Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-03-19
UbeHree p1rss
SPEECH OF MIR. SEWARD,
BURLINGTON
FRIDAY MORNING. MARCH |

'''' ~ '"' '' ''''''' -""'" ''
Mr. PRESIDENT Eight years ago, we slew
the Wllmot Proviso in the Senate Chamber
and buried it with triumphant demonstra
tons under the Hoors of the Capitol. Fou
years later, we exploded altogether the time
honored system OF governing the Territories
ny Federal rules and regulations, and pub
ished and proclaimed IN its stead new gos-
pei OF popular sovereignty, who's" ways, like
those OF wisdom were to h' ways OF pleas
antncss, and all ot whose paths were sup
posed u ne h"wrry paths of peace Never
th"lcss, the question whether there shall b.
Slavery or n" slavery IN tn" Territories, is
IsaSan the stirring assaG" OF tn" day
inc r'Tti'SS froVlN' mas burst the crremcnts
81 the Srav', ana striking hands here in our
very presence with the gentle spirit ol popu-
lar 'ov'r"lgnty run mad, is seen raging free
~ IN our halls, scattering dlsnay among the
Administration benches IN both Houses of
Congress thus an old unwelcomc lesson is
read 90 us anew. Inc question OF Slavery in
inc Federal lerrltorirs, which are the nurse
r''H OF iuture States, Independently y oi all It's
moral ana humane elements, involves dy-
nastical struggle OF two antagonistical sys
tens, the labor of slaves and the labor of
frcemen, for mastery in the Federal Union-
One Of these systems partakcs of an aristo-
cratic character the other is purely demo-
cratic. Each ono OF the existing States has
stakcd, or 1t will ultimately stake, not only
ITS internal welfare, but also
ITS influence in the Federal councils,
on the decision of that contest
Such struggle is not to be arrested qucllcd
or rcconciled, by temporary cxpcdicnts or
compromises.
MIR. President always engage reluctantly
in these discussions, which awaken passion
1ust in the degree that their Importance de-
mands the impartial umpiragc of reason. This
reluctance deepcns now, when look around
me and count the able contestants who have
newly entered the list. either side, and
shadowy forms of many great and honorcd
statesmen who once were eloquent in these
disputes, but whose tongues have since be-
come stringless instruments, rise up before me.
II is, however. maxim in military science,
that in preparation for war, every one should
think as if the last event depended on his
counsel, and in every grca battle each one
should fight as if he were the only champion
The principle, perhaps, is equally sound in po-
litcal affairs. If it he possible, shall perform
my present duty in such n way as to wound
no just sensibilitics must, however, review
the action Of Presidents, Senatcs and Con-
grcsses. do, indeed, with all my heart, re-
icct tho instruction given by the Italian mas
tor Of political science, which teaches that all
m'n are bad by nature, and that they will
not fail to show this dcpravity whenever they
have fair opportunity, But Jealousy of cx
ccutive power is "A high practical virtue in
Republics and we shall find it hard to deny
the justice OF the character ot free legislative
bodies, which Charles James Fox drew, when
he said that the British House of Commons,
of which he was at the moment equally an
ornament and an idol, like every other popu-.
lar assembly, must be viewed as mass of
men capable of too much attachment and too
much animosity, capable OF beng biased by
weak and even wicked motives, and liable to
be governed by ministerial influence, by ca
price, and by corruption.
Mr., President, propose to inquire, in the
first place, why the question before us is at
tended by real or apparent dangers.
think our apprehensions are in part due
to the intrinsic Importance OF the transaction
concerned. Whenever we add new column
TO the Federal colonnade, we need TO lay its
foundation so firmly, to shape its shaft with
such Just proportions, to poise it with such
exactness and TO adjust its connections with
the ex sting structure so carefully, that instead
of falling prematurcly and dragging other and
venerable columns with 1t to the ground, 1t
may stand erect forever. increasing the grand
eur and stability of the whole massive and
state is not necessarily or even customarily
attended ny elIhcr ehoarrassihehts OF alarms
we nave already admltted eighteeh ne" states
without serious cOmmotions, excep! IN the
cases OF Missouri, Texas and California we
are even no" admitting TWO otherS' Minnesota
and oregon ana these transactions go on so
smoothly that only close observers are aware
that we are thus consolidating our dominion
on the shores OF Lake Superior, and almost at
the gates OF the Arctic ocean
IL is manifest that the apprehended dim
oultles IN the present case nave some relation
10 the dispute concerning slavery Whleh 1t
raging within tho Territory OF Kansas Yet
IT must be remem bered that nine OF the ne"
states which have been admitted, expressly
established Slavery or Tolerated H. ana hih'
OF them forbade It. Inc excitement mere
fore' sdue 10 peculiar CIRCUMSTANCES thlhs
there ale three OF them' namely
fir". That whereas IN the beginning th'
ascendency oi the slave states was apSolu'c
1t IS now being reversed
second mat whereas heretofore, the y"
tlonai Government ia'"rcd this 'hahs'
balance from the slave states I" tne ire
states II mas now reversed TINS p'i'cy' a"'
opposes the change'
ih'rd: mat national ihterVeh'ion IN 'u
Territories IN iavor oil slave iapor ana slaN
states, Is opPoS'd 10 the natural social an
mental neVeiopeiheh'7 oil 'hc hePuoiic.
1t scenes almost unnecessary to dem IN
strate the first OF these propositions. In tn
eglnnlng there We're twelve slave States an
only one that was free Now six OF thos
twelve have become free and there are slA
teen free States to fifteen slave States. II IN