Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
Mr.. sfuart,s Speech.

A resolution was presented in the Senate on
Saturday week, by the Hon. A. n. 81. Stuart,
looking to permanent and satisfactory ADJUST
ment of the pending sectional controversy
that divides us, which cannot fail to strike
the public mind with peculiar force, and COM
mand the approval of the whole country. In
this resolution, it seems to US, may be found
ready and just solution of the whole Territorial
difficulty. And, as nearly all our differences and
troubles have grown out of the Territorial ques-
ton, an adjustment of that question would at
once Danish sectional division and strife, and re-
store peace and harmony to the country.
Mr. Stuart's resolution may be found in the
Senate proceedings of Saturday, in smother col
umn. We commend it to the thoughtful consid-
GRAFTON of the people and politicians, North and
South, and trust that 1t may form the basis of a
speedy and satisfactory settlement of the unfor-
tunate controversy. In offering his resolution,
Mr.. S. accompanied it with few explanatory
remarks. which are clear and forcible, and which
we here subjoin, again invoking the public at
tention to the subject =
REMARKS OF MR. STUART, OF AUGUSTA, ON PRE-
sENTNG HIS PLAN OF PACIFIoATIoN.
Mr.. Stuart said: He asked the indulgence of
the Senate to present joint resolution which
embodied his views of plan for the adjustment
of the controversy which unhappily distracted
and threatened to destroy the peace of the coun-
try. 1t is novel in its provisions and it certainly
has the merit of simplicity. He believed, also,
it combined more elements of success than any
which had yet been presented, because it was
entirely just, aud involved no sacrifice of vital
principles by either section of the contesting
parties.
Mr. Stuart then read his resolution, and pro-
ceeded to say that he did not of course, propose,
at this time, to enter into any elaborate expo
stion of the principles or details of the measure,
but he trusted that in view of the magnitude of
the issues involved, he would be pardoned for
making brief explanation Of its spirit and pur-
port.
1t seemed to him that many of the difficulties
which surrounded the Territorial question, and
prevented speedy and satisfactory adjustment
of it, arose from an unfortunate confusion OF
ideas, produced by blending together matters
which are essentially distinct. When separated,
the difficulty is greatly diminished, if not re-
moved. We have confOunded the subject itself
with its adnainistration-the rights of the
which those rights are to be secured and enjoyed.
He proposed now to treat them as two inde-
pendent propositions, ascertaining first, what is
the extent of the rights of the several States in
the common Territory, and then considering how
those rights could best be accorded to all, with
ont injustice to any.
1t would be perceived that his proposition af-
firned that the Territories, having been acquired
by the joint efforts blood and treasure of all the
States, are, of right, the common property of all
the States, and consequently that neither the
nor non-slaveholding States have
any just claim to appropriate the whole to their
own use.
This is proposition, which, in the abstract,
is so clear, both in law and justice, that no in
telligent man, of any party, either North or
South, will be disposed to deny it. There is
then no real difficulty on the question of right.
The room for controversy is in regard to the ad-
ministrative queston-llow that right is to be
secured to all without injustice offence to any.
The resolution proceeds to recite, that. accord
ing to the existing provisions of the Constitu-
tion of the United States, Congress is the trustee
in regard to the common territory, for all the
States. As such, it is bound to perform its
functions as trustee in spirit of justice and e.
quality towards all the States, who are the ben
efciaries of the trust subject. Thus far there is
no difficulty because we are still considering the
question of right. Gr
But, experience has shown that, in consequence
of irreconcilable differences of opinion between
the members of Congress from the slaveholding
and non-slaveholding States, and the professed
scruples of conscience of the latter, it has be-
come impossible to obtain fair and just admin
istration of the trust. A majority of the trus-
tees, coming from the North, are disposed to fa-
fl,a.r Of thn Of fha
weaker section. Here, then, the difference a.
rises, and it is to that we must now address
ourselves. The trustees, or majority of them,
affirm that they are conscientiously opposed to
slavery, and cannot consent to administer the
trust subject in such manner as to extend its
area Sooner than do this, they, in effect, de-
clare it to be their purpose to violate their trust
by transferring the whole common property to
the people of the Northern States, to the exclu-
sion of the people of South. The Southern
States insist on their rights to equal participation,
but the scruples of the trustees stand in the
way of its enjoyment. This is the precise state
of the controversy-:justice is on one side and
prejudice on the other, and the government Is
brought to stand, and the Union is threatened
with disruption. What is the remedy2 If it
were case between individuals, court of
chancery would soon settle the question. But
no judicial tribunal can supply adequate relief
What, then, is to be dones The most efficient
remedy is to remove the trustees, and substitute
others, who will fulfil their duty faithfully. If
half dozen individuals were jointly interested
in common property, which was held by trus-
tee, who was disposed to be partial to some Of
the benefciaries, the others would be satisfied
with nothing short of his removal. This, said
Mr.. Stuart, is just what propose to do. pro-
pose, by constitutional amendment, to remove
the trustees, and because from the difference in
the social systems, avocations and modes of
thought of the different beneicaries of the trust
property, it cannot be enjoyed and occupied in
common, propose to divide it, giving to the
North its fair proportion, to be managed by
trustees of its own selection and to the South its
fair share, to be managed by trustees appointed
by itself. In this way, each section will man.
age its own share in its own way. The North
ern conscience will be relieved from all respon-
sibility for the establishment or continuance of
slavery, or any other institution The whole
question OF slavery in all its aspects and phases,
will be forever removed from the halls of Con-
gress. Squatter Sovereignty will be banshed,
and Congressional protection will cease to be a
practical issue.
Mr.. Stuart believed that there was a strong
disposition in the North to accommodate this
unhappy difficulty, provided it could be done
without a sacrifice of principles. The represent
atives OF that section, however, are not willing,
by positive and affirmative legislation by Con-
gress, to establish or extend slavery-this plan
opens the door for peaceful solution of the