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

Mr. STEPHENS believe, Mr. Speaker, that the gentle
man himself was Of the witnesses, llanghter ana IL
seems that the people Of his section decided against
the testimony. lLaughter
there never was an issue fairly made and SO fairly pre-
sented TO the American people by both partesNorh and
Southas was the issue this Kansas bill al the late cleo
ton an election which excited the feelings and aroused
the popular unusual degree not only In th
country bat in countries on other continents think II
probable that there both sides Of the ques
ton and on both sides of Mason and Dxons line who at
tempted misrepresent the principles OF this Kansas
Nebraska bill Ii possible that there were some OF those
defending II side of the line who said that the pocy
was 10 make free State and some OF those Assa
ing the other side who said that was worse for The
South than the Wilmot proviso ITSELF This is possible
but those who made such attempts were well understood
They deceived nobody. Such figure in all political
contests but they mislesd very few the truth makes It's
way them
the issues in the late has been only denying
that the issues such they were represented 70 oe
gentleman from Ohio, mir CAxPsKLL some of those
who acted with him the North said in their speeches
about the Kansas b that its object was 10 make Kansas
slave State and that of the issues before the Amer
can people was whether Kansas should be slave State or
a free State The friends of freedom, every man who
not himself in favor Of slavery i may De was called
on TO vote for the Stree soi "free Kansas and Fremont
ticket If this be So think il very possible and even
highly probable that the friends and defenders of the Kan
sas bill the North said this not the issue that the
object of the bill not make Kansas either Tree
State slave STATE but TO leave that matter to the peo
pie Of Kansas settle for themselves at the proper time
under the constitution of the United States ana tna ne
might be admitted slave State or tree State as her
people may determine for themselves at the proper time
Some may have said the proper time was IN their terri
toria legislature Others when they come TO form State
constitution but all agreed that was to be done by
the people of Kansas at the proper e and II there was
any difficulty to the proper time that was laoiea
question arising under the constitution which could only
be settled by the courts All agreed that 1t was to
be settled by those whom it CONCERNED and not 6 Con-
gre the people Of the United States outside OF Kansas
who had no business to NEEDLE with it.
This class of men, think ii probable, SAID that me true
sue ON this point let the people Of Kansas take care
of TIER interests and business and TO let other people
attend ~ theirs that whether slavery right wrong,
Congress had no rghul authority to interfere against IT.
either in the States Territories This think II very
probabe was said by many This is what has been called
So,no The issue But should have said the same thing
If had been there The object of the bill was not 10
make Kansas either slave State or nee STATE ont Jus
what have stated Tvs passage was not triumph OF
the South over the North further than removal OF an
unjust discrimination against her people ana res'os-
ton Of her constitutional equality, may De considered
triumph To isis extent il triumph; but no sec
tionai triumph II Was triumph OF the constitution.
was triumph that enhanced the value OF the Union IA
the estimation of the people OF inc South ING "a
Of 1920 had been for many years N The as
thorn the esh producing irritation al every ,oucn oh
the principles upon which ii adopted reucanty &C
oepted alternative at the time by them the souin
here to in 1850 But il then repndaed again anu
again by the North shown by me in this house On
A
compact or being in any way binding YVES secuted az
and ridcued by those who have raised such caror on
that score since This thorn removed IN ieoo lne
whole country seemed &c relieved by II would have
been completely relieved BY II bat for the ae attempt 10
thrust back this thorn. This attempt has been slgaa
rebuked And may we not now look TO me future WIN
hopes-wei grounded hopes-ef permanent repose he
pose il what With the principle now established
that each State and separate political community In ous
complicated system is attend to its own affairs without
meddpg with those their neghbors and that the geu-
eral government Is 10 give its and attention only ID
sAch committed 10 its charge reiatng 10
the general welfare peace and harmony OF the whole what
is there darken obscure the prospect OF great and
prosperous career before us Men all sides speak OF the
Union and It's preservation objects of their desire and
some speak Of its dissolution mpossibean event that
will be SLOWED under any circumstances To such let
say that this union ouly be preserved By conform
ing to the laws When these laws vios-
led like all other organisms either political or physical
xegesple animal dissolution will be inevitable TIE
laws OF this poca sanismhe union OF these States
are we'll defined in the constitution From this springs
our lie people If these be Dated Pohucal aean
must ensue Tue Union be preserved by force
or BY one section attempting to rule the other.
The principal on this sectional controversy, established
in 1850 carried in 1854 and affirmed by the people II
1856 consider Mr. Speaker worth the Union irseI
much devoted it, so long Is devoted to the
objects for which il was formed And in devotion TO IL
so long these objects aimed at yield to 40 one 10
maintain its intsgrityto promote It's advancement dc
veopment growth power and rencwn, in accomplishing
those obIscs il most earnest wish aud desire To asa
in doing this nav highest ambition These are the inn
palses OF that patriotism with which am imbued and
with me
GAN thoughts, all passions all delights,
whatever strs this mortal frame,
All are bat ministers Of love
To feed this sscred flame"
But the constitutional rights and equality Of the States
must be preserved