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diff --git a/35400.txt b/35400.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6efccc1 --- /dev/null +++ b/35400.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10421 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Presidential Candidates:, by D. W. Bartlett + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Presidential Candidates: + containing Sketches, Biographical, Personal and Political, + of Prominent Candidates for the Presidency in 1860 + +Author: D. W. Bartlett + +Release Date: February 25, 2011 [EBook #35400] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES: *** + + + + +Produced by Meredith Bach and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES: + +CONTAINING SKETCHES, BIOGRAPHICAL, PERSONAL AND POLITICAL, + +OF + +Prominent Candidates for the Presidency + +IN 1860. + + + +BY + +D. W. BARTLETT. + + + +NEW YORK: +A. B. BURDICK, PUBLISHER, +8 SPRUCE STREET. +1859. + +Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by +A. B. BURDICK, +In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for +the Southern District of New York. + +W. H. TIMSON, Stereotyper. GEO. RUSSELL & CO., Printers. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +The sketches in this volume vary in length and minuteness, not from a +disposition, on my part, to withhold facts, but because a few of my +subjects are too cautious to allow their private history to go before +the public; nevertheless, the work contains full and accurate details +of the private and public history of our "PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES"--not +one of whom has any idea of the position I have assigned him. + +In selecting candidates, of course, I have followed my own +judgment--had I made use of everybody's, I might fill a dozen volumes. +I have sketched _the prominent men_ who have been named in connection +with the Presidency in 1860. Messrs. Buchanan and Pierce I have passed +over as men who have gone through a campaign--and through a +Presidential term--and the people know them. It is the men who have +not run the race for Presidential honors--the new men--of whom the +public would learn something, or I have made a mistake in writing this +book. The general reader will easily find in the volume the position +of any candidate on the issues of the day; and possibly, beside, +interesting personal details which show the character of the man. + +THE AUTHOR. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + PAGE + + I. + +WILLIAM H. SEWARD, 7 + + II. + +STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS, 51 + + III. + +SALMON P. CHASE, 95 + + IV. + +EDWARD BATES, 118 + + V. + +DANIEL S. DICKINSON, 127 + + VI. + +JOHN BELL, 150 + + VII. + +JOHN P. HALE, 161 + + VIII. + +ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS, 179 + + IX. + +N. P. BANKS, 198 + + X. + +JOSEPH LANE, 205 + + XI. + +JOHN MCLEAN, 218 + + XII. + +HENRY A. WISE, 233 + + XIII. + +R. M. T. HUNTER, 244 + + XIV. + +HENRY WILSON, 251 + + XV. + +JEFFERSON DAVIS, 295 + + XVI. + +JAMES L. ORR, 305 + + XVII. + +JOHN MINOR BOTTS, 316 + +XVIII. + +JAMES H. HAMMOND, 322 + + XIX. + +HOWELL COBB, 333 + + XX. + +JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE, 336 + + XXI. + +JOHN C. FREMONT, 346 + + + + +PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES. + + + + +WILLIAM H. SEWARD. + + +The stranger who enters the hall of the United States Senate and casts +his eye over the array of senators, will be not a little surprised, +possibly somewhat amused, when William H. Seward is pointed out to +him. Accustomed to think of Mr. Seward as one of the greatest men in +the country, a first-class statesman, as well as orator--for he has +_read_, not _heard_, his numberless speeches upon the subjects of the +day--he expected to find a gentleman of imposing aspect, to discover +the impressive appearance which awes the stranger, or the audience. +But, instead of this, he finds a quiet man, sitting in his seat, +listening with imperturbable calmness to every senator who chooses to +speak, however dry, however provoking, however stupid. For Mr. Seward +is well known to be _the best listener_ in the Senate. This arises +from his rigid politeness, if we may use the phrase, which will not +allow him to refuse his ear and eye to any man who chooses to speak. +There he sits, leaning back in his chair, a slender man, of average +height, clad in simple black, with a singular face, grey eyes, grey +hair, Roman nose, a second Wellington, ever in repose. Who ever saw +William H. Seward excited? He is never to be provoked by friend or +enemy, and is either devoid of all sensibility, or has a spirit which +can triumph over, soar above, the common infirmities of poor human +nature. We have seen Mr. Seward on two very trying occasions. One, +when Mr. Hale, his friend and seat-mate, thought it his duty to +severely criticise his vote on the army bill (this was in the winter +of 1857-8), and in which criticism he was very personal. Mr. Seward +sat composedly in his seat during the painful review of his brother +senator, and rose to reply as pleasantly and as quietly as he ever did +in his life. + +On another occasion, when the Senate sat late in the night on the +Cuban bill--last spring--Mr. Toombs made a fierce, and we must say +disgraceful attack upon Mr. Seward, calling him, among other names, "a +tuppenny demagogue." During the entire harangue by the Georgian +senator, Mr. Seward twirled his spectacles, unconsciously, and in his +reply was slow, freezingly cold, and never for a moment addressed or +looked at Mr. Toombs. These facts show that Mr. Seward purposely +refuses in public to allow himself to be angered by personalities or +to offer there personalities. He guards constantly against the +temptation to offend in this particular. He has often been accused by +ardent Republicans of lacking courage, physical courage, and that he +did not reply to the attacks of his southern enemies with sufficient +spirit. It is a mistake to ascribe this conduct of Mr. Seward to +cowardice. It is the result of deliberate thought in him--and if it is +mistaken policy, then of course it is to be set down as a blunder, not +a vice. + +When Mr. Seward speaks, he again disappoints the stranger. There is no +_manner_, none of the acts of the orator are to be seen. He leans +against the top of his chair, and in an easy, conversational manner +_talks_ to the Senate, all the time swinging his spectacles to and fro +as if at the fireside. + +With his arms folded, and leaning back upon the lofty railing in the +old Senate hall, we heard Mr. Seward deliver such startling sentiments +as these: + + "I think, with great deference to the judgments of others, that + the expedient, peaceful, and right way to determine it, is to + reverse the existing policy of intervention in favor of slave + labor and slave States. It would be wise to restore the Missouri + prohibition of slavery in Kansas and Nebraska. There was peace in + the territories and in the States until that great statute of + Freedom was subverted. It is true that there were frequent debates + here on the subject of slavery, and that there were profound + sympathies among the people, awakened by or responding to those + debates. But what was Congress instituted for but debate? What + makes the American people to differ from all other nations, but + this--that while among them power enforces silence, here all + public questions are referred to debate, free debate in Congress. + Do you tell me that the Supreme Court of the United States has + removed the foundations of that great statute? I reply, that they + have done no such thing; they could not do it. They have remanded + the negro man, Dred Scott, to the custody of his master. With that + decree we have nothing here, at least nothing now, to do. This is + the extent of the judgment rendered, the extent of any judgment + they could render. Already the pretended further decision is + subverted in Kansas. So it will be in every free State and in + every free Territory of the United States. The Supreme Court, + also, can reverse its spurious judgment more easily than we could + reconcile the people to its usurpation. Sir, the Supreme Court of + the United States attempts to command the people of the United + States to accept the principles that one man can own other men, + and that they must guarantee the inviolability of that false and + pernicious property. The people of the United States never can, + and they never will, accept principles so unconstitutional and so + abhorrent. Never, never. Let the Court recede. Whether it recede + or not, we shall reorganize the Court, and thus reform its + political sentiments and practices, and bring them into harmony + with the Constitution and with the laws of nature. In doing so we + shall not only reassume our own just authority, but we shall + restore that high tribunal itself