Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-06-28

Tue puDuc mnQ tnen, would h0lQ II IN tran
guilty to-day. Instead of startling events we
should have quiet and peace within our bor-
ders, and that fraternal feeling which ought to
animate the citizens Of every part of the Union
toward those of all other sections
Sir, the events that are taking place around
US are indeed startling. They challenge the
public mind and appeal to the public Judgment;
they thrill the public nerve as electricity im-
parts tremulous motion to the telegraphic
wire. 1t is period when all good men should
unite in applying the proper remedy to secure
peace and harmony to the country. Is this to
be done by any of us, by remaining associated
with those who have been instrumental in
producing these results, and who now Justify
them? do not see my duty lying in that di.
rection
l have, while temporarily acquiescing, sta
ted here and at home everywhere, uniformly,
that when the tests of those measures were APP
piled to ME as one of party fidelity, | would
Sunder them as flax is Suddered at the touch
of fire. | do it now.
The occasion involves a a question of moral
duty and Sef-reSpect allows me no other line
of duty but to follow the dictates of my own
judgment and the impulses of my own heart
a just man may cheerfully submit to many en-
forced humliations but q self,degraded man
has ceased to be worthy to be deemed man
at all.
Sir, what has the recent Democratic Con-
vention at Cincinnati done 1t has endorsed
the measure | have condemned, and has sane
toned its destructive aud ruinous effects 1t
has done more-tastly more. That principle
or policy of territorial sovereignty which once
had, and which | suppose now has, its advo-
Gates within these walls, is stricken down: and
there is an absolute denial of it in the resolu-
tion of the convention, if can draw right con-
cluSionS-a denial equally to Congress- and
even To- the people of the Territories, of the
right to settle the question of slavery therein.
On the contrary, the convention has actually
incorporated into the platform of the Demo-
cratic party that doctrine which, only few
years ago, met nothing but rdcule aud con-
tempt here and elsewhere namely that the
flag of the Federal Union, under the ConStitu-
ton of the United States, carries slavery whcr-
ever il floats If this baleful principle be true,
then that national ode which inspires US always
as on battlefield, should be rewritten 10y
Drake, and should read thus =
Forever float that standard sheet
Where breathes the foe. but falls before us,
With SLAvEKY's soil beneath our feet.
And SLAVERY 5 banner streaming er us
Now, sir, what is the precise condition in
which this matter is left by the Cincinnati con
vention? | do not design to treSpasS many
moments on the Senate but allow me to read
aud offer very few comments upon some por-
tionS of the Democratic platform. Tie first
| resolution that treats upon the subject is in
| these wordS-I read just so much of it as is
applicable to my present remarks -
That Congress has no power under the Constitution
to interfere with control the domestic institutions
the several States and that all such States the sole
and proper judges Of everything apperainng their
ae.lirs not prohibited by the Constitution"
take it that this language, thus far, is
| language which meets q willing and ready re-
sponse from every Senator herc-certainly it
does from me. But in the following resolution
| find these words -
ResoIred That the foregoing proposition covers and
intended tn embrace, tie whole subject of slavery
agitation in Congress-
The first resolution which I read was adop-
ted years ago in Democratic conventions. The
second resolution which read was adopted in
subsequent years, when a different state of
things had arisen, and it became necessary to
apply an abstract proposition relating to the
States to the Territories. Hence the adoption
Vi Tue COuldlLCu III tue SGCObu TGSD-
luton which have read
Now, sir, deny the position thus assumed
by the Cincinnati Convention. Ia the language
of the Senator from Kentucky, Mr.. CRTTEN-
DEN, so ably and so appropriately used, on
Tuesday last, hold that the entire and un-
qualified sovereignty of the Territories is in
Congress. That is my Judgment but this re-
solution brings the Territories precisely within
-. l.. l. Al
States in the resolution which | first read
The two resolutions taken together deny to Con
greSS any any power of legislation in the Ter
ritories
Follow on, and let us sec what remains
Adopted as part of the present platform,an and
as necessary TO a new state of things, and to
meet an emergency now existing, the Conven-
ton says:
1.-The American Democracy recognize and adopt the
principles rontained in the organic laws establishing the
Territories Of Kansas ard Nebraska embHdyiag the
only sound and safe solution Of the slavery question up
on which the great national idea al TIE people o thl-
whole country TepOse in its determined Conservatism
Of the noninerference by Congress with slavery
in States and Territories"
Then follows the last resolution -
Resored That recognize the right of the people
of oh the Territories including Kansas and Nebraska act
through the xpFesed VIII OF the majority "i
actual residents and whenever the number OF their inha
bitaRts justes IT, to form constitution, with or with
domestic slavery and be admitted into the Union up
terms Of perfect equality with the other States
Take all these resolutions together, and the
deduction which we must necessarily draw from
them is a denial TO Congress Of any power
whatever to Iegislate upon the subject of sla-
verv. The last resolution denies to the people
of the Territory any power over that subject,
save when they shall have sufficient number
TO form constitution and become State, and
also denies that Congress has any power over
the subject and so the resolutions hold that
this power is al least in abeyance while the