The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-02-12
SPEECH OF HON. JAMES +. WILSON,
OF IOWA,

In THE HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
February ., 1858,
On the bin III. r. No. e75) TO raise additional sol-
diers for the service of the GosefHfnens'
Mr.. WILSON. Mr.. Speaker, we are
rapidly approaching the end ofthe Thirty:
Heventh Congress But little time 10 left
in which to complete the vast amount Of
business necessary to carry on successful
" the affairs Of the nation. This bill has
occupied nearly one week Of the time Of
the House, and hope We are near the
Gloss Of the discussion upon it. If We
could be brought to an Immediate vote
apon the observation-disclosures and the bill,
I would chserfully refrain from making
any remarks at this time. But the many
failures to agree upon atims to commence
voting induce me to believe that propo-
sition to commence now and proceed with
out discussion or other interruption to the
end would not be successful. II, hoyev-
or, am not mis- aiken, Twill yield; for |
would rather save the time of the House
than to consume it,
That this bill is regarded as one Of
more than ordinary interest and import.
ance, is abundantly Evidenced by the
earnestness with which it has been press
ed by its friends and opposed by It's ene-
mies No uch strife has been produced
by any other measure during this Con.
gross The discussion which the meas
ure has provoked has covered 4 very wide
6eld. and embraced a much greater varie-
ty Of principles and subjects than one
would conceive possible to spring from &C
simplea proposition. Some Of thesc priiu.
ciples are of no inconsiderable importance
while one introduced into the discussion
by the gentleman from Kentucky Mr.
Crittenden is of transcendent importance
--orc which no nation can surrender and
live. mean the principle of allegiance,
the bond which binds the citizen to the
Government and the Government to the
citizen, insuring protection to the latter
and obedience and support to the former.
No nation can exist for day in which
the pe-fect development and enforcement
of this principle 10 neglected and this
remark applies with more force to this ma
tion than any other, perhaps, in existence.
Composed, - this Republic is, of many
States, each entitled to the allegiance of
its citizens within the legitimate and con-
stitutional sphere of State authority, the
only bond Of unity, that which gives a
oneness Of character to our people. is the
superior allegiance which each and every
citizen, resident whatever State he may
be, owes to tile Government Of the Uni
ted States. This principle, with all its
transoendant importance, has been de-
MED application by the gentleman from
Kentucky to four millions native born
residents of this Republic and the mon
strous proposition advanced that this vast
number of human beings, though resi-
ding within our territorial limits, scatter
ed through fifteen of the States of the
Union, owe no allegiance to this or any
other Government.
speak Of the effect of the gentleman
proposition without using the apreciss Ian.
guage. The monstrons character Of the
proposition can only be fully undentood
when we are told, - We have been, chat
the only allegiance which this vast multi
tude Of pen owe is due alone to somt
three hundred and fifty thousand slave
owners. Sir, if this be true, then are tn,
slave owners Of this country the mos
highly privileged class in any civilized
Government on earth. Wa never con
submit to such IN intolerable assumption
upon the part Of those who claim TO own
this slave population. lle, VS. f. Z
But cir, monstrous ~ tho proposition
isat mere statement, It ID the only cus
which can challenge our .righf 70 pass thiia
bili. All other considerations sink into
mere Aaestions q sxpediency. II the
Shareholders claim, rebel though he be,
is higher andmo sacred than th6c whiek
the Government possesses. even in time
ofwafy shss indeed ~ sIavefy securely
intrenched in the Rspubic; and that is
really the character Of this arrogant as
sumption. Those who advance this doc
trine make no distinction between loyal
shareholders, and rebel stockholders nor
do !, in combating the doctrine. For
insist that the claim Of the Governmen,
upon the service Of persons held to ser
vice or labor under the laws Of the States
is, in time Of war, superior to the claim
OF any person to the unrequited toll d
another. When the nations life is ii
peril il may call to ito service every per
son capable of bearing arms, and not ow
ing allegiance TO some foreign Govern
ment, and, if necessary, resort to con
scnption TO compel obedience. No slave
holder can stand between the nation and
this right. The Government represent.