Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-12-26
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REMARKS OF HON. 2. S. BROOKS,

Mr.. BROOKS said: . -.
Mr. SPEAKER: lhave waited until my friend IRON
Indiana IMr. EyeLtsHl had finished his speech, u
reply 10 his question, whe'her not he WA co!!tc
in stating that Southern Democrats "ou!! So.e lo
tho admission Of Kansas as free State IL that wa
the clearly ascertained wisn OF mal.,'; w. 60;
her as slave State, should that be the will OF Tbs
majority did not interrupt my friend whhe ne wa
speaking because j, breaks the thread OF ones re
mark, introducing rrelev ant issues, and squantert
IN. time Of tho occupant OF the aonr. There wss
taot admission Of tho correctness OF his position
His subsequent remarks. however, caused me e
doubt whether /. for one could respond ntfmaiiVeiy
10 his Interpretation Of the Kansas and Nebraska ae
and to his proposition exactly M he had stated IT.
Wv position, and the positiun Of the South generally
rs understand it, is that: Whenever !! sha! DC Legal
~ ascertained tina; the r.rri,ory o: Kansas Tor any
other Territory of the Ited States) mas popuia
ton OF thous and four hundred ana TWEEN
~, is then in gonciri0n 10 form state C"nshu
toni aad tina; the will Of najnrity of the actual re-
sidens, as expressed In that Consultation shah 90
tain and the Territory DO admitted INTO me Union ~
a State, without reference TO Guy constitutional pro
vision Il may contain 10 regard to negro slavery
Thi, now understand to no the proposition OF my
friend. We now concur thus tar, and announce
distinctly that, should The people o. Kansas comply
with the terms of the Kansas Nebraska net as ! un
derstund it, and apply for admission as free State
they will encounter obstacle III my vote.
Blu. my friend went on to say thai, IN his opn on
Territorial Legislature h-d tbs power TO pass laws
prohibiting the introduction OF slaves. ii II mas III =
bower, why may not tn, Legislature also Tsnuui
such slaves chance TO be in The Territory YOU'D
ask the gentleman from Indians what amount o! pop
ulaton ie requisite for a territorial government ~
specified number is required Then, accordlnSto the
gentleman. doctrine, Territorial Legislature: repre-
senting ten thousand people, mny pass law forever
prohibiting slavery If ten thousand may nlaa a SUI.
law why may not five thousand II nve thousand
why may not 1--WE hundred? Why not h,iy! why
not ten And with such doctrine prevailing, what
security have I, as Southern man. IN ENGRAVING 10
INV Territory with my slaves dissent an l0to from
any such doctrine not only repud'ae the coctrlne
of my friend from Indiana, but also rrpuda'e an
other which has been here taught, aud when is vr'u
ally that we Of the South arc 10 be excluded from
Territory rn,.l the Judgment Of the Supreme court
is rendered in regard to the effect upon our peculiar
property of laws passed by Territorial Legislature
do not claim that IN. Constitution carries slavery
into Territory int DO claim that, az ci,iaen,
have the right to take my property mo any ier,n"
~ of the United States, and that the CONSTITUTION
which protects me, also protects my properly. ~! u.
the exercise of my rights Ms citizen my r'ght Vi
property should be questioned, will appeal 10 'no
legal tribunals OF the couoiry ana aoiae 'ae'r u,o'
son but will not he the first 10 disrust my consti'
tutonsl rights, and will cuu;ont myself with defend
inr them when assaied. We are the sworn law
makers Of the land, and presumed 10 90 as re-
gsrdfu OF our constitutional obigstions as are t'o
Judges O: the Supreme Bench. 1t ia but cory
commentary upon a law made by a mSjorify, when
that majority disagree a. to IFS legal efer II s1'u
that there may roads 10 Heaven anu thn' gentle
men were led to the supporto the Kansas NeoFasRa
| bill BY as many different roads There ID but one
Heaven and but one sound constitutional and national
principle in the Nebraska act and the sooner we all
| agree TO stand upon that principle, and approach II
by the road the better vii! II DO Tor the Demo
cratic party.
| MIR, Speaker the discussion which has occurred
upon the Presidents message-partlcuar!y that
portion Of il which relates 10 matters IN hansas-~as
NOT unexpected by ms. II was expected, because "t
ths deep hostility which knew to exist at the South
"a well a. al the North. TO the President and the
Democratic party. To be frank. expected it because
OF Our weak in certain points, which exposed Us
TO attack and even invited 1t.
