The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-18
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l.
union with the South, viii have it in their power
for ages to come TO Perpctuate Union that must
Otherwise be destroyed.
80 well understand, therefore why the hon
or2Jle Senator says, matter of graduation TO
those who think with him, that this is the las:
message which is TO emanate from its source.
should hope that the truths which emanate from
that paper viii reach the Northern mind, and that
they will unite. in a common, patriotic interest
and purpose, 10 come back to the Constitution
T which our fathers framed, and to which we are
parties-to come back TO that Constitution, and
TO admpister itlegitmately, and give to the South
I what tho South is entitled to, while the North
and West obtain what they entitled 10. Or
If il be that they really entertain an honest and
conscientious conviction that they cannot remain
IN union with Us, let them propose a separation
fairly and openly: but while the contract is there
keep ii. ] hold the most essential part of that
contract TO the South, falling into minor
ity, TO be, that it shall be kept toward the
minority, in honorable faith, and that every cle
ment OF political power it guaranteed to them
shall be fairly and honorably conceded.
Nov, sir, have said not one word of disre-
spect, Or of disc0urtcsy, toward the party which
has been arrayod against the South in the late
election. do not mean TO do so; it would not
become me. They constitute part of the Amer
lean people with whom in bonds of as
ISOLATION, and | have right 10 question their
motives. do not question them bat DO ques-
lion their political purposes. / say that, when
the passions Of the day have subsidized, This cOun-
try, and the world looking on, VIII pay tribute
OF just applause 10 the eminent author OF this
message, and 10 the great principles which lac
has there propounded.
Mr.. TRUMBULL. Nr. President: If ! sup
posed that this message WAS aimed simply at a
few AbolitiOnists in the North, who wish, it is
sad, TO interfere with the existing institution Of
Slavery, ! certainly should not give it any Of my
attention. Not only the President, but Senators
here, may abuse the Abotionists rs rOundly rs
they please, and they Will never find me defend
ing them on any occasion. Bat this document,
emanatiBg from the Chief Magistrate of the
nation here on the first days Of the session, has
thrust upon the Slavery question. the agitation
of which the Senator from Virginia seems to
deprccate. lie speaks Of Senators aeitating this
question Could he expect otherwise than that
Senators would agitatc the question which the
President Of the United States makes the Iromi-
ncnt and leading question OF his message Did
he expect that should sit still here, when a
message WAS read protesting to give historical
account Of the recent canvass and the recent
election, which misrcprescntcd them tOtally2 ]
shall not 20 into an argument TO prove here that
the rcat party which mas swept the North, and
say has swept tie States which the gentleman
has designated rs having sustained MIR. Buchan-
an, entertain no views hostile 10 the Union or
the Constitution, or that they do not wish 70 in
terirre with SLAVERY in any Of the States Of this
Union. They adopted platform; they in |
scrlbcd upon il tEcir principles; they published |
1t 10 the world aud every can read it. a |
part of that platform is, that the rights Of the |
State. the Union fthc States, and the COnstitu-
ton Of the country, must and shall be preserved
That is our creed. VIII Won tell us that we /
want TO interfere with the rights of the States? |
You mpute to rs that which have solemnly |
declared are opposed to.
think it is Just such remarks as those to which |
we have listened from the Senator from
Mississippi, that alternating one section ofthis
Union from the other. lie is arguing here 10 |
show that the Northern sentiment wishes 10 IN |
teriere with the institutions of the South Does |
the Senator desire that state of things? Why |
does be seek to fasten on as sentiments and opin-
ions which we disclaim aad diSavOw2 lie asks
why we did not disavow this at the time in the
North? We did il IT the outset we did it every
where and on all occasions.
But sir, this messaCe-aud | shall not now
take time to discuss its various pOsitions-cOn-
tains the most unwar.anied assumptions 10
fact, and II states conclusions of law not sus-
tanned by the authorities. The President of the
United States undertakes to say that the Mis-
souri, Compromise, the act Of 1920, under which
Missouri came into the Union, was obsolete and |
was unconstitutional. Where did he get the
authority for saying so2 The Supreme Court of
the United States has said, in so many words.
that in regard 10 the Territories of the United |
States, Congress possesses all the powers both of
the Federal and state Governments as to State.
That Is tlio language Of the Supreme Court OF the
United States. Is 1t denied 10y anybody that the |
Federal and State Governments together have |
authority 90 keep Slavery out OF a State
Nh. CASS. } should like TO hear that decision |
read. never saw il.
Nr. TRUMBULL. 1t Is in the first volume |
OF Peter5's Reports desire the pages To bring !
a. ff..Fr fiss Irlp has Z latt,
said by the Supreme Court-no such decision |
can be found-that Congress had not authority |
10 exclude Slavery from the Territories. ] have !
now the book for which ! sent. | do not know, |
however, that shall be able to turn to the decis
ion at once. / ask my friend from Connecticut |
Mr. FOSTER to obhge me by looking for it. |
When 10 is found shall furnish it to the Senator
from Michigan. and shall be very glad to have
him read and ponder on it, | hope it will con-
vince him.
Much of the Presidents message is taken up
with discussion To the equality Of the States,
and the rights the States The Senator from
New Hampshire has well exposed this portion
ofthe message, in commenting on that part Of ii
which Processes to set forth what was settled by
the recent election. The President says THE
people OF the United States have asserted the
constitutional equality of each and all Of the
States Of the Union, as States
Did anybody dispute il? The message pro-
tonll equality of each and all Of the citizens of
the United States, as citizens Who ever dis
putcd II? Was any such question in issue
before the American people whatever their
religion, wherever their birth their residence
they have maintained the inyiolabiliy OF the
cons titutio.al Ti4hts of the different sections
Of the UaiOn- Who proposed TO interfere with
them and they have proclaimed their deyo-
ted and unaltcrable attachment to the Union
and TO the Constitution trust they have -
as objects OF interest superior TO all subjects OF
local or sectional controversy, as the safeguard
Of the rights of ALL the spirit and the essence
OF the liberty, peace, and greatness OF the Re-
'public'
The President makes the same charge here,
which is reiterated in the Senate, that Under
the shelter OF this great liberty, and protected
byt the laws and usagcs Of the Government they
of the States of individuals who, pretending TO
seek only preventive spread Of the institution
Of Slavery into the present future inchoate
States Of the Union, are really intlamed with
desire 10 change the domestic Institutions of
existing States
How did he find that out? Where is the
evidence of it2 Sir, assert that so far as
know, there is no foundation for the accusation
Ii is untrue.
~ friend from Connecticut has found the
decision TO which made alusion. In the case
of the American Insurance Company AMI others
Canter. ] 81 Peters. p. 30, the opinion OF the
Supreme Court was pronounced 10y Nr. Chief
Justice Marshall In that opinion is this sentence
IN regard TO The Territories: " In lcsslating for
them. Congress exercises the combined powers
OF tie General and of a State Government J
commend it and the whole case TO the careful
,.G -1ta fem,