The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-08-10
Ephraim.s Free Soil Rubics.

When Ephraim was in Congress he was Q
terrible ranter for free soil and for Congress
ional prohibition ofslavcry in oil the territries.
He Denounced squatter sovereignty asa
doctrine that Is not sats for heJfrs idborsr,"
and 10 all his votes and speeches went up to the
full measure Of the Free soil creed ofthat day.
We have room only fora few brief extracts,
but tn csc will serve to show how Ephraim has
been "every thing by turns and nothing
long"
Extracts from Ephraim's Free Soil Speech In
Congress, March Is, is4s.]
Hare ps right 10 extend the principles Of the
ordinance Of 1857 orer any territory! :,
with all Difference to the opinions Of others,
think we have. In opposition TO the argument
of the gentleman from Alabama, (Mr. Gayle)
contend that we have the right to extend the
principles Of the ordinance OF 1887 over other
territories. The lordinancc Of 1857, and It's
subsequent recognition by Congress under the
present Constitution and the Act OF March q,
iS20, prohibiting slavery north OF 33 deg, ~
min, were most solemn assertions OF TINS
Mr.. Chairman. there are some individuals
who wish to be considered the advocates OF free
territory, and yet by roiing against any res
arieiioa Of siGrtry virtually cote 10 propagate
siarsry phere u does not nop erisf.
Sir, slarsry uiH and does 90 upon nep soil
uhenerer 70 Is permitted by Iap.
Slarery passes into territory " permiiief by
law, provided the soil Is as good rs that OF the
Willamette Valley In Oregon. remains some 900
years, exhausts the earth II encumbers, and
then dies out. .Dfer hi. hsP poor ,rhiis Idoo,tr
NAV creep IN. Is not this slow and degraded
process In providing free territory for the white
labOrng meL o.! our own race, .
It Is stated that II no action Is taken by Con-
rress. the inhabitants will make the territory
| m nue.tion free when II IL formed into States.
TIItS IS A DOCTRINE THAT Is NOT SAFE
FOR THE FREE LAB0RER.
Leave these territories open to slavery, and
nersons owning slaves would go into the ter
ritories In sufficient numbers to WELD the IN
fuence Of the State and control its Legislation:
The only safety to the free laborer will be found
In the passing Of law prohibiting the intro
duction Of slavery In territories now free. :.
The comparatively poor coil OF our section OF
the Union Is fast being occupied, and THOUSANDS
emigrate yearly to the west. A large portion,
Of the children Of the present population WI
fnd IT, necessary to seek the cheap i ,n., Of
that remote region. The moisenca rs,t'.
AueCtlOn Will Wltnet3 tneu ucPes ti...;,C~ ~
solicitude will follow them; the piessn
Heaven will be invoked in their oen rWnr M,
sir, and the FATHERS OF NEm Lsu MI h.,.
viii demand of The men whom they SEND mere,
that ,bev rive their voices TO provide TOT their
nm sun, wv 80 ..vinm A. free As their own noun
tain home. Who. sir. will rrsist TINS demand!
w. 4 ,yr.y. AST NEW Es1LASpEn. At all
..on;. ,;r' I can SPEAK FOR ONE. Ny
~. All ssrsr BE- recorded agdina the free
isS lax 81 This country. nor their polarity"
Extracts from Ephrsim's Free Soil Speech No.
2. In Congress, Jan. ~, is40.
In the remarks am about to make, I shall
waste no time TO prove the power Of Congress
to prohibit Slavery. Many members OF the
House have made elaborate speeches 10 prove
the prohibition Of slavery in our territories un-
constitutional. But, sir. there Is one answer
to oil these gentlemen. Before the close OF the
last session they oil voted with the oath Of God
upon them to exclude slavery from . large
portion Of our territories They voted that
slavery should not exist north OF 20 deg. ~
min.
In addition TO this vote, the present CHIEF
Magistrate OF the nation lPolkl gave his solemn
SANCTION to the prohibition Of slavefY oy psi
ting his sign.turs 70 the Oregon iss
On the authority Of he member; rsPsSs sss
Ing the slave states, and Of %: ~ ,;Sss Of
asssrt Win juss eoaaAssss tAas " "sA' Va