The presidential election has resulted IN repC!se
of tho Republican party from the dechying citadel ut
the Constitution, but moi in rout of lis turces. They
have been beaten, but they are ye; uuconquered II
was evident, even before :sle in~eir,x o Congress-
that they were mars!iang their hosts for another ou-
&c.: Their organization is und!4iurbed-tho morafs
of their troops leaders confident aud
still trusted. The smoke OF the battle had hardly
arisen from the Ied before observations We're taken
of our line with the cautio and sagacty OF p.aciced
s,rateeiss; aud il il ia vain " disguise ,t-our wea
point has been detected
also expected this discussion because OF the pry-
ing vigilance of another oreaiz alton which, because
of s having it's hand agaiust every other party, ana
particularly that which at this time happens to te 10
The ascendant may appropriately DO called the ISa-
ynaeiit,sh party. They, too, have discovered our
weakest poiur, and haze already twice attempted To-
break our Inc, and hiiag our two wings INFO coutct
with each other Tho gentleman from kentucky,
MIR H. MARsHALL,l vino IS their ciiagu i'!ied aud
ssooynized leader, nade the first charge; ana that
shortly saocee.ed b. the i"'i"wis rrso'u'pn OF
the member from Tennessee, Mr. ErHERiuGE:i
"Resoved, That Ills House OF representatives, re-
cards all and PROPOSE o:is OF every Bind
by whonsccver made, Tor renewal OF the Ait!can
slave trade rs shocking TO The moral sentiments Of
.he enish,eued pnr N OF mankind aud thai any nc
ton OF the part OF Congress conGlv,nG az, or Legal
ling, that iiu.iI and iubanan traffic would justly
subject the Government; ard citizens OF the United
a nj nil
liasd and Christian people throughout the world"
This resolution, Il was doubtless intended, :e az
bomb shell into the Democratic rGnSs. Opposition
10 Democracy is always motive enough Tor him.
appreherd, however that purpose somewhat more
Of persoual character united with parry purpose
in producing that unnecessary and inoppcrtunc reso.
luton. A diversion was necessary 10 conceal the
MAGNITUDE OF the gentlemsUs political sina. lie had
reason to believe tina; his soundness upon The slavery
question was doubted not Ouly here, but III his own
State and even in his own district By creating II
new issue, aud upon which he could 6etor stand
than upon past issues, his prospects OF reelection
might improve. The argument MS has furnished 10
the enemies of the people who have honored him,
the acknowledgment which by implication lie nus
made that the buying and selling OF slaves is IN rally
wrong, and the apparent difference 10 hepuOHCal
whins failed ~ restrain bid for continuance II OF
Ace.
Had there been proposition before this House to
repeal tho laws, or before the Senate 10 ainul Tho
treaty. which refers 10 tho African slave TRACE, could
with patience had 10; concurred with him in opin-
iou In vew however, of the fact thai our laws de-
uource tho trRttic piracy and impose TIC &C.
veres, penalties upon c.snders-ilat TIER r-peai s
VIGOROUSLY mpraciiua6'e-I can but regard th. TO-
trudrcion If the resolution rs Intended Tor Selfish
and party purposes, or rs an unprovoked onn Vc'un
tsered rebuke vi distinguished Chief magistrate o!
u STATE, whose genius or patriotism wiz compare
with that OF the member from Tennessee as Ugh; to
darkuess. regretted mir. Speakcr that any res"!u'
ton wa. offered, and tina, any passed this House.
After tho passage Of that presented by ine member
from Tennessee, no other was necessary AS mi.
nur proposition il was included in the ms1": OF tbs
ssms character. Though am sure :: va, not so IN.
tended vel apprehendsd that it might ne construed
| into implied censure Of the Governor vi me State
which have the honor in part 10 represent was
nnwi Hing to occupy pcr,On which might be 80 con.
stru.d though may differ with his Exceioney III
the propre,y and opporluneness OF tho recnnmsnns'
lion wcs unwilling to seemingly reflect upon the
origin Of institution which 10 inseparapy inter"o
ven with the fabric OF the society Il! when I'VE.
The resolution Of my freud AMI colleague tMr.
ORR was intended to sembarrass such OF our North
ern Democratic friends as had voted against Tue re-
solution of the gentleman from Tennessee, aod 10
| ruard them against misrepresentation which might
be made 10 operate against them end!the Democratic
party. .s;,;o,o.o,
| been sagaciou-ly assaed by each oil ;ie oinsr par
ties which In their corporation against the Deinoc-
rscy pa-adoxicaly illustrate ,ic affinity OF hatred
Nor bay. Id ir efforts been altogether unsuccessiui'
and Gull upon the boan ade Democrats ct our Whole
county instantly 20 clos, up their ranks, stand e.
how 10 elbow and iuriiy the poin; OF weakness with
double column, or VIC will DO irretrevably divided
and vanquished.
! Heretofore, and elsewhere have declared that
! was no, ,..cs, o! aMationai Democrst Nor am l.
vat have affiliated with the Democratic partf. and
SO long as our preseu, Government continues, shall
| continue to cooperate with the party, 10y whatever
name may rs called, which represents its prlncl
| PIES Nv counsc.iou with il, however is not OF So
intimate character ~ 20 make it responsible for my
| positions. or 10 e,nbarrass by any which II may
take | believe that most OF its principles are the
! trra nrincincs Of th. Constitution, aud lave Tie