The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-07-15

vert me rom the line OF argument was pursuing
Mr. OAMPBELL If the gentleman voted TO repeal
In 1854 because Il was unconstitutional why did he
asten It upon Texas in 1896 unless in the meanwhile
there was change in the constitution?
Mr. STEPHENS. For the very reason that / have Jus
stated In l845 the annexation of Texas voted for II
upon the principle OF division of the Territory Congress
has right TO pass all needfu laws and regulations for th
Territory, as property SO said Mr. Madison. This include
the power TO divide necessary needu for public pcac
and harmony When voted for il il was upon that prin
cpe And sir Il was in 1885, after the genemans party
had repeatedly-in 1886 ls4I l84S, l849 and 1850de
MED repudated and secuted at what they now call the
tme-honored Compromise of fathers Of 1920 that
voted for tue Of the old principle in
territorial policyof leaving the public domain open fol
the free aud equal settlement and colonization of the people
from all the States alike without congressional Limitations
Or restrictions upon any This principle reesablshet
In l65Oafter the one proposed in 1920 had been aban
donedaud this principle voted carry out in 1854 In
the Territories Of Kansas and Nebraska .H ,u
MIR. CAMPBELL Win the gentleman explain to the
House and to the country how Ii is that may bs
constitutional which excludes slavery on one side of
given line in Territory belonging to the people Of tn,
States In common, and unconstitutional the other
Mr.. STEPHENS. My explanation of the point the gen.
tenan makesis this Upon tho principle OF division o
the Territory as public property between the two sections
might be constitutional TO aside portion to by
liked lines and boundaries while the appropriation of the
whole OF it 70 that section would be manesty wrong
unjust and therefore, unconstitutional Just in the
Of the division OF the surplus rcvenuepubc property
among part assigned to each division fair
ly and justly made constitutionay held but If
States had taken all to the exclusion of the rest that would
have been manifesty unjust and, therefore, uneonsu-
tiona But have given my views at large upon this sub
ject once before this session. II ! .s...
Mr.. CAMPBELL. Well then ----- ...... ... +. .M.l
Mr. STEPHENS. do not wish the gentleman to divert
me from my oy continuation Of questions upon
other subjects. ..'E ,7' -..7 .ea... o..a.
Mr. CAMPBELL. hope may " fortunate enough to
get the floor at the expiration Of the genetnans hour
and therefore win not press my inquiries now on this in
Mr.. STEPHENS. Now, sir, just here wish to say a
word about that time honored compact Of our
fathers which it is said has been violated Mr. Speaker
say that the ers WHO made this republic from the be-
ginning of rom the dae e the constitution and up
l82onever in single instance exercised the power of
cudh the migration of slaves from any Of the States Of
this Union TO the c0maon territory. The gentleman
claims TO follow the fathers Of the republic WE'LL sup
pose General Washington Mr. Madison and Mr. Jefferson
as inenty entitled any others occupy that po
ston. Mr.. Jefferson especially is often quoted by those
holding seats this side Of the House Mr. Jefferson it Is
said, was hganst slavery. grant that. But how2 Mr.
Jefferson was in favor OF every State retaining and exer
cising jurisdiction the subject for ITSELF Mr. jefferson
himself opposed TO the passage Of that restriction in
1920 called tmehonored compact do not care
TO what his abstract opinions believe he for
providing for the gradual abolition of slavery in Virginia
Rn bis plan for the people of Virginia do It for them
selves without any from abroad or nhueneeom
this governmental mean after the present constitution
formed and adopted have Mr. Jeersons sentiments here
before this particular Missouri restriction when Ii
passed 1t is mmatera what his opinions Of slavery
werewha did he think Of that measured The author OF
the Declaration Of Independence is often appealed
authority by the gentemans pasty Sir If the departed
Jefferson could return from the realms abovef the seals
Of the tomb at Monticello could be broken, and that
spirit could be permitted revisit the earth believe you
that he wond spSak dissrent 'oy nun tina.
be uttered then ' Z" - e. tlln ..N5#.s .- En..
Here is the letter which Mr. jefferson wrote 1t Is too
long to read the whole but in this letter to Mr. Holmes
of Maine dated goth Of April 1920 after strongly
denining the establishment OF geographical line and the
attempt restrain the diffusion Of slavery over greater
surface, he says: $ .aa Ea@"
abstnencc too from this act Of power would remove
late the condition Of the different descriptions Of com
posing State. This certainly the erusipe right OF
cry State which nothing in tIs combination has taken from
them and given to the general government Could Congress
State -" ''A' ~ '""' '''' '"' - NV ~ ''''
This is plain and explicit and on the VEG question.
Again, IN letter TO Mr.. Madison the same subject he
says: - ,...r
"a" indebted you your two letters Of February
and TO- This Missouri question, by geographical line Of
division Is the most Perenoqs one have ever eon.e%
any chance Of restoring his party 70 power and wrggng
himself to the head OF It." .l.I .....G. +. - y. :
Tho allusion here IL evidently to Rufus King who was
the first Of the restriction Such sir the
ment Of him who not only the author Of the Deca
ration Independence but the author OF the ordinance
1884, under the old confederation This what he said Of
the restriction Of 1920 under present constitution
Here also Mr. Aadisons emphatic opinion against the
same measure | canuot take up my time In reading 1t
state the fact and challenge contradiction. Jefferson
against the restriction OF 1890 Madison against
",
facts It reluctantly accepted by the South, however
alternative, and only alternative, for the sake
Of peace and harmony And who those who cali
sacred compact Those very men, the gentleman and
his party, who denounced every from the North
"a dough who, from 1916 to 1850 n favor OF
abiding by II for the sake OF union and harmony. Not
be named from the North who willing to
abide by that line Of division during the period have
stated who was not denounced by the gentleman and his
party as IA dough-iace" Who now the adougaces2
And IL the gentleman wishes to know what tree brought
forth that better fruit Of which he spoke the other day
will tell him II the Kansas tree but that old
political npas planted by Rufus King In 1870 IL grew mp
Il hourshed and It's poisonous exhaatons through
out this country ill IL we'll nigh extnguishng the
life Of the republic In $780,
Mr.. CAMPBELL. That tree was planted wben---fCric
Of "orderr "order plwhen slavery was first brought
70 the shores Of America lCries Of OrderP "0rderp
Mr.. STEPHENS Well, then, Mr. Speaker II is much
older than the Kansas bill II planted before the gov
ernment formed The constitution itsef grated
upon its stock The condition Of slavery Of the African
race as Il exists among u.s. "xed fact" in the const.
tution From this tree hns indeed sprung bearing bow
ever no troubles or bitter fruits Is the of naona
liberty which, by the culture Of Statesmen and patriots has
grown up and houshed and Is sending iu branches
far and wide adened with fruit but national happiness
prosperity, glory and renown. F."
Mr.. CAMPBELL VIII the gentleman from Georgia read
the preamble 70 the constitution
Mr.. STEPHENS. Yes and believe can repeat u TO
him Its in order to form more perfect union esta6
Mr.. CAMPBELL "And secure the blessings Of liberty
10 ourselves aud our posterty.
Mr.. STEPHENS Yes sir, 70 themselves and their pos.
ritynot TO the negroes and Africans and what sort o
berty7 Constitutional liberty that liberty which recog
Missed the inferior condition OF the African amongst
them the liberty which enjoy the liberty which
all the States enjoyed at that time one FOR All
then saveholdng except Massachusets That is the
Of liberty None of your socialism liberty None Of youi