The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-01-09

equality of political power in this body.
Mr.. Rusk. do not contend for any su'
ground. The ground of my contention
this that to the Territories, the commt
property of the United States, the people
each of the States have right, unombal
rassed, to 20 with their property; and whit
you see It proper hero in Congress, witho'
any express authority Of the Constitution
to say that, owing to tho moral conditic
Of the Southern States, we cannot cmigra
there with our property, regard that as q
attempt to fasten on the section which | rel
resent, and those who are to come after mi
an odious distinction, which the Senator
much mistaken If he supposes we will sui
nit to.
Mr.. Fessendcn. I do not suppose any
thing about 1t. Whether tho Senator an
his friends submit to it or not would nc
mako n particle of difference in my at
tion. As l said before, on that pos
tion the Republican party has planted II
self, namely: that 1t will oppose to the en-
Il may soy 10 the bitter end-if bitter
must be-the extension Of slavery over fre
territory. That is their doctrine 1t is mine
Mr.. Rusk. The Senator will put 1t in
proper form. do not like these phrases I
catch popular opinion. We Of the Soutl
have planted ourselves on our equal right
under the Constitution. Our numbers o.
our weakness does not make the slightes
difference. So far as lam concerned, II shall
live under and support this Government al
long rs it maintains my equal rights. Th'
Constitution maintains my equal rights in
the State where | live, and in the Territories
Of the United States. When majority
in (as believe disregard ofthe obligations
Of the Constitution shall deny me my con.
stitutional rights, against that act Of usur'
patton l am prepared to stand up and 70.
,ist, and I will not stop to inquire what the
may be.
Mr.. Fcssenden. The honorable Senator
from Texas is very brave and determined
nan, and have no idea that he says any
hing which he does not mean, or would
not carry out. At the same time he will
permit me to say, without regard to what
.he South may do, or what individuals may
10, or may express their design to do, in
,ase of certain event, IL we regard and SO
ong as wo do regard, that matter to be es-
ential to us and to our rights, under the
of the United States, We shall I,
With equal pertnacity, follow 1t out, until
here ceases to be any hope to accomplish
he object.
Mr.. Rusk. You have the numbers.
Mr.. Brown. If the Senator from Maine
vill allow me I will ask him question.
Mr.. Fessenden. think am exceedingly
LIBERAL to-day.
Mr.. Brown. understand tho Senator to
axe the ground that the Republican party
f the North mean to oppose, and to oppose
o the bitter end, the extension of slavery to
ny of the territories of the United States.
Mr.. Fesscnden. Any free territory ]
ald.
Mr.. Brown. | ask the Senator this: sup
'ose tho people of Kansas, unlnauenced by
he acts Of the Government-by any inter
prence on the part of the southern people,
eft perfectly free to act and elect for them.
elves, shall choose to introduce slavery and
sk for admission into the Union Us slave
tate, will he oppose their admission
Mr.. Fcsscnden. will meet that question
vhen it comes. have noticed the partic-
liar mode which Senator's have here land it
5 very acute.) when gentlemen aro follow
ng o particular line of argument, to inter.
upt by asking what they would do in
case-1 presume with tho object
f producing embarrassment.
Mr.. Brown. Not q. oil.
Mr.. Fessenden. Now, whatever the OBJ
,ct may be, beg leave TO say to the Scna.
or from Mississippi, and all others, that !
m not to DO caught in any such way. 1
rill answer any question in reference to my
inc of argument; but whenever they at
cmpt to get me out Of that line by asking
that will do in any supposed contingency,
~ only answer Is, that will let you know
ow vote when the contingency arises.
Mr.. Bayard. Allow me to ask q question
, the Senator's limo of argument?
Mr.. Fessendcn. Certainly.
Mr.. Bayard. wish to understand on
that ground he claims that II is an interfer-
nee with the rightsof the people Of the nom
|aveholding States for Congress to abstain
rom the exercise of any power in reference
, the common territory Of tho Union, either
or authorizing slavery there?
n what respect does it violate the rights of
ny citizen, OF of any non slaveholdins
tate, for Congress to exercise no power,
ithcr for the purpose of prohibition, or for
he purpose of the authorization OF slavery?
IN the other side, ! suppose tho prohibition
nfringes on tho rights Of citizens Of the
Jnited States to 60 with any species Of prop.
rty into territory which belongs to the pco-
lie of the whole Union 1t is u violation Of
he rights of the citizens Of those States who
appcn to hold that particular description
4 property. l do not see whore the viola
ion 10 on the other side.
Mr.. Fessenden. If thought that q pro-
Iibition by Congress Of the extension Of
layery to the Territories was interfering
With the constitutional right of any man in
my section Of tho Union, certainly should
lot be an advocate for that interference
The question, however, has been argued
'vcr and over again upon this floor, ! might
ay argued even ad nausedm, until every
,ody is tired Of it. II has been argued over
md over again upon every stump through
he whole country. We knew the force of
Inc argument. that this is only permitting
he people to act for themselves carrying
,ut the idea of popular sovereignty; and
hat there is right in the people Of the
territories to form their own Institutions
o suit themselves, and right in the peo-
Die of the Southern St,tes to remove into
he Territories, and carry their slaves with
hem. The question has been argued here
100 often not to be entirely familiar to the
Senator from Delaware, and he
knows very well that we deny there is any
'uch constitutional right on tho part Of any.
body. We deny that slavery can exist in
The Territories, unless by force Of positive
Iaw.
Mr.. Bayard. The honorable Senator did
not understand my question.
Mr.. Fcssenden. did.
Mr.. Bayard. think not. I merely nd
ied to my inquiry my own views Of the vic.
lation ofright upon the oneside; I did
not ask him to discuss that. Ny qucs.
ton was, what injustice, what injury
results to the people Of the non slave
holding States from allowing the people o