The daily union., 1856-12-24


Mr. BROOKS said
Mr. SPEAKER have waited until my friend from Indi
Mr. ENGLISH had finished his speech TO reply to his
question: whether not he correct in stating that
southern democrats would vote for the admission OF Kan
free State if that the clearly ascerained wish
of majority of her people, as would the northern demo-
Gratis TO admit her slave State should that De the
will of the majority did not interrupt my friend
while he was speaking because it breaks the thread OF
ones remarks introducing irrelevant issues and s4uan
ders the time of the occupant OF the hoor There was
tacit admission of the correctness OF his position
His subsequent remarks, however caused me to doubt
whether for one could respond airmatively 10 his
Interpretation of the Kansas and Nebraska act and
his proposition exactly he had stated it. Ny post
on and the position of the South generally, as under
stand it, is that whenever it shall be legally ascertaned
that the Territory of Kansas Tor any other Territory OF
the United Sates has population OF ninety thou
sand four hundred and twenty or whatever may be the
number which at the time will entitle State TO repre-
sentauon this hoo 1t is then in condition to form
State constitution and that the will OF majority OF tue
actual residents as expressed in that constitution shall OBJ
tain and the Territory be admitted into the Union as
State without reference to any constitutional provision
may contain in regard to negro slavery Ths now un-
derstand to be the proposition of my friend We now
concur thus far, and announce distinctly that should
the people of Kansas couy with the terms OF the
Nebraska act understand it, and apply for admission
free State, they will encounter no obstacle An my
vote.
But my friend went to say that in his opinion, ter
rtora legislature had the power to pass laws prohibiting
the introduction of slaves If it has that power why may
the legislature also manumt such slaves as chance 10
be in the Territory would ask the gentleman from In
diana what of population requisite for terrific
rial government2 No specified number is required Then
according to the gentlemans doctrine territorial egsla
tue representing thousand people, may pass law for
ever prohibiting slavery If ten thousand may make such
law why may not five thousand2 If five thousand why
may not five hundred 2 Why not ffty2 Why not ten I
And with such doctrine prevailing what security have
l. southern man. in emgrating to any Territory with
my slaves2 dissent in toto from any such doctrine
only repudate the doctrine of my friend from Indiana
but also repudate another which has been here taught
and which is virtually that we OF the South are 70 De ek
cluded from Territory until the Judgment OF the supreme
Court rendered in regard to the effect upon our peculiar
property of laws passed by territorial Legislature
do claim that the constitution carries slavery into
Territory but do claim that as citizen have the
right take property into any Territory OF the nj
ted States and that the constitution which protects me
also protects my property If in the exercise OF my rghts
citizen my right of property should be questioned,
will appeal to the legal tribunals OF the country and abide
their decision but will not be the first to disrust my
constitutional rights, and will content myself with defend
ing them when assailed. We the sworn Lawmakers
of the land and presumed to be regardul OF our
constitutional obligations the judges of the Supreme
Bench 1t is bua sorry commentary upon law made by
majority when that majority disagree as TO Its legal ef
feet 1t is said that there many roads to heaven and
that gentlemen led to the support of the KansasNe
braska bill by many different roads There Is but one
heaven and but sound constitutional and national
principle the Nebraska and the we all agree
stand upon that principle and approach by the same
road the better will it be for the democratic party
Mr. Speaker the discussion which has occurred upon the
message particularly that portion of 1t which
relates TO matters In Kansas not unexpected BY me-
1t expected because Of the deep hostility which knew
to exist the South well at the North towards the
President and the democratic party To be frank, ex-
pected because of weakness in certain points, which
exposed us TO attack and even invited IT,
The presidential election has resulted in repuse OF the
republican party from the decaying citadel Of the consttu
ton but rout Of its forces They have been beaten
but they yet unconquered 1t was evident even before
the meeting Of Congress that they marshang their
for another onset Their organization is undisturb
ed-the morale Of their troops preserved-her leaders
fdent and still trusted The smoke OF the battle had hard
y arisen from the field before observations taken OF
our line with the caution and sagacy of practised srae
giss and is in vain to disguise tour weak point has
been detected.
also expected this discussion because of the pryng Wig
ance of another organization which, because of its having
its hand against every other party and particularly that
which at this time happens be in the ASCENDANT may
propratey be called the Ihmdeitish party They, too
have discovered our weakest point and have already twice
attempted to break line and bring two wings in
to conflict with each other. The gentleman from Ken
ueky, [hr. MARSHALL, who their distinguished and
recognised leader made the first charge and that
shortly succeeded by the following resolution Of the
beF from Tennessee Mt BTmRpGE
ResolUed That this House of regards all
suggestions and propositions Of every kind by whomsoever
to the moral sentiments Of the enlightened portion Of
that any action on the part of Congress SSnni-
Justly subject the government and citizens OF the United
States the reproaches and exeoraon Of all civilized and
Christian people throughout the world"
This resolution as II was doubtless intended fell as a
bomb-shel into the democratic ranks Opposition to de-
mocracy is always motive enough for him. apprehend
however that purpose somewhat more Of a personal
character united with party purpose in producing that
unnecessary and inopporune resolution diversion
necessary TO conceal the magnitude Of the genemans po
tcal sins He had reason TO believe that his soundnes
upon the slavery question doubted only here but
In his State and even in his district BY creating
new ISSUE and upon which he could better stand
than upon past issues his prospects Of reelection might i'm
prove The argument he has furnished to the enemies
the people who have honored him. the acknowledgment
which, BY implication, he has made that the buying and
selling Of slaves Is morally wrong and the apparent defer
to republican whms failed to restrain bid for
tinuance In office
Had there been proposition before this House to repeal
the laws, or before the Senate to snnql ths satv I
refers to the African slave trade, cows "nlcn
views Of the gentleman ~ ina nave 9earo ths
with him in opinion. In view, however of
ne fact that our laws denounce the traffic piracy and
pose the severes penalties upon oendersthat their re-
peal is notorousy impractcable-I but regard the
introduction of the resolution intended for selfish and
party purposes unproyoked and volunteered
buke of distinguished chief magistrate Of State whose
genius patriotism will compare with that of the
Der from Tennessee light to darkness regretted Mr.
Speaker that any resolution offered and that any passed
this House After the passage Of that presented by the
Der from Tennessee other necessary. As minor
proposition II included in the major Of the same char
aeter Though am sure II not intended yet |
apprehended that might be construed into implied
of the Of the State which have the honor
in part to represent was unwilling to occupy position
which might be construed though may differ with his
sxceency in the proprety and opporunenes of the rec
ommendation. unwilling TO seemingly reflect upon
the origin Of institution which is nseparably inter
woven with the fabric of the society in which live.
The resolution of my friend and colleague Mr.. ORR I
intended to express his individual opinions and TO
dsembarrass such Of northern democratic friends
bad voted against the resolution Of the gentleman from