The daily Butte record., 1858-03-20
speech OF Hon. A. n. Hart.

poncy IN Kansas.
Mr.. Hart followed Mr.. Holden. in opposi-
sition to the passage Of the resolutions He
deprecated the introduction of the question
into California Legislature at this time
IL was not properly matter that should
occupy the time of the Legislature of this
State. He regretted that he had not the
eloquence Of some Senators to translate his
thoughts into words with although if he
had, he doubted whether the consideration
OF these resolutions would be a proper occa-
sion Tor the exercise Of these gifts. Like
other Senators upon this floor, however, he
would be called upon to give his vote in re-
iation to matter conceded by all to be of
great moment, and he was as desirious
doubtless, as others, Of giving a proper rea-
son Tor any course he might pursue. or any
vote ne might give upon this question, as
other senators. AT the present stage of the
discussion, did he believe himself fully ca
pable Of making formal speech, and Of fol.
lowing the vast range Of argument presented
in the consideration Of this question. he
would not now do so, seeing that the pa.
tience OF the Senate must be weared by the
protracted discussion already had upon it.
Hence he would take but a few moments in
the presentation Of his reasons for the vote
he was about to cast. The whole theory of
our republican institutions is founded upon
the great declared right that men have to
govern themselves 1t is n right which is
considered lnalienable, which cannot be di-
vested from man At the formation of our
government, in the beginning of our struggle
tor independence, this principle was stated
in very few words, that call governments
derived their just powers from the consent
of the governed" This he believed is the
fundamental feature Of republican govern
ment, and any constitution which does not
reflect the will Of those who are to be gov.
erned by it is not republican in form, and
should not be SO con ,idred in principle and
effect. ln the history of our country and
government. we have passed through sea.
sons of great excitement, and those princ-
pies which have been most tried, have arisen
from the application Of new States to be ad-
mtted into the Union. We have remedied
this Che said) as he had believed, through
the passage of n law proposing to extend the
fullest privileges to territories proposing to
take the incipient steps Of government, by
| carrying this question beyond the great
council Of the nation, and lodging it in the
hands OF the people who arc to be governed.
In order that this principle might be fully
| established, and inasmuch as slavery, by
restricted in certain portions Of our terrific.
ry, in order that there could be no excep-
tion to the full and universal application of
the principle, however sacred that compact
might have been held by portion of the
citizens of the Union, it was removed for the
purpose Of giving full scope and play 70 a
principle so just TO the rights of man. The
effect Of removing this restriction was, by
many considered disastrous. Certainly an
excitement unparalleled in the history OF
our country was occasioned by it. The re.
suit of IL was that the party in the northern
portion OF the contederacy, which usually
held swdy, was overridden and entirely re.
moved from power. The dangers anticpat.
ed, of the organization of parties on sec.
tional basis, were realized. The only party
which maintained anything like a national
existence was overthrown, and the broadest
field was opened for the organization of par
ties, not upon the questions of great nation
al policy. which were recognized as such by
the people of the whole country, but upon
geographical lines Those occupying one
portion of the confederacy would be led to
act in direct opposition, III matters of legis-
lation, TO those occupying other portions of
the confederacy. In order to overcome this
dangerous influence, those who had acted
with the Democratic party, and who were
the firm supporters of that party, entered
gealously into the support of that measure
and the principles embodied in the Kansas
Nebraska act. 1t was advocated as forming
II great basis upon which the slavery ques
ton, and all others pertaining to tho forma-
tion of the embryo institutions of State,
could be settled 1t was said, it laid the
foundation upon which peace and quiet could
| H. ,l, k,l - e.. ~
gress. Hitherto the slavery question was
the great hinge upon which all others turn
cd in Congress Ifthis measure was adopt
ed, the people were lead to believe that this
would cease, aud that Congress would hence.
forth be able to devote more of its attention
to the consideration Of questions of national
Importance, in which the people of the
country were more deeply interested than
in squGbbles about slavery. These were the
considerations that in n great measure in.
duceI the people everywhere to organize on
the Kansas Nebraska Act. The people
throughout the discussion of the question,
got II certain idea Of the import aud mean
| log of that measure. They believed it laid
the foundation in the Territories, for the
exercise, for the broadest and deepest ex-
ercise of the principle of popular sovereign
ty-giving the people the power to act in
their sovereign capacity to the fullest ex.
tent, in relation to the formation, not only
of one Of the institutions Of their domestic
policy, but all and every question which
concerned thir domestic policy. Should this
this expectation be disappointed now by
those who raised it, the result might be dis.
astrous to them A whole people could not
DO deceived; or, if deception is practised
upon them, wo to the deeeivers. He would
say that he took great interest in the
question personally when it was before the
country. He considered it a policy not to
be established for light or tritiing purpose
but great fundamental principle upon
which all future legislation. in relation to
| territorial governments would be placed He
L.. .kaS