Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-03-18
SPEECH OF MR.. SEWARD,
On THE kANZAS BILL.
II -rHE UNITED STATES SENATE,
March 3. 1855.

We slcW the Nllmot FrovISO IN the
Senate Chamber. and buried II with
triumphal demonstrations under the
floors Of the Capitol. ourycars later.
We exploded altogether the time-hon-
ored system of governing the Terrific
rics by Federal rules and regulations.
and published and proclaimed in its
stead new gospel of Popular Sover-
cigntv. whose WAYS, like those of wis
dom, were to be ways Of pleasantness,
and all of whose paths were supposed
to be flowery paths of peace. Never
thelcss. the question whether there
shall he Slavery or no Slavery in the
Territories, is again the stirring pass
age of the day. The restless Froviso
has burst the ccrcments of the grave,
and, striking hands horc in cur very
presence with the gentle spirit of Pop
ular Sovereignty run mad, is seen ra-
ging freely in our halls. scattering dis
uIav among the Administration bench
es in both Houses OF Congress. Thus
an old unwolcome lesson is read to us
anew. The question of Slavcrs in the
Federal Territories, which are the nur-
series of future States, independently
of all its moral and humane elements,
involves a dynastieal struggle of two
antagonistical systems, the labor of
Slaves and the labor of Frcemen, for
mastery in the Federal Union. One
of these systems partakes If an aristo-
cratic character; t he other is purely
Democratic. Each one of the existing
States has stakcd or it will ultimate
! " stake, not only its internal welfare,
but also its influence in the Federal
councils, on the decision of that con
test Such struggle is .ot to be ar
rested, quellcd, or rcconciled, by tenn
iporary cxpcdients or compromises.
MIR. President, | always engage re-
luctantly in these discussions, which
awaken passion just in the degree that
their importance demands the impair
tial umpiragc of reason. This reluc-
tancc dccpcns now, when | look around
me. and count the able contestants
who have newly entered the lists on
either side, and shadowy forms OF ma
ny great and honqrcd Statesmen who
once were eloquent iT these DISPUTES.
but whose tongues haze si@cc become
stringclcss instruments, rise up before
me. 1t is, however, a maxim in mill
tary science, that i'll preparation for
war every ono should think as If the
last event depended on his counsel
and in every great battle each one
should fight as if lie were the only
champion. The principle, perhaps, is
equally sound in political affairs. If
it be possible, shall perform my pres
cnt duty in such a wsy as to wound no
Just scnsibilitics. must, however,
re- lew the action of Presidents, Sen
atcs and Congresses. j do, iadecd,
with all usy heart. reject the instruc-
ton given by the Italian master of po-
litical science, which teaches that all
men are bad by nature, and that they
will not fail to show this dcpravity
whenever they have fair opportunity.
But jealousy of executive power is a
high, practical virtue in Republics;
and we shall find IL hard to deny the
Justice of the character of free lcgisla-
tive bodies. which Charles James Fox
drew, when he said that the British
House of Commons, of which be was
at the moment equally an ornament
and an idol. like every other psprls-y
assembly, must be viewed rs a mass
Of men capable of too much attachment
AMI too much animosity, capable OF
being biassed by weak and even wick
ed motives, and liable to bc governed
by mipisterial influence, by caprice,
and by corruption.
CONNECTED WITH THE KASzAs QUESTION.
Mr.. President, propose to inquire
in the first place, why the questaon be
! fore us is attended by real or apparent
dangers.
| think our apprehension are in part
due to the intrinsic irEcrt--lcc of the
transaction concerned. Whenever we
add new column to the Federal Gallon
made, we need TO lay its foundations SO
firmly, to shape its shsf With such
just proportions, to poise it With such
cxactness, aud to adjust its connections
with the existing structure so carefully,
that instead of falling prcmaturely,
AMI dragging other and venerable col
umns with it to the ground, it may
stand erect forever. increasing the
gradcur and stability of the whole
massive and imperial fabric. Still the
admission of new State is not ncccs-
sarily or even customarily attended by
either cmbarrassmcnts or alarms
We have already admitted eighteen
new States without serious commo-
tions, except in the cases Of Missouri,
Texas and California. We are even
now admitting two others, Minnesota
and Oregan: anil these transactions &c
on so smoothly, that oyly close OBJ
servers are aware that we arc thus con
solidating our dominion on the shores
Of Lake Superior. and almost at the
gates of the Artic Ocean.
1t is manifest that the apprchendeJ
difficulties in the present case have
some relation to the dispute concerning
Slavery. which is ragiIpg within the
Territory cf Eatsas. Yet, it must bc
esleln bered that nine of the new States
which have been admitted. expressly
established Slavery. or tolerated it
and nine of them forbade it. The ex.
citement, therefore. is due to peculiar
circumstances. Think there are three
of them, namely:
First-That whereas, in the begin
ming, the ascendency Of the Slav,
S...o. -. IA ,lrto II :. norr hoir,