The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-03

whether the democratic party understand that this power
which is claimed for the people Of Territory Is theirs
while they In territorial condition, or II II Oily arises
and theirs when they form State consti
tuition preparatory TO their admission into the Union as
State. #a
Mr. DAVIDSON. It's little singular, Mr. Speaker. that
gentleman who SGT SO long that gentleman did at the
oostool of JEFFERSON and invoked his precepts and his
SO often the gentleman has done and who remain
ed to his principles until the smoke of the dark
terms led him or and obscured his political vision should
undertake to ask me what democratic principles are
| [LaughteE)
Mr. A. K, MARSHALL If there had been no other
lanterns but those which the gentleman refers
perhaps would not be benighed II the principles OF
the democratic party were such as they were under
the exposition given TO them in former times, should
have no hesitation and doubt in reference TO them But
stand in rather peculiar position and when hear
the democratic party and the candidates of that party lay
down principle without defining exactly what that prin
cipe may be- may be pardoned for being somewhat in
the dark in reference to this question: and am sure
could not appeal for light any higher authority than the
gentleman from Louisiana 1t is in this benighed condi
ton of mind in order that may be enlightened this
subject that ask this question The obscurity that has
thrown around me is not the result Of any recent
connexions have formed but of remarkable expo
stions which have been made by the democratic party
themselves heretofore and upon this floor.
Mr.. DAVIDSON refer the gentleman from Kentucky
TO the democratic platform for explanation. The demo-
cratic party have published platform of principles and
the gentleman from Kentucky has not hope permitted
the kanterns to obscure his intellect that he
not read and understand 1t is singular fact Mr. Speak
err that whenever who has acted with the democratic
party deserts that party he always finds that that party
has deserted him. was about to explain my own posi-
ton upon this subject when the gentleman found it
sary to interrupt me. sir am humble member of the
democratic party but of Its faithful
have stood by II from boyhood to the present time
with single exception when felt inclined like the
Tenant Kentucky to become exceedingly Amecanized
My position is this do not believe that the people of the
Territories political rga to abolish to establish
nythng until they come to adopt their organic law. This,
have shown has been the practice and then
they assume 10 themselves sovereign power and have
right to say his shall be, shat shall not be- That
my ground it is the ground of the democratic party
and rather think that IL is the round of the resolutions
of l79s99 IL this be the ground think that all
this agitation about slavery might tell my friends
upon tne other SIDE as the representative OF OF the
largest slayehoding districts in the Union that have
disposition TO agae this question: 1t is matter fsuch
vitality TO us of the South whether the people of the Terri
tories will have will not have slavery but it is am-
porant they should be left to decide for themselves Let
them decide for themselves and for one will gain
say their decision Have you ever known southern man
to oppose the admission OF State into this Union the
pretence that she had adopted constitution which did
not recognise African slavery? Doyou know of single
instance of the kind ..E.#E
Mr. CUMBACK. Yes California.
| Mr. DAVIDSON. knew you would say that, apd |
desired that you houd say it. Now, what the facts
in relation to California; take the ground that those
called the people of California had authority form
constitution to determine any question At that time
the Congress Of United States had given them terrific
ancea political chrysas if may be permitted the
term They met together mob without authority OF any
sort Many very many of them citizens of
the United States they of every class color and
ton Twothrds of them had probably never taken the
oath Of allegiance They met together as mob, and as
serted and claimed the power to nsup the rights of Amer
lean citizens. That the why southern OPP
posed the admission of that State and because this
rabble of invaders who called themselves the people, had
declared against slavery for let me tell gentlemen that if
slavery is not profitable it will exist nowhere They talk
about the almighty dollar" governing the Yankees; but
let tell you governs the whole Species where slavery
profitable all the Congresses this side the grave will not
l "a
profitable they will have it My eloquent friend
from North Carolina Mr.. BRANCH is right climate and
soil will settle this question The great question, them is
not whether are in favor ofsquaer sovereignty what
sort OF sovereignty advocate. The great coHsumma
ton that has been achieved in the recent contest is that
the people are to determine the question for themselves
We shall have agitation the subject of slavery
in this hall if we obey the voice of the people
Sir have been amused by the course which has been
pursued by the gentlemen from Ohio and Kentucky, Mr.
CAMPBELL and Mr. H. MARSHALL The House will very
well remember which occurred here during the cleo
ton for Speaker. The gentleman from Kentucky came
here in all the pride of power he had looked all around
and be had that know-nothngism had hundred
and twentyfour advocates in this House. and the gentle
man felt large. Yes sir Caesar, after he bad swept Gaul
potent destroy his enemies than did the gentleman
from Kentucky to destroy the democratic party He came
here and he found that there mistake about the
position they occupy The gentleman from Ken
lucky and the gentleman Ohio aud other representa-
tves from the free States did happen to understand
each other for SAM and the Others for Sam
the twelfth section which never thought amounted to
much and the gentleman from Kentucky you all
ber read the gentleman from Ohio out of the American
party because he would not stand upon the twelfth section
and the gentleman from Ohio read the gentleman from
Kentucky out because he would stand upon it. Well just
after that the 22d of February the twelfth section
abolished, and that very night the gentleman from Ken
lucky and the gentleman from Ohio went up to George
town, and both addressed the audience from the
platform, for the for mayor of Georgetown.
Laughter.] There thing they did agree about
to destroy the democratic party and to hate and prescribe
the foreigner.
The gentleman from Kentucky comes here and reads the
democratic party lecture because that party at the North
he says holds opinion upon the doctrine of squater
sovereignty and that party South holds another opinion
upon the subject and therefore, says he nothing
has been settled by the late contest WE'LL sir the gentle
ought Mt least to have looked round and with
whom he associated before he undertook to read lee
tures.
Some one asked the gentleman when he addressing
the House. how the gentleman from New York Mr.. HA-
vES stood upon that subject He [Mr. MARSHALL was
willing that Mr. HAVEN should speak out for himself Well
Mr. HAVEN has spoken out and declared that Congress has
the power to egislae upon the subject of slavery in the
Territories He voted for the bill introduced by the
Der from Indiana, Mr.. DUNN which asserted that doc
rne to its fullest extent But that is not all would
like to know the position Of the gentleman from Indiana
MIR. DUNN. would like to know what he says upon this
question. He sir Fillmore elector in the State of
Indiana and of in full communion with the party
of the gentleman from Kentucky Mr.. DUNN not only as
serted this right but also most earnest and eloquent
in advocating IT, the of the restoration Of
the Missouri restriction. And Mr. DUNN belongs to the
party with the gentleman from Kentucky, who lee
lures the democratic party for holding opinion in the
North upon the question of squatter sovereignty and
other in the South Sir sorry to the gentleman
raise his potential voice in this hall in such There
In haro xpbo nh