Year: 1860

upon the happening, of every new outrage,
every time they violate the compact, every
time new underground railroad company
is started, every time any new outrage ls
perpetrated upon us, or new raid concelvod
or accomplished that all this comes Of the
repeal of the Missouri restriction that was
the Pandoras box which opened afresh this
slavery agitation. Well, grant it; what was
that act Of atrocity which is pleaded in release
of all constitutional obligations, in excuse
for treason, murder, and arson? 1t was this ::
the Congress Of the United States, by the
concurrence of the legislative and executive
department of the Government, repealed
the eighth section Of the act of 1920, which
prohibited slavery in all territories of the
United States acquired from France, lying
north of $50 30' north latitude, and outside
of Missouri, commonly called the Missouri
restriction. This pretended law, which we
repealed, has been decided by the Supreme
Court of the United States to have been nutL,
vOid and no lao. We said that it was not
law; the Supreme Court said it was not law,
but usurpation of power by Congress,
This was not only our judgment, but the
Judgment, of the highest judicial tribunal OF
our country. They decided that it was un
constitutional to put it on the statute. book,
and therefore unconstitutional to keep it
there, then, because we would not let an
unconstitutional act stain any page on the
statute. book, we have the curses of the re,
publican party and their base allies. "The
head and front of our offending hath this
extent, no more" This is our unTardona,
BILE sin. If our fidelity to the Constitution
which we had sworn to support is the charge
against us, we plead guilty to it.


| am not surprised that the support of the
Constitution should be adjudged crime by
this coalition-with such brand upon them
they ask us to submit to their rule if they
have majority; they are kind enough to
ask us, "let us be brothers or we will cut
your throats-that is, if we can get your
negroes to do it, They place great
reliance on this arm of the black. republican
phalaux. When they get ready for thi,
brotherly work, in the name and behalf Of
my constituents | extend to them cordia'
invitation to como down to see US. But il
is due to candor to say that their reputation
needs some building up among my cousttu
ents; we do not think those men the most dan.
gerous who are the most faithless to their con-
pacts and, in very TRUTH We have had bu
small fear of men, even as leaders of UNTOLD
millions, who have not manhood enough tC
maintain and defend their own honors. W.
are charged with RAISING in our demands
upon the Government of asserting new anc
unheard Of doctrines in relation to our rights
in the Territories. The charge is equally
baseess with all the rest that have been mad,
by our adversaries ! stand to day, on tht
territorial question, where stood in 1850
ask my colleague to read the extracts whicl
| have marked from speech delivered by
me in the House of Representatives on th,
9th February, 1850


Mr.. IYERS0N read as follows


Though hostile interference is tho point o
resistance, noninterferenee is not the measure
of our rights. We are entitled to non inlerfer
eucc from alien and foreign Governments. Eug
land owes us that much France owes us thu
much Russia owes us noninterference. Yo,
owe us more. You owe us protection. withhold
it, and you make aliens in our own Govern
ment. Our hostility to it then becomes neces
sity-a necessity justified by our honor, our in
terests and our common safety. y."-Appendir to N
Congregational Globe first session, Thirty First Con
grcss, page eel.


"We only ask that our common Government
shall protect us both equally, until the Territorie
shall be ready to be admitted, as Stntes, into tn
Union, then to leave the citizens free to a,lop
any domestic policy in reference to this subject
which, in their Judgment, may best promote thei
interests and their happiness. The demand i
just. Grant it, and you place your plosperit
and ours upon solid foundation you perpetuat
the Union, 80 necessary to your prosperity yol
solve the true problem of republican government
you vindicate the power of constitutional guaran
tees to protect political rights against the will 0
majorities."


Mr.. TOOMBS. Ten years. ezpericnc
has not altered or modified these opinions
stand to-day where | did then. I hav
no advance, no retreat to mako from thi
ground. 1t Vas, in my judgment, rgh
then; 1t is right to-day and forever it i
equality and justice planted in the compac
of Union. Upon these terms have eve
been willing to let the Union stand, bu
upon no other. The Federal Governmen
is now discharging its duty on this terrific


rial question; if upon subordinate question


we should disagree, I agreed, and no,
agree, to let the judicial tribunals decid


between me and my friends. I agreed, il


the act of 1854, to abide that decision


shall continue faithful to that Obligation t
the end. If the republican party had powe
in the Government, how could they carr


out their own principles in tho Territories
The Supreme Court have already decide
that Congressional prohibition Of slavery i
the Territories is unconstitutional and there
) fore null and void. Therefore, if they wer
, again to pass such an unconstitutional Law
they must do it against this decision. The


can only succeed in their policy by subvert


ing that tribunal Hence | have establish
} ed my second proposition-that this part
not only seeks power to violate one ofthe fun
damental principles of the Constitution bu
in order to deprive the slaveholding State
Of their just and equal rights in the Terrific
ries have conspired to reach their base end
II