to the position it ought to + maintain, since so many invaluable rights of citizens, and even of + States themselves, depend upon its impartiality and its wisdom. + + "Do you tell me that the slave States will not acquiesce, but will + agitate? Think first whether the free States will acquiesce in a + decision that shall not only be unjust, but fraudulent. True, they + will not menace the Republic. They have an easy and simple remedy, + namely to take the government out of unjust and unfaithful hands, + and commit it to those which will be just and faithful. They are + ready to do this now. They want only a little more harmony of + purpose and a little more completeness of organization. These will + result from only the least addition to the pressure of slavery + upon them. You are lending all that is necessary, and even more, + in this very act. But will the slave States agitate? Why? Because + they have lost at last a battle that they could not win, unwisely + provoked, fought with all the advantages of strategy and + intervention, and on a field chosen by themselves. What would they + gain? Can they compel Kansas to adopt slavery against her will? + Would it be reasonable or just to do it, if they could? Was negro + servitude ever forced by the sword on any people that inherited + the blood which circulates in our veins, and the sentiments which + make us a free people? If they will agitate on such a ground as + this, then how, or when, by what concessions we can make, will + they ever be satisfied? To what end would they agitate? It can now + be only to divide the Union. Will they not need some fairer or + more plausible excuse for a proposition so desperate? How would + they improve their condition, by drawing down a certain ruin upon + themselves? Would they gain any new security for Slavery? Would + they not hazard securities that are invaluable? Sir, they who talk + so idly, talk what they do not know themselves. No man when cool + can promise what he will do when he shall be inflamed; no man + inflamed can speak for his actions when time and necessity shall + bring reflection. Much less can any one speak for States in such + emergencies." + +The Senate Hall was crowded--the galleries packed with a dense throng +of men and women, and the entire audience leaned forward to catch +every one of the words we have quoted, the southern senators smiling +scornfully, while some of them were speaking; yet the orator went on +as smoothly, as easily, as if he were discoursing a passage of ancient +history with a knot of tried friends, instead of dealing with great +and living issues before an audience, half of whom, to say the least, +were his bitter enemies, eagerly listening to convict him of any +imprudent or unjust sentiment. + +Mr. Seward is no orator as the word is ordinarily understood. He has +little or no animation, no address, no impressiveness. It is _the +thoughts, the ideas_ of his speeches, which make them so powerful, so +widely popular. Almost any one of his speeches _reads_ better than it +delivers. Mr. Seward, long ago, must have lost all ambition to become +merely an orator--if he ever at any time indulged in such an ambition. +He speaks not to the few hundreds who can hear his voice, as he well +knows; but to millions outside the walls of the Capitol. And so he +studies his speeches, makes them truly great, and worth reading by +anybody and everybody, then commits them to memory, and recites them +in the Senate that they may go with the official stamp upon them to +the millions of readers in the free States. + +Mr. Seward has long been popular in Washington--personally, we +mean--even among his political enemies. When he came to Washington, it +was with difficulty that he got a pew in one of the fashionable +churches of the capital. Association with him was then thought to be +contamination; but, long since, his hospitality, his high mindedness, +and his charitable nature, have won for him not only the respect, but +the love of many of the citizens of Washington, and some at least of +the citizens of the far southern States. No man has more bitter +political enemies than Mr. Seward, and no prominent man fewer personal +enemies. Those who know him, esteem him highly, however severely they +may condemn his political sentiments. + +William Henry Seward was born in Florida, New York, May 16, 1801, and +is now 58 years old. His ancestors were of Welsh extraction upon his +father's side, and of Irish on the mother's side. His father was a +physician in the State of New York, of good character and excellent +abilities, and his mother was a woman of warm affections and a strong +and cultivated intellect. The people of the little town of Florida, +generally, were natives of New England, and the tone of society was +what some would call Puritanic. In such a village, education and good +morals were highly esteemed, and the young mind would be naturally +impressed with the importance of great truths, of morality and +humanity. + +William Henry, while a boy, was noted in the village where he lived, +and especially among his circle of family friends, as a great student. +His intellect was thought to be precociously developed; but if such +was the fact, none of the later effects which usually follow unnatural +precocity showed themselves in Mr. Seward's career. He was also known, +and is still remembered by his school-day friends, for that frankness, +purity and gentleness of character which now distinguish him. As a boy +he was pure, and a brother senator remarked of Mr. Seward in our +hearing the other day, "He is the purest public man I ever knew!" + +When nine years old, he was sent to school at an academy in Goshen, N. +Y. At fifteen, the pale, thin, studious lad entered Union College at +Schenectady, where he very rapidly distinguished himself by his +application, his brilliant talents and the gentleness of his character +and disposition. His favorite studies were rhetoric, moral philosophy +and the ancient classics. He was a close and thorough student. He rose +at four in the morning and sat up late at night. It was here that he +acquired those habits of continuous mental toil which have +characterized him since he came to public life. + +Mr. Seward graduated from Union College with distinguished honors. +Among his fellow-graduates were Judge Kent, Dr. Hickok, Professor +Lewis, and other eminent men. Shortly after leaving college, Mr. +Seward entered the law office of John Anthon, in the city of New York, +where, as in college, his unusual devotion to his studies attracted +the attention of his teachers and led his friends to prognosticate for +him a brilliant future. He finished his legal studies with Judge Duer +and Ogden Hoffman, in Goshen, and was admitted to the bar of the +Supreme Court of New York at Utica in 1822. + +In 1823, Mr. Seward took up his residence in the pretty village of +Auburn, N.Y. which to this day is his "home," and will always be his +abiding place. He became, in 1824 the law-partner of Judge Miller of +Auburn and married his youngest daughter, Frances Adeline Miller. The +fruits of this marriage were five children, one of whom died young, +another took to the army, another to the law, and the remaining two +are comparatively young. + +Mr. Seward's personal appearance cannot be said to be prepossessing, +yet there are fine points in his personal appearance. His ways are +modest, his brow and eyes have, however, a sleepy aspect, which has +been fostered by his habit of snuffing and smoking tobacco +immoderately. + +The first time we saw Mr. Seward was at his home--the pretty village +of Auburn--beneath the roof of a mutual friend. His face struck us at +first unpleasantly, for it seemed too lifeless and expressionless for +a man with so much mind, so great an intellect; but in a few moments +the clouds passed off and the clear vault of his intellect was open to +the eye. His eye grew bright and the fascination of his conversation +was at once felt. The compact brow expressed power, the eye genius, +the lips force of character, the whole body stately dignity, as well +as frankness. In his manners and conversation both in private and in +public, Mr. Seward is one of the most natural of men. Nothing is +forced or affected, but a pleasant negligence characterizes his +manner. + +Some men pass for great men because they are physically great and +dignified, and because they utter few words and those in a sententious +manner. Mr. Seward is not one of these dignitaries, but has won his +greatness by _hard work_. He never was one of those brilliant geniuses +who suddenly startle the world, but wrought out his reputation, and +_earned_ the honor which has been so freely accorded to him by his +fellow-men. + +In Auburn, Mr. Seward has long been personally very popular. His +position is a happy one. He has moderate wealth--enough for all his +wants--and there at least--however much his hospitality in the