Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-01-06


of complaint in fair and honorable way. lie cen
tended that the attack on the men OF the Norta
for action III regard to the Territories was UNJUST
for men of all classes in the North DeeVed slavery
the creature of local law. lie quoted from Zen.
Cass sneech in Detroit in 1854, against the so-caed
doctrine of equality also from the speech of Sena
tor Hunter before the Breckenridge Club at Char
lotteve admitting that the opinion Of the South IN
regard to slavery had changed, and that her opinion
was against the repeal of the Missouri Compromise
and for the extension Of the system.
Mr. Hunter said he never admitted that the South
thought Congress had the right to restrict slavery
in the Territories.
the other side snmetime in their lives, in favor
of establishing line between freedom and slavery
Me-. Benjamin said that he had never admitted
that Congress had any power to extend slavery into
any Territory. The South had been in favor Of ex-
tending the Missouri line, as matter OF compact,
merely.
Mr.. Baker thought we could do nothing as mat
ter of compact which would violate the Constitu-
ton He thought if the Senator from Louisiana be-
leyed in his conscience that Congress had no right
TO exclude slavery, he must have violated ms oath
when he voted for such exclusion.
Mr. BENJAMIN said Congress had no such power
under the Constitution.
Mr.. Baker said an act of Congress wss sacred
law. made under OATH and if he voted TO prohibit
slavery by certain law, when he actually believed
that Congress had no right under the Constitution
TO PASS such law did he not violate his oath when
he rendered such a vote? He said the Senator from
Louisiana in dreary catalogue, complained that the
Government interfered with slavery IN the South
BENJAMIN said he did not complain of Congress
| but Of the States.
Baker was glad to hear the champion of slavery
admit that Congress had not interfered but that his
complaints were of the States Row could Illinois,
| for instance interfere with slavery in Virginia.
| BENJAMIN SAID she could not by bill, but armed
men might 20 to Virginia and seize the United States
| arms and murder peaceful men, and try to excite
| the slaves TO revolt. A in MASSACHUSETTS, was
found to saw it was right and Massachusetts, elected
| him Governor, and thus iudorses murder; Massa-
chusets had sent Senator's here to abuse and Villy
| the South.
Baker said that there was not a better scope for
| debate He admitted that individuals might steal IN
i slave States There were bad men everywhere but
this was not cause for separation and war.
BENJAMIN said the Republican party intend to sur
round the slave States with free States SO as to force
| emancipation.
Baker argued that if even that were so, 1t was nc
cause for dissolution
| Benjamin. say decidedly, yes.
Baker said no! and proceeded to argue that i
was necessity that slavery must be surrounded by
free States. Ii slavery is extended, 1t must Dt
| against the sentiments of the world. lie claimed
that the North only the allies OF the south
| and were bound to return fugitive slaves. England
or Russia would not do that. If the slaves shoult
revolt the North would be bound TO help the South
and would do so. He argued that the right OF free
speech could not be controlled in a free country, o.
by a free press. which greater safeguard TO
free country. He would not restrict them TO aver
| civil war or maintain slavery. The great prlncpl'
| of free government would never be surrendered
come veal come woe, slavery should never be eX
tended by the power Of the Government OF I'M
United States lie would not yield one inch TO sc
| cession but there were things he would yield
Among them the repeal Of the Personal Liberty
! bills should the Supreme Court pronounce them un
constitutional Mr. Clay had said and would say
yield not an inch or word to secession lie woul'
agree to make all the Territories states now, an
let the people decide on slavery but he wout
never agree to protect slavery in the name o
freedom. Referring 10 power he sald, dld II no
look little as thOagh because they had lost the OF
fees the South had got up this rebeillon tie san
after he has great confidence IN the loyalty OF IN
| Deople of the South lie heard loyal sentiment
everywhere. ard could see the clouds breaking. ant
he was not without the hope that with time to ALLOW
the feyerish heat to subside, the Union would We
remain safe if trusted to the hands Of the 2eopl
e The Senator from Louisiana had said that stat
D had actually seeded, and we must acknowiedg
It's indcueDdence or make war. be said he WOu'
not acknowledge It's independence, AMI SAID
ny would be no very strange thing II Coy
r | ernment had sometimes 10 enforce the laws. IL
= quoted the ordinance Of General jackson IN regar
to collecting the revenue when South Carolina one
before revoted. As an answer to the Senator froI
% Louisiana when he asked how he would collect IN
: revenue and above all let the laws be maintalne
and the Union preserved, he closed with the word
. | of Daniel Webster's speech in reply to Hayne.
/ | Douglas asked that the report of the Commute
a | of Thirteen be taken up
j Douglas proceeded TO address the Senate. II
t said that act Of his public life gave him so niue
| main As 10 vote for the resolution. The Commtte
could not agree. In order TO see the real cause
the troubles we must 90 back to the late election
| We should assume that whenever Congress uncel
took TO act upon slavery, discord and agitation
, sure to follow. When Congress let the quesno
alone there was peace. lie referred 10 the eAcl"
| ment when the Missouri Compromise was enacted
a The fearful agitation of 1920 settled by the e
= | tablishment of the compromise line. SO long 3
3 that adjustment was carried out, there was peac
Il and quiet Texas admitted quietly under TN
= rule though there was great contrarlety OF opI
IS ion but no one objected, because it extended ths
e line Again. California and New Mexico were al
CURED and the extension Of the line 10 the Paeln
n Ocean was demanded. The records show that h
h reported, Chairman of the Committee On Terrific
c RES. a resolution to extend the line to the Paclh
II This was adopted in the Senate, but when it wa
sent to tbs House it was rejected Northern vote
h That opeled the doOdgatea Of the agitation OF lS4
!, | which only were settled by the compromises {
| 1850. When we settle this question IN the Ierr
G | tories then we shall settle II entirely. ID
S | AbolitouIsts could never have brought the Unio
s 10 the verge OF dissolution but for the question
the Territories 1t the rejection of the exteI
= sion of that line in 1915 which opened the agitation
G | The argument of 1879 and 1920 were repeated
III
| The unrest patriots in the land were alarmed an
Mr. CiaV came back to the Senate 10 see if lie coul
| not bring peace, lie found no fault with the Soutl
ern members but he could find no support Of thi
/ | line in the North. Tho Missouri line was abandon
e ed because its friends said they could not carry
out in good faith. Then they turned &c see what wa
= next best They desired TO take the question opt
| Congress to secure the peace Of the country. 4
last il was decided TO leave the question to the pee
| na of the Territories themselves. Inc record
/ +I,, bo 0
the same reasons eace followed all over the cour
trv but in 1853 and 1854 became necessary to OF
a game the Territories Of Kansas and Nebraska
t | The Committee in forming the bilt determined
e carry out the Compromise measures OF 1881
though they had all been in favor Of the Missouri
5, Compromise as long it would be carried out. !
t hue and cry was Immediately raised that they weT
violating a sacred compromise, but the bull did nc
G mention the Missouri Compromise; but did not I'd
t people possess' the power Of settling the questo
f.. for themselves?
The history of the Government might be divide
n into three parts, Before 1920 the Government az
r mitted many Territories, but all peace. Ate
c the agitation Of 1926 ives settled, all was peace
p Again till 1850. Since then WG have had continus
controversy and the result Of the lac election ha
convinced the South that 1t was the fixed policy
h the Democratic party of the North to invade tnei
Y constitutional rights. The Senator from Ohio (Wad,
IF admitted the existence Of this belief at the SOutl
,e but charges 1t t. the misrepresentation of I'll
/ Northern Democracy. II matters not whethe
these evils real or imaginary. if the South wei
Y resolved to rush INTO the horrors OF Gisuuion
2 war rather than suffer them. He was Sorry TO ST
" the Senator bringing it here partisan question
# hut as it was brought he felt bound to defend ii
If Democracy. No man was better pleased to lear
that he had misrepresented TIE Republican part
, he asked the Senator from Ohio, If il was not Ii
policy of that party to confne slavery within j
present limits 10y the action Of the Federal Cover
L. ment and whether il not the policy of that pa
~ 10 exclude slavery from territories may pc
sess or may hereafter acquire. Whether or Ut
that marty were in favor OF returning the fugitiV
K slaves. In short. whether it was not Che policy
y that party to exert all the power of the Feder
u Government under the Constitution according
r their Interpretation, TO restrain and cripple I'll
a. institute OF slavery, with a view TO Its ultma
to extinction in the States old as well as new, Nor!
is | and South.
Wade said he could find the answer IN his speec
already made. lie had no additions TO make.
Douglas sad be did not expect an equivocal ~
m swer. He proceeded to argue tlist such was I'll
n policy of the Repubhcan.party, and quoted Lincoln
q speeches when he said the crisis must cone an
z the States must become all one thing or the othe
10 10 show that he maintained such policT He SAID
= ! had the hope that Mr. Lincoln would repudiate a
III tin,ants pa tlat os