Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-02-24
THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS Second Session
WEDNESDAY, Feb -.
cENvAfIl

The Vice President presented lile annual re-
mort of the Smithsonian Institute.
Mr.. Sdell gave notice that he would on Fri
day call up the Cuba bill for final vote.
The executive, &c, appropriation bill was
taken up. The question required on Mr..
Hale's amendment ropealing the restriction
clause in the Kansas act.
Mr.. Stewart said he should vote against tax
ing census of Kansas
Mr.. Seward said Congress had decided that
Kansas might come in under the LecomptOn
constitution, without reference to population,
but not otherwise, unless she had nlnety-two
thousand four hundred inhabitants. Here was
a discrimination against freedom, and IN ia
vor of slavery. Oregon, because she was
Democratic State, was admitted without ref
erence to population, and Kansas, because
of her different politics, was excluded. lie
was glad of this occasion to renew his
vote; was glad also that so many gentlemen
on the other side would give Kansas fair
hearing. 1t indicates that the time is coming
when any State applying for admission, will
be heard on its merits apart from all other con
sderations. That if Texas should divide, or
if free States be formed in Mexico, they will
come in as free States.
Mr.. Brown made strong Southern speech.
He held to the doctrine OF States rights, de-
MED the squatter sovereignty of territories,
if the South was deprived of her rights. His
address was directed to Northern Democrats.
He placed his views frankly on record, and
desired neither to cheat nor to be cheated.
Mr.. Douglas felt it incumbent on him, as
Northern Democrat, to reply. He admired the
frankness candor, and directness with which
Mr.. Brown had approached the question He,
(Douglas,l too would put his opinions on
record, in such manner as will acquit him,
also, of desire to cheat or be cheated. He
agreed at tee outset with Mr.. Brown, and the
decision of the Supreme Court, that slaves are
property, and that the owners have right to
carry them into the territories as well as any
other property. Having the right OF transit
into the territory, the question arises, how far
does the power of the territorial legislation ex-
tend to slave property The reply is-to the
same extent and no further than it does to
any other description of property.
Mr. Brown has said that slave property
needs more protection than any other de-
scription. If so, it is the misfortune of the
owners of that kind of property. Mr.. Doug
lass remarks, under the frequent Interruptions,
assumed SO much the form of question and
replys, and running comments, on the various
issues stated, that we can only notice the
salient points of the main discussion which ex-
tended throughout many hours be sustaining
the principal part His general scope was,
that he would leave all description of property,
slaves included, to the operation of the local
law, and would not have Congress interfere in
any way Herewith. Ii the people of the ter
ritory want slavery there, they will foster and
encourage it. If they do not find it for their
advantage they will act otherwise. So became
a question Of soil climate, production, &c.
He illustrated by saying that if any dis
elimination is to be made between description
n QF nj
or any other might claim it likewise. After
some other Illustrations he went into dis
cusson of the Kansas and Nebraska bill,
which he said was passed by distinct under
standing between Northern and Southern
Democrats, however differing on some points
to give to the territorial legislature the full
power, with an appeal to he Supreme Court,
to test the consttutionality of any law, but
not to Congress to repeal it. If the Court
decides such law to be constitutional, it must
stand, if not it must fall to the ground with
out action-that doctrine of non-intervention
by Congress with slavery in the States has
been fundamental principle with the Demo
cratic platform, and every Democrat is pledged
to the bill by the Cincinnati platform.
Here Mr.. Douglas, in reply to question by
Mr.. Clay, who also made the remark, that ac-
cording to Mr.. Douglass Interpretation, squat
ter sovereignty is superior to the constitution,
said the limit of their territorial legislation
is the organic act and the constitution. In
reply to Mr.. Clay's question if a slave
holder may take his property into the territory,
he would reply, yes, and hold it as other prop
erty. To the question, will Congress pass
law to protect other kinds of property in the
territory, he would answer no for the doctrine
that Congress is to legislate on property and
persons without representation is the doctrine
of the parliament Of George Ill He said
then it was a violation of the right of power
to assume to legislate for Englishmen without
their consent. Now was he to be called on to
force this same odi0us doctrine on the people
of the territories without their consent! he
answered no let them govern themselves. If
they make good laws, let them enjoy the bless
ings; if bad, let them suffer till they are re-
pealed.
Referring to the great battle fought and
gained in 1854 and 1856, he would like to know
how many votes Mr.. Buchanan would have
got in Pennsylvania or Ohio if he had then
understood the doctrine as he claims to do
now.
Mr. Bgler asked how many votes Mr.. Bu-
chanan would have received in 1856, had the
Senator from Illinois, who acted with him, told
the people that the Kanzas act was not intend
ed to extend to the territories the sacred right of
self government, but simply to give the people
the right to petition.
Mr.. Douglas said there are no colored citi-
Zens, and he trusted in God there viii never
be- He didn't recognize the black brothers.
Mr.. Bigler knew that as well as the senator,
and should have said inhabitants.
Mr.. Douglas rcsumed.-In 1856 he took the
same ground as now, and Mr.. Buchanan, when
he accepted the nomination, took the same
ground. Whoever called for intervention step
ned off the Democratic platform He asserted
that the Democratic creed was non-interven-
ton. He would frankly tell the South that no
Democratic candidate can carry one State
North but on the platform as constructed
by Mr. Buchanan, and which he (DOuglas)
stood here, to-day, to defend.
Mr.. Davis replied to Mr.. Douglas elaborate
ly, denying that he douglas rightly interpret
ed the obligations of the Democratic party.
Mr.. Green was sorry this subject of conten-
ton had been brought forward. 1t was to
bring discord into the Democratic party. Mr.
Halls amendment had brought up the question
what is property He (Green) maintained that
slaves are property under the constitution He
argued the question in many aspects, and clos
ed by calling on the Democratic party to stand
united and not suffer tritles to divide them. In
speaking Of the effect of territorial legislation
on the slavery party, Mr.. G. referred to the bill
of the Kanzas Legislature abolishing slavery.
Mr.. Douglas remarked that several speakers
had pointedly referred to him, making him
out no better than an abolitionist, for leaving
the territories to take care of themselves. 1t
does well to attack one man for his opinion.
Senators say he (Douglas) may go out. He
stands on the platform, and it is for those who
jump off to go out daughter.
The Chair called the Senator to order,
threatening to clear the galleries unless order