Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-01-28
WHOLE NO. 381.

nave Dtcu uulI COuflCltu, Sudi Uc, ana Is lereDv.
forever prohibited: Provided, aIicays, Thst any
person escaping inso the same from whom labor or
service is lawfully claimed in any State or Terrific
ry of the United States such fugitives may be law
fully claimed and conveyed TO the person claiming
his or her labor or service as aforesaid
I" Under this section, as in the case of the Mexi-
can law in New Mexico and Utah, it Is disputed
point whether slavery Is prohibited in the Nebras-
ka country by valid enactment. The decision Of
this question involves the constitutional power of
Congress to pass laws prescribing and regulating
the domestic institutions Of the various Territories
of the Union. In the opinion of those eminent
statesmen who hold that Congress Is invested with
no rghtful authority to legslate upon the subject
of slavery in the Territories the eighth section of
the act preparatory to the admission of Missouri g
null and void, while the prev ailing sentiment in
large portions of the Union sustains the doctrine,
that the Constitution Of the United States secures
to every citizen inalienable right to move into
any OF the Territories with his property of W at
ever kind and description, and to hold and enjoy
the same under sanction of law. Your committee
do not feel themselves called upon to enter into
the discussion Of these controverted questions.
They involve the same grave issues which pro-
duced the agitation, the sectional strife, and the
fearful struggle Of 1850. As Congress deemed
it wise and prudent to refrain frrm deciding the
matters in controversy them either by affirming or
repeating the Mexican laws or by an act declara-
tory of the true intent of the constitution and Of the
extent of protection afforded by it to slave proper
ty in the Territories, SO your committee not
prepared now TO recommend departure from the
course pursued on that memorable occasion, either
by affirming or repeating the eighth section of the
Missouri act or by any act declaratory of the
meaning of the constitution in respect to the legal
points in dispute. Your committee deem it fortr-
nate for the peace of the country and the security
OF the Union that the controversy then resulted in
the adoption of the Compromise measures which
the two great political parties, with singu-
lar unanimity, have affirmed a cardinal article
of their faith, and proclaimed TO the world as i
final settlement of the controversy and an end OF
the agitation due respect therefore, for the
avowcd opinions of Senators, as well as proper
sense of patriotic duty, enjoins upon your con-
mittee the propriety and necessity of strict adj
herence to the principles, and even literal adoF
ton Of the enactments of that adjustment in al
their territorial bills, so far the same are net
locally inapplcable."
The CLERK. The gentlemans time has e&
pred
Mr. EDIE. When the gentleman rose he pro-
posed to occupy the time consumed by cau of
the House; there was no objection, and presume
that he is now to be allowed to continue during
that time.
Loud cries of Go on ; he has half an hour
Mr.. CARLILE The fearful condition in which
the country would be placed. that was predicted
pending the passage Of the Compromise measures
of 1850, If sectional organizations were formed,
and which created necessity for their passage,
and consequent necessity that they should be
considered final adjustment of all the agitation
growing out of the question Of slavery is upon
US, caused by refusal to abide by and maintain
them as a final settlement. The "inducement"
for the sectional organization now in this House
was caused by this administration in forcing
through Congress the Kansas-N ebraska bill, and
by those who now make it the test of Democracy.
Sir, what vast difference between the so-called
Democracy Of the present day and the proud Dem
ocratic Republican party of former times: Is it
strict construction of the powers of the Federal
Government, as defined in the constitution, that
constitutes the Democracy of to-day?
No, cir no, sir; but il is an approval Of this
Kansas and Nebraska bill that has furnished food
to heartless agitators wild fanatics and senseless
Abolltionists, to war upon the South, and, conse-
quently, upon the constitution of our common
country, to the prejudice Of that countrys peace,
and, it may be, to the dismemberment of this
glorious Union Of States Yes, sir, approval of
the principles of the Kansas and Nebraska bill; u
bill that has given birth to purely sectional or
ganization OF agitators and dsturbers of their
country's peace; this bill, which stands in the way
and prevents an organization of this House, and
which may cause a dissolution OF this Unon--is
the test of the Democracy of the present day.
The Democratic members of this House, on tho
Saturday preceding the day fixed for the meeting
OF Congress- met in this hall in caucus, and adopt
ed resolution, planting themselves, not upon the
time-honored principles of the Democratic party /,
but upon the principles of the Kansas-Nebrask
bill Now, sir, what the principles of the.
Kansas Nebraska bill and let us try them by what
has always, heretofore, been understood 10 be Dem
ocratic principles, and tell if they stand the
| triag
Mr.. COBB, of Georgia, Gnterrupting) VIII the
/ gentleman from Virginia allow me to ask him A
question, in order that may see if / understand
| him correctly?
Mr.. CARLILE. will hear the question.
Mr.. COBB. / desire to know of him if we are
to understand by this review of the Nebraska bill
that he considers the passage of that bill as a vio
lation of the pghted faith of the two political par
ties of this country; and If the friends of the Ne
braska BILL in his Judgment, acted in bad faith to
! the country in passing it?
Mr.. CARLILE. Mr.. Clerk, will, in the course
Of my remarks, think, satisfactorily answer the
/ question which the distinguished gentleman from
/ Georgia has propoundad TO me. Sir What are the
principles Of the Nebraska BILL as they have been
explained upon this floor by those who have given
their opinions as to what that bill meants One of
the first principles asserted in the Nebraska bill is
that which the people of my own State, the people
OF Virginia. ever true to the constitution and tho
Union, have from time immemorial repudiated the
principle of squatter sovereignty" Sir no party
on earth has ever been more deeply committed,
by resolve after resolve in party conventions, in
| legislative assemblies, and everywhere where the
question could be brought into view, against this
principle of" squatter sovereignty than the Dem
ocrstic party of Virginia. What was the action
Of the Legislature of Virginia upon that subject for
three consecutive sessions? Allow me to call the
attention of the House for one moment to one Of
the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly
of Virginia, January 90 lS49. Here is the prin-
ciple that the Virginia Democrscy-ay, the Vii-
| ginia people. without distinction of partY-havn