The Washington union., 1858-03-19
KANSAS DEBATE In THE SENATE.
REMARKS OF THE HON. JOHN sLIDELL,
or LOUISIANA

On The Bal 10 admit Kansas The Union STATE dliyerea
during The night session, Monday, iGrch 10, 1853.
Mr.. SIIDELL said The protracted debate this
citing question is drawing to close and hope that
shall very to the final vote. The discus
sion has been generally participated in by senator's
every point, material immateral, has been NO thor
oughy investigated that disposed to offer elab
crate argument could not hope to say anything that has
not been anticipated by those with whom concur if not
in all their premises at least in the conclusions at which
they arrive But owe it to myself not to the State
which sent here, to give, shall do very briefly
the that will control my vote shall enter into
details, If for other motive because have not the
presumption to suppose that at this late hour could
command the attention OF "A wolried Senate.
voted reluctantly for the bill that passed this body
in February, 1886, by the vote of every democratic
aor not that did not heartily approve the principle
which it based but because opposed to admit
ting any State until it had attained least the pop
ulaton which is established the basis of representation
in the other house. yielded that point, al
prepared to yield any question of expedcncy to
the opinions and wishes of the majority of those with
whom am politically associated and especially the
Judgment of the senator from Illinois, whom were all
then proud to recognise our leader and champion.
shall vote for the admission Of Kapsas with the Le
compton constitution not that now haYe OF eyer have
had any strong hope thai slavery will be permanently esab
lished there but because feel myself bound to discharge
in good faith tho obligations which assumed In 1854
and 1885, and because should she be refused adms
sion, know that whatever may be the pretea the real
motive is that she has presented TO constitution rec
ognising slavery Some exceptions In either hove
be found of members honestly casting - .'e may
Ina nov, ref,sol H.. -..,us, but If that admission
- ' existence of slavery will be the deter
ng cause, and such will be the unanimous interprc-
tation of the South We of the slavehon States can
nave no reliance for ty in the future but on stern un
compromising adherence To The absolute unauaicd prin-
cple OF nonnervention the part of Congress in the
question Of slavery In this we are the more i'm
peativey called upon to insist upon the application of
's doctrine because we are oontending only for the alb
stract principle, while opponents will probably enov
all the immediate party advantages resulting from the
admission II Is this circumstance which makes the
course OF our opponents offensive to us with us it.
Is point oi honor--we are struggling for the mainte
nance OF principle barren il is true present practical
FRUITS but Indispensable for our future profcon one
which we are determined To yield You are not
willing even that Kansas shall become free State unlss
you can at the same time inict gratutous insult on
the South In this am assuming be correct the as
scruon SO repeatedly and confidently made and which
IN lact forms the staple of nearly all the argument
and defamation which have heard almost daily
since the meeting of Congress- that a yast ma
Jority OF the people of Kansas are opposed to the
existence of slavery within her limits If then she
De refused admission because IL nomnay and tcmporari
y exists there what may expect when application
shall DO made by State of which il will be n real and
enduring institution The scale of political prepon.
deancy Is constantly gravitatng with increased rapid
IN favor of the free States If oven now they are dis
posed to treat us with contmcy and injustice what may
we expect when shall be comparatyey weak and de-
Irom aggression and II tho issue is to be made
in day that of children il is wiser and safer for
us to make 1t now. But assured that there no
reason for apprehonsons that there is conslera
bic party at the North disposed interfere with slavery
IN the States No who has observed the course of
things here will place the least confidence these ascver
ations They constantly Isied by the votes of SEN
atos and rs they gather courage from by their
deliberate declarations they throw off the mask which
has heretofore disguised their purposes will cite
very recent instance bill was reported om the Com
mittec ON Foreign Relations to pay from an unex-
pended balance in the treasury n sum of money TO
certain persons for whom il had been received in
trust, under provision of the treaty of Ghcnt
Tor slaves carried Off by the enemy in the last
with Great Britain. On what ground was it op.
posed by the senior senator from New York; On the
ground That thc proof of loss and ownership dec
tive, or That the fund was exhausted No ; ON the
broad naked gromd that the senator would never by
his vote recognise the right Of ownership of in
His name Is consequently found recorded in the negative
with those of every senator of his party present. with the