The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-27

attention of the House wish TO submit a few remarks
now upon this BILL not in the spirit however in which
they seemed 10 fall from the gentleman from Pennsy yana
The time has come il TO when reason and not
passion ought TO reign Since the adoption of the federal
constitution we have passed through many scenes OF ex
cement and disturbances Of the public mind and at the
close Of all Of them considerate Of most OF the political
parties that have existed in the country have been ready
TO come to reasonable conclusion upon fair just
and equitable settlement Of the questions which divided
the different sections OF the conederay regret sir that
the gentleman from Pc has proper TO add
TO his professed statement OF facts in reference 10 the dill
culties in Kansas and 10 tho bill under consideration
unjust attack upon those whose duty il Is, aud who
have discharged that duty faithfully TO execute the laws
of the country And may be permitted TO remark here
that while gentlemen from the North denounce the admin
sraton for their conduct in the execution of the laws in
Kansas and them Of partaity in their enforcement
there regret TO say in the southern States who
also complain of the Executive for his conduct in the
cuton of the laws in that distant Territory. Both sides
complain which is the highest evidence that lie is faith
fully dischargng his duty to the whole country
expected sir from the calmnes5 with which that gen.
ueman usually treats subjects that the chairman Of the
Committee Territories would come here with pur
pose to ipfame the public mind, either IN this House
in the country stand here to-day vindcate the r0ng
actions neither OF southern northern but to
condemn both alike. am impartial observer OF the
unfortunate events which occurring and have
red in Kansas Territory. When man from my
section of the country violating the law disturbing the
public peace feel that educated he has been trained
he has ben to love law and order and to be observer Of
the laws of the land be much to blame those citizens
in the northern States whose anatcsm prompts them to
resistance to the law and violation OF the constitution of
their country would justify neither side, is it my
purpose particularly hashy to condemn either This
is not the time for ordinations and recrminatons II is
time now TO devise and adopt the to quiet this
cement in the country. Knowing what has been the
action Of the Executive on these questions stand here to
defend him from all assaults from whatever quarter
whether from the North from the South, from the East
or from the Wes-in reference his conduct in the
cution of the laws In that Territory.
The gentleman from Georgia Mr.. STEPHENS has indi
Gated proposition here this morning which is not TO
me- if properly understand it, and which hope to
him introduce at the earliest opportunity suppose it is
n proposition which introduced Into the Senate this
morning by senator from the State That PROPOSE
tonand the House will understand it when it comes be-
fore usis in my Judgment fair equitable and just and is
based on principles which all who love the Union
act together far the institution Of slavery in that
Territory is concerneI II simply proposes to allow the
people in that Territory TO form constitution uIdes
proper guards and restrictions and ask admission into the
Union, and meets with my unqualified approval.
hope it will be brought forward at an early day as an
amendment of substitute for this BILL and that consd
crate man o. ell parties will lay aside their preudices
sectional and political ana ADOPT il aGd thus seE It
this disturbing question. Some may object 10 the
details Of the bill Some may object to the number Of pop
ulaon in the Territory; which is confess, plausible
objection in relation other Territories than that of Kan
sas But in view of the Importance of the settlement of
these ufsons-of restoring and quiet TO the public
mind Of the country-I am willing 10 take them with syeE
5000 inhabitants and make il exception the general
rule. shall not complain Of Others who not willing
to do that but do think these matters ought to be sur
plished by the adoption of the to which have
referred,
Having said this much in reference to the mode of pa
cdcation which has been proposed, shall review
briefly the history Of the Of these difficulties and
the action Of the Executive In the enforcement OF the laws
in the Territory Of Kansas.
In 1920 the question to portion of the terri
tory ~ the United States connecting itself with the local
institutions recognised by the constitution Of the country
which created great excitement and general alarm In the
midst OF that excitement the question was determined by
a measure which was called compromise II
quesced in by the South ii received by the North
with demonstrations Of dissatisfaction and in that
gion constant subject Of denunciaon by large and In
many respects respectable portions Of the northern people
think II subject to the most serious objections hence
am not surprised in reviewing history TO find that ii
gave subsanai satisfaction TO the people OF section Of
the confcderacy From the extent geographical character
iscs and tho crcpmsanss which lad bepome nterwoyeu
with the social frame Of different parts OF the
try the constitution could only be formed in spirit Of
compromise. II is well known that with those men who
constituted the convention, who bad stood shoulder 10
shoulder through such struggle for civil aud egious
liberty the world had Witnessed beoremcn who
were bound together by mutual confidence and affection
such qs spring up only among those who have shared
tolls and common dangersthpre but one serious
obstacle 70 complete harmony and prompt success that
obstacle In plain Language was the existence Of domestic
time IL seemed TO be nsurmoun table but II overcome
by propositions as simple they were just Those prnc-
pies involved compromising feeling perhaps Of conyc
onat all events noble sacrifice upon the altar OF CON-
brotherhood. The compromises and concessions Of
that convention were noble and most fruitful have they
been In results which have tended TO advancement
dignity, and prosperity, national social and individual
The leading principles which have adverted TO these
st Absolute and perfect equality among the States Of
rights, privileges and immunities.
ID Absolute right OF each and every State 10 determine
establish and maintain its domestic institutions
cording 70 its own convictions Of right expediency and
interest
Upon these principles alone could the constitution have
been adopted and upon their hu maiRenanco alone can
this Union be preserved Hence in my Judgment II closed
the door TO compromises In all future time
From 1920 10 1894 this disturbing question but slightly
sgated the public mind but during the last twenty years
need not remind this House how constantly II has been
the subject OF acrimonious reproach and retaatory denun
citation, In and out OF Congress In 1850 and 81 IL
sumed practical form and alarming power In
quenco Of the acquisition Of territory by this govern
ment The question at whether the Compro-
mise Of 1920 should be extended and the line Of $500
ont to the Pacific ocean.
The South, peaceofcring were ready TO stand by IT,
the journals Of Congress affirm The North rejected IL
shown by the Same journal 1t was in my Judgment
not merely invasion Of the constitutional principles
which have before adycred but il Objectionable IN
this that IL undertook 70 apply arbitrary geographical
line 70 a moral and social q9esoH The controlling minds
n that hour which tried the strength Of the band that
binds u.s. (Cass, Clay and Webste found no solution Of
the problem which they compelled to solve but in
the great fundamental principle which relieved fathers
from like difficulties in the formation and adoption OF tho
constitution itself
For twenty years this question had agitated Congress
and the country without single beneficial result They
resolved that II should be transferred from these halls
that all unconstitutional restrictions should be removed
themselves the character Of their local and domestic ns
utions updcr which they to live With precisely the
same rights but no greater than those which were enjoyed
by the old Thirteen States Excitement intense and