Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-07-04
SENATOR HAMLIN's WITH
DRAWAL FROM THE DEMO
CRATIC PARTY.

DRAWAL FROM THE DEMO
| CRATIC PARTY.
SPEECH DELIVERED IN THE USrTEr
STATES SENATE. THURSDAY. JUNE le.
Mr.. HamIin-Mr. President. l rise
for purpose purely personal. such rs
have never before risen for in the
Senate. desire to explain some mat
sers personal TO rnyselfand TO my own
future course in public life.
Several Senators--Go on.
Mr.. Hsmlin-I ask the Senate to
excuse me from further service rs
Chairman Of the Committee on Com
merce. l do so because l feel that my
relations hereafter will be OF such Il
character as to render il proper that
| should no longer hold that position.
| owe this act to the dominant MAORI
~ in the Senate, When l cease to
harmonixs with the majority or tests
are applied by that party with which
| have acted to which l cannot sub
init. I feel that | GU hit no longer To
hold that responsible position. L pro
pose to slate briefly the reasons which
have brought me TO that conclusion.
During nine years Of service in the
Senate have preferred rather to BE-
= working than a talking member. aud
40 have been almost silent one
On the subjects which have so much
sgit'ted the country. Senators know
that have rarely uttered word. ]
love my country more than / love my
party. Hove my country above my
love for any interests that can too
deeply agitste or disturb It's harmony.
I saw. in HlI the exciting sceoes and
debates through which We have pass
ed. no particular good that wouli re-
suit from my active inier.ningling in
them. Ny heart has often been full.
md the impulses cf that heart have
often been felt upon my lips but /
have depressed them there.
Sir, hold that the repeal Of the
Missouri Compromise was gross NOR
al and political wrong. unequaled in
the annals Of the legislation Of this
country. and hardly vqualed in the
annals Of any other free country
| ) i'll. Sir. with desire to promote
harmony aud concord and brotherIy
feeling. Was quiet man under all
,hs exciting drbstes which led to that
fatal result believed It wrong then;
| can see that wrong lying broadcast
AL around Us now. As wrong OPP
posed that measure not indeed by
my voice. but with consistent and
steady and uniform votes. / so resis'
led il 10 Obedience to the dictates o
my own Judgment. / did IL also
eheerfully. 10 compliance with the in
struclions Of the Legislature Of Maine,
which we're passed by a vote almost
unanimous. In the House Of Repre-
scntatives Of Maine. consisting of one
hundred aud dfty-one members. only
SIX, think dissented; and in The Sen.
ate, consisting Of thirty-oue members.
only one member non concurred.
But the Missouri restriction was ab
rogated. The portentous evils that
were predicted ave followed and are
vet following along in is train. II
was done, sir. in violation Of the pied ges
Of that party with which | have al
ways voted. II was done in violation
Of solemn pledges of the President oI
the United States, made in bis inau-
surh address. Still. sir. | was dis
posed to suifer the wrong until should
see that no evil results were flowing
from il. We were told by almost ev.
cry Senator who addressed US upon
that occasion that no evil results would
follow ; thai no practical difference ia
the settlement of the country and the
character of the future State would
taks place, whether the act were done
or not. l have waited calmly and pa
IientIy to Gee the fuIfilment Of thai
prediction and | an grieved. sir Ia
say now that they have at least been
mistaken 10 their prediction and prom
Uses. They have all signally failed.
That Senators might have voted fol
that measure under the Selief then ex
pressed. and the predictions TO which
l'have alluded. can well understs nd
Bat how Senator's can now defend tina
measure amid all its evils. which arr
overwhelming the land, il not threat
ening it with a confisgration. is WIN
! do not comprehend. The whole O
the disturbed state of the country ha
its rise in, and is attributable To ,ha
act alone-nothing else. 1t lies a
the foundation of ail our misfortune
and connections. Had il not bee
done. that repose and quiet which per
vadsd the public mind then would hol
it in tranquility to-day. Instead Q
] startling events we should have quie
aud peace within our borders. and tia
fraternal feeling which ought to AMI
mate the citizens Of every part OF tn
l. Union towards those OF all other sec
I
! Sir, the events that are taking plac
around Us are indeed startling The
chaIlrnge the public miad and appea
to the public judgmen.; they lhri
/ the public nerve as electricity impari
!, a tremulous motion to lie telegraph
. wire. IL is period when all go1
= men should unite in applying IN
proper remedy to secure peace an
harmony to The country. Is this /
be done by any Of US by remainin
I, associated with those who have bee
: Instrumental IN producing these result
and who now Justly them? ! do NJ
/, see my duty lying IN that direction.
| have, while temporarily acquiel
cling. stated here aud ut home. ever,
{, where. uniformly. that when the ties
: LOT those measures were applied to n
rs one OF party fileIily. | would SUI
d der them AS flax - sundered nj Il
!, touch Of fire. do il now.
II The occasion involves question
moral duty and self respect ALLOW
: me no other line Of duty but to 60
low the dictates Of my own judgms
= and the impulses Of my own heart