Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-04-04
SPEECH OF MR.. WRIGHT.
OF TEENEssEE,
n The House Of Representatives, on Kansas A6ars.

u
native State admitted into the Union, because
her people had confidence in the integrity and honor
Of the delegates who nodded her fundamental law;
and because they saw proper to abide BY its pro-
visions without having first voted on it themselves
Il strikes me, sir, that il would be going very far
for any one 10 assume that position; and that it can
not successfully be maintained by any course Of
reasoning. Sir, they who are the real friends of
popular sovereignty, and who honestly believe that
the doctrine, when fairly and properly construed
leads 70 submission to the vote Of the people Of
every question involved in the fundamental law,
may be excused for their course to some extent on
this question If they believe that in no other man
ner can the popular will be made manifest, say,
| sir, that in my heart I can find some excuse for
their action, were this the only consideration in
volved in the question; but I can find no excuse,
even for them, when consider the other great re-
/ suits which q Wroag step may bring about. But,
as for the Black Republican party-that party which
has for its fundamental doctrine that Congress has
full and entire authority to egislate IN all things
whatsoever for the people Of the territories, and
/ which denies to the people thereof the right to
| govern themselves il their own Wsy-it has no ex-
euse for its pretended love for the will Of the
iority; and confess that can hear them prating
about popular rights and the freedom Of the people
| with no other than feelings Of disgust.
Sir have they not resolved in their platforms and
published world, that Congress has authority
70 epislate in all things for the people Of the Terri
/
the people and on this floor, time and again. never
to vote for the admission into this Union of any
State in which slavery is tolerated, though all its
inhabitants might favor that institution And will
one honorable member Of that party rise in his place
and announce that he is ready to vote for the ad-
mission of q slave State, under any circumstances?
No, sir; no, sir. Take this from their platform of
principles, and the party would be at an end And
yet we are from day to day, having long speeches
/ from members Of that party, arguing that Kansas
ought not TO be admitted because they say, the Lee
compton constitution is not the will Of the people,
and because there has been no enabling act. Is it
not remarkable to hear gentlemen arguing thus,
when they know, andRhen we allknoW, that not one
/ Of them would dare to vote for the admission Of
Kansas under the LeoOmptOn constitution, had they
proof ''strong as Holy Writ that every man. woman,
and child in the Territory approvedit? Sir who that
has been at all observant of the course Of the Black
Republican party these questions, believes, for
moment that there is any sincerity in these pre-
tended objections which they urge to the admission
Of Kansas Does not every one know that the
true reason which actustes themis their deep rooted
and eternal hatred the South her people, and her
institutions?
There is one gentleman Mr.. Hickman who has
spoken on this subject who, in the very beginning
Of his remarks told that he early, earnest,
and sincere advocate of Mr.. BUchanan's election to
the Presidency of the United States, and ne
presses his deep regret that he is forced to differ
with the President in relation to his present policy
Sir that member was here representative in the
Thirty Fourth Congress; and 10 those who observed
his course then, suppose 1t Is no matter of sur
prise that be occupies his present position this
question. To those who witnessed his deserton Of
| that Spartan band of Democrats who were hers in
that Congress- in the hour when, Of all Others they
could not well spare q man from their rRnks-I say,
sir il is no matter Of establishment that he is found
in the company he is now in If the President ever
expected him to come here and sustain his Admin
~ h,
man thought it would advance his own political
i ends, say, sir, Mr.. Buchanan is not so good
Judge of men as had given him credit for being,
and by-far more hopeful in his disposition than
Of his friends on this floor. The member was kind
enough to warn us not to read too many out of
! the party. Sir, 1 claim authority to read any
body out of the party, nor do think that the De-
mOcrscy have yet conferred that power on any mem
Der here But, sir, if they had conferred it, and
we're the one who was to act in the capacity Of
"readiDg out " refractory members, there are some
whose sins are so henOus, and whose treachery TO
Democratic principles palpable that l would not
stop TO read them out; no. sir; l would be in such
hot haste to get rid Of them that would resort to
some more summary method Of ejecting them.