Capitol +may savor of splendor--there he lives in plain, almost frugal style. +He has for years been a member of the Episcopal church at Auburn. + +Mr. Seward's father was a Jeffersonian Democrat, and he naturally +accepted the politics of his father; but not long after he began to +practise law, he left the Democratic party for the opposition. When +the Missouri Compromise roused the North from its slumbers, he sided +almost instinctively with the friends of freedom, and made several +public speeches during the excitement against any compromise with +slavery. In 1830, he was elected to the State Senate on anti-Masonic +grounds. In 1833, he made the tour of Europe. One year later, he was +nominated for governor of the State of New York by the Whig party, and +was defeated. In 1838, he was again nominated to that office, and was +elected by ten thousand majority. When his term had expired, he was +again elected to the same honorable post. While governor of New York +he made her respected and admired throughout the world. He used all +his influence and power for the repeal of all State laws which in any +manner countenanced the institution of negro slavery. The law which +permitted a southern slaveholder to retain possession of his slave +while travelling through the State, was repealed. A law was also +passed which allowed a fugitive the benefit of a jury-trial, and +prohibiting State officers from assisting in the recovery of +fugitives, and also denying the use of the jails for the confinement +of fugitive slaves under arrest. The Supreme Court pronounced most of +these laws unconstitutional afterward. Another law was passed, chiefly +through the influence of Mr. Seward, for the recovery of kidnapped +colored citizens of New York. Under the operation of this humane +enactment, Solomon Northup, who for twelve years had been forced to +toil upon a far distant southern plantation, was rescued and brought +back to his friends. The story of his case was published afterward and +had a very large sale. + +To crown his official acts, Mr. Seward, just before retiring from his +gubernatorial office, recommended the abolition of that law requiring +a freehold qualification of negro voters. + +The governor of Virginia made a requisition upon him for the surrender +of certain parties accused of assisting slaves to escape from their +owners. He refused to comply with the demand, upon the ground that the +article in the Constitution authorizing a demand of fugitives from +justice covered only such persons as were criminals by the laws of the +several States and the civilized world. Aiding a slave to escape from +his master, in his opinion, was no crime, and he did not feel it to be +his duty to surrender the accused. A long controversy was the result +of this bold decision, and retaliatory measures were tried by the +State of Virginia, but Governor Seward remained firm to the end. + +In 1847, Mr. Seward defended John Van Zandt, who was accused of aiding +the escape of slaves from their master, at the bar of the Supreme +Court of the United States. It was one of the most eloquent arguments +he ever made, and he would not accept of a dollar's compensation for +his great effort. + +While riding once upon the banks of the beautiful Owasco Lake, the +friend who was with us, pointed out a pleasant farmhouse as the scene, +a few years before, of a terrible murder, and not far distant, in a +lonely churchyard, we saw the graves of the victims. A negro of the +name of William Freeman, at the age of sixteen, was sent to the State +Prison for five years, for alleged horse-stealing. He declared his +innocence of the charge, and it has since been admitted by those who +tried him, that he was doubtless an innocent man; but, through the +false swearing of the real thief, he was sent to prison. The injustice +of his punishment, coupled with barbarous treatment while in prison, +resulted in an idiotic insanity, and when, at last, he was set free, +his term of imprisonment having expired, he went forth an idiot--a +lunatic--with but one idea in his brain--that the outside world had +most foully wronged him. + +One night, without a spark of provocation, this wretched negro entered +the house of a Mr. Van Nest and killed him, his wife, a child, and his +mother, a woman of seventy. He was arrested the next day, and such was +the terrible state of excitement in and around Auburn, that it was +with great difficulty that the people were restrained from hanging the +culprit up to the most convenient tree. The negro, idiot that he was, +confessed the murder and laughed over it. This enraged the people +still more, and they clamored for his blood. Seward had acquired much +popularity in his arguments in criminal cases, and his neighbors +became at once alarmed for fear he would defend the negro. He was +absent then at the South, and such was the frantic state of the people +of Auburn that his law-partners announced that he would not defend the +case. But Mr. Seward was his own master still, and though he saw what +the feeling was, and that the negro was sure to be brought in guilty, +yet as the miserable man was friendless, he examined most carefully +into the case and came to the deliberate conclusion that Freeman was +insane. Hoping that other counsel would appear, he did not offer his +services. The day of trial came, and the villagers hoped that no +lawyer _dared_ to defend the criminal. The indictment was read against +him, and he was asked if he plead guilty or not guilty. The only reply +he made was "Ha!" He was asked if he had counsel--"he didn't know." +The poor wretch had no idea of what was transpiring, that he was upon +his trial for life. At this juncture, Mr. Seward, who was present, was +entirely overcome by his feelings, but he in a moment answered: + +"May it please the court: _I shall remain counsel for the prisoner +until his death_." For two weeks, in the hottest of weather, he +conducted the defence, without pay. He was subjected to insult from +some of his old friends, and the feeling of the town was strongly +against him. The well known John Van Buren was the District Attorney, +and with the predetermination of the jury, of course a verdict of +"guilty," was rendered. Mr. Seward's argument was one of the finest he +ever made. Alluding to the unpopularity which he had brought upon +himself by his course, he said: + +"In due time, gentlemen of the jury, when I shall have paid the debt +of nature, my remains will rest here in your midst with those of my +kindred and neighbors. It is very possible they may be unhonored, +neglected, spurned! But perhaps years hence, when the passion and +excitement which now agitate this community shall have passed +away--some wandering stranger--some lone exile--some _Indian_, some +_negro_, may erect over them a humble stone, and thereon write this +epitaph, 'HE WAS FAITHFUL.'" + +An Appellate Court granted a new trial, but before it came on the +criminal died. A post mortem examination revealed the fact that his +brain was _one mass of disease, and nearly destroyed_! Mr. Seward was +suddenly and unexpectedly set right again before the people, and was +restored to the old place in their affections. + +We have noticed this portion of Mr. Seward's life because it +effectually disposes of that cry raised against him by certain +persons, that he is a demagogue. No demagogue defends the poor and +forsaken, at the expense of personal popularity. He flatters the +prejudices of the people and does not go across them to his own +injury. + +Mr. Seward was elected, in 1849, to the Senate of the United States, +where he has remained to this day. His course is everywhere known. He +was a Whig, and is of course warmly in favor of a Protective Tariff +and other prominent Whig measures, though he subordinates them all to +the great question of Human Freedom. + +As a Whig, Mr. Seward was the friend of the slave. He opposed the +famous compromise measures of 1850, struggled against the repeal of +the Missouri Compromise--came slowly into the Republican movement, but +when once in it, no man could excel him, and few equal, in hearty +devotion to the party and its cause. From the first, he condemned the +great American movement, and has lost popularity in some quarters for +doing so. He is in favor of internal improvements and a homestead law, +as his votes will show. He objects to any hasty, irritating attempts +to buy or take Cuba--no insults--let everything be done fairly and +gentlemanly; and, if the pear drops to the ground ripe, eat the fruit. +_But no fruit-stealing, or buying at ruinous prices!