The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-04-25
I understand ii: "The result is that you

ry; you hold out helping hand to such as
live among us who may believe It is an evil,
and desire to initiate steps to which It may
be destroyed" Well, sir, l reply TO you
frankly, that If that 10 to be the effect 90
much the better. hold myself restrained
by no law of any kind or description IRON
saving to such of your people, 1t any there
are, who desire to initiate policy of that
description and to accomplish that purpose,
that to that end and to that effect am with
them. believe II to be great measure : one
which would tend strongly to the elevation
of the people of this country in more par
ticulars than one. hold that the institu-
tion is Injurious to you. have right to
that opinion. | hold that while it exists
among you, and to 80 large an extent rs 1t
does, it is injurious to the people OF the
country; it is Injurious to us as nation, 1t
weakens our force, II creates discords, 1t has
produced rebellion and war, and, therefore,
II there is any portion OF your people who
desire to restrain or overthrow 1t, 30 far rs,
under the Constitution, l can lend them aid,
and 80 fur as | can assist in building up a
party who aim to accomplish this great OBJ
Iect, | have a right to express my sympathy
with them, and to extend to them oil the aid
in my power to bcstow.
II is no argument to me, therefore, that II
this is to be done, the effect will be to make
party in favor Of abolition among your
selves, where that party has right to exist.
So much the better il it is so. With all good
feeling towards you, and with the best wish.
es for the prosperity of your States, desire
that q party shall arise and become major
ity in your own States who desire to abolish
slavery. That is perfectly consistent with all
| have said on this floor. and oil that every
member of the Republican party has said,
that We disclaim any right to Interfere. our
selves in your domestic affairs, on that sub.
iect. Therefore, sir, that argument falls up
on my ear not only without force, so far MS
it is addressed to me as against tho Presi.
dents proposition, but 1t is recommenda-
ton Of il. 1t makes II so much the better
and so much the stronger; for rs | have
said more than once on this floor, do desire
to see slavery abolished in this country as
soon us may be, by constitutional methods,
and by those who have tho power to act up
on the subject.
But, sir, leaving that subject, the bill now
under consideration proposes the abolition OF
slavery in this District. Can any man doubt
the constitutional power of Congress over that
subject? Have not we the Congress of the
United States, the right to abolish slavery in
this District il We see tit | never heard
man attempt to make o constitutional areu.
ment against il. The fundamental law OF
the land is broad and clear. We need no
excuse on the subject at all. Congress, un-
der the Constitution, is gifted with all pow
er of legislation over this District, and may
do anything in 1t that Legislature can do in
any State of the Union, unless expressly re-
strained by the Constitution, which gives 1t
its powers and there being specific grant
of oil powers of legislation IN this District.
and there being no restraint upon It which
would touch the question, 1t follows as
matter of necessity that tho constitutional
power exists; ana it includes Us well the
power ~ vote money. Sir, where do we get
our constitutional power to vote money to
open the street, and to build bridges in this
city? never heard of any body here in this
District who objected to the exercise Of such
powers. This people always seem to think
that the constitutional power of Congress is
ample to vote money for the District of Co
lumbia. Well, sir, If this is u great public
measure, If Congress has come, or should
come, to the conclusion that the good Of the
people of the District, and the good OF the
people of the country require that slavery
should be abolished, and should think II
reasonable that certain sum OF money
should be appropriated for that purpose, that
is a constitutional measure. have yet to
hear FROM any Senator an argument against
the constitutionality Of the measure propos-
ed, which, to my mind, has even the appear
ance of legal force. believe the power has
been conceded long ago, and | have no idea
of arguing the constitutional question over
again at this late day; take It for granted.
| Now, sir, rs to the other question, the
question Of expediency and propriety. |
wish to say that from the earliest period,
when my mind WIS brought to bear on this
question, long before entered Congress, and
from that time to the present, there never has
been moment when, il it had been in my
power, would not have abolished slavery IN
the District Of Columbia upon the instant in
one form or another. As to the particular
mode in which it should be done, that was
another question but rs to the exercise OF
the power wherever the opportunity should
present itself, whenever it should be possible
form tho constitution of Congress itself,
ncyer,had moments hesitation, either rs to
the right of Congress, or as to the duty oi
Congress to exercise that right.
know that the argument has always been
in opposition Ia IL: "you are affecting the in.
stitution of slavery; you are weakening Its
power you are doing something that will
have tendency to injure it; you arcgiving
an example that may produce evil to the in.
stitution Of slavery in the States themselves"
So be it. Is their any obligation binding on
me that, IN exercising constitutional power,
in doing that which have right to do un.
der the great character which have sworn
TO support, | should do nothing which indi.
rcctly might affect the institution Of slavery
in tho States OF the Union?
have said during the last canvass repeat.
edly. and aided in passing resolution
through, Congress to the ciicct, that the ob.
iect and purpose Of this war was not to af.
feet slavery in the States, but to uphold the
Constitution and the laws Of the land. |
have said at this session that the pledge has
been made by me; that the party to which
belonged had pledged itself that 1t did not
come into power and would not prosecute
this war for the purpose Of abolishing slave.
ry in the States: and said that, 50 far as
was concerned, meant to keep my pledge.
But, sir. I did not say, nor did the party to
which belonged ever say. that 1t pledged
itself to do nothing that indirectly might af'
feet the institution OF slavery. DO gentle
uen call upon us. bccau'o we are prosecuting;
this war. to forget all we have said, and oil
/ we have been struggling 10 accomplish Tor