Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-03-18

Freedom in the domestic and foreign con-
duct of the Government, then the day of
dissolution is at hand
I have thus, Mr.. President. arrived at the
third circumstance attending the Kansas
question which | have thought worthy o'
consideration, namely; that the uationaI ip-
! tervention in he Territories in favor Of
Slave Labor and Slave States is opposed to
the msferial. mora. and social DEVELOPMENTS
of the Republic. The proposition seems TO
involve paradox. but it is easy to under
stand that the checks which the Constitui
ton applies, through prudent caution, to the
relative increase of the representation of
the Free States in the House of Represen-
tatives. and especially in the Senate. CO.
operating with III, differences of temper
and political activity between the two
clssses Of States, NAV direct the Govern
ment of the Federal Union in one course,
while the tendencies of the nation itself,
popularity regarded, are in direction ex-
actlv opposite. ...-
| The ease and success which attended the
earlier policy of intervention in favor Of
Free Labor and Free States. and the resist
ance which the converse policv of interven-
tion in favor of Slave LABOR and Slave States
encounters. sufficiently establish the ex-
istence of the antagonism between the Gov
eminent ard the nation which have asser-
ted. A vessel moves quietly and peacefully
while it decends with the current. You
ozark its way blythe foam on its track only
when it is forced against the tide. | viii
not dwell on other prrofs-snch as the more
rsoid growth of the Free States. the rup-
! tures of ecclesiastical Federal Unions, and
the decentralization and disorganization Of
political parties. .......,
Mr.. President, have shown why it is
that the Kansas question is attended by
difficulties and dangers only by way Of pre-
paratiop for he submission of nv opinions
in regard tn the manner in which the ques-
ton ought to be determined and settled.
think, with great Difference to the judgments
of others, that the expedient, peaceful, and
right way to determine it is to reverse the
existing policy Of intervention in favor Of
Slave Labor and Slave States. It would be
wise to restore the Missouri prohibition Of
Slavery in Kansas and Nebraska. There
was peace in the Territories and in the
States until that great statute OF Freedom
was subverted. 1t is true that there were
frequent debates here on the subject Of Sla-
yerv, and that there were profound sympa-
thies among the people, awakened BY or re-
spending to those debates. But what was
Congress instituted for but deba:el What
makes the American people to differ from
all other nations. but this-thst while a.
mong them power enforces silence, here all
public questions are referred to debate. free
debate in Congress. Do you tell me that
the Supreme Court of the United States
has removed the foundations of that great
statute! reply, that they have done no
such thing; they could not do it. They
have remandrd he negro man Dred Scott
to the custody Of his master. With that
decree we have nothing to do, at least moth
ing nowto do. Thiss the extent of the
Judgment they could render Already
the pretended further decision is
subverted IN Kansas. So it will
be in every Free State and in every Free
Territory of the United States. TIE Su-
preme Court. also, can reverse its spurious
Judgment more easily than we could recon- -
cile the people to Its usnrpation. Sir. the
Supreme Court Of the United States at
tempts to command the people of the Unit
ed States to accept the principles that one
man can own o, her men. and that they must
guarantee the inpieIahilitv os 'hstfsase end
pernicions property. The people Of the
United States never can, and they never
will. accept principles so unconstitutional
aud so abhorren:. Never, never. Let the
Court recede. Whether il recede or not,
we shall recognize the Court, and thus re-
form its political sentiments and practices,
and bring them into harmony with the Con-
stitution and with the laws of nature. In
doing so, we shall not only resssume our
own Just authority. but we shall restore that
high tribunal itself to the position i ought
to maintain, since so many inalienshle rights
Of citizens, and even of States themselves,
depend upon its impsrr;a.;ty and its wisdom.
Do YOU tell me that the Save States will
not acquiesce. but will agitatel Think first
whether the Free States will aequiesce ina
decisian that shall rot only be unjust, but
fraudulent True, they will not menace
the Repr5iic. They have an easy snd
simple remedy, namely: to take The Gov
ernment ont of unpIst and unfaithful hands,
and commit to those which will be just and
faithful. They are ready TO DO this now
They want only little more harmony of.
purpose and little more comp eteness OF
organization. These will result from only
a. 4 0f
upon them. You are lending all that is ne
cessarv. snd even more, in this very act
But will the Slave States agi;atei Why's
Because they have lost at least battle that
they could not win, unwiseiy provoked,
fought with all the advantages OF strategy
aud Intervention, and on a field chosen BY
themselves. What would they gain! Can
they compel Kansas TO adopt Slavery a.
gainst her will! Woud it be reasonable or
lust to do it, If thew eouldl Was negro SER
vitude ever forced BY the sword on sny peo-
pie that inherited the blood which circulates
in our veins, and the sentiments which makes
US free peoplel If they will sgitate ::on
such ground as this, then how, or when.
by what concessions we can make, win they
ever be satisfied! To what end would they
agitate! 1t can now be only to divide the
Union. Will they not need some fairer or
more plausible excuse for proposition 80
desperate. How won!d they improve Their
condition bv drawing down certain ruin
upon them>eiv WhOuld they gain any
new security for Sisvery' Would they not
hazard securities ihst are invaluable. Sir, .
they who talk 50 idly. talk Whist they do not
know themselves. No man when ccol can
promise what ne will do whe be shall be
iufiamed; M msn infiamed cen speak for
his actions when time and necessity shall
bring rejection Much less can sny one
speak tor States in such cUi-rrHncies.
Ru', | shall no, insist, Row, on 50 radical
a mr.sure as .be res ora'iuu OF the Missouri