Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-01-21


my opinion, carry the institutions OF any of the
States into the Territories; but it affords the same
protection there to the institutions of one State as
of ano her The citizen of Virginia is as much
entitled in the common territory the protection OF
his property under the Constitution the citizen OF
Illinois; ;blt both are dependent upon the lcgislG~
ton of the Territorial Government for laws TO pro
tect their property, of whatever kind il may be.
Thus it will be seen that, though there may be
upon this point difference theoretically involv-
ing questions for judicial decision, yet there is none
practically among the friends of non Intervention
by Congress- the practical result is TO place the
decision of the questions in the hands Of those who
deeply interested in its solution, namely,
the people of the Territory who have made it their
home, and whose interests the most deeply in
VOWED in the character of the institutions under
which they are to i've If this great principle Of
non Intervention and self government is wrong then
indeed the American revolution was fought in vain,
and it is time we cease TO venerate the memory OF
the patriotic dead who purchased with their fortunes
and blood the free institutions Of the separate,
independent, and coequal States forming the UaiOn
under which we have so prosperously and happily
grown to be so great.
Mr. ZOLLIcoFFER, of Tennessee, by way Of show
ing that he had made idle interrosatories, but
that they were based upon the record, referred to
page 424 of the Appendix to the Congressional
Globe for 1850, from which Mr.. RICHARDSON had
read, and desired to read other portions of the
speech of Mr. k as therein recorded. lie was,
however, Interrupted by
Mr.. CLINGMAN, of North Carolina, who objected,
stating that the House was acting under resOiu-
ton requiring candidates TO answer certain nterro-
gatories. They had been propounded to aud
answered by one of the candidates. and he thought
it was but just and fair that the others should answer
before a general debate should commence.
The followinu sentiments pxpresSpd MIR
RICHARDSON in 1850, in the same speech from
which he read the foregoing extracts, are to be
found at the page of the Congressional Globe alu-
ded to, and appear to be those upon which some
portion of the interrogatoIies of Mr. ZoLLICoFFER
were based:
II have sought in vain to hear some reason for
the passage of the Wilmot proviso. There is a
necessity to abolish or prohibit slavery i'll Te!rito-
RES where it exists With this view the ordinance
of 1887 was passed 1t had application to territory
where slavery did exist by operation of the laws Of
Virginia, to which the North western Territory be
lOnged. The Missouri compromise also abolished
slavery north of SO , 80. That compromise was
passed. not keep the territory free north of that
latitude, but because the laws OF Louisiana, when
we acquired it, recognised slavery, aud carried it,,
consequently, unless repealed, to all the Territory.
But | maintain, sir that slavery is the creature OF
Of municipal law and does not and cannot exist one
uiOLlCut NtttOut II 10 iCC tuCiC 10 Nv
necessity to pass any law; it will remain so.
''The people of the non slavehoding States be-
leve that the territory acquired from Mexico by
the treaty of peace brought with it laws not incOn
sistent with our Constitution and that those laws
excluded slavery. If there is any Representative
from re ncn. savehoding States that denies either
of these propositions ask him to rise in his place
and say so. There none who can or dare
deny it.
This is a universal sentiment at the North, and
l might refer to all the speeches that have been
made at this session of Congress and the last to
show that every one from the non slaveholding
States Freesoilers and all, hold that the Territories
are now Free If this is true, what more can you
do? They are free now, and will ever remain so;
they are free by the law of nations, they free
by the laws of nature they will remain free, from
causes to which l have already referred, forever
This should satisfy all, in my judgment, who are
opposed 10 the extension of slavery. The position
is so unanswerable that the distinguished Senator
from Kentucky (Mr. Clay says it is incontestabie
truth
"Why, then, l ask is this proviso urged with so
much zeal and pertinacity? 1t do no possible
good, and its passage may disturb the harmonious
relations of the people of this COniederacy, and
overthrow the proudest fabric that God has ever
permitted man to erect.
THE Representatives from the slaveholding
States maintain that wherever our flag floats over
territory of the United States and not within the
limits of a sovereign State the Constitution carries
an protects slavery If this is true any law passed
by Congress imparing right thus secured is null
and void and the pooviso, agtated or passed, is
pOweIless and harmless. hear gentlemen, alter
urging this constitutional right, with astonishment
declare that they and their constituents are out
ragged and wronged by this invasion from the North
If this right exists by the Constitution it will be
valid after the passage OF the Wilmot provso or
any other proviso, it is now was. But
they say the people of the South will be deferred
from going with their slaves to the Territories by
the passage by Congress of the proviso One of
two infe7ences is irresistible: they satisfied this
constitutional guarantee does not exist, the peo-
pie are not DESTROYS of going into the Territories
with their slaves.
81 do not and cannot believe that our Consttu-
ton carries and protects slavery, except in States,
nor do | believe that its trainers intended that il
should extend this Institution. ! believe it was
formed for far higher and nobler purposes. 1t was
formed TO preserve forever a union of these States
and to guard aud protect each and every citizen
whose LOT might be cast in it in his person and
property snd conscience.
81 believe Congress has full power to pass such
laws as they may think proper for the government
OF the Territories There is, consequently, 10 con
stitutional difficulties in my road"l
Mr. FULLER, OF Pennsylvania. Mr.. Clerk, 1
voted for the resolution offered by the gentleman
from Tennessee MIR ZoLLICoFFER) yesterday,
because | cordially approve OF the principle embo-
died in that resolution. Early in the session felt
it duty, in justice to myself and to those with
whom had been acting, 10 declare the opinions |
entertained and :he course of action | should pur-
upon certain questions Of public policy desire
to Say now, sir, what believe is known to the
mot IN oil yYbs ~ bor
me with TIER confidence, that have been ready at
any and times to withdraw my name from this
protracted canvass. have felt unwilling TO stand
TO APPEAR to stand, in the way OF any fair organi
cation o. this body.
In answer to the specific interrogatories here
presented, say that do not regard the Kansas
and Nebraska bill promotive of the formation of
free States and will further saw sir that do not
believe tina; il is promotive of the formation Of slave
States. Cries of "GoodT'l The second interro-
gatory relates 10 the consttuonality Of the WiimOt
proviso. | was not member Of the Congress Of
1885, and have never been called upon to affirm or
deny the cOnstitutiOnality OF the Wilmot proyisO.
have never assumed the position, that ''if ter
rtOrid bills (silent upon the subject Of slavery,
and leaving the Mexican laws to operate) we're de-
feated he Il would vote for a bill with tue Wilmot
proviso in tn That question relates TO the legis-
iaiive action OF the distinguished gentleman from
Illinois, Mr. RICHARDSON Ny political existence
commenced since that food Laughter. / was
not member OF that Congress, aud having never
taken any public position upon that subject hereto
FORE am willing, in all frankness and cAndor, to
do 20 now; aud do so with great difference and
respect for those distinguished VINO in times
past have entertained and expressed different opin-
ions Public history informs that slavery existed
telore the Constitution, and, in my judgement, nov
exists independent Of the Constitution When
the people OF the confederated States net, BY
their representatives, in convention, 20 form that
Constitution, slavery exssedin all bus one Of the
States Of the COufederacy. The people through
their representatives, having an existing and &C
knowledged right TO hold slaves, conceded this
the right 70 prohibit impottatiou--aiter the year
1903 They made no eessiQn, so tar as rega, ded
the existence OF domestic slavery. They claimed