Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-04-08
WILMINGTON. TUESDAY. APRIL s, 1862

OF MAINE,
IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE,
Tuesday, kpril l, 1862.
on the BILL TO
A b OLISH S l. AV + r. \
IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Mr.. FESSENDEN, (liep.) )-I do not propose
to discuss the question of the pending amend
ment or 10 consider the main question at any
considerable length hut, sir, as | presented
yesterday the resolutions Of my State ON this
subject and the subject also Of the resolution
which was sent us by the President | deem it
my duty to say few words with reference to
both those points ii the Senate will excuse me
in speaking OF both on the proposition now
pending, in order to savo myself the trouble of
speaking again, and the Senate the pain of lis
teniig to me ugain, upon either of the questions
referred to in the resolutions, and now before
the Senate.
The resolves from my State, which laid on
the table yesterday, approve tue resolution un-
der consideration in the Senate, which emanaied
from the President, rendering aid to such States
na might see il to initiate the policy of abolish
ing slavery in those Stat n. The Legislature OF
Maine approve it, aud express the willingness OF
pose. That resolution Of the Legislature re
lieyes mo- if had any difficulty at oil on the
subject, Of any question that might arise with
regard TO the prOprlety Of Senator or ke-
preventative from the State Of Maine voting
afiirmnlyely upon resolution which proposes
to pay money to the StatcA, iOr the,r hae, II they
should see iii la initiate n measure Of that de-
sGripti0n. They very much more compe-
tent authority to decide upon that question than
their senators aud Representatives in Congress,
aud IL seems they have decided upon it,.
Now, sir thera have heen two questions raised
with reference to that proposition, aud II the
Senate will excuse Inc, | wish TO ray word or
two upon that proposition before proceeding to
the measure now under consideration. One II
the constitutional power Of Congress to vote
money for that purpose, and the other is in re-
gard to its propriety. AZ to the constitutional
power, think it Is too early to discuss that
question. The resolution proposes nothing but
an expression of opinion ON the part OF the Con-
gress of the United States that the United States
ought in certain contingency, provided the
people Of any State should see fit to initiate this
policy Of ahOlishing slavery, to aid them IN 81
doing To certain or reasonable extent. IL does
not even say that it will he the duty of Congress
IN Ynte thal money, hut that it would he the
duty Of the United States to extend that aid -
My constituents have declared that they coucid-
ed in that sentiment. Ii is very obvious that
whether Congress now possesses the power OF
not, ii tue people OF the United States should
he OF opinion that it is thtir duty, they can very
easily put Congress in such IL position as II
cnry out their will Therefore, sir, voting
9imIly that it is the duty of the United States
to 10 it involves no constitutional question
Whatever with reference to the power of Con
gress. Senators will zee that very easily by
locking ut the terms of the resolution ITSELF
Even ii it should, there will he no very particu-
lar difficulty about it, because the matter would
be left for after consideration. 1t is a mere ex
preston of opinion. It's holding out n helping
hand, or showing disposition to hold out 6
helping hand, 10 the people of any slave STATE
which might see fit Of itself to initiate policy
Of the kind referred to.
might have had some doubt, perhaps, wheth
er, ~ II Senator, sent here nt u time when this
question had not been considered ut ala Sen
atur representing the State Of Muiue-l wa
authorized, even indirectly, to pledge that peo-
pic to Il policy of this description, involving al
expenditure Of money; but, sir, the peupl'
thenstlyes, through their representatives-the
Legslalurc--haye taken that question out 0
my hands, and advised me that it would he th,
disposition and will of the people of Maine 81
TO uCt l. am satisfied with that deoisiOn. ] hat
little doubt with regard to the matter of tim
resolution before receiving this authoritative
exposition of the opinions of the people re-
present, aud should probably hayO voted TO
the resolution, believing it to be sensible au'
wise IN its terms and ia its meaning, even if
had not received, not the instructions, but tn
advice that have received on the subject
Now, sir, let me ask honorable Senators VIII
represent slave States here, what objection cal
lie taken to it, Is it IN insult to you Doe
it propose, directly or indirectly to interfer
with your authority upon your own soil? Doe
it claim for the Congress VI the United Stutes
or for the people Of the United States as
whole, the right in amy way, dir, city or indi
. reciy, to interfere with your constitutions
/ privileges, or your domestic institutions, as
matter Of legislation? Not at all; you Canno
preteud that. Is il anything more or less tina
= saying to you that, If you choose to act IN
o given direction, and you find yOurselveSsnvOlv
i ell IN pccuniary difficulties in consequence
1 that action too great for you to bear, it is til
f. opinion Of the people of the free States tha
under the circumstances, as brethren connecte
with you by the tie of common country, an
not suffering under the burden which you bca
~ aud AS this measure il for the general good q
~ we have always contended, we think it no moi
than right that We should bear a part Of Il
T. burden! Is that an insult TO you in any way
Is il an injury to you? Is it. in the slighte
possible degree, breaking our pledge that v
D. will not interfere with slavery in the States of Il
Union? You cun hardly 30 pretend it.
understand it; "the result is that you get u
G,r two parties in our STATES You encourage
nv party in favor of abOlishing slavery you no
3D. out II helping hand to such as live among us wi
h' may believe il is an evil aud desire to initia
~. steps by which il may be destroyed" Well, 81
reply to you frankly, if that is to he the eileC
nn so much the hctter. | hold myself restrain
us. by no law, of any kind description, fro
~ snying to such Of your people, if any there NJ
iol. who desire tu initiate policy of that desert
md ion, and to accomplish that purpose, that to th
- end and to that effect | am with them; /
81 lieve it to he great measure, one which wou
AS tend strongly to the elevation Of the people
aie this country, in more particulars than one.
ny hold that the inslitution is injurious to you.
~, have a right 10 that opinion. ] hold that VIII
i'm it exists among you aud to so large an extent
il does, il is injurious to the people of
country; it is injurious TO us as nation,
weakeus our force, ii creates discords, it !
IN produced rebellion and war, and, therefore,
nts, there is any portion of your people who des
ugH to restrain or overthrow IL, 80 far as, under
r1, an Constitution, can lend them aid and so far
YER can assist in building up a party who aim
accomplish this great object, have right
express my sympathy with them, and to exte
ago to them all the aid in my power to bestow.
nu nm 1t is argument to me, therefore, that If /
ap. is to be DONE the effect will be to make pa
MY in favor of abolition among yourselves, VIII
Cti, ,ln that party has right to exist. SO much
. in better il it is So With all good feeling towa
ital you, and with the best wishes for the prosper
Of your States, desire that party shall ar
The and become majority in your own States v
desire to abolish slavery. That is perlec
consistent with all have said on this floor,
all that every member of the Repubisan pa