The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-05-15

live together in peace and harmony? Did
they not fight together? Did they not
legislate together? Did they ever abuse
| and reproach each other about the ques-
ton of Slavery? Never that have read
of. Why is it that We cannot do as they
did? Have we degenerated from those
| fathers, or have we grown so much better
and purer than they were?
/ doubt whether we are any better; and
do not believe, Notwithstanding all is
said about progress, that we are at all
more sensible than those fathers who made
the constitution of the United States, and
laid the foundation of this great govern
ment of ours. They gave US an example
of brotherhood; and when we look at all
that connects US, all that unites and makes
Us of one people, how much more pow
erful would its influence seem to be to
connect us together, than the power of
slavery and anti-slavery to divide us?-
| We are united by circumstances OF which
We cannot divest ourselves. We are unit
ed in language, in blood, in country, in all
the memories of the past, in all the hopes
of the future. This is our connection,
leading and pointing to the brightest des-
| tiny that ever awaited any people. ALI
the unnumbered blessings of the future
are in full prospect, but there is this little,
this comparatively small matter of con-
tention, that we seem disposed to nurse
up into continual occasion for philippiec
and reproaches. This is not the right tenn
per with which to regard the subject
elimination and recrimination is not the
way to strengthen our Unicn-that Union
of brotherhood, of goodwill, of co-opera-
ton for all great national proposes, which
our fathers formed.
GLORIOUS UNION.
I was gratifed to hear comparisons made
of the mighty resources of the different
section of this country. 1t was a proud
exhibition. The honorable Senator from
South Carolina, (Mr. Hammond) gave US,
in very interesting and eloquent manner,
the mighty resources of the South. They
are beyond estimate-beyond calculation.
This is replied to, by a gentleman from
the North, who gives us the mighty re-
sources and the mighty powers of New
England and the non-slayeholding States.
Well, sir, if the conclusion which might
be drawn from it was true, that each OF
those sections would by itself make a
mighty country, and country that any
one of US might be proud of, what mag
nifcent country is made when we put ii
all together! What magnificent abode
form men, such as the Almighty nevergave
to any other people, and never placed on
the surface of this earth!
1t seems to me the most natural Union
in the world-the South with her great
and rich productions, while the North
abounds with ingenuity, labor, mechanical
skill, navigation and commerce. The
very diversity of our resources is the
natural cause of union between US. Il
would not do for US all to make cotton
nor would it do for us all to work in your
manufactures. Nature seems to have
organized here this country, adapted to 6
union of people North and South. Ma
ture has given her sanction to the Union
Nature has traced that Union, and you
alone disturb it. Gentlemen, you alone
disturb it by making this subject of sla-
veery the cause of dissension. OF the
dissension itself it is not so much the cause
for we seldom come to question that
calls upon US to act on the subject. Now,
if we were through with this petty Kan
sas affair, what summer sea of bound
less expanse lies before US, where there is
nothing but repose!
There is no other territory that you can
dispute about in my lifetime, or in the
| lifetime of any man here. This is the
last point on which controversy car
probably be made. We went through
many difficulties on this subject before
the Missouri compromise, but, on no other
occasion, has the question presented itself
with practical consequences. Now we
have reached the last of it, the least of it.
Let us settle this matter in peace; let us
settle it in good temper; and I see moth.
| ing before US but long period of repose,
| and, hope, of mutual Cancellation. OF
one thing am certain, that elimination
and recrimination between the North and
the South, the getting up and maintain
ing of sectional feeling, sectional passion,
sectional prejudices, can do no good to
any section, and that there is not one
Senator here who does not recognize and
feel all this as much as do. am certain
of it.
CONCLUDING REMARKS.
My vote on this subject, Sir, has nothing
sectional in it. The difficulty I have
really in voting is, that this is regarded
by some as a sectional question; and I
am on one side of that section, and I am
voting for the other side oft, if we divide
on it as sectional question. Now, do
not regard it as sectional question. My
allegiance is not to any particular section.
do not want to know any snch thing
as section in my conduct here. l want
to be governed by constitutional spirit,
and constitutional and just principle, in
all do, no matter whether it relates to the
North or to the South. I do not want to
increase the sectionality which exists in
the country by placing myself or my vote
upon it as regards this question. I want
to wipe out that sectionalism. / wish
that no one here would vote upon it as a
sectionalism. I wish that no one here
would vote upon it as sectional question.
do not. ] vote upon it as Senator of
the United States intending to wipe out
all these lines of division and sectionalism.
1t is we, we that disturb our own Union.
1t is we that make sections; it is we that
make sectional lines to divide and distract
the country, whose constitution, whose
present interest, whose future hopes, all
tend 10 unite US.
There are some doctrines which have
been advanced here with which / disagree,
and upon which / viii briefly express my
views. Some gentleman have argued and
they have the high authority of the Pres
dent to sustain them, that the Kansas
Nebraska act gave all the authority that
is usually conferred by what is called the
enabling act on the people Of territory.
/ never considered it so. Some gentle
men on the other hand, maintain that un-