Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-07-15

surprising ANYBODY was to contend that the legisla
ture of any Territory could outlaw iron and coal
within the Territory2 Laughter and cheers] The
principle is precisely the same. The Supreme Court
of the United States have decided-whstwa known
TO US al to have been the existing state of affairs for
fifty years-that slaves are property. Admit that
fact aud you admit everything. Then that property
in the Territories must be protected precisely in the
same manner with any other property. If it be not
so protected in the Territories the holders of it
degraded before the world
We have been told that non-interyention on the
part of Congress with slavery in the Territories is
the true policy. Very well. / most cheerfully al
that Congress has right to pass any law to estab
lsh impair or abolish slavery in the Territories.
Let this principle Of noninteryentiOn be extended to
the territorial legislatures and let it be declared that
they in like manner have no power to establish, I'M
pair or destroy slavery and then the controversy is
effect ended. This is all that is required at pres
ent and verify believe all that will ever be requir-
ed. Hands of by Congress and hands of by the ter
ritorial legislature. Loud applause With the Su-
preme Court Of the United States hold that neither
Congress nor the territorial legislature has any
power to establish impair abolish slavery IN the
Territories But it, in the face Of this positive pro-
hbion, the territorial legislature should exercise
the power of intervening then this would be mere
transfer of the Wilmot provso and the buflao plat
form from Congress- to be carried into execution IN
the Territories to the destruction OF all property In
slaves. Renewed applause.
An attempt of this kind, if made III congress,
would be resisted aDle men vi lnC Acoh u oObh
houses and probably defeated Not so in remote
Territory 10 every new Territory there will be
rush Of free-soilers from the Northern States They
would elect the first territorial legislature before
the peeple of the South could arrive with their
property and this legislature would probably settle
forever the question of slavery according to their
own will.
And shall we for the sake of squatter sovereign
ty which, from its nature can only continue during
the brief period of territorial existence, incur the
risk of dividing the great democratic party of the
country into two sectional parties, the one North
and the other South? Shall this great party which
has governed the country in peace and war, which
has raised it from humble beginnings to be one of the
most prosperous and powerful nations in the world
shall this party be broken up for such a cause
That is the question. The numerous, powerful
| pious, and respectable Methodist Church has been
thus divided. The division was severe shock to
| the Union. similar division of the great Demo-
cratic party should 1t continue, would rend asun-
der one Of the most powerful links which binds
/ the Union together.
entertain no such fearful apprehensions. The
present issue is transitOry, and will speedily pass
away. In the nature of things it cannot continue.
There is but one possible contingency which en-
danger the Union; and against this all Democrats,
whether squatter sOvereignS popular soyareigns,
will present a united resistance. Should the time
ever arrive when Northern agitation and fanaticsm
shall proceed far to render the domestic fire
sides of the South insecure, then and not till then
| will the Union be in danger. united Northern
Democracy will present wall OF fire against such
catastrophe
| There in our midst numerous persons who
predict the dissolution of the great Democratic
| party, and others who contend that it has already
been dissolved. The wish father to the thought.
1t has been heretofore in great peril but when divld
ed for the moment 1t has always closed up its ranks
and become more powerful, even from defeat Ii
will die whilst the Constitution and the Union
survive. 1t will live to protect and defend both, 1t
has roots in the very vitas of the Constitution, and
like of the ancient cedars of Lebanon, it will
flourish TO afford shelter and protection to that
cred instrument and to shield it against every storm
| of faction. lRenewed applause1
Now, friends and fellow citizens, it is probable
that this is the last political speech that shall
make. A voice, 1--WE hope notr'] 1t is now near
ly forty years since first to Washington
member of Congress, and wish to say this night
that during the whole period have received moth
ing but kindness and attention from your fathers
and from yourselves. Washington was then com
paratively a small town now it has grown to be q
great and beautiful city and the first wish of my
heart is that its citizens may enjoy uninterrupted
health and prosperity. 1 thank you for the kind
attention you have paid to me- and now bid you all
agood night. prolonged cheering)