The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-03
THE NATIONAL ERA WASHINGTON, D. G, fully g. 1856

anel of SO so, and if 1 were called upon to
vote for such partition, and thereby admit
State there, with Constitution allowing Slave
ry, aud there was no other objection, would
feel bound to give the vote for such admission,
notwithstanding my repugnance to Slavery.
But if Kansas applied for admission, with
Constitution allowing Slavery, / should say
Mol as long as my lips could utter the word.
"Mr. Giddings. beg my friend to take what
/ said with some little qualification, when l said
his heart and my soul beat in unison with re-
lation to the rights of all men, meant south
as well as north of $50 3O/. / want to know
whether that gentleman means to stand before
the world on the doctrine that the rights which
are to be protected north of a certain line, are
to be left to be trampled under foot south of it?
Mr.. Dunn. l answer the gentlemen, then,
that l will recognise the law of my country
where it does not violate-or where l am not
required to violate-the law of God. The law
of my country provides, that if the citizens OF
Texas, holding slaves as they did-for it did
not make any slaves or slave territory there
by-should see that their interest would be pro-
NOTED south of go go in the partition of the
State Of Texas into other States tolerating Sla-
very, they should have the privilege of making
such partition, and the districts so cut off should
be admitted as new States, whether they still
tolerate Slavery or not.
"Now, would acquiesce in that, because it
involves no question of the rightfuness of Sla-
very; it does not introduce Slavery; it does
not change the state of any soil or of any man
on that subject; it is not question of morality
in any sense, but simply one of power between
the two sections of the Union. If that were now
an open question, as at the time of the annexa-
zion, should now, as l did then, resist it. But
this was the agreement between Texas and us
it was the bargain-and is plainly put down In
the law of annexation. That bargain and that
law am bound in all honesty to observe, and
will not hesitate to do so. So, too, in 1920, there
was another bargain and another law setting
apart forever to Freedom other territory north
of $50 30>. This embraced Kansas and Nebras-
ka and that bargain and that law l am dis
posed to uphold and maintain in the face of all
men, and of every personal peril. / trust that
the gentleman understands my answer.
Mr.. Giddings. / rejoice and thank my God
that the gentleman comes to that stand with
me and l will 20 with him to eternity on the
South. Laughter. Has it come to this, that
the law of God is limited by this Congress to
the line Of geo 3O/ north? Laughter. My
friend says he will stand to the law of God, north
of that-and so will but south of it, he will
submit to the laws of his country. Laughter.
Now, Mr.. Chairman, will not go into the great
question here, but, GOD willing, Will, at some
future time, make known my views as to the
right of man to take from a fellow-being the in
alienable right to life which God has given him,
and to the liberty with which he endowed him,
for the purpose of protecting his life. l will not
do so now. But now, to return to the question
l believe my friend answered me. rejoice that
he is with me.
"Mr. Dunn. Not entirely.
"Mr. Giddings. l mean up to the 360 So.
Laughter. Now, Mr.. Chairman, only want
to say that these are questions which address
themselves to the judgment and consideration
ofthis body, and not to any of the constitution
al distractions which have been raised on both
sides of the Chamber. Every argument on the
other side of the House has its original founda-
ton in the within, the caprice or-if it be deem
ed more respectful word-in the judgment
Of each man. In my judgment they are ill-found-
ed. They have a right to discuss the questions
of Slavery and Of Polygamy. do not say which
is the best and which the worst; they have
right to discuss the situation of Oregon, her In
dian war, her necessity for State Government,
her expenses, &c. All these have entered into
my consideration, and led me to the conclusion
that she is entitled to admission as State, and
l will so vote.'