Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-04-10
MIR. Harlin's Speech--Fllibustering
in the House.
Editorial Correspondents Of the N. Y.Trbunc.

Editorial Correspondents OF the NJ Y.Tribunc
WAsnSGroS, Thursday, March ~, '56.
Judge CoLLAMER came into the Senate to-
day too sick TO 60 on with the Kansas debate
so he was allowed TO take his turn when the
subjec: next comes up, and Mr.. HARLAN OF
Iowa obtained the floor for maiden speech
to-day. lie is tall muscular, strongly built
mar, with a countcnance expressive of earnest
ness and resolution. The anticipatiohs of
his friends wero high, hut think his speech
more than fulfilled them. Yet he has no
oratorica graces--at .all evehts, displays
none---and he began to speak so low that |
feared the audience would not be able to TN.
derstsnd him. He soon warmed to his work
however, and spoke loud enough in clear,
strong voice, not straining it nor hurrying
out his sentences, Sut speaking succinct ly,
deliberate ly g. emphatcaly. Promising ,ha,
he had cherished doubts as 10 the propriety
and safety of discussion, respecting Slavery,
until the President had opened the whole
subject in his Messages, Annua, and Extra.
ordinary, he went on to siate that the fact of
the invasion and subj1gation % Kansas by
Missouri ct her Legislative Election last
March, was no wise disputed near the scene
of action. He had heard it discussed by
citizens Of Iowa, of Missouri, and Of Nebras.
ka as well as of Kansas, some justifying,
others condemning it, but none denying nor
affecting to doubt its occurrence. Nor was
it disputed along the Missouri that the OBJ
iect of such invasion was tho establishment
of Slavery in the Territory. Nor could it
De plausbly contended, in view of all the
facts, that this assumed lcgaization of Sav.
cry in Kansas was in accordance with the
will Of her people. Had it been, the Ter
rtOrial Legislature wculd have promptly or.
dered an election for County and other Of
iiers, instead Of proceeding to appoint Judges
Sherifis, &c, for not less than two and prac-
tcaly for four or five years. Had it been
the Governor would not have found it neccs
sarS to call in hundreds Ct armed Mssourian.
to help enforce what he declared to be tht
laws of the Territory. The !barc fact tha
the People Of Kansas could not be relied OF
to uphold and enforce what were styled the
Territorial laws of Kansas, proved that thel
were none of her making, but imposed on he
by external force or fraud. 81 the threat
Of the President to let loose the frontie
army on the Free. State men of Kansas prov
ed that they were known to be large ma
| Jority Of the People of that Territory, fo
otherwise no such resort to external fore
| would be deemed necessary The Presider
therefore, had set us an example of SLAYER
, agitation, and this on the side of minorii
as against the majority ssof the people of a
embryo State. He (Mr. H. would therefor
t follow in the footsteps Of the Executive, an
, endeavor to set forth the true relations of thi
, subject to the Constitution and the publ
, wellbeing
Mr.. III. proceeded to trace the history
Federal legislation respecting Slavery in tn
Territories, showing that restriction ha
been the rule and tolerance the exception 8
far as regarded territory previously free, t
t the passage of the Nebraska bill. Blu:
l will not attempt to follow tine thread of hi
t argument. Suffice it that it worthily er
: crossed two hours, and was heard with IN
alloyed satisfaction by the friends of Ere
Kansas to the close. Nr. Harlan was Dor
n and reared, believe, In kentucky, studie
I for the Congregational ministry, ana as
pioneer pitched his tent in Iowa, where h
was some years ago elected Supe rintenden
of Schools by n popular vote Of the State -
;, He was chosen to the Senate in place of A
}, e. Dodge something over u year since, an
first took his seat on the assembling of tn
) present Congress-.