_ + +A friend of Mr. Seward speaks of Mr. Seward's style in the following +language: + +"His rapid idealization, his oriental affluence, though not vagueness +of expression, and the Ciceronian flow of his language, proceeding not +from the heat of youth or the vapors of wine, but from the exceeding +fertility of his imagination, combine to render him an interesting +speaker. Yet his enunciation is neither clear nor distinct, and the +tones of his voice often grate harshly upon the ear. He is not devoid +of grace, however; he is calm and dignified, but earnest. + +"His style is elegant rather than neat; elaborate rather than +finished. It possesses a sparkling vivacity, but is somewhat deficient +in energetic brevity. It is not always easy, for there is more labor +than art; but if the wine has an agreeable _bouquet_, the connoisseur +delights to have it linger. Like young D'Israeli, whose political +position, in some respects, resembles his own, he has occasionally a +tendency to restore declamation, a natural predilection perhaps for +Milesian floridness and hyperbole, and, like Napoleon, a love for +gorgeous paradoxes. But, in general, his words are well-chosen and are +frequently more eloquent than the ideas. His sentences are all +constructed with taste; they have often the brilliancy of Mirabeau, +and the glowing fervor of Fox." + +We must notice a few quotations from a very few of Mr. Seward's most +prominent speeches. At Detroit, Oct. 2, 1856, he spoke upon "The +Slaveholding Class," to a mass convention, in which he first argued +that the aggrandizement of the slaveholding class, to the detriment of +the rest of the people of the country, is a perversion of the +Constitution. He then, in a masterly style, gave a sketch of the +condition of the country--showed the organization of the courts, of +Congress, of the departments--all--all entirely in the control of the +slaveholding class--and closed with the subjoined paragraphs: + + "Mark, if you please, that thus far I have only shown you the mere + governmental organization of the slaveholding class in the United + States, and pointed out its badges of supremacy, suggestive of + your own debasement and humiliation. Contemplate now the reality + of the power of that class, and the condition to which the cause + of human nature has been reduced. In all the free States, the + slaveholder argues and debates the pretensions of his class, and + even prosecutes his claim for his slave before the delegate of the + Federal Government, with safety and boldness, as he ought. He + exhorts the citizens of the free States to acquiesce, and even + threatens them, in their very homes, with the terrors of disunion, + if that acquiescence is withheld; and he does all this with + safety, as he ought, if it be done at all. He is listened to with + patience, and replied to with decorum, even in his most arrogant + declamations, in the halls of Congress. Through the effective + sympathy of other property classes, the slaveholding power + maintains with entire safety a press and permanent political + organizations in all the free States. On the contrary, if you + except the northern border of Delaware, there is nowhere in any + slaveholding State personal safety for a citizen, even of that + State itself, who questions the rightful national domination of + the slaveholding class. Debate of its pretensions in the halls of + Congress is carried on at the peril of limb and life. A free press + is no sooner set up in a slaveholding State than it is demolished, + and citizens who assemble peacefully to discuss even the extremest + claims of slavery, are at first cautioned, and, if that is + ineffectual, banished or slain, even more surely than the + resistants of military despotism in the French empire. Nor, except + just now, has the case been much better even in the free States. + It is only as of yesterday, when the free citizens, assembled to + discuss the exactions of the slaveholding class, were dispersed in + Boston, Utica, Philadelphia and New York. It is only as of + yesterday, that when I rose, on request of citizens of Michigan, + at Marshall, to speak of the great political questions of the day, + I was enjoined not to make disturbance or to give offence by + speaking of free soil, even on the ground which the Ordinance of + 1787 had saved to freedom. It was only as of yesterday that + Protestant churches and theological seminaries, built on Puritan + foundations, vied with the organs of the slaveholding class in + denouncing a legislator who, in the act of making laws affecting + its interests, declared that all human laws ought to be conformed + to the standard of eternal justice. The day has not even yet + passed when the press, employed in the service of education and + morality, expurgates from the books which are put into the hands + of the young all reflections on slavery. The day yet lasts when + the flag of the United States flaunts defiance on the high seas + over cargoes of human merchandise. Nor is there an American + representative anywhere, in any of the four quarters of the globe, + that does not labor to suppress even there the discussion of + American slavery, lest it may possibly affect the safety of the + slaveholding class at home. If, in a generous burst of sympathy + with the struggling Protestant democracy of Europe, we bring off + the field one of their fallen champions, to condole with and + comfort him, we suddenly discern that the mere agitation of the + principles of freedom tend to alarm the slaveholding class, and we + cast him off again as a waif, not merely worthless, but dangerous + to ourselves. The natural and ancient order of things is reversed; + freedom has become subordinate, sectional and local; slavery, in + its influence and combinations, has become predominant, national + and general. Free, direct and manly utterance in the cause of + freedom, even in the free States themselves, leads to ostracism, + while superserviceability to the slaveholding class alone secures + preferment in the national councils. The descendants of Franklin, + and Hamilton, and Jay, and King, are unprized-- + + ----'Till they learn to betray, + Undistinguish'd they live, if they shame not their sires, + And the torch that would light them to dignity's way, + Must be caught from the pile when the country expires.' + + "In this course of rapid public demoralization, what wonder is it + that the action of the Government tends continually with fearfully + augmenting force to the aggrandizement of the slaveholding class? + A government can never be better or wiser, or even so good or so + wise as the people over whom it presides? Who can wonder, then, + that the Congress of the United States, in 1820, gave to slavery + the west bank of the Mississippi quite up to the present line of + Kansas, and was content to save for freedom, out of the vast + region of Louisiana, only Kansas and Nebraska! Who can wonder that + it consented to annex and admit Texas, with power to subdivide + herself into five slave States, so as to secure the slaveholding + class a balance against the free States then expected to be + ultimately organized in Kansas and Nebraska? Who can wonder, that + when this annexation of Texas brought on a war with Mexico, which + ended in the annexation of Upper California and New Mexico, every + foot of which was free from African slavery, Congress divided that + vast territory, reluctantly admitting the new State of California + as a free State, because she would not consent to establish + slavery, dismembered New Mexico, transferred a large portion of it + to slaveholding Texas, and stipulated that what remained of New + Mexico, together with Utah, should be received as slave States if + the people thereof should so demand? Who can wonder that the + President, without any reproof by Congress, simultaneously offered + to Spain two hundred millions of dollars for the purchase of Cuba, + that it might be divided into two slaveholding States, to be + admitted as members of the Federal Union, and at the same time + menaced the European Powers with war should they interfere to + prevent the consummation of the purchase? Who can wonder that, + emboldened with these concessions of the people, Congress at last + sanctioned a reprisal by the slaveholding class upon the regions + of Kansas and Nebraska, not on the ground of justice or for an + equivalent, but simply on the ground that the original concession + of them to freedom was extorted by injustice and unconstitutional + oppression by the free States? Who can wonder that the + slaveholding class, when it had obtained the sanction of Congress + to that reprisal, by giving a pledge that the people of those + territories should be perfectly free, nevertheless, to establish + freedom therein, invaded the territory of Kansas with armed + forces, inaugurated an usurpation, and established slavery there, + and disfranchised the supporters of freedom by tyrannical laws, + enforced by fire and sword, and that the President and Senate + maintain and uphold the slaveholding interests in these + culminating demonstrations of their power, while the House of + Representatives lacks the power, because it is wanting in the + virtue, to rescue the interests of