The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-04-12
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF HON. JOHN cADwALApER,


On the legislation of the United States upon the subject of
slavery in the Territories delivered in the House Of
Representatives, March g. 1856 te.
The House being in the Committee of the Whole on the
state Of the Unon and having under consideration the
Presidents annual message,
Mr.. CADWALADER said
Mr. CHAIRMAN. avail myself of this occasion to reply
TO the remarks OF the gentleman from my State Mr.
GROW, who last addressed the House His remarks de-
serve the particular consideration OF those who like my
self differ altogether from him in opinion He is of
he few members of the present Congress from the State Of
which am citizen who do not on this floor misrepresen
their constituents. Other members from the State
who here act with him the Of districts
which, since they We're elected, have by overwhelming
votes, eqnivocally condemned the political views which
they still profess TO sustain On former OCCASION shortly
after took my seat in this Congress, stated and
planned the causes and modes Of those deceptive aces
through which opposing political elements had been COM
bined in their respective districts for the temporary defeat
OF the democracy. am therefore, relieved from the
necessity Of recapulating these details
have the honor to represent disrctn which, through
democratic organization these combinations were happily
defeated in the outset Representing such constituency
rejoice that rise to address the House in opposition
to my colleagues animadversions upon the Presidents
views on the subject of congressional legislation upon
slavery n the Territories communication by telegraph
received announcing that the Pennsylvania Democratic
Convention, in session Harrisburg, have unan-
mousy declared their approval of the Presidents views of
the subject and have decisive terms endorsed and ap
proved the act of the last Congress by which the terrific
rial of Kansas and Nebraska organized
that when the OF Pennsylvania in the approaching
presidential contest shall have been counted the majority
Of tens Of thousands in favor of the candidate of the de-
mocracy will prove the sincerity of her devotion the
constitutional rights of brethren OF the slavehoding
States. .t ..# se.m##. .Es# -
For another and much more important reason the re-
marks of the same gentleman Mr. GRow ought now to
receive particular consideration. aa a@# @#s
This House is organized under anti-democratic
joriy whose shortived influence if it not already
extinct could not long survive certain recent suicidal
me of fwhich
But Notwithstanding the present future external ami
hilaon OF these factions the action of this House during
greater less degree from internal organization which
has unbappy been dependent upon this influence Now
the gentleman mr. GRow occupies through this influence
the responsible and influential position of chairman of the
Committee Territories The future organization of ter
ntoria governments this continent is in my humble
opinion at this crisis the most important subject of
ressona consideration AS the chairman of this commit
tee has assumed upon himself the Office of opening the de-
bate the Presidents message and has thought proper
select the subject of bis remarks that portion of the
message which relates to the territorial esab
shed by the last Congress, we have just right TO
ure his views BY such standard as may determine
whether their extension is proportional to the gnitade
and importance Of the functions Of the committee Of whose
views he has been constituted the exponent. .... IS
In defining the functions of this committee we naturally
regard, first the extension of whole country, and
that of the Territories The superficial of the United
States according to the latest geographical compilations
ia than three and third millions of square miles
There in that computaion but the actual
probably not less than three aud quarter millions
of square miles OF that less than onehaf has been
organized into States. OF the ty-one existing States
two, Texas and California; cannot be regarded perma-
nenuy organized Within the restricted boundaries OF
TegaE truncaed the north and the west with her
consent in 1850 her present b perhaps not much
less than square miles BY the legislation of 1850
her Territory IL diysbe into i've Saies as 1t before
her limits thus narrowed BY the same ratio Cali
ornia will BE divided into at least three States Thus
there only twenty-nne States whose organization
be regarded permanently completed These twenty
nine include less than onehird of the extent of
Nhole country Beyond their limits have, including
Texas and California territorial extension Of more than
two millions Of square mes out of which certainly
than thirty and perhaps many forty or more States
ought hereafter TO be organized.
This brief statement may give some idea Of the magn
tude and importance OF the proper functions OF the Com
mee Territories Of this and succeeding Congresses
When we look forward to the future extension Of our pop
uatoD must not shudder at the probabs effect of th,
agitation which such arguments those OF the chairman
of present committee have tendency to provoke2 Car
we hope organize territorial State governments unde
disturbed state Of feeling sac hs arguments would
engender2 woud be impossible Wears to be divided
into sixty probably seventy stats II the nor
NAL conditions Of our countrys progress can be fulfilled
These conditions OF our progress and OF It's attendant
happiness and prosperity, be fulfilled unless the
legislation the subject Of slavery in the Territories
10 be regulated, under the constitution, with due re
gard TO the rights and interests Of the slayebodine
States which the constitution purports TO secure O The
sixty seventy States Of Which our Union ought by thu
proper uhlmen Of these conditions 10 be composnd th,
greater number by far must under circumstances tb
favorable 10 the southern portion Of country be
Bon-slagehodng States Through the operation, IL
part OF climate in part Of social anes, and In part
political causes whose effect has already been determined
IL appears inevitable that the nGmber Of non-slsvebodne
States w-iu the proportion Of nearly two TO one-ex
coed that Of the slavehodng With view TO this ineyi
liable future does the chairman OF the Committee Ter
sres expect the peace and harmony Of Union to b
preserved unless te future legislation Of the country car
be conducted the principles recommended In the Presi
dents message with us regard to the rights Of such
sister States thus destined TO fad ihemselye
permanently in minority and for purposes o seprotec
tion naturally look with jealous anxiety upon ever
exercise Of doubtful powers and every unnecessary
else Of acknowledge powers, Ey dominant majority
As not disposed TO look upon tho dark side OF tb
picture have no serious fears OF the fDme But depo
rabe indeed would be the contemplation of the future
our administrative statesmen TO exercise the func
tons Of government in Chat retrogessve order which
have Witnessed In the discussion OF to-day coDtennt
themselves with dwelling upon the memory OF small thing
Of the past nstoad of considering the great ergencie
The future We may hope that the Committee on Terrific
rc notwithstanding their chsran unpromising preface
Of their future works vi be duly sensible Of the para
mount importance Of providing for the general interest,"
view OF these great eKgsuess But as their chairman
has occupied the attention OF the committee Ia the contem
pation Of bygone events only and be has not even
thus dwelling upon the past manifested accurate know
edge OF the history Of the former legislation OF the Uni
ted States upon the subject Of slavery In the Territories
propose 10 devote the residue Of the hour allotted TO me by
the rule OF tbs House 10 reviewing briefly the history
this legislation so may be necessary for the develop
Of the leading moral and political principles which
have constituted its foundation. s.s
The ultimate practical proposition which desire TO stat
the result to which my remarks will tend s that when
after the treaty Of l54s with Mexico II became ncumbcn
on the Congress OF the United States legsse
possossiops acquired under that treaty there
and political necessity choose between two alternatives
one alternative was 10 extend the Pacific the linz
Of the so-called Missouri estrctiop hes making the la