The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1856-06-25
Speech Of Mr.. Hamlin, Of Maine.
IL srAArr, June lsth, 1856.

yer before risen lof IN the Senate | desire
to explain some matters personal to myself
and 10 my own future course in public life.
Several Senators. Go on.
Mr.. HAMLIN. ask the Senate to excuse me
from further service as chairman Of the Com,
mittec ON Commerce. | do so because feel
lhal my relations hereafter will be Of such a
character as TO rcnderi It proper that should
no longer hnld that p0sltl0n. owe this act
to the dominant majority in the Senate.
When cease to harmonize with the majori-
", or tests are applied by that party with
which have acted to which cannot sub.
init, feel that | ought no longer to hold
that responsible position. propose to state
briefly the reasons which have bruughtme to
that conclusion.
During nine years Of service in the Senate
| have preferred rather to be working than
talking member, and so have been almost
a silent one. On the subjects which have so
much agitated the country Senators know
| that have rarely uttered a word. love my
country more than love my party. love
my country above my love for any interest
tlat can too deeply asitate ordisturb its har-
mony. ] saw iu all the exciting scenes and
debates through which we have passed no
particular good that would result from my
active intermingling in them. Ny heart has
often been full, aud the impulses Of that
heart have often been felt upon my lips; but
/ | have repressed them there.
! Sir, hold that the repeal of the Missouri
compromise was gross moral ami political
wrong, unequaIled in the annals of the leg
slation OF this country, and hardly equaled
IN the annals OF any other free county. Still,
sir, with a desire to promote harmony and
concord and brotherly feeling, | was quiet
man under all the exciting debates which led
to That fatal result. believed it wrong then;
| can see that wrong lying broadcast all
around US now. As a wrong opposed that
measure; not indeed by my voice, but with
consistent and steady and uniform votes.
so resisted it in obedience to the dictates OF
my own judgment. | did il also cheerlully.
u compliance with the Instructions OF The
Legislature OF Maine, which were passed by
a vote almost unanimous. In the House OF
! Representatives oil Maine, consisting Of one
hundred aud iifty-one members, only six,
think, dissented; and i'll the Senate, cUnsis-
ting Of thifty.one members, only one mem
ber non. cGncurred.
But The Missouri restriction was abroga-
ted. The portentuus evils that were predic.
ted have followed and are vet following along
in It's train. Ii was done, SIR, in violation OF
the pledges oi that party with which have
awats acted aud with which have always
voted. 1t was done in viulatinn of solemn
pledges of the President Of tile United States,
male III his inaugural address. Still, sir, |
wasCisposed to Osaiier the wrong until should
sce that TO evil results were flowing from
il. We were told by almost every Senator
w!O addressed Us upon that occasion that no
evil results would follow; that no practical
difference in the settlement Of the country
and the character of the future State would
, take place, whether the act were done OF mt.
have waited calmly and patiently to see tine
fuitilment Of that prediction; and am grieY.
ed, sir, 10 say now that they have at least
been mistaken in their predictions and pro-
misses. They have all signally tailed.
That Senators might have voted for that
measure under the belief then expressed, and
the predictions to which nave alluded, can
well understand. But how Senators can now
defend that measure amid all its evils, which
are overwhelming tie land, it not threaten
! ing i with enniagtatun, is what do not
comprehend. Tie Whule Of the disturbed
state Of the cCaRtry has lis rise in aud is at
tribatable tu that act alune-nu,hing else. 1t
: lies az the iundatiou uf al oaf misfOrtunes
and cOmmotUns. itad it not been done. that
repo.e aud quiet which peryaded the public
mind then woaid hold il 10 tranquility to-
= day. Instead ef startling events we should
: have quiet aud peace within our borders,
and that iIaterHli feeling which ought to an
innate the citizens Of every part OF Tie Onion
toward those Of all other sections.
!, SIR. the events thai are taking place around
= u, are indeed startling. They challenge the
= public mind and appeal to tie public iajs-
!, mcui; they thrill tire public nerve as eleCtri-
Il city Inpafts tfemutOus motion 10 the tee-
y graliiic wire. Ii j. period when all good
i, men should unite in applying the proper re-
! medy 10 secure peace and harmony 10 tic
i country. l. this TO be done by any Ul Us by
Il remaing associated with those who have been
!. Instrumental IN proiacing taesc resats ard
Il who now justify ibela: | 10 not see ms duty
: lying ~ That direction.
Il | have, wigfie Temporarily asqaic.CiHg,
.,ate,i here antl at home, rteeywAerc, uni.
Il iJruiy. that when tie tcslsot fhU'" measure.
:. were applied to ne a. our vi parry fidelity
would sundtr tHrm =. fax j. sundergd
ii a. tie tuacn oi fire. do ii INV.
il The Urggsiuu involves question OF mora
K ia.Y; and sci respect allows me 30 u,het
.. l,ac Of daty baf TO follow the dictates Vi ms
oWa judgment and ihe impulses uf nv owT
ID hear.. i just maa NAV cheeriuily submit
i to maay enforced hdmi.iations. but a self
2 degraded man has ceased to be worthy to b,
l deemed man at ati.
IL sir, what has the recent Democratic Con
II ,eution 1T Cincinnati done: II has endorses
ID the measure have condemned, aud has sane
:. toned it, destructive aud ruinous effects.
III has done more, vastly more. That principle
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