justice, freedom, and humanity? + Who can wonder that federal courts in Massachusetts indict + defenders of freedom for sedition, and in Pennsylvania subvert the + State tribunals, and pervert the _habeas corpus_, the great writ + of Liberty, into a process for arresting fugitive slaves, and + construe into contempt, punishable by imprisonment without bail or + mainprize, the simple and truthful denial of personal control over + a fugitive female slave, who has made her own voluntary escape + from bondage? Who can wonder that in Kansas lawyers may not plead + or juries be empannelled in the Federal Courts, nor can even + citizens vote, without first swearing to support the Fugitive + Slave Law and the Kansas and Nebraska act, while citizens who + discuss through the press the right of slaveholders to domineer + there, are punished with imprisonment or death; free bridges, over + which citizens who advocate free institutions, may pass, free + taverns where they may rest, and free presses through which they + may speak, are destroyed under indictments for nuisances; and + those who peacefully assemble to debate the grievances of that + class, and petition Congress for relief, are indicted for high + treason? + + "Just now, the wind sets with some apparent steadiness at the + North, and you will readily confess therefore that I do not + exaggerate the growing aggrandizement of the slaveholding class, + but you will nevertheless insist that that aggrandizement is now + and may be merely temporary and occasional. A moment's reflection, + however, will satisfy you that this opinion is profoundly untrue. + What is now seen is only the legitimate maturing of errors + unresisted through a period of more than thirty years. All the + fearful evils now upon us are only the inevitable results of + efforts to extinguish, by delays, concession, and compromises, a + discussion to which justice, reason and humanity, are continually + lending their elemental fires. + + "What, then, is the tendency of this aggrandizement of the slave + interests, and what must be its end, if it be not now or speedily + arrested? Immediate consequences are distinctly in view. The + admission of Kansas into the Union as a slave State, the + subsequent introduction of slavery, by means equally flagrant, + into Nebraska, and the admission of Utah with the twin patriarchal + institutions of legalized adultery and slavery, and these three + achievements crowned with the incorporation of Cuba into the + Republic. Beyond these visible fields lies a region of fearful + speculation--the restoration of the African slave trade, and the + desecration of all Mexico and Central America, by the infliction + upon the half-civilized Spanish and Indian races dwelling there, + by our hands, of a curse from which, inferior as they are to + ourselves, they have had the virtue once to redeem themselves. + Beyond this last surveyed, lies that of civil and servile wars, + national decline and--RUIN! + + "I fear to open up these distant views, because I know that you + will attribute my apprehensions to a morbid condition of mind. But + confining myself to the immediate future which is so fearfully + visible, I ask you in all candor, first, whether I have ever + before exaggerated the aggrandizement of the slaveholding class. + Secondly, whether the movement that I now forbode is really more + improbable than the evils once seemed, which are now a startling + reality. + + "How are these immediate evils, and whatever of greater evils that + are behind them, to be prevented? Do you expect that those who + have heretofore counselled compromise, acquiescence, and + submission, will change their course and come to the rescue of + liberty? Even if this were a reasonable hope, are Cass, and + Douglass, and Buchanan, greater or better than the statesmen who + have opened the way of compromise, and led these modern statesmen + into it? And if they indeed are so much greater and so much + better, do you expect them to live forever? + + "Perhaps you expect the slaveholding class will abate its + pretensions, and practise voluntarily the moderation which you + wish, but dare not demand at its hands. How long, and with what + success, have you waited already for that reformation? Did any + property class ever so reform itself? Did the patricians in old + Rome, the noblesse or the clergy of France? The landholders in + Ireland? The landed aristocracy in England? Does the slaveholding + class even seek to beguile you with such a hope? Has it not become + rapacious, arrogant, defiant? Is it not waging civil war against + Freedom, wherever it encounters real resistance? No! no! you have + let the lion and the spotted leopard into the sheep-fold. They + certainly will not die of hunger there, nor retire from disgust + with satiety. They will remain there so long as renewed appetite + shall find multiplied prey. Be not self-deceived. Whenever a + property class of any kind is invited by society to oppress, it + will continue to oppress. Whenever a slaveholding class finds the + non-slaveholding classes yielding, it will continue its work of + subjugation. + + "You admit all this, and you ask how are these great evils, now so + apparent, to be corrected--these great dangers, now so manifest, + to be avoided. I answer, it is to be done, not as some of you have + supposed, by heated debates sustained by rifles or revolvers at + Washington, nor yet by sending armies with supplies and Sharpe's + rifles into Kansas. I condemn no necessary exercise of the right + of self-defence, anywhere. Public safety is necessary to the + practice of the real duties of champions of Freedom. But this is a + contest in which the race is not to the physically swift, nor the + battle to those who have most muscular strength. Least of all is + it to be won by retaliation and revenge. The victory will be to + those who shall practise the highest moral courage, with simple + fidelity to the principles of humanity and justice. + Notwithstanding all the heroism of your champions in Washington + and Kansas, the contest will be fearfully endangered, if the + slaveholding class shall win the President and the Congress in + this great national canvass. Even although every one of these + champions should perish in his proper field, yet the Rights of Man + will be saved, and the tide of oppression will be rolled back from + our northern plains, if a President and a Congress shall be chosen + who are true to freedom. The people and the people only are + sovereign and irresistible, whether they will the ascendency of + slavery or the triumph of liberty. + + "Harsh as my words may have seemed, I do my kinsmen and brethren + of the free States no such injustice as to deny that great + allowances are to be made for the demoralization I have described. + We inherited complicity with the slaveholding class, and with it + prejudices of caste. We inherited confidence and affection toward + our Southern brethren--and with these, our political + organizations, and profound reverence for political authorities, + all adverse to the needful discussion of slavery. Above all, we + inherited a fear of the dissolution of the Union, which can only + be unwholesome when it ceases equally to affect the conduct of all + the great parties to that sacred compact. All these inheritances + have created influences upon our political conduct, which are + rather to be deplored than condemned. I trust that at last these + influences are about to cease. I trust so, because, if we have + inherited the demoralization of slavery, we have also attained the + virtue required for emancipation. If we have inherited prejudices + of caste, we have also risen to the knowledge that political + safety is dependent on the rendering of equal and exact justice to + all men. And if we have suffered our love for the Union to be + abused so as to make us tolerate the evils that more than all + others endanger it, we have discerned that great error at last. If + we should see a citizen who had erected a noble edifice, sit down + inactively in its hall, avoiding all duty and enterprise, lest he + might provoke enemies to pull it down over his head, or one who + had built a majestic vessel, moor it to the wharf, through fear + that he might peradventure run it upon the rocks, we should + condemn his fatuity and folly. We have learned at last that the + American people labor not only under the responsibility of + preserving this Union, but also under the responsibility of making + it subserve the advancement of justice and humanity, and that + neglect of this last responsibility involves the chief peril to + which the Union is exposed. + + "I shall waste little time on the newly-invented apologies for + continued demoralization. The question now to be decided is, + whether a slaveholding class exclusively shall govern America, or + whether it shall only bear divided sway with non-slaveholding + citizens. It