The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-03-06
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Mr. Srgrntys. Of Georgia, eangb, ap Mr..
wAnsrrs. Of Maine. who put The following
Qscstions: t+
sIf the ryypss II the Territories have no
power cxo,pi that given 10 them BY Co1gre-s,
and Congress- has no power TO exclude Slavery
IN the Territories. wherp do the people or the
Territories gcs DIE pe~er 10 exclude u uere!'
Mr.. SrErfEss, repgscd 70 beone cfthe finest
debatets in the Union. replied In the following
mastery md complete manner, laying open ii
one clear snd concise view, the wickedness and
viliainy Of those who spread error over the
country az whiriwind. to deceive and malcad
the people in relation to this measure
| Mr.. srEruEss--. The peopie have, In my
opinion, the power TO exclude 1t only ina State
capacity. or when they sorm their State eonstL
tuition. Then they get IL where oil the States
get il. The people, 10 territorial condition,
are but new States 10 embryo; this latent power
OF full sovereignty, when they assume State
form, then Develops itseIf: a. wings TO rise and
ny. though latent In the chrysali4 do never
thcless develop themselves 10 full beauty. vigos
and perfection at the proper time. But have
this further TO roy 10 reply TO the gentleman
from Maine. Mr.. Washburn. That gentle
man, and suppose 0 majority Of this House,
hold that Congre~ has the fan and absolute
power, TO exclnde Slavery from the Territories.
Well Str. IL Congress has such power, Il has
conferred that power upon the people OF Kan
sos and Nebraska. hold that Congress has
not such unqualified power but IL Il has, ~
tho gentleman believes, then the people Of
those Territories possess II undcr the bill. This
Is evident from the language Of the bill itself:
THAT the constitution, and oil laws Of the
United States which are not locally inapplica.
bic, shall have the same force and effect Ia the
said Territory Of Nebraska - elsewhere within
the United States. except tho 9th section Of the
Art preparatory 10 the admission Of Missouri
into the Union, approved March 8, 1920 which
being fnconsistsnt with the principle Of Dou-
intervention by congress with slavery in the
States and Territories, as recognized by the
legislation Of 1850, commonly caflei the com
promise measures, h hereby declared inopera.
tive and void; II being the trus intent and
meaning Of this act not 70 lsgis!ate slavery into
any Territory OF State, nor TO exclude II there
froii, 6dr q aaSa tie people racreJ1 ts fscsfy
free 20 form and regulate their domestic insti.
tations In their own way. subject only 70 the
constitution Of the United Ssates: Provided,
that nothing herein contained shall be construed
10 revive or put In force any law or regulation
which may have existed prior to the act Of 9Th
March, 1920, either protecting. establishing,
prohibiting, or abolishiug slsvcry.
Now, sir. NJ / have stated. voted Tor this
hill The xutnfs, N tba m
settle for themselves subject to no restriction
or limitation but the constitution. With this
distinct understanding Of ito import and mean
Ing, and with determination that the exist
ence OF this power being disputed and doubted
with our old time republican principles, 10 let
the people settle II than for Congress TO do IT,.
And. although my opinion IA that the people,
under the limitations Of the constitution, bavc
not the rightfal power 10 exclude slavery so
long m they remain in territorial condition,
yet ! an willing that they may determine il
for themselves and when they please. l shall
never negative any law they may pass. IL it is
the result Of fair legislative expression Of the
popular will Never ! am willing that the
territorial legislature may act upon the subject
when and how they may think proper. We
got the congressional restriction taken OIL The
territories were made open and free for immi-
grafton and settlement by the people Of all the
States alike, with their property alike no obi
Gus aud unjust discrimination or exclusion
against any class or portion and am content
that those who thus 20 there from oil sections
shall do 10 this matter as they please under
their organic law. wanted the question taken
out Of the halls Of national legislation. II has
dono nothing but disturb the public peace for
thirty-6vc years or more. So long as Congress
undertakes to manage il, II will continue 10 do
nothing bat stir up agitation and sectional
strife. The people can dispose Of il better than
we can. Why not then, BY common consent,
drop II at once and forever!
why not you, gentlemen. around me. give
up your so-csllcd republican ideas Of restoring
the Missouri restriction. and let the people in
the far-off Territories Of Kansas and Nebraska
look after their own condition, present and fn.
turc, in their own wnyf Is II not much more
consistent with Mr.. Adams ideas Of republi-
canism for them to attend TO their own domes-
tic matters than for you or Us to undertake to
do il for them' Let US attend 10 our own
business, aud let them attend to theirs. What
keeps this House disorganised and suspepds all
Legislative business ! wished, si-, in voting
for The Kansas bill. and in carrying out in good
faith the great principles established in 1850
that memorable epoch, the middle Of the
nineteenth century---snd fixing them Is the ba-
sis aud rule Of action on the part Of the general
government in her territorial policy to get rid
Of this disturbing question here, by referring it
unrcstrictedly, as Ear ~ I could, under the con
stitution. to the people IF they have not the
power to settle il while Territory, as mat
ter Of absolute right---er dsb,so J,lsiitia-l was
wiling so, far as | was concerned and had the
power to do il, to give il to them as matter
Of favor--u graf,a. I am willing. as say,
that they shall exercise the power; and. IL q
fair expression Of the popular will--not such
as may be affected BY New England Emigrant
Aid Societies, or other improper interference,
but the fair expression Of the will Of the hardy
PIONEERS, who, going from ell sectious without
let or hiDdrance, seek new lands aud new homes
in those distant frontier countries shall de
clare, in deliberate and proper form under their
organic law. that slavery shall not exist among
them. and am here at time, shall abide by
their decision. l, rs q nembcr upon this toor,
never intend TO raise tho question OF their CON
stitutional power TO adopt such measure.
shall never attempt TO trammel the popular viii
10 that case, although may think such legs
lation wrong and unjust, and not consistent
with constitutional duty on the part Of those
who enact ii. Yet il will be wrong without
any feasible remedy, 70 Car - l can sac. l am
for maintaining with steadiastsess the terr'tori
81 bills q ls5o-the principle OF leaving the