation, and we hailed
and acquiesced In any which calculated 10
suppress it. The Missouri Compromise line was be
sure unsound in policy, and aborve In its results yet
for the sake Of peace resigned 10 its continuance
When, however the exigenees Of the time demanded its
repeal and the introduction Of the great principle of
Intervention by Congress and Of popular sovereignty
advocated that repeal and planted ourselves firmly upon
that principle And here and the great body Of the
united democracy Of my State stand at this day We have
embazoned the great principle Of the Nebraska bill upon
banner and under this sign, In future political
contests, we expect 10 conquer .' .a
But Mr.. Chairman, have heard Of some who, TO
crafty the indignation arising from their discontinue In
the triumph Of the Nebraska BILL seek to restore the Ms
sou restriction TO the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska
This measure notorousy vioatye Of the spirit Of the
constitution and Of the equality Of the States they would
make their presidential rayingcry and their party shb
boleth They would gain the possession Of the federal
gov ernmen and exert Its whole power TO give life TO the
obsolete and exploded humbug Of former generation
What folly, what madness s this which would peril the
very existence well the harmony Of the Union for the
sake Of 30 vain absractonl To these men any Of
them have borne the honored of democrat let me
quote the language OF the great Jackson In his Farewell
Address TO the People Of the United States:
"The constitution cannot be maintained the Union
preserved in opposition to public feeling BY the mere exer
on Of the powers con6ded 10 the general govern
The foundations must be laid In the affections Of the
people, in the security gives 10 e liberty, character, and
terns attachment which the citizens Of the several States
bear TO another members Of political family,
uay contributing promote the happiness OF each other
Hence the citizens Of every State should avoid everything
calculated wound the sensibies offend the just pride
proceedings within their borders likely 10 disturb
the tranquility Of their political brethren In other portions
4 OF the Union" = . All such efforts he adds,
direct opposition 10 the spirit In which the Union
lanthropy may be assigned for this unwarrsnabe inter-
ference and weak persuade themselves for