concerns all persons equally, whether they are + Protestants or Catholics, native-born or exotic citizens. And + therefore it seems to me that this is no time for trials of + strength between the native-born and the adopted freeman, or + between any two branches of one common Christian brotherhood. + + "As little shall I dwell on merely personal partialities or + prejudices affecting the candidates for public trusts. Each fitly + personates the cause he represents. Beyond a doubt, Mr. Buchanan + is faithful to the slaveholding class, as Mr. Fillmore vacillates + between it and its opponents. I know Mr. Fremont well; and when I + say that I know that he combines extraordinary genius and + unquestionable sincerity of purpose with unusual modesty, I am + sure that you will admit that he is a true representative of the + Cause of Freedom. + + "Discarding sectionalism, and loving my country and all its parts, + and bearing an affection even to the slaveholding class, none the + less sincere because it repels me, I cordially adopt the motto + which it too often hangs out to delude us. I know no North, no + South, no East, and no West; for I know that he who would offer an + acceptable sacrifice in the present crisis must conform himself to + the divine instructions, that neither in this mountain, nor yet at + Jerusalem, shall we worship the Father; but the hour cometh, and + now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in + spirit and in truth. + + "Last of all, I stop not to argue with those who decry agitation + and extol conservatism, not knowing that conservatism is of two + kinds--that one which, yielding to cowardly fear of present + inconvenience or danger, covers even political leprosy with + protecting folds; and that other and better conservatism, that + heals, in order that the body of the Commonwealth may be healthful + and immortal. + + "Fellow-citizens, I am aware that I have spoken with seriousness + amounting to solemnity. Do not infer from thence that I am + despondent or distrustful of present triumph and ultimate + regeneration. It has required a strong pressure upon the + main-spring of the public virtue to awaken its elasticity. Such + pressure has reached the centre of the spring at last. They who + have reckoned that its elasticity was lost, are now discovering + their profound mistake. The people of the United States have + dallied long with the cactus, and floated carelessly on the calm + seas that always reflect summer skies, but they have not lost + their preference for their own changeless _fleur de lis_, and they + consult no other guidance, in their course over the waters, than + that of their own bright, particular, and constant star, the + harbinger of Liberty." + +Mr. Seward's famous Rochester speech has been so often misquoted and +misrepresented that we will quote from it a few passages: + + "The slave system is one of constant danger, distrust, suspicion + and watchfulness. It debases those whose toil alone can produce + wealth and resources for defence, to the lowest degree of which + human nature is capable, to guard against mutiny and insurrection, + and thus wastes energies which otherwise might be employed in + national development and aggrandizement. + + "The free-labor system educates all alike, and, by opening all the + fields of industrial employment, and all the departments of + authority, to the unchecked and equal rivalry of all classes of + men, at once secures universal contentment, and brings into the + highest possible activity all the physical, moral and social + energies of the State. In States where the slave system prevails, + the masters, directly or indirectly, secure all political power, + and constitute a ruling aristocracy. In the States where the + free-labor system prevails, universal suffrage necessarily + obtains, and the State inevitably becomes, sooner or later, a + republic or democracy. + + "Russia yet maintains slavery, and is a despotism. Most of the + other European states have abolished slavery, and adopted the + system of free labor. It was the antagonistic political tendencies + of the two systems which the first Napoleon was contemplating when + he predicted that Europe would ultimately be either all Cossack or + all Republican. Never did human sagacity utter a more pregnant + truth. The two systems are at once perceived to be incongruous, + but they are more than incongruous, they are incompatible. They + never have permanently existed together in one country, and they + never can. It would be easy to demonstrate this impossibility, + from the irreconcilable contrast between their great principles + and characteristics. But the experience of mankind has + conclusively established it. Slavery, as I have already intimated, + existed in every state in Europe. Free labor has supplanted it + everywhere except in Russia and Turkey. State necessities, + developed in modern times, are now obliging even those two nations + to encourage and employ free labor; and already, despotic as they + are, we find them engaged in abolishing slavery. In the United + States, slavery came into collision with free labor at the close + of the last century, and fell before it in New England, New York, + New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, but triumphed over it effectually, + and excluded it for a period yet undetermined, from Virginia, the + Carolinas, and Georgia. Indeed, so incompatible are the two + systems, that every new State which is organized within our + ever-extending domain makes its first political act a choice of + the one and an exclusion of the other, even at the cost of civil + war, if necessary. The slave States, without law, at the last + national election, successfully forbade, within their own limits, + even the casting of votes for a candidate for President of the + United States supposed to be favorable to the establishment of the + free-labor system in the new States. + + "Hitherto, the two systems have existed in different States, but + side by side within the American Union. This has happened because + the Union is a confederation of States. But in another aspect, the + United States constitute only one nation. Increase of population, + which is filling the States out to their very borders, together + with a new and extended net-work of railroads and other avenues, + and an internal commerce which daily becomes more intimate, is + rapidly bringing the States into a higher and more perfect social + unity or consolidation. Thus these antagonistic systems are + continually coming into closer contact, and collision results. + + "Shall I tell you what this collision means? They who think that + it is accidental, unnecessary, the work of interested or fanatical + agitators, and therefore ephemeral, mistake the case altogether. + It is an irrepressible conflict between opposing and enduring + forces, and it means that the United States must and will, sooner + or later, become either entirely a slaveholding nation, or + entirely a free-labor nation. Either the cotton and rice fields of + South Carolina and the sugar plantations of Louisiana will + ultimately be tilled by free labor, and Charleston and New Orleans + become marts for legitimate merchandise alone, or else the rye + fields and wheat fields of Massachusetts and New York must again + be surrendered by their farmers to slave culture and to the + production of slaves, and Boston and New York become once more + markets for trade in the bodies and souls of men. It is the + failure to apprehend this great truth that induces so many + unsuccessful attempts at final compromise between the slave and + free States, and it is the existence of this great fact that + renders all such pretended compromises, when made, vain and + ephemeral. Startling as this saying may appear to you, + fellow-citizens, it is by no means an original or even a modern + one. Our forefathers knew it to be true, and unanimously acted + upon it when they framed the Constitution of the United States. + They regarded the existence of the servile system in so many of + the States with sorrow and shame, which they openly confessed, and + they looked upon the collision between them, which was then just + revealing itself, and which we are now accustomed to deplore, with + favor and hope. They knew that either the one or the other system + must exclusively prevail. + + "Unlike too many of those who in modern times invoke their + authority, they had a choice between the two. They preferred the + system of free labor, and they determined to organize the + Government, and so to direct its activity, that that system should + surely and certainly prevail. For this purpose, and no other, they + based the whole structure of government broadly on the principle + that all men are created equal, and therefore free--little + dreaming that within the short period of one hundred years, their + descendants would bear to be