The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-01-25

"A u - "A IN SOS
our posterity, giving liberty to the States to
do what they shall think to be proper with
in their own localities, under such circum-
stances rs to them shall seem to be right and
just, but claiming no right and conceding
no right to them to carry their own peculiar
institutions beyond the limitations conferred
by the doctrine Of the sovereignty Of States.
No, sir The constitution of the United
States is an instrument. not of immediate,
but Of ultimate and universal freedom. II
was 80 contemplated by the great men who
framed it; and the world has 70 regarded It..
The national flag, that is its symbol, that
makes the land over which it floats, in what
ever quarter of the globe, 10 long Us II COW
ers an American citizen, American terrific
~, is the banner Of ultimate and universal
libcrty-its white and red folds symbols Of
Revolutionary trials, of the crsts of yicto-
~, and the blood of sacrifice. May It's
starry union forever stand rs lustrous and
imperishable as the golden fires of Gods
armament [Grcat applause.
In regard to my position as connected
with the parties of the country, wish to
make my statements in my own way, mas
much as it is matter which particularly
concerns myself. When was elected to
this house as member from the State OF
Massachusetts,, was elected on the nominal
ton of the regular Democratic party and OF
the American party of that district. The
American party was very largely in the
majority. / ayowed my sentiments freely
and fully on the questions which are in
yolyed in the issue presented by that party,
before there was any especial cause for me
to do so, and before 1t had attracted the ut.
tention Of the country; and as an answer
to the fourth interrogatory put to me by
the gentleman from Mississippi, after it had
been submitted to the gentleman from ILL.
nois, have only to say that, in the speech
which delivered to this body during the
last Congress, expressed freely and fully
all my opinions on the subject. The record
is there, and to it refer the gentleman fol
information. Let the record speak. / have
adopted the maxim of Junius, that II is an
unfortunate waste of time for man Il
spend any considerable portion of his lift
in commentaries on his own works. laugh
ter.
come now to speak to the interrogatory
in reference to the equality of the white ant
black races. have to say, in this matter
that accept the doctrine of the Declaration
of Independence, that all men are createt
equal. In regard to the superiority o.
races, I am impressed with the conviction
that il is to be determined only by capacit,
for endurance. So far as l have studies
the subject, it seems to me to be the uniyer
sal law, that the weaker is always ABSORBED
and disappears in the stronger rice, Wheth
or the black race Of this continent, or any
other part of the world, is equal to til,
white race can only be determined by th,
absorption and disappearance of one or thu
other; and propose to wait until the re
spectiyc races can be properly subjected I,
this philosophical test before | give deci
siyc answer. [lloars of laughter.l
AS the other question is the key to thu
politics of the country, will now give i
my attention. The territorial question o
this date refers to the territories of Kansal
and Nebraska. leave the territories whicl
are to come hereafter to the hereafter; bu
/ say, at the same time, that am in fayo
of the prohibition of slavery IN Kansas an,
Nebraska. Then, in regard to the frs
clause of the intcrrogatOry-are you in ia
vor of restoring the Missouri restriction
Il have to say that desire that the prohi
bition made by southern men and southern
States-the inhibition of the institution o
slavery in the territories of Kansas an,
Nebraska-shall kc made good to the poo
pie of the country. | care not in wha
manner il shall be done-whcther there b
restoration of the technical and arbitnr,
line, or by some other methods, or applianc
es, or principles, there shall bc made goo'
to the people of the United States the pro
hibition for which the Southern States con
tracted and received a consideration. / nm
for the substantial restoration of the pro
hibition as IL has existed since 1920.
Here are several questions in regard /,
slavery in the district of Columbia and tn,
modification of the tariff laws as they nov
exist. stand here ready and DESTROYS ant
determined to cooperate with the men o.
the United States, who are for the substan
tial restoration of the prohibition of th,
institution of slavery in the territories o
Kansas and Nebraska. am ready to act
with any party and with men Of any views
for the accomplishment of this great end
| shall ask no man with whom lshall coop.
crate in this matter, what he thinks Of tn,
abolition of slavery in the District of Co
lumbia, or what he thinks, or shall do on
the tariff question.
In my views of the politics of this coun.
try, these questions are not in issue; and
sir, inasmuch as / propose to ask no opin'
ions of those with whom cooperate, upon
such questions, apart from the great politi.
cal issues of this coming year, 80, sir, I say,
that have no opinions myself to pronounce.
That, Mr.. Clerk, is my answer.