Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-07-04

our misfortunes and commoticns. There
would have been no incursions by Mis-
souri, borderers into Kansas either to es-
tablish slavery or control elections
There would have been no necessity eth
er for others to have gone there partially
to aid in preserving the country in its
then condition All would have been
peace there. Had it not been done, that
repose and quiet which porvadcd the
public mind then, would hold it in tran
quillity to-day. Instead of startling
, events we should have quiet a1d peace
within our borders, and that traternal
feeling which ought to animate the citi-
zens of every part of the Union toward
r those of all Other sections.
Sir, the events that are taking place
around us are indeed startling. They
challenge the public mind and appeal to
the public judgment; they Thrill the
public nerve as electricity imparts a
tremulous motion to the telegraphic
wire. 1t is period when all good men
should unite in applying the proper
remedy to secure peace and harmony to
the country. Is this to be done by any
of US, by remaining associated with those
who have been instrumental in produc-
ing these results, and who now Justify
them? l do not see my duty lying in
that direction.
E ] have, while temporarily acquiescing
stated here and at home, everywhere,
uniformly, that when the tests of those
measures were applied to me as one Of
party fidelity, would sunder them as
flax is sundered at the touch Of fire.
do it now.
The association involves question of
moral duty; and selfrespect all owes me
no other line of duty but to follow the
dictates of my own judgment and the
impulses of my own heart. a just man
may cheertully submit to many enforced
hu,nilations; but sef-degraded man
has ceased to be worthy, to be deemed a
man at all.
Sir, what has the recent Democratic
convention at Cincinnati done: 1t has
indorscd the measure l have condemned,
and has sanctioned its destructive and
ruinous effects. 1t has done morc-vast-
ly more. That principle or policy Of ter
ritorial sovereignty which once had, and
which suppose now has, its advocates
within these walls, is stricken down !; and
there is an absolute denial of it in the
resolution of the convention, if | can
draw right conclusions-a denial equally
to Congress, and even to the people Of
the Territories, OF chc right to settle the
question of slavery therein. On the
contasry, the convention has actually in
corporated into the platform OF the Dem
ocratic party that doctrine which, only a
few years ago. met nothing but rldlcule
and contempt, here and elsewhere name
"; that the flag Of the Federal Union,
under the Constitution of the Unite Il
States, carries slavery wherever it floats.
If this baletul principle be true, then
that national ode which inspires us al
ways as on battlefield, should be re-
written by Drake, and should read thus 4:
Forever float that standard sheet,
Where breathe the foe. but fall before Us,
With SLAVERY soil beneath our feet,
And sLAVERY's banner streaming DER lis. y
Now, sir, what is the precise condition
in which this matter is left by the Gin
cinnati convcntion, | do not design to
trespass many moments on the Senate !:
but allow me to read and offer very
few comments upon some portions of the
, Democratic platform. The first res Jlu-
ton that treats upon the subject j. in
these words-I read just so much of it
as is applicable to my present remarks :
THAT Congress has no power under the
Constitution to interfere with or control the
domestic institutions Of the several States, and
that all such States are the sole and proper
Judges OF everything appeltaining to their own
affairs not prohibited by the Constitution
take it that this language, thus far,
is language which meets a willing and
ready response from every Senator here
certainly ii does from me. But in the
following resolution find these words (:
"REsoLvEp, That the foregoing propo ,ilion
covers. and was intended to embrace, the
whole subject Of slavery agitation IN Con-
gre.."
The first resolution which | read was
adopted years ago in Democratic convcn-
tons. The second resolution which
read was adopted in subsequent years,
. when ii different state OF things had
arisen, and it became necessary to apply
, an abstract proposition relating to the
States to the Territories. Hence the
adoption of the language contained ir
the second resolution which have
read.
Now, sir, deny the position thus as
4 IL, b1 ( tAp