told by any orator, however popular, + that the utterance of that principle was merely a rhetorical + rhapsody; or by any judge, however venerated, that it was attended + by mental reservations, which render it hypocritical and false. By + the ordinance of 1787, they dedicated all the national domain not + yet polluted by slavery to free labor immediately, thenceforth and + forever, while by the new Constitution and laws they invited + foreign free labor from all lands under the sun, and interdicted + the importation of African slave labor, at all times, in all + places, and under all circumstances whatsoever. It is true that + they necessarily and wisely modified this policy of freedom by + leaving it to the several States, affected as they were by + differing circumstances, to abolish slavery in their own way, and + at their own pleasure, instead of confiding that duty to Congress, + and that they secured to the slave States, while yet retaining the + system of slavery, a three-fifths representation of slaves in the + Federal Government, until they should find themselves able to + relinquish it with safety. But the very nature of these + modifications fortifies my position that the fathers knew that the + two systems could not endure within the Union, and expected that + within a short period slavery would disappear forever. Moreover, + in order that these modifications might not altogether defeat + their grand design of a republic maintaining universal equality, + they provided that two-thirds of the States might amend the + Constitution. + + "_It remains to say on this point only one word, to guard against + misapprehension. If these States are to again become universally + slaveholding, I do not pretend to say with what violations of the + Constitution that end shall be accomplished. On the other hand, + while I do confidently believe and hope that my country will yet + become a land of universal freedom, I do not expect that it will + be made so otherwise than through the action of the several States + cooperating with the Federal Government, and all acting in strict + conformity with their respective Constitutions_." + +In a speech in the Senate, last spring, March 2, 1859, Mr. Seward +said--he was speaking of the "Expenses and Revenues"-- + + "We are for free trade to a practical extent, and we all are in + favor of a judicious tariff. The exigency of this debate does not + require me to survey the whole range of productive industry of the + country, and to suggest a comparative system of imposts adjusted + to them all. It would be labor lost to do so; for, as I have + already said, it is in the House of Representatives, and not here, + that the act originating any revision of the tariff must be + introduced, and perfected, at least in degree. But I can say, with + entire freedom, that it would present no ground of objection, in + my judgment, if such a bill should be so constructed as to favor + and encourage the mining and manufacture of iron. I select and + distinguish this great interest, because I think that the + disasters which have overtaken the National Treasury and have + crushed the prosperity of the country, have resulted from neglect + and improvidence in regard to it. We have been engaged, as most + other civilized states have been engaged, during the last fifteen + or twenty years, in adopting the great invention of railroads, or, + as the Frenchmen accurately describe them, iron roads, and + bringing it into universal use. If we could only have understood + ourselves in the beginning of this period, and adhered + persistently throughout to just convictions then formed, we should + have so discriminated in our revenue system as to have made this + great enterprise work out an establishment of the iron manufacture + in this country, so as to derive from it our chief supplies. But + the country has not been willing to look steadily to that ultimate + interest. It has asked always the cheapest iron that could be + gotten, and, of course, has demanded that the imposts should be + fixed at the lowest possible rates. So the protection afforded by + the tariff of 1846 gave place to a lower protection in 1857; and + it has not been without much difficulty that at times Congress has + been stayed from remitting all duties on foreign manufactures of + railroad iron. The Legislatures of the States, acting on the same + erroneous principles, have authorized combinations and + associations on doubtful principles to force forward the same + precipitancy of action. Loans of the credit of States, of + counties, cities, and even towns, have been authorized, to furnish + capital to railroad corporations, and at the same time they have + been continually allowed to borrow money, at usurious and ruinous + rates of interest. Securities thus obtained, doubted and + comparatively valueless at home, have been pledged to the iron + manufacturers abroad, and their enterprise has been excessively + stimulated, while that of our own manufacturers has been + disheartened and suppressed. These improvement measures have at + last produced their inevitable effect--an undue diversion of + capital into railroad enterprises, a derangement of internal + exchanges at home, and a collapse of the national credit abroad, + and a suspension equally of domestic manufactures and of foreign + commerce. Such are the legitimate results of the improvidence + which caused roads to be built of foreign iron, over the coal and + iron beds in our mountains. I hope, sir, that the House of + Representatives will make the needed initial step in a return to a + wise policy, and will send the miner once more with his torch into + the deserted chambers where the coal and the ore are stored away + by the hand of nature, and will adopt such a policy as will + rekindle the slumbering fires in the forges and furnaces of + Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Tennessee and Missouri. It + would be a benevolent work. I do not say that I would force the + Government to assume it merely as a work of benevolence; but I do + say, that since there is need of taxes to avoid debt, I would so + levy the taxes as to secure incidentally that benevolent object." + +To show that Mr. Seward indulged in no feelings of personal hostility +toward any slaveholder, we quote from his remarks on the death of +Senator Rusk of Texas, a man in his politics _utterly_ opposed to Mr. +Seward as we can suppose any southern politician, however ultra, to +be. + +Said Mr. Seward of his fellow-senator: + + "On the last day of August, I was reentering the port of Quebec, + after a voyage of thirty days, in search of health, along the + inhospitable coasts of Labrador. The sympathies of home and + country, so long suppressed, were revived within me, and I was + even meditating new labors and studies here, when the pilot, who + came on board, handed me a newspaper which announced the death of + the senator from Texas. My first emotions were those of sadness + and sorrow over this bereavement of a personal friend. When these + had had their time, I tried to divine why it was that he, among + all the associates whom I honored, esteemed and loved here, was + thus suddenly and prematurely withdrawn from the scene of our + common labors; he for whom I thought higher honors were preparing, + and a fuller wreath was being woven; he who seemed to me to stand + a monument against which the waves of faction must break, if ever + they should be stirred up from their lowest depths; he, in short, + with whom I thought I might do so much, and without whom I could + do almost nothing, to magnify and honor the Republic. That + question I could not solve--I cannot solve it now. It is only + another occasion in which I am required to trust, where I am not + permitted to know, the ways of the Great Disposer. + + "Mr. President, the teeming thoughts of this solemn hour bring up + once more before me the manly form and beaming countenance of my + friend, though it is but for that formal parting which has, until + now, been denied me. Farewell, noble patriot, heroic soldier, + faithful statesman, generous friend! loved by no means the least, + although among the last of friends secured. I little thought that + our whisperings about travels over earth's fairest lands and + broadest seas were only the suggestions of our inward natures to + prepare for the sad journey[1] that leads through the gate of + death." + + [1] Mr. Rusk and Mr. Seward had planned a voyage around the + world together. + +Feb. 25, 1859, the famous night session of the Senate on the Cuba +Thirty Million Bill occurred. Mr. Seward had previously spoken against +the measure, and opposed the friends of the bill, but he was treated +with courtesy till this night session, when Mr. Tombs made a fierce +onslaught upon him. Let us recall the debate: + +Mr. Dixon, of Connecticut, spoke for two hours, replying to the points +of Mr. Benjamin's recent