Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-05-21
SPEECH OF
HON. HENRY M. FULLER
OF PENNSYLVANIA,

IN the House OF hepTeSsIttdttces, hoy Us low
Mr.. FULLER. of Pa. Mr.. Speaker, desire to
submit some remarks. partly of personal and
partly Of general character.
Sincerely DO regret the necessity which COM ,
peIs me 20 occupy the public time for any purpose
of individual defence; but circumstances have oc-
CURED, declarations have been made here and else
where congressional letters have been written ano
widely circulated, now producing false impressions,
which Justice to myself, and proper regard Tor my
constituents as well as those with whom am mere
associated will not permit me to pass longer 10 ST.
lence / should have solicited On carrier nearing,
had not private business of important character,
together with sickness in my family circle, sum,
moned me home, and detained me away most OF
the time since the organization of the House.
On the first Monday of December last, came
here TO discharge the duties of an American Reps
resentative | came here disappearing the terrific
rial legislation of the thirty-thrd Congress; but
in view Of existing and prospective difficulties, had
determined TO let it alone. My disposition was
peace. | desired to forgive and forget past onen-
ces-to heal not to infame, wounds which had
been infcted-to compromise sectional differences,
and to plant myself with my party upon broad,
national platform, embracing all sections of the
Union and conservative Of the rights and interests
of the whole country. Little supposed j, then,
that we were entering upon drama in the per-
Torrance of which should unwilhngy become
prominent actor The Partially OF friends assign>
ed me position to which felt could lay no claim
The people, in consequence Of past legislation, and
in expectation of our probable action, were in
state of high excitement Delay in the organiza-
ton led to declarations of opinion, and avowals OF
intended action. | was unwilling to become
party in making up case for the North, or 10
making up a case for the South; but determined,
so far lay in my power, to put an end to an IN"
profitable controversy-to make sacrifices, Il need
be to restore harmony and secure the public peace
In advance of my coming here, had SO declared
to my friends at home.
During the course Of debate here, l felt myself
called upon to embody these sentiments in public
avowal to the House, declaring that should leave
leave this whole question of slavery where the con.
stitution left it-wth the people of the States
where it was tolerated, to regulate and determine
for themselves. That for evil or for good, it was
their concern, not mine; and whatever individual
sentiments or my people might entertain upon
the abstract question of morals, or of private
rights, 1t was plain duty to leave the subject
| with all its accountability, and every remedy 1t
! might require, to the wisdom and conscience Of
those upon whom Providence and the constitution
| had cast its responsibility.
These were not recently formed opinions. My
own limited experience and the history of the
country had satisfied that the agitation of this
question, in Congress and out of it, had produced
and was producing, nothing but evil and mischief,
| heart burnings and bitterness; that 1t had been
| and must be utterly barren of public good, inju~
rious to both sections, and if continued, would be
destructive of the best interests of both /
believed further, that if this agitation should
cease, the generous influences of our free insttu
tons in carrying people onward in their career
of high and rapid advancement would lift up the
slave improve his condition, relax his bonds, and
ultimately send him back, prepared to reclaim and
| redeem the land of his heather fathers.
The efforts Of modern philanthropy, however
well intended, have, in effect, repressed and de-
feated the labors of those who, by their position,
and its toleration could alone make for il etectual
provision. Twenty five years ago, Virginia, Ma
ryand and Kentucky had under serious considera-
ton the adoption of measures looking TO gradual
emancipation. The influences of freedom were
quietly but not Extensively, pressing upon slavery.
The policy of emancipation freel,s discussed
by the people of the Southern States, in egisla-
tive assemblies and constitutional conventions.
Unfortunately, at this very period, an organization
Tor the purpose of systematic agitation, under the
leadership of George Thompson and other foreign
emissaries, sprung into existence. Immediately
there was a recoil OF the public mind, resulting in
a united sentiment at the South, and a divided
opinion at the North.
Emancipation was thus postponed-the entire
system of prospective legislation turned back. -
| There have followed charges of aggression, with
ordinations and recrminations, each section strk-
ing at and wounding the other, until the scars Of
prejudice have become so deeply engraven on the
popular mind that it will require years. many years
to efacs them. This condition of things desire
| to have corrected. The North and the South
should no longer be taught to regard each other as
enemies and that it is necessary to employ theil
energies to resist anticipated aggressions.
/ would have preferred that the legislation Of
the Thirty Third Congress had not been enacted
and that the people of all sections should have abb
ded by the compromise Of 1920, as measure Of
repose; because, under the compromises of 1850,
peace, quiet, aud social harmony had been gen
orally restored 1t might have averted the unhappy
difficulties existing in Kansas-would have saved
the country the long of Reorganization thro
which we have recently passed. l would have lei
| the compromise of 1920 alone, and did iavor the
repeal, because believed its effect upon the public
mind of the country would produce injury and
mischief greater than any good il could possibly
attain. / should have acquiesced 10 past legisla'
ton, in the same spirit OF cancellation and OF com
promise which governed the men of Missouri when
they agreed TO come into the Union under the op e'
ration OF the restrictive clause.
Now that the repeating act has been passed, We
have practical Legislators, to meet the existing
facts, and a different state of case. We not
called upon to abide by past legislation, but are
asked to legslate for the establishment OF the
restrictive clause, under plea OF a restoration
to the status quo before the Kansas bill was pass
ed. That restoration is now impossible. Ia
attempt it only produce irritation, sectional
alienation, and disturbance of the public peace
OF the country.
Practically, so far the extension of slavery is
concerned the South has gained nothing; the North
has lost nothing by its repeal 1t is conceded,
believe by intelligent men of all sections familiar
with the country that neither the soil nor the eli
mate, the natural productions OF the Territories
thus thrown open, can offer any permanent induce
ment for slavery TO enter there. The cotton planter
the sugar grower, and the rice producer will not
feel is his interest to leave his latitude
where in the millions of acres Of unoccuped terri
tory, he has ample room for present as well a,
| prospective expansion. The law of interest-thG
irrepeelabe law Of nature-must operate there a.
everywhere True, there is now a heated and
angry controversy in the Territory Of Kansas. The
men Of the border, in natural antagonism wi tn ait
societies elsewhere, have been stimulated TO associ
ated Effort for the purpose OF its establishment
Men may engage in, but will not continue, strug>
gle Of unprcducLive labor. II this be true Of Kan
sAs, il cannot be less so OF Nebraska. But whether
slavery will 20 into Kansas not-whether il viii
go into Nebraska or not-is question shall leave
with the citizens who reside in those Territories e
determine for themselves, when they come to foru
their State constitution, and apply for admission
into the Union.
Entertaining these views, on the l9th Of Deem
Der last declared in the House, that would vote
for the admission OF Kansas with withOus slavery
One Of my colleagues, Mr. Todd became suddenly
and powerfully and most unaceountably excited
and, in warm and passionate address, declared wit.
emphasis, had he known such to have been my sen
timents, his right arm should have withered before
he would have given me his support
was naturally prompted TO respond at the time
huffa ALI lad nv fhs, / led
as well as the expressed wishes Of members OF th'
delegation from nay State. Nor should allade Z
is but from the fact that have been charged b.
some OF the public journals in the gentleman's dis
trct sustaining his course in the election OF Speak
err, with having led him TO believe that was
sound anti-Nebraska man, according 20 the STANDARD
By which be judged a mans soundness, and tha