The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-01-29

organization, with or without others
in a distinct confedoracy, as means 0
advantage TO themselves, SO certainly un
wise, and so obviously impossible Of ex
ecution when the purpose is understood
that | dismiss it with the discussion
have already bestowed upon it.
The case is different, however, in re
gard to the other subjects which | have
brought in this connection before the Sen
| ate.
THE UNION NECESSARY TO ALL PARTIES
Beyond doubt, Union is vitally i'm.
portant to the Republican citizens of the
Uniled States, but it is just as important
to the whole people. Republicanism and
Union are therefore not convertible
terms. Republicanism is subordinate to
Union, as everything else is and ought
to be. Republicanism, Democracy, ev,
cry other political name and thing. all
are subordinate, and they ought to dis
appear in the presence Of the great ques-
ton Of Union.
MR.. sEwARD's INDIVIDUAL POSITION.
So far as | am concerned, it shall be
SO. 1t should be SO, if the question were
sure to be tried, as il ought only to be
determined, by the peace full ordeal Of the
ballot. 1t shall be SO all the more since
there is on one side preparedness to refer
to the arbitrament Of civil war. | have
such faith in this republican system OF
ours, that there is no political good which
: fr oh
through its peaceful forms OF aiminisra-
ton, without invoking revolutionary ac-
lion. Ii others shall invoke that form of
action to oppose and overthrow the gov,
ernment, they shall not, 50 far as it de-
pends on me, have that excuse-that |
obstinately left myself to be misunder
stood. In such a case | can afford to
meet prejudice with conciliation, exac.
ton with concession which surrenders
no principle, and violence with the right
hand Of peace.
Therelo fore, sir, so far as the abstract
question whether, by the Constitution Of
the United States, the bondsman who was
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 Consti.
tuition regards him as bondsman who
not by any law or regulation of that
State be discharged from his service,
but shall be delivered up on claim 10 the
party to whom his service is due while
prudence and justice would combine in
persuading you to modify the acts Of
Congress on that subject SO as not to
oblige private persons to assist in the ex-
ecutlon : to protect freemen from being.
by abuse Of the laws, carried into slay.
cry.
agree that all laws Of the States,
whether free or slave States, which re-
late to this class Of persons, or any 9th
ers, recently coming from. or resident in
other States, and which laws conrayene
the Constitution Of the United States, or
any law OF Congress passed in contormi-
~ thereto, ought to be repealed.
Secondly, experience in public affairs
has confirmed my opinion tLat domestic
slavery, existing in any State, is wisely
left by the Constitution Of the United
States exclusively 10 the care. manage
meni snd disposition Of lhat S.ate, and il
il were in my power, would alter the
Constitution IN that respect, if msappre-
henson OF my position needs so strong
remedy. | am willing to vote for All
amendment Of the Constitution declaring
that it shall not by any future amend
ment be SO altered as TO confer on Con
gress power 10 abolish Or interfere with
slavery IN any State.
Thirdly, While | think that Congress
has exclusive and sovereign authority to
legislate on all subjects whatever in the
common territories ct the Uniled States,
aud while l certainly shall never, direct
ly OF indirectly, give my vote 10 establish
or sanction slavery in such territories, or
anywhere else in lhe world, yet the ques
tion. what constitutional laws shall II
any time be passed IN regard to the terri
tories, is, like every other question, TO
be determined on practical grounds. |
voted for enabling acts in the cases Of
Oregon, Minnesota and Kansas, without
being able TO secure in them such pro-
visions as would have preferred, and
Yet | think | voted wisely. So now |
am well satisfied, that under existing cir
eumsmnces a happy and satisfactory So
luton OF the difficulties in the remaining
territories would be Obtained by similar
laws, providing for their organization, Il
such organization We're otherwise pracu
cable. Ii. therefore, Kansas were admit
ted as State under the Wyandouo Con
stitution. would favor the admission Of
two new States. which should include the
remaining territory, reserving the right
to effect subdivisions Of them whenever
necessary into conyeneni States but
do not tiud that such reservations could
be conslitutionally made without them.
The uterior embarrassments which
would result from the has;y incorpora-
tons OF States OF such vast extent and
various interests and character, would
outweigh all the immediate advantages o!
such a measure. but If the measure were
practical | should prefer different
course. namely When the eccentric
movement OF secession and dis union