The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-04-15
= BE SUICIDE OF SLAVERY.
,SpE 5CH OF HON. ELI THAYER,
. OF MASSACHUSETTS
IN The HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
MARCH IS, 1858.

MARCH IS, 1858.
1t maya expected, Mr. Chairman that at this
time | sho3ld say something in defence of the
Pilgrims, and Of the State of Massachusetts,: for
they havesbeen repeatedly assaulted on this floor,
within the last two weeks. But | shall make no
defence. There are some things which reyar
attempt to defend Among these ass the Falls
of Niagara, the White Mountains of New Hamp-
shire, the Atlantic Ocean, Plymouth Rock, Bunker
llil, and the history of Massach usetts ANY
man may assail either or all Of them with per
feet impunity, so far as l am coIourned ANY
words of disparagement oT vituperation directed
against either OF these objects, by any assailant
excite 10 me feelings very different from thase of
Observation-Disclosures the assailalt comes with a
bow as long as that Of the bold Robin Hood
or with bow OF shorter range, like that of the
gentleman from Alabama, GMg. SHORTER. !
Lauahter.] But deprecste tue disposition that
impels these shafts against the sister States of
this Confederacy. | deprecate this sectional ami
mostly whenever and wherever see IL evlnced
have heard too much of the aggressions of the
North and of the aggressions of the South, in the
past to be very much in love with either OF these
ideas. have never been accustomed to speak
of the aggreasioBs Of the slave power, and have
no purpose of doing it now or hereafter. If the
ope-hundredth part of the people of this country
can make dangerous aggressions on the rights
and interests of the other ninety nine hundredth
parts Of the people, either by the force of strength
or by the arts of diplomacy, assure you that
will be the last man to complain Of it. | think
that ta;s Slavery question is altogether too small
G question to disturb SC great people ss inhabit
the United States of America.
For myself, was always In favor of popular
savor ;gnIy, rightly so called. am ready. for
one, 70 agree to-day that the Territories belong
ing to THIS Government shall be open to settle
ment ut Shy time when Congress thinks Ct so 10
open them, and that the peepla Of all parts of
the eanntry shall 60 into them with the assurance
Of absohts @ad corapSess SoH-fnsrvention with the
assurance that whenever any chief Executive
official, or nonresident shall interfere, by fraud
or violence, in their affairs, be shall either be
impeaehed or hanged; with TIA assurance that
when the people aAal have the ratio of repre-
sentat.an required by Law, and shall cone to
congress with Constitution republican in form,
they shall be admitted into the bpien az State
This, sir, 10 popular sovereignty, and it is what
was practped in this country two centuries ago.
The people OF the Plymouth colony had the
privilege Of choosing their own Governor, and of
making their own laws. The same was true of
the New Haven colony, and Of the colony a the
Providence Plantations. They alwGys did IT,
believe the Crown of Englsaa never appointed a
Governor fer these colonies; certainly not for
the last two But were those people without
ever having exercised the right of self govern
ment, better prepared to govern themselves than
are our people, educated under our State Gov
ernmeyts, who 60 into our Terri.ories2 Why,