Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-09-10

heSolale treaty, ana the Senate con-
firm it, yet this House has the clear and
indisputable right to withhold appropri-
ations for giving it effect. This consti-
tutes the highest assertion of the peo-
pies rights. 1t forms precedent of the
highest character, showing that we may
withhold supplies of money if necessary
to correct Executive action. Why, sir,
if the army was now employed by the
Executive to carry devastation and blood
shed through Ohio, would the Represen-
tatives of that proud State feel bound to
vote for money to supply them with
arms and ammunition wherewith to slay
our people, or to furnish that army with
food and clothing while engaged in the
massacre of our people ? Yet the Presi-
dent has as much power and as much
constitutional right to employ the army
in the murder of the people of Ohio, as
those of Kansas.
So familiar was this principle in l847,
that John Quincy Adams, and those who
acted with him, did not hesitate to vote
against all supplies for carrying on the
Mexican war, which they deemed unjust
and barbarous.
The Senate now insists on striking out
the proviso in this. s..bill which declares
that "no portion of the moneys appro-
priated by it shall be expended in en-
ploying the army to enforce the laws of
the pretended Legislature of Kansas"
They assert that it is the right of the
President to enforce those enactments,
that we are bound to furnish him with
the necessary funls to do il. 1 deny
the doctrine. 1 will never vote one dol
lar for such purposes. On the contrary,
| would far sooner take my position by
the side of the Free State men of that
territory. would sooner defend them
on the field of battle, than would feed
an army engaged in numbering them.
But we cannot appreciate the gross in
justice of enforcing these pretended laws
of Kansas, without reference to histori
cal facts. We know that in 1894, the
year following the acknowledgment of
our national independence, our fathers,
led by Mr.. Jefferson, commenced efforts
to abolish Slavery in our national Terri
tories. This work was fully accom-
plished in 1897 /; and when our Consti-
tuition was under consideration by the
State Conventions, the patriots of that
day apprehended that Slavery might at
some future time be permitted to exist
under Federal Jurisdiction. Some of
these Conventions, therefore, suggested
the necessity of adopting an amendment
that should preclude the possibility of
such contingency. In obedience to
these recommendations, the ten first
amendments were adopted. By the 5th,
it is ordained that "no person shall be de.
priued Of life, liberty, or property, wittout
due process Of law.'
This constitutional prohibition spreads
itself wherever Federal jurisdiction ex.
tends. 1t does not enter the States, who
refused to surrender State authority to
Federal power, except on particular sub
jects but outside the States, this Con-
stitutional fiat pervades and spreads
over our whole Federal Empire, and no
Slavery ever has existed,
or ever can exist, in our Territories
Yet we are conscious that the Constitu-
ton exerts no physical force. 1t does
not of itself punish men who violate its
provisions. 1t can have no effect, while
we permi. it to remain dead letter. If
the President were to appoint Judges
for our Territories, willing to support
and maintain this constitutional provis-
ion, no man could be held as slave in
any Territory of the United States. The
Missouri prohibition of 1920 was but
of our Western Territory
to Freedom.
Under these circumstances, plan was
devised to overthrow this con-
provision, and establish Sla-
very in Kansas. 1t was conspiracy
against the Constitution, against Liberty;
and its true history becomes important
IN this occasion, inasmuch as one of the
original confedera es is now found in his
of this body, for refusing
o become participants in that iniquitous
work.
The acting Wee President of the Uni
ed States for lS53-'54 has given pub
ic account of the origin of this rtvolu-
ion, now sought 10 be perfected by
means of the army. He certainly spoke
With intelligence when be said that on
lis arrival in this city, to attend the ;
Congress. he held a con-
ersation with distinguished member !
t the Senate from Illinois, who had pre-
ided over the Committee on Territories
f that body. That he informed that
senator of his desire to repeal the Mis- {
Ouri prohibition and stated that il that
senator, as chairman of the Cor: mittee
n Territories, were unwilling TO report
bill to constitute Territorial Govern
nent in Nebraska and Kansas, repeating