The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-01-18
Gov. Stewards speech.

Our readers are referred to the Washing
ton correspondence Of the editor for some
notice of the speech Of the distinguished
Senator from New-York made in the Senate
on Saturday last. 1.-Two can find space we
shall publish the speech entire hereafter. In
the meantime We present our readers with 50
much of the speech as has reference to prac-
teal measures giving his views in his own
words.
Gov. Seward said
$50 far as the abstract question whether
nv the Constitution of the United States,
the Bondman, who is made such by the laws
of State, is still man, or only property,
answer that, within that State, its laws on
that subject are supreme that when he has
escaped from that State into another, the
Constitution regards him rs bondman who
may not by any law or regulation OF that
State, be discharged from his service, but
shall be delivered up on claim. to the party
TO whom his service is due. While prudence
and Justice would combine in pursuadng
YOU to modify the acts Of Congress on that
subject. 80 as not to obligc private persons to
assist in their execution, and to protect free
men from being, by abuse Of the laws, car
ried into slavery, | agree that oil laws OF the
States, whether free States or slave States,
which relate to this class Of persons, or any
others recently coming from or resident in
other States, and which laws contraycne the
Constitution of the United States, or any
law of Congress passed in conformity thereto,
ought to be repealed.
Secondly. Experience in public affairs
has confirmed my opinion, that domestic sla-
very, existing in any State, is wisely left by
the Constitution of the United States exclu-
siycly TO the care, management, and dispos-
ition of that State and If 1t were in my
power would not alter the Constitution in
that respect. II Misrepresentation OF my pos
ition needs no strong a remedy, am willing
10 vote for an amendment to the COnstitu-
ton, declaring that it shall not by any fu-
ture amendment be no altered as to confer on
Congress power to abolish or interfere with
slavery in any State.
Thirdly. While I think that Congress
has exclusive and sovereign authority to
legislate ON all subjects whatever, in the com.
mon territories of the United States and
while certainly shall never, directly or in
directly, give my vote TO establish OF sane.
ton slavery In such territories or anywhere
else in the world, yet the question what con-
stitutional laws shall at any time be passed
in regard to tho territories, is, like any other
question, only to be determined on practical
grounds. ] voted for enabling acts in tho
cases Of Oregon, Minnesota, and Kansas,
without being able to secure in them such
provisions as | would have preferred and
vet voted wisely. So now | am well-satis-
fed that, under existing circumstances, q
happy and satisfactory conclusion to the
difficulties in the remaining territories would
be obtained by similar laws providing for
their organization, if such organization wero
otherwise practicable. IL therefore Kansas
were admitted as State under the Wyan-
dotte Constitution, as think she ought to
be. and II the organic laws of all the other
territories could DO repealed, l could vote to
authorize the organization and admission Of
two new States which should include them.
rcseIying the right to effect subdivisions oil
them. whenever necessary. into several con-
yenicnt States; but do not find such rcser-
yations could be constitutionally made.
Without them, the Interior cmbarrassments
which would result from the hasty incorpor-
alton of States of such vast extent and yari-
Gus interests and character would outweigh
all the immediate advantages OF such meas
urc. But il tho measure were pract-
cable, I should prefer different course:
namely. when the eccentric movements oil
secession and disunion shall have ended, in
whatever form that end may come, and the
angry excitcments OF the hour shall nave
,u6ided, and calmncss once more shall have
resumed its accustomed sway over tho public
mind. then, and not ill thon-onc, two, or
three wears hcnce-I should cheerfully ad-
yise a Convention of the people, to DO Assem-
Med in pursuance of tho Constitution, to
consider and decide whether any and what
amendments of tho organic national law
ought TO be made. A Republican now-as
7 have been heretofore q member OF other
narties existing in my day. nevertheless
bold and cherish. as have always done,
tbe nrinciple that this government exists in
its present form only by the consent OF the
governed, and that il is n necessary as IL u
Wise. to resort to the people ior re'is,3ns
of the organic law, when the troubles
and dangers of the country certainly Trans
cend The powers delegated by 1t b tho public
authorities. Nor ought the suggestion 70
excite surprise. Government in any iorn ms :
= maebine this Is the most complex ono the
mind Of man has ever framed. Perfect as IL
Is, II ought to be expected tina. i will, villa, At
least ms often as once in century, require
some modification TO adapt II TO tho changes
of society and alterations OF empire.
Fouthly. hold myself ready now, - ai'