Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-01-28
speech of Hon. J. 8. CarIiIe.

and call especial attention to some Of the posi-
tons taken by this gentleman, who belongs to
the Southern wing of the American party.
We do this because, with very slight excep-
tons, Mr.. Garlic expresses opinions which we
have always entertained we have fire.
quently expressed, and for the expression Of
which, uehaye been censured by several South
ern presses, as unmindful of the rights and in
terests of the South The first point to which
we invite attention is that in which Mr. Car
lille says speaking of present agitation of the
slave question: as follows:
"Mr Clerk, to what is this agitation, so fraught
with all that is evil, justly attributabley Is il to
be attributed to the conduct of the administration
and its friends at the last Congress, in forcing
reopening of this question of slavery, which both
parties were pledged by their National Nominating
Conventions of 1852 to keep out of Congress and
repress in the country? The two great political
parties that then divided the country were pledged
by their National Conventions to abide by the
Compromise measures of 1850 as final settlement
of this agitating subject and upon that pledge this
administration came into power. aided it--fee-
bly, | admit, but to the extent of my ability-in
obtaining its present position; but scarcely was 1t
installed and in possession of the power given it
bya confding people, before it violated that pledge
thus solemnly given. / viii not pretend to say
what was thegoverning motive, but there are those
who are uncharitable enough to declare that it was
the effort of waning administration to continue
itself in power"
We have repeatedly advanced these very
sentiments of Mr. Garlic, and almost in the
same language.
In the following extract Mr.. Garlic specifies
more particularly the causes of the present Sec
tional organization of parties, to-wit
"The sinducement' for the sectional organiza-
ton now in this House was caused by this admin
istration in forcing through Congress the Kansas
Nebraska bill, and by those who now make it the
test of Democracy. Sir, what vast difference be-
tween the so called Democracy of the present day
and the proud Democratic Republican party OF
former times! Is it strict construction OF the
powers of the Federal Government, as defined in
the constitution, that constitutes the Democracy
of to day No, sir--no cir but it is an approval
Of this Kansas and Nebraska bill that has furnish
ed food to heartless agitators, wild fanatics, and
senseless aboltionsts to war upon the South, and,
consequently upon the constitution OF our common
country to the prejudice of that country's peace,
and, it may be, to the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of this glo
rious Union of States. Yes sir approval of the
principles Of the Kansas and Nebraska bill--a bill
that has given birth to purely sectional organi-
cation of agtators and dsturbers of their countrys
peace-this BILL which stands in the way and pre-
vents an organization Of this House, and which
may cause dissolution of this Union-is the test
of the Democracy of the present day."
We entertain and have often expressed these
opinions as to the effect of the Kansas Nebras
ka bill.
Mr. Garlic proceeds to explain the princi-
-. oc A. Nohro,lyo Hill time.
Sir, what are the principles of the Nebraska
bill, as they have been explained upon this floor
by those who have given their opinions as to what
that bill meant9 One of the first principles assert
cd in the Nebraska bill is that which the people of
my own State-the people of Virginia-ever true to
the Constitution and the Union, have from time i'm
memorial repudated--the principle of "squatter
sovereignty" Sir no party on earth has ever been
more deeply committed, by resolve after resolve,
in party conventions, in legislative assemblies, and
everywhere where the question could be brought
into view against this principle of squatter sover
eighty than the Democratic party of Virginia
!" And / very much fear that the great body of
Southern Representatives, who now are willing to
make this Kansas-N Nebraska bill test of Southern
Democracy, will, before many years have gone by,
have reason to regret their present position.
:" Sir, this doctrine of squatter sovereignty, as
people were composed of those who were born and
reared upon our soil, acquainted with the genius
and spirit of our institutions, familiar with our
beautiful system of government it probably would
not be so alarming and dangerous; but its authors,
as If they were determined to make assurance
doubly sure incorporated into the bill the odious
principle of alien suffrage"
Here it is:
"SEc. s. And be 1t further enacted =
Provided, That the right of suffrage and Of hold
ing Office shall be exercised only by citizens of the
United States, and those Who shall hare de-
cLared on oath their intention to become such, and
shall haze taken an oath to support the Constitu-
ton of the United States and the provisions of this
act"
"Thus you perceive, Mr. Clerk, that the for
eigner, who may be unable to speak or read our
language, in five minutes after he lands in Kan
sas or Nebraska may become voter; aye, amen
Der of either branch Of the Legislature, and q
part and parcel of the people who are to prohibit
slavery in common Territory belonging to all the
States of this Union"
Now here are objections to the Kansas Ne
braska bill strong enough to prevent any man
from sustaining it, who has an american heart,
or maintains american doctrines
We have adverted to these features of this bill
heretofore, and expressed our condemnation Of
the Kansas-N ebraska act, in language similar
to that of the honorable gentleman from Vir-
ginia.
In response to a member who asked Mr..
Garlic whether he would have voted for the
Kansas-N ebraska bill if he had been in the
last Congress, he stated that he had written to
member of that Congress which passed the
bill thus
"Were / member Of Congress, acting as
have always done, according to the dictates of my
own Judgment, / should vote against the bill for
two reasons, if not for more. The first reason,
that L would reonen the fearful agitation of the