The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1858-04-21
q PEECH
HON. wNf. ID. BISHOP, Of COnseeticllt.
oS THE
Admission of Kansas under the L G.
compton Constitution

Admission Of Kansas under the L c.
compton Constitution j
Mr.. CHAIRMAN:--I should prefer not to tres
pass upon the time or patience OF the House, Sc
far as the discussion of this Kansas question is
concerned, but to content myself when the day
of action should arrive in expressing my opinion
by vote 1t would be much more gratifying 10
my feelings to remain silent: but | find that
cannot in Justice to mySelfand 10 those Connec-
ticut democrats whom | in part represent per-
nit this occasion to pass without expressing my
views on this great question. find that an ef-
fort has has been made to impose upon the pub
lie credulity, and to give currency to the idea
that northern democrats, friendly to the admin
istration were prevented through fear from ex-
pressing their sentiments. An lntimati0n was
thrown out the other day by the gentleman
from Illinois, (Mr MoRRIs,) that but one demo.
crat from the north had thus far dared to open
his mouth upon this subject and that the polit-
ical crucifxon which lay in store for him had
frightened us out out Of our consistency.
must thank the gentleman from Illinois for one
compliment which he has seen fit to bestow up
on Some Of the friends of the administration
from the north in the following sentence of his
speech:
Il doubt whether there is single northern
democrat upon tn is floor, who is sustaining the
Lecompton outrage, that does not feel he is
stepping into h is political grave, and that fear
ful tribuhtion awaits him at home,
This explains, TO my mind, the motives by
which some men are influenced in their action
upon this question. | will not say that they
are preparing the way fora reelection to this
House; will not say that they have got their
fingers on the public pulse, and are administer
ing medicine Just as the pulse beats faster or
slower; but will say that thank the gentle
man for the announcement which he makes to
the country and the world that there are some
democrats from the north in this House still
lett so devoid of political ambition and so re-
gardess olthe evils which may await them hat
they are will 'ng to meet a premature po6tical
q,uue and fea1,fnl rst,fJution in order to carry
out what they believe to be for the best interests
of the country. While thank the gentleman
for this well mcritcd compliment we must also
regret that he should limit its application to so
few He says
"Releve the question to-day Of the pressure Of
the administration, which bas marked upon
it the imprint OF its power and its favor as plain
ly as the sun is marked upon the heavens in
cloulless day. and | have no idea that
three democrats from the north could be found
willing to admit Kansas underthe eircumStan
ces." -
What pity is that the gentleman should
have marred the beauty of his compliment by
this qualification What does he mean? Does
he mean to assert that all the democratic mem
bers from the north are corrupt; have violated
their oathS and sacr ficed their policiCal integr-
ty for the sake ofexecutive patronage and favor?
Does he mean to include Connecticut democrats?
III he does, can only say that | very much
doubt the propriety or coasistedcy o "a represen-
tative from the state OF Illinois calling into
question the honor and integrity Of Connecticut
democrats, until the people Of Illinois have paid
our people al least the interest on the money
thev owe them. -sa-.,. -. as.s~-- ..-.-.-...
Gentlemen, not contents withl assailng us,
must CRITICIZE the motives Of the President o(
the United States. What has the President
done that his integrity and honor should be
questioned? b, what unholy ambition is. be
goaded forward that he should violate his sol
emn oath and d sregard the prumptings Of his
conscience? Why, who is this snacqthy Presi-
dent of the United States? A man who for lor
tv years has served his country in every honor
BILE position, and who at last in the winter OF
his DAYS. has been elevated by grateful people
to the most honorable position on earth; who
can hope for no higher honors and whose only
possible ambition can he TO promote the peace,
the welfare, and the happiaess his country -
Can it be possible that such man, al the end
OF well-spent lie, and in view of that incor
ruptable Judge to whom he must soon render
an account, is willing to buty honor, conscience,
reputation, and everything most dear, merely lol
amusement and without a motive? Who are
his accuSerS? Young men, pregnant with polit-
cal ambition. Some ofthem may be prospec-
tive candidrtes forthe position which he now
occupies. Let the country judge Of Their mo-
tiveS.
Before proceeding to the consideration Of the
Kansas question, | wish to say a word or two
in regard to the position Of the democratic party
Of Connecticut upon that question which tor
years has been the fruitful source fall the diff.
Guilty and all the danger to which the country
has been exposed | refer, of course, to the
question Of slavery In doing this l shall bc
compelled TO differ somewhat with some of my
southern friends, and particularly with the elo-
quent eentlem1n from Georgia. (Mr. GARFIELD
who discoursed to us the other day upon the
economical, moral and religious aspect Of the
question. .......
Whatever NAV be our views in regard to the
institution of slaveryit is enough for MS to know
that when the rights of the people were violated
when taxes were imposed upon them and repre-
sentation denied them by the mother country
| in violat ion of,her chartered rights, and in Vi
olaton OF the principles o justice, the people o
the several colonies, in some of which slavery
existed only in name, but inmost of which sla
very was a fixed institution, iqined together a.
one man; expended their resources, poured forth
their blood and sacrificed thei lives in securing
those rights and that liberty to which nature
and natures God entitled them. No colon,
was denied a fair share in that fight because tn,
institution of slavery existed within her limits
Nothing was tlen said IN regard to havipgn no at
tlliaton or intercourse with Shareholders II
point of fact, il was an alliance OF holdin!
colonies; for believe in nearly every one 0
them slavery was then recognized and protected
by law. Slavery then existed in Connecticut
but was gradually dying out; not, however
through any horror on the part Of the people a
the sin and wickcdness of the system not be
cause the people then we're more wise and holy
than their Puritan fathers but for the most 20
tent all reasons, and one which brings conyic
ton to nearly every conscience--because it die
not nav. But as unpruftable as that institution
was at that time, and anxious as the people
were Tor its removal, had the people of Massa
chusetts, actuated by motives offalse philanthro
ply, accused the slayel olders in our midst 0
being man-stealers, trafickers in human tiesl
and Llcod and attempted to hold them up t.
the scorn Of the civilized world; had they con
structed an undergo und railroad by which t.
steal away their property the passions and pref
ulices would have Ieen aroused, human nature
would have triumphed, and Connecticut would
have been slaveholdlng Statei 10 day. lhay'
alluded 10 this merely To show q state Of tlt
public mind At that time. Coming down nov
/ 10 that period in our national his Dry when ,bl
Eln.lnrnl n,nsit1t int p.as afinnfntl nnd hn,t IL