The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-09-11

The House being In committee OF the whole
on the state of the union
Mr. WADE said propose to say few things
on the old theme of which, we have all heard so
mnch-ihe subject of slavery and the threatened
dissolution of the union. These two seem to
constitute a sort of duality " two in one" sub
ject as inseparsble as the Siamese twins.
A part of what have to say, will be with the
intention of calling the minds of gentlemen, to
the purer and better days of the republic-to
contrast those days with the present, and try if
We search out the old landmarks of consti-
tntionsl liberty, and from these, TO determine how
far We may have wandered into the domains of
despotism. At this day, and under the peris 10
which liberty and the union exposed, be-
lieve this TO be the most acceptable service which
patriot can render to his country.
| desire sir if it be possible, to reproduce be-
fore the people of this day. the living realities of
. those purer and better days, when the union and
the constitution had their birth. For sir it is in
the spirit only in which the union and constitution
were organized, that they can be preserved, if
preserved at all. If the ethical principles in
which the union and constitution were brought
into being, were the principles of despotism, of
human bondage-if the spirit which presided at
their birth, the cold and sunless spirit of a
crushing despotism, then in the perpetuity of
that fell spirit, will rest their only peace and per-
manency. But if, on the other hand, the union
and constitution were produced from the gentle,
genial spirit of liberty, and the changeless natu-
raj equality of human rights, then in the same
spirit must they be administered, to be perpetu-
ated. No self-evident AXIOM demonstration
in mathematics, is more convincing than this.
Gentlemen may tell us-tbey do tell us-that, In
order 10 preserve the union, must throw the
rein over the neck of despotism-must yield to
the necessities 10 the caprices of slavery. Sir,
doing this is a dissolution of the union. its life
expires the moment yield to this senseess
clamor. Sir, in order to preserve the union,
cessity is laid upon us, to go back to the birth of
the union prior to the constitution, and to catch
and hold the spirit which animated those great
and good men, and apply it now, and for all time,
10 the administration of the government. In no
other way sir is il possible to preserve this gov
eminent. 1t will bear other treatment more
than mans natural body can bear strychine
or arsenic.
Sir, if the constitution and union to be
used merely instruments for propagating and
making perpetual human bondage, they cannot
be preseryed-neither is il desirable that they
should. They were designed by their trainers
10 be instruments of perpetual good and 10
change them from this their original design, into
instruments of ceaseless evil is in isefto destroy
them; and the obligation to obey them ceases,
when their nature is changed by usurpation or
corruption.
/ do not say these things by way of menace,
but as simple, fundamental truths, as necessary
mathematics. But, sir, the preservation of this
union and constitution, does not lie in force, but
in the preparation of the hearts of the people.
There Is no better preparation for these, than a
revival of that sentiment of veneration and affec
ton for our fathers, which in individuals, is the
highest possible development OF great charac-
Patriotism ITSELF that first duty OF the citizen,
may be said TO consist in the sum of ind-
yidual affections and veneration for our fathers.
That sum of individual sentiments, constitutes
the national sentiment of patriotism. To that
spirit appeal for the adjustment of all our in
ternal troubles, both political and sectional. In
that spirit, shall endeavor to retrace our steps
10 the period when constitution and union
were brought into existence, and to persuade my
fellow members to accompany me IN the same
spirit, TO a short cOmmunlng with the mighty
dead. La that spirit alone, we calm the agi-
tated waters of political strife either in this Hall
or among our constituents
To this end, | shall exhibit the fruits of their
toll and their patriotism, precious relics worthy
of our ceaseless generation and our ardent and
devoted imitation. These relics constitute the
pure fountain of freedom, from which our constr
tutional liberty flows, aud will continue to flow
through all time, unless foued by the tread of
the STAKEHOLDER and his free-state confederate.
The first general congress which ever assembled
in the colonies of British America, convened in
Philadelphia in l774. One of its earliest and
most earnest efforts was, to put an end TO the
African slave trade This attempted openly
and boldly, a necessary preliminary to the
abolition of slavery itself. Sir, those glorious
old men, so deeply imbued with the spirit of the
Bible, had at that time discovered no divnity-no
Bible sanction to the wicked institution.
But harkl Let listen to the solemn and
truthful voice of that first old continental con-
gress. Blessed old fathers of our insttutions-gone
their graves, full of years, and full of honors
But still they speak to all of who have ears to
G,.xx
will only grow brighter with the lapse of ages
and whom it were everlasting Joy TO call OUR
FATHERS, were it not that their integrity TO human
liberty has become the bitterest reproach upon
our apostacy 'front.' and treachery to, the hottest
interests of our country and the human race.
But listen again to the voice of the fathers, oh,
: We sham democrats Hearken also, We republic
cansl for their instructions are to all such as
revere their memory, and follow in their foot
steps.
The first general congress assembled in Phila-
delpha in September, IVA resolved that
The abolition of domestic slavery is the
greatest object of desire in these colonies where
it unhappily introduced in their infant
state. But previous to the acknowledgements oil
the slaves, ii is necessary to exclude further i'm
portations from Africa Yet our repeated at
tempts to effect this by prohibitions, and by i'm
posing duties which might amount to prohibi-
ton, have been heretofore defeated by his Ma
lestys negative; thus preferring the immediate
advantage of few African corsairs, TO the
lasting interests Of the American states, AND
the rights OF human nature, deeply wounded by
the Infamous practice. "-Amercdn Archices, 4tf
series, vol. 1, p. G96.
So " his Majesty thick skulled but mulisl
old King George Ill, was perversey bent or
forcing slavery upon the colonies, against theil
most earnest ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS reason
common sense and common humanity-and jus
so now, modern dull-headed, dough- faced
and sham democratic party, following in the per
verse footsteps of its illustrious prototypes ole
King George and Lord North, is doing the same in
famous and ruinous work for the Inflated and op
pressed people of Kansas. In the eyes of Kin,
George the interests of a two of slave-tra
ding pirates sufficient to break down the int
rests and to crush out if possible the principle
of three millions of his subjects; and so nor, il
the eyes of the sham democracy, the pretended
but not actual right of mere handful of slave
holders, to saddle their atrocious and ruinou
institution of slavery upon the free people an,
free territory of Kansas, against the most earnes
circumstances of that people, in breach of
solemn and time-honored compact, and at tn
hazard of civil war, and the overthrowing of tn
union, completes the PARALLEL and leave II t
the historian to say which should bear the palm
whether old King George or modern democracy
this rivalship in wickednesS and stupidity.
Again, sir, revert with gratitude and pride, Il
those venerated men who, in view of perils which
would have daunted the boldest not armed in
panoply of righteousness and truth, and quote t.
the confusion of the combined, but recreant de
mocracy and slaveocracy, the bold, and yet hol!
resolves of the fathers whose memory they dis
honor. quote from the articles of association
formed by that FIRST congress of IVA: