The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1861-01-24

SaiioE>, AllU AifuS even at IN leFfereuce Win
slavery and its overthrow by State authori-
ties or Intervention OF the Federal Govern
ment Considerable masses even in the
Free States. Interested in the success Of
these misreprese ntations as a means OF party
strategy. have lent their sympathy TO the
party claiming to be aggrieved While the
result OF the election brings the Republican
party necessarily into the foreground in re.
sis'ing disunion, the prejudices against them
which | have described have deprived them
OF the cooperation of many good and pa
triotic citizens. Ga a complex issue be-
tween the Republican party and the dis
unionists. although it involves the direst ma.
tional calamties. the result mis- ght be doubt
full, for the Republican party is weak in
large part of the Union. But on a direct
issae, with all who cherish the Union on
one side. and all who desire its dissolution
By force on the other, the verdict would be
prompt and almost unanimous l desire
thus TO simplify the issue, and for that pur-
pose to separate from il sll collateral aues.
tions. and relieve ii OF all partisan passions
and prejud!ces.
| consider the withdrawal OF the Gulf
States. and their permanent reorganization
with or without others in a distinct confed-
eracy as a means of advantage to them
selves, 50 certalnly V unwise and SO obviously
impossible OF execution, when the purpose
is understood, that dismiss it with the dis
cussion | have incidentally bestowed upon it.
The case is different. however. in regard
TO the other subjects which l have brought
in this connection before the Senate
Beyond donbt. Union is vitality impor-
tant to the Republican citizens ofthe United
States; but It is just ss important 10 the
whole people. Republicsn'sm and Union
are. therefore. not convertible terms. Re.
pubiicsnism is subordinate 10 Union. ev
erything else ought to obe-Republcanism
Democracy, and every other political name
and thing. all are subordinate-and they
ou hit to disappear in the presence OF the
great question of Union. So far as | am
concerned, it shall be SO; it should be SO il
the question were sure to be tried as 1t
ought only to be determined. by the peace
ful ordeal of the ballot. l, shall be so all
the more since there is OH one side prepar-
edness to refer il to the arbitrament of civil
war. | have such faith in this Republican
syst m of ours. that there is no political
good. which desire that am not content
10 seek through its peaceful forms of ad-
ministralion without invoking revolutionary
action. II others shall invoke that form of
action to oppose and overthrow the Govern
ment, they shall not, so far as it depends on
me. have the excuse that | obstinately left
myself to be misunderstood. In such
case l can afford TO meet prejudices with
Cancellation, exaction with concession which
surrenders no principle. and violence with
the right hand of peace. Therefore. sir,
SO far as the abstract question whether. by
the Constitution Of the United States, the
~ l.. -. l. e
State. is still man or only property, l
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 as a bondsman
who may not, by any law regulation of
that State, be discharged from his services,
but shall be delivered up. on claim, to the
party to whom service Is due. While pru-
dence and justice would combine in persua.
ding you 10 modify the acts of Congress on
that subject, so as not to oblige private per-
sons to assist in their execution. and to pro-
tect freemen from being, by abuse of the
laws. carried into slavery. | agree that all
laws of the States, whether free States or
slave States, which relate to this class of
persons, or any others recently coming from
or residing in other States, and which laws
contraven" the Constitution Of the United
States, or any other law of Congress passed
IN conformity thereto, ought to be repeal
ed
Secondly. Experience in public affairs
have confirmed my opinion, that domestic
slavery, existing in any State. is wisely left
BY the Constitution OF the United States ex-
to the care. management, and dis
position of that State; aud il it were in my
po wer, | would not alter the Constitution in
that respect. If misapprehension of my
position needs so strong remedy, am will
ling to vote for amendment of the Con-
stitution. declaring that it shall not. by sny
future amendment, be SO altered as to con
fer o. Congress power to abolish or inter-
fere with slavery in any State.
Thirdly. While | think tha. Congress
has exclusive and sovereign authority to
legislate on all subjects whatsoever. 10 the
common Territories of the U. s.; and while
certainly shall never. directly or indirectly
give my vote to establish or sanction slavery
in such Territories. or any where else in the
world. yet the question what constitutional
laws shall at any time be passed in regard
TO the Territories, is, like every other ques.
ton, to be determined on practical grounds.
l voted for enabling acts in the cases of
Oregon. Mississippi, and Kansas, without
being able to secure IN them such provisions
as | would have preferred; and yet l voted
wisely. So now. | am we'll satisfied that,
under existing circumstances, happy aud
satisfactory solution of the difficulties in the
remaining Territories would be obtained By
similar laws providing for their organization.
If such organization were otherwise practi-
cable. IT, therefore. Kansas were submitted
as State, under the Wyaldoite Constitu-
ton. as | think she ought to be. and if the
organic laws of all the other Territories
could be repealed, could vote TO authorize
the organization and admission of two new
States which should include them, reserying
the right TO effect subdivisions of them when.
ever necessary into several convenient States;
but l do not find that such reservations
could be coustitutionslly made. Without
them, the Interior embarrassmenis which
would result from the hassy incorporation Of
States of such vast extent and various in-
ierests and character would outweigh all the
immediate advantages of such MEASURE