The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-17

II
adopted in territorial policy that there should be
congressional restriction against slavery In the Terrific
ries t4sA
The wilmot proviso was put down and abandoned and
the people setng and colonzng the public domain from
all the States alike without bindrance limitation,
troll by Congress, left TO form and mould their ns
tutions without any restrictions except those imposed by
the constitution OF the United States with the right
anied OF being admitted into the Union either with OF
without slavery they may determine for themselves
This policy adopted In 1850 being the basis Of what
known the compromise of that year, has,
say, been reafirmed. IL thought by many, the
adoption Of this policy in 1885, that agitation upon the
Subject OF slavery would far the Territories
concerned at least But subsequent events have
shown that the snake "scotched" only, not killed
and IL may be that IL Is only scotched again. and not
yer killed How this will be time must determine; but
Judging from the past have hope The prn-
cp entering into tho contest between Mr. Jefferson and
the elder Adams not clearly marked out and
squarey met both Sides than they have been in this
they, In my judgment essential 10 the
sevaiion OF the liberties Of this country upon consttu
tona principles than the questions just decided and here
ser In tho distant future II thar bright future awaits
which but hope does 1856 will be looked back TO
and dated on jus 1901 has been In past history
stood BY he policy adopted in 1850 and now, trust,
firmly established because thought 1t gave the peo-
pie u the South the full OF their just rights but
for reasons and considerations which need
mera,eor the same reasons stood by il in 1854, when
u carried out In the Kansas Nebraska bill aud for
the with renewed steadastness of purpose
stood by II in lis greatest peril in 1856.
Much sir has been said about the Kansas bill in this
debate Much said about 1t In the late IL
the leading topic everywhere aud its principles
made The turning point every where indeed, the Issue
the great Issue In the conteswas made with the direct
OF having Its principles and policy approved and
dorsed rejected and repudated by the people II is be-
this measure, directly In ISSUE has been ri-
umphanty sustained that much rejoice in the result
No say that this issue lodged. 1t pre-
scented by It's friends In the organization Of this House
thc beginning of the last 1t the basis OF the
organization at Cincinnati, and formed Of the most
prominent features in the programme Of principles there
announced. And while IL named in many
words In the Philadelphia programme yet all know that
the party there assembled organized mainly in oppo
siton 70 that measure and the principles upon which it
based In the newspaper and the busngs moth
ing rallied against bitterly and Increasingly the
inquity"" the cheat" and the nfamy" of the Kansas
bill Thus measure therefore, may be considered Of
the things most emphatcay endorsed by the people in the
late election
am the more reoiced at this because know some
thing Of the difficulties attending its passage-the vio
ence, the passion and fanaucism evoked against it. |
well remember the opinions then giventhat the North
would submit TO Iii and that the seats then filled by
those who voted for IL from that section would again
be filled by Of like sentiments By indignant cons
uences such members to be driven forever from the
public councils F0rty-our members from the North
this House voted for the bill only one of whom believe
acted with It's enemies in the late struggle for its mante
To the present House. owing chiefly to causes
section in favor Of it. This matter of great boast
the time But sir TO the House have forty-nine
members already choseu from the North at the late eec
ons upon the distinct issue of their advocacy of this bill
This is five than the number originally for it the
grows stronger insead OF weaker This OF the
results of the late election particularly gratifying to in
itself IL shows what of nerve with fidelity to the
constitution relying upon the virtue intelligence loyalty
and patriotism Of the people effect Language would
fail me In attempt 10 characterize they deserve those
sterling and noble spirits who bore the constitutional flag
In the North against the popular prejudice and anacsm
Of the people Of their own section in this contest
Sir is an easy thing for to drift along with the
popular current Any do that Honors thus OBJ
ained worthless they cheap but it requires
nerye--it requires all the elements that make man to
stand up and oppose in their errors and advocate
truth before people unwilling to hear and to receive it
to speak 10 those who having hear not and having
eyes, mott History furnishes examples of this
sort but the history Of the world in my Judgment has
furnished noble and grandsr specimens of this v
tue than the late canvass in the North When dis
charges bis duty upon any OCCASION he deserves respect
and admirationi but when man discharges his duty
against the prevailing prudces OF those around him. and
against his natural feelings and nclnations that
man commands something higher than respect and adm-
ration The elder Brutus who sat in judgment and pro-
nounced sentence against his son, siencing the ad
verse promptings of fathers heart made himself the
noblest Roman of them all and those statesmen the
North to whom alude who had the nerve in the crisis
just passed. TO stand up and yndcae the right under the
In which they placed give The world
instance Of the moral sublime in human action never
surpassed before Our history furnishes no parallel with
ervaton of the republic due aud republic proves
not to be ungraieiu they will receive patriots rewards
more TO be desired than OF brass marble
honored names while living and honored memories when
dead.
But epogy is not my object at this time. l have to
speak OF principles ON this occasonnot men and To-
tend to speak particularly Of tho principles OF the Kansas
bill. This do, because many affect not to understand
them and some say that different constructions put
them by different people This sir s the with
almost every act OF r~aation The constitution itself s
not free from the charge Of admitting srent consruc-
ons but Whatever difference In construction may in
reference TO the Kansas BILL this difference arss not SO
much from the words OF the bill from the constitution
The gentleman from Kentucky 10 whom alluded Mr.. II.
MARSHALL said be would have voted for IL with
sirncon and against II with another That the bill and
its principles and with whatever construction, has been
sustained by the elections he and all must admit The
question OF repeal has been put to rest
Now then, 10 the nare character objects effects
and principles OF the BILL What doep Il do and what was
II intended TO accomplish On this point affirm and
maintain that II did but carry out In good faith the prnc
subject OF slaveryihe New Mexico and Utah bills for
which that gentleman voted and for the maintenance OF
which both be and pledged, and for the maute-
nance OF which both the old whg and dslnocFsc parties
were most solemny pledged. The gentleman admits that
he stood pledged carry out the principles OF the New
Mexico and Utah bills upos the subject Of slavery This
s what maintain the Kansas bill did and that ID Is sub
ect leRtmatey 10 the upon subject
Of slavery those bills are and other have The
bills all before Let then compare them Ia all th.
essential particulars 90 far as the vsred question OF slavery
is concerned.
But before doing so, let me premise by restating
what all must admit that the basis Of the policy
adopted in 1850 the abandonment Of fhe sWil.
mot proviso'-another for congressional resre-
tou and the establishment Of the prncpls OF anoa-
Intervention by Congress either Cor or agsins, slavery
In the Territories The object stay the aggressive
hand OF this government and 10 quiet sectional agitation
by removing this from The halls OF Con
gress and leaving the question their domestic insl
nton to be settled by the people TO be affected By them
o. the proper time and 10 the proper manner under Toe
constitution Of United States and that shoula he m