The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-05-14

any class of men, it II 90 to the free white
lsborers Of the South. for Il 10 they who have
received the greatest injury from the pressure
OF slayery-which has almost literally exclude
ed them from ownership in the soil. and from
all the employments which elsewhere afford
20 the laboring man the means Of Living In In
dependence and comfort"
This same design on the part Of the South
ern Propagandists was anticipated and ex.
posed by Mr.. wsshbum Of Maine, as far back
as April 9TH. 1884. when he delivered his
speech against the repeal Of the Missouri Com
promise. He repeated his views on the same
point in speech delivered in the House OF
Representatives in June. 1855. and made an
argument on the question, which was unsn'
swerable and irrefragable. During the pres
ent session, Mr.. washburn has again taken
occasion at different times to enforce his views
with great Pertinency on the same topic. we
are able 20 make some brief extracts from his
remarks touching this very important matter.
In his speech. in the House on the Presidents
Message and the slavery question. December
10, 1857. in contsnding against the doctrine
of the Message that the Constitution carries
slavery into the Territories, Mr.. Washourn
said:
"Nr. Speaker, I object to this nsw'fansled
and unconstitutional doctrine, not only ior
wha, it is, but for what II prophecies and pre-
pares the way for. Aequi.sce In u, yield TO
Il as founded in Just construction OF the
Constitution. and there Il but one step more
and that not long one-to DO taken, 10
make the subjugation Of the free States a.
complete Is could'b be desired. Do you think
gentlemen who propose to call the roll OF their
slaves on Bunker Hill viii be long in discov-
ering, after this. that IL 10 not competent. iof
n Sat TO make laws in derogation OF the Fed.
eral Constitution, and in violation, as VII,
be said of the equal rights Of the citizens Oh
other States.'
And again in his speech in the House.
Jan. 7, 1858. on Kansas and the Lecompton
Constitution, having advsrted to the bred
scott decision, and to the Presidents Silliman
letter, Mr.. washburn said
off this be sound doctrine, Il Is plain that
the Constitution carries slavery. not only into
the Territories, but into the States Tor
whenever 10 makes property, no State law or
Constitution can declare it shall not be prop
city.
.S;r. thi. is monstrous doctrine and that
IL IA necessary to be maintained, only proves
the mischieyous and desperate character Oh
the system for whose protection 1t Is invoked.
lit Is the true doctrine, then was the Con-
s,i,ution ordained not to secure the BLESSINGS
OF liberty to the people of this country, but
TO fix upon them forever system regarded,
we have been taught to believe. by its trainers
and all the early statesmen, as without found
alton in natural right OF sound policy; then
mus, il be admitted that the great end and
object of the Constitution was to establish or
protect slavery every where within the range
of il. operations. For II 1t recognizes, and
was intended to recognize, property in slaves
90 .ueh an extent that il is not within the
power of State, Tor Territory bv its laws,
70 forbid the existence of this rela ioi Wit lin
its own jurisdiction, it does, in regard TO
property in slaves. what 1t has never been nm
derstood to effect in respect to property IN
anything else-it makes Fundamental ais.
tinetion between slave property and all o'her
kinds Of property"
And since the vote Of the Senate to admit
Kansas with the Lecompton Constitution
with its intensified slavery clause, Mr.. WASH
burn said in speech on the Committee oil
the Whole:
"But now, BY the Kansas Constitution,
which declares that the right Of an owner to
his slave, as property, Is before and above any
constitutional sanction, and which thirty-three
Senators affirmed. by their votes, yesterday,
the doctrine is set up and maintained, that
slavery exists. not only where the Federal
Constitution operates, but that, by the law oil
nature-a Law above all constitutional ex-
lists, OF may exist, everywhere beneath the
sun. In other words, that republican gov.
eminent is false and unnatural one; and
that a government founded on classes-a
privileged class and degraded class-is true
and legitimate. The doctrine OF to-day Is
that a republican governments a iaisehood'
A humbng; and an aristoeracy the only gov.
o,,m.,t cor. ;-tcnt with the Divine law"