The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-01-19

guarded by the Constitution, it is the duty, ac-
cording to the Supreme Court, of all the courts
of the country, to project and guard 1T by their
decision, whenever the question is brought be-
fore them. To which / will only add this-that
the judicial decisions In our favor must be
maintained these judicial decisions in our
favor must be sustained. Applause.
SLAVE CODE
If present remedies are adequate to sustain
these decisions, / would have nothing more
done. = /, with many other public men in the
country, believe they are able. If they are
motif they cannot be enforced for want of the
proper legislation to enforce them-sufhcient
Legislation must be passed, or our Government
is a failure. Applause. Gentlemen, see
no escape from that conclusion.
At the same time, fellow citizens, make no
hesitation in saying to you that trust the time
will never come when it may be deemed neces
sary for the Congress of the United States in
any form to interfere with this question in the
Territories. So far, it has been only pro-
ductive of evil to US, and it would portend
only evil in the future. At present, there is no
question before Congress. No Southern Rep
resentative or Senator proposes legislation on
that point no complaint comes from any Ter
ritory; there is no evidence that the existing
laws and decisions of the courts are not ade-
quate to protect every description of property
recognised by the several States. None what
ever. Therefore, in my opinion-and submit
1t humbly and with deference-our true policy
is not TO anticipate trouble, but to let the mat
ter rest upon the Executive, upon the existing
laws, and upon the decisions of the courts.
IApplause / will add this we must never
give up the principle; We must never give up
The question that has been judicially decided,
That this constitutional right exists. We must
stand by the decision. We must hold to our
constitutional rights; but l would never pre-
maturely raise the question to distract the
country, when there is no voice calling for it.
North, East, South, or West. Applause.
say We must hold to the principle we must
stand by it. We stand in good position. We
have the Executive; we have the laws we have
the decisions of the courts, and that is a great
advance from where we stood ten years ago.
am glad-although we did not succeed as
we desired in Kansas am glad that the Ter
Titorial question is nearly fought out. 1t is
nearly fought out. l know of no existing Ter
ntory where the question can arise. As to the
territory sonth of the line, where slave labor is
really profitable, have not doubt but that
The climate and interest, and the proximity OF
shareholders, and the Constitution and laws,
and the decision of the court, will sustain and
protect us there in the full enjoyment of our
rights, and in making Southern territory out OF
Southern soil. While l would not give up the
the principle, never have believed, and l do
not believe now, in the possibility of slavery
planting itself in Territory against the deter
mined opposition of the inhabitants, any more
than | believe the institution of slavery could
continue in existence in Kentucky for three
years against the desire of the voters ofthe Com
monwealth, even with the constitutional reStric-
tons that are here thrown around it.
Still, l would save the question and the
principle, and never let go the constitutional
right, because our protection in the Union con-
sists in a strict adherence to the provisions Of
the Constitution. When we allow an infTaction
of the Constitution on any one point We lose
our claim to the observance of the whole. We
should insist to the last that the Constitution of
the country shall be sustained in every particu-
Tar. A voice" Good"