Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-08-16
KANSAS QUESTION.
SPEECH OF HON. mR. BENJAmIN,
OF LOUISIANA

Deferred in The Senate, Nay 25, 1856
Annexed is the speech Of that distinguished
Wing, Senator BENJAMIN, of Louisiana. Hav-
ing already spoken of this speech in previous
number we present it without further COM
ment.
Mr.. President have dwelt on this subject
longer than ntended-not quite so long as
my notes would justify me but do not feel
able to continue to the end Of what ! had to
say. Before take my seat, however, l must
trespass on the attention OF the Senate for a
few moments with an explanation of my politi-
cal position, in order to avoid all misconstruc-
ton upon the subject.
When, in the month of January, 1852 was
honored by an election to seat on this floor,
there existed in this country but two great par
ties, divided in opinion upon political ques-
tons, differing in their views as to the mea
sures best calculated to promote the common
interests of the country, but both united in a
devotion to those common interests, both
scorning, both rejecting with horror any pro-
position tending 10 instil into the minds of the
people the faintest suspicion that the powers
of this government could be constitutionally
of the country to the exclusive detriment of
another.
Tn the presidential contest which followed,
no man labored with better will or with more
unwearied assduity than / did, in opposition
to the election of the present Chief Magistrate.
In doing this was but faithful to the political
antecedents of my entire liie--faithful to the
principles Of that glorious old Wing party,
which, in my judgment, was the true conserva-
tive party of the country, adhering to the ira
ditons of the fathers, rejecting every nnova
ton on their time-honored precepts, holding
up the example of a Washington as the model
of a wise administration of public affairs, and,
whether victorious or vanquished, ever tread
ing the path of duty with untaltering courage,
led by such men as their Clay and their Web
ster.
In that contest we we're beaten-beaten by a
majority almost unparalleled in our political
annals. One of the principal causes Of that
defeat is but too well known. The masses of
the people of this country could not overcome
their invincible repugnance to voting for the
gallant Scott, SO soon as it was known that he
was the favorite candidate of the honorable
senator from New York. Rightfully or wrong
fully, justly or unjustly, that senator had
succeeded in instilling into the minds of the
people OF uILeen otateS Vi tuiS COuleueldcy INC
deepseated conviction that he was most
dangerous enemy to the harmony of the Union
and to the perpetuity Of its institutions. The
bare suggestion that the election Of the Wing
nominee would be followed by perilous in
fuence on his part over the councils of the
administration suficed to secure for the Demo
cratic nominee an almost undivided southern
vote.
Sir, | do not speak my own convictions
alone speak the convictions of almost every
southern leader that know, when / say that a
violent opposition on the part of that senator to
the election of General Scott would have
secured for him many electoral votes which
were cast for his democratic rival.
When we met on this floor on the 4th of
March 1853 at the special session convoked by
the new President, it became necessary to
nominate committees for this body; and in the
Wing caucus which assembled for that purpose
nineteen senators were present. 1t was mi
norty, indeed; but minority whose attitude
commanded the respect OF even its political
opponents. Gracefully yielding to the recently
expressed will of the people, yet watchtul
gardians of the principles of which they were
the chosen expounders, they RETAINED from
aught that could bear the semblance of factious
opposition, but ever ready to sound the note
course or policy of the administration might
threaten danger to the interests of the coun-
try.
This was the attitude of parties when the
honorable Senator from Illinois introduced into
this body the bill for the organization of the
Kansas and Nebraska Territories. Sir, no
sooner had the discussion opened upon that
bill than some startling developments took
place. On an amendment offered to the bill
by the honorable Senator from Massachusetts,
Mr.. Sumner in which he proposed TO strike
out everything after the enactng clause, and
to insert provision for the repeal OF the
fugitive slave law, six Northern Wing Senators
voted for the proposition. As the debates con-
tinued in Both Houses, and the contest grew
hot, this further act was developed-that there
was not a member Of the Wing party North,
in either branch, who did not believe in the
power of Congress to legisate on the subject
of slavery in the Territories, and who was not
disposed to exercise that power to the exclu-
sion OF the South.
A vote like this given with such unprece-
dented unanimity, could not be taken by the
South for anything but the just reflex of the
opinion of the constituency represented by
those who were in Washington. The discov-
cry Of this fact, like the explosion of mine,
rent the wing party INTO iragmehts-rag-
ments that no mortal skill can ever reunite
for the cement of a common principle is want
ing.
Scarcely had that bill been passed, when,
amidst the turmoil and confusion created by
the excited appeals addressed to northern pas.
sions and prejudices by those who assumed the
leadership of the opposition to the bill, secret
whispers began to be heard Of some new organi.
cation that was to rise into power from the
ruins of both the old parties. Mysterious move
ments attracted the curiosity of the people. An
eager desire to learn what these movements
meant operated on weak minds. The para
phernalia of grips and signs, and passwords
aud degrees, and lodges, tickled the vulgar
fancy. Above oil, the necessity felt for some
central point around which, as nucleus, all
the scattered elements Of the opposition to the
administration could crystalize into shape or
form, lenta sudden growth to the new organi-
cation. 1t became formidable. Rejecting men
BEGAN TO INQUIRE what were its objects and