But sir, 50 far as the member from Pennsylvania
is concerned, there would be necessity for either
Of these processes of getting rid Of him. Sir, if he
was ever Democrat, land deny that he ever was
| except in name,) he has read himself out Of the
party; and no one need put himself to any further
/ trouble on his account. If he was ever member
/ Of the great Democratic church, an sure he did
not enterin through the straight gate" he must have
climbed over the wallis and you all know the cate
CORY in which a certain high authority places such
/ a character.
But the most remarkable portion of the gentle
mans speech was his closing sentence-remarkable
| because it contains imputatOn upon the people
Of the northern States-uPon his own constituency.
He says:
Tb tina hos ro-,a Of last and po too soon rbaD na
requsitOn will be made by northern constituenCies-an
earnest and manly defense Of northern honor and Of north
ern ghts whilst giving the utmost demands Of justice
their brethren Of South. II unpaTd %
much equality then have reached the end Of nation
81 Platforms and the beginning Of sectional Presidents
my mind the last calamity 70 be survived for then will
begin those acts Of aggressive interference which leading
prOtraced and desOate wars must end in esab shng
among children of the blood the cruel relation Of
/ querOr and cipuve
| Did the member from Pennsylvania mean to in
siuuate that up to this time, northern constituen.
cies have not required ''manly and earnest defense
/ of northern honor and northern rights?" Does he
to say that heretofore they have been content
TO be not equals, but interiors in this COnederacy?
If he does, sir, L from my knowledge OF the char
scter and history Of my countrymen in the northern
| States, deny the truth of his insinuations and
have hesitation in asserting that they are not the
| cringng, submissive yassals which his language
| makes them appear to be.
/ The gentleman assumes to himself the leadership
|
says, northern honor and northern rights are to be
! INDICATED, in that day when national platforms
| TO have an end and when sectional Presidents
| are to have beginning" which are in his opinion
/ to lead to "prOtracted and desolating wars" and
which ''must end in establishing among children of
the blood, the cruel relation Of conqueror and
captive" Sir, would regret to see such sate of
things; but if Unhappily It should ever come, l am
very sure / will be on the opposite side from the
| gentleman from Pennsylvania Yet would regret
70 the brave and generous people Of the north
/ ern States under the leadership of a man. who if
! he prove not more to this new cause which he as
sumes to be theirs, than to other causes which he
has espOused may leave them without commander
/ when most they need one.
The gentleman from Pennsylvania Mr.. Montgom-
cry took the ground that in voting for the admis-
sion Of q State we thereby indorse the provisions of
! its constitution. Sir l was astonished that gen
tlemsn Of much reputation as that member enjoys
/ should have taken such position; and / was the
more sstOnished when I remember that he processes
/ to be Democrat. IL would not have astOnshed ne
| il the senior member from Ohio Mr.. Giddingsl had
taken that position; for he boldly declares that he
has right and it is his duty to look into the pro
vision Of State constitutions, and reject them if they
do not suit his TASTE But, sir, have ever thought
that the doctrines Of the Democratic party forbid
US looking further into constitution than simply
/ TO inquire whether it is republican in form What
else IS the doctrine contended for by the gentleman
from Pennsylvania, but intervention of the rankest
and most OdiOus nature? If this doctrine be cor
rect, he can never for the admission of slave
State, no matter how large majority of its citizens
may favor the Institution Of slavery; and he will
see that he placed himself upon distinct Black Re-
! publican ground.
In voting for the admission Of Kansas and of Min
nesets, land 1 expect to vote for both l do not
understand that iudOrse every provision in either
Of their constitutions. There are doubtless provis
ions in both Of them that do not like and indeed
l know Of clauses which, had been q citizen
Of either Territory, 1 would have opposed Yet
these constitutions are republican, and the people
have made them to suit themselves and hold that
II is no business Of that they have seen pro
per to incorporate provisions in the fundamental
law which cannot approve. If the rule argued bv
the gentleman from Pennsy lvania be correct douht
whether another State, free slave, could ever be
admitted into this Union, for the representatives.
coming from thirtyone different States could rarely
sgree that any constitution was perfect their
opinion. There is but legitimate inquiry for rs
to make, after have decided'tha the people any
given Territory are entitled to State government.
and that is do they present US constitution re-
publican in form
But II Is ALLEGED here and in the other end Of