speech. Mr. Benjamin had urged, he said, that +unless we acquire Cuba, Spain will emancipate the negroes. Mr. Dixon +reasoned, that if negro freedom in Cuba would be injurious to the +United States, in Jamaica it must be equally so; yet it is not used as +an argument to buy Jamaica from Great Britain. Mr. Benjamin had +reasoned that compulsory labor was necessary to develop tropical +production; but Mr. Dixon thought that the sugar for the world could +be grown by free labor; and if it could not, sugar was not a +sufficient equivalent for the perpetuation of slavery. In the course +of his remarks, Mr. Dixon had occasion to say that slavery degrades +free labor. + +Mr. Reid controverted this opinion, and said the doctrine was new in +the South. He maintained that the white man was not degraded by labor, +although he worked at the bench, or in a field, side by side with his +slave. + +Mr. Dixon refused to admit the correctness of this assertion as an +exposition of the general southern feeling. + +Mr. Bell traced the rise and progress of the filibuster spirit, until +it culminated in the Ostend manifesto, and became reflected in this +Cuban bill. Both were in a form offensive to Spain. No nation would be +apt to receive kindly an offer made to purchase its territory when +accompanied by a studied reminder of its fallen fortunes. His (Mr. +Bell's) opinion was that the Ostend manifesto and the present proposal +were framed on the perfect knowledge that Cuba could not be acquired, +and that they were addressed to what is supposed to be the dominant +traits in our national character. The committee's report is skillfully +drawn up. It promises to extend the trade and commerce of the North, +the peculiar industry of the South, and the agriculture of the West. +It is framed to habituate the country to the cry of "war," but we are +making no preparation for war. On the contrary, we are trying to get +along without a revenue. For himself, he would favor our acquiring +control of the island, either as a protectorate or independent power; +but he likewise held that the time has not yet come when its +possession was necessary, either to our development or security. We +are not now in position to accept Cuba, if Spain should offer it as a +gift. We cannot accept it until we have built up a navy of sufficient +strength to maintain it. The first blow that would be struck in a war +with a naval power would be to wrest it from us, and hold its harbors +as a means of annoyance against us. The committee's promise that the +acquisition of the island will give us the monopoly of sugar is +equally fallacious. The increasing production of that article would +soon create its production throughout the whole temperate zone. +Neither is it true, as the committee says, that when a nation ceases +growth, its decadence commences. History does not teach this doctrine +of expansion, nor is there any parallelism between the growth of a +nation and an individual man. Are our internal affairs so perfectly +organized as to leave no range for our ambition? Has even the question +of currency been placed on a satisfactory basis? Is our great internal +domain reduced to such narrow limits as to afford no scope to our +energies? Our territory is now greater than the whole area of the +Roman Empire. All this we are bound to protect and defend; and to +defend the accessible points of our extended frontier would require +100,000 men, with at least 250 war steamers. The chairman of the Naval +Committee says our whole guns are 1,100. The French navy alone has +15,000 cannon afloat, with 500 ships, of which half are war steamers. +We are not now prepared for such a war; and yet the President +announced, on a recent occasion, that our policy henceforth is +expansion. + +Mr. Kennedy, of Maryland, addressed the Senate, arguing that the +acquisition of Cuba is subversive of the best interests of the South. +Referring to the aspect of our domestic affairs, he considered that +innovations had been ingrafted on the policy of this government, which +inevitably betokens its dissolution. The doctrine of State Rights did +well while we were a homogeneous people, bound together by common +troubles; but that day has passed. The unbounded prosperity of this +country, its fertile lands, and increasing wealth, have attracted to +it people from every clime. There is no common interest to bind us +together. The Constitution and the Supreme Court are derided, and the +Constitution threatens to be but a rope of sand, unable to bind, from +having no power to punish infractions of that Constitution. He had +been derided as an old Federalist, and the men who so denounced him +had now on the table two bills more dangerous, in consolidating the +power in the hands of one man, than any that ever emanated from the +old Federal party. They had also a bill to give away the public lands +to the sweepings of European lazar-houses, to squat thereon, and, +under an easy franchise, to control that government, before they know +a word of our language, or have one idea toward a comprehension of our +institutions. Yet, while offering this extraordinary bonus to the +discontented spirits of the old world, they refuse to vote for and +denounce the old soldiers' bill. How comes it, he asked, that there is +such a diversity of opinion in the democratic party, marching under +one banner, and professing common principles? + +He proceeded to ask how it is possible for us to hold Cuba, with but +fifty-seven ships in our navy to protect the fifty Cuban harbors? Our +Paraguay armada consists of canal-boats, and side-wheel steamers. Have +senators reflected on the baneful effect the acquisition of Cuba would +have on slave property? He remembered the opening of Alabama. Virginia +has scarcely yet recovered from the effect of that exodus of her labor +to localities where it would be more remunerative. With the slave +trade stopped, Cuba would be a perpetual drain, and would put planters +into a more unequal contest by withdrawing the labor from their cotton +fields into sugar production. It is estimated that five hundred +thousand slaves will be abstracted from the southern States, and a +thousand millions of capital, within five years. And if we drift into +a war with England and France, we will have to maintain a contest with +fifteen hundred ships on our extended coast line. These are +considerations, for the American people, as they will change the whole +course of our policy, and inaugurate a new era of standing armies and +enormous fleets. The time is also inopportune for the acquisition of +that island. In conclusion, he did not admit the right to bring in a +foreign nation, with a foreign tongue and foreign teachings, and +incapable of understanding our institutions. In his opinion, we were +fast losing all those landmarks which characterized our early +nationality, and were fast becoming a mere confederation of +heterogeneous States. For these and other considerations, he was +opposed to the acquisition of Cuba. + +Mr. Wade here moved to adjourn. Lost by 17 to 28. + +At eight o'clock in the evening the Senate was crowded--the galleries +were one sea of faces. The Republicans wanted to adjourn the +discussion to the next day--the Democrats were determined to force a +vote on the bill that evening. + +Mr. Doolittle, of Wisconsin, moved to postpone the Cuba and take up +the homestead bill, and proceeded to speak on the latter. + +Mr. Slidell called him to order. + +Mr. Doolittle insisted on his motion. + +Mr. Johnson, of Tennessee, although he had for fifteen years advocated +the homestead bill, asked Mr. Doolittle to withdraw his motion. + +Mr. Douglas, as a friend of the homestead bill, made the same request. + +Mr. Clark, of Connecticut, as a friend of the homestead bill, moved +the Senate adjourn. Lost, by 17 to 30. + +Mr. Trumbull asked Mr. Hunter to pledge himself not to bring forward +the appropriation bills, to prevent a vote on the homestead bill. + +Mr. Hunter would give no such promise. + +Mr. Trumbull appealed to Mr. Johnson to stand by and press the +homestead bill. + +Mr. Bigler asked Mr. Trumbull, for himself and the Republicans, to +name the hour at which they would vote on both measures. + +Mr. Trumbull, for himself, was ready now, but could not make any +pledge for his friends. + +Mr. Seward said that after nine hours' discussion on the Cuba bill, it +was time to come back to the great question of the age. Two +propositions now stand face to face; one is the question of land for +the landless, and the other is a question of land for slaves. + +Mr. Slidell here rose. + +The Vice-President. Will the Senator from New York yield the floor to +the Senator from Louisiana? + +Mr. Seward. No, sir, I do not. + +Mr. Slidell called Mr. Seward to order. He was discussing the +comparative merits of the two bills. + +The Vice-President decided that Mr. Seward was in order. + +Mr. Seward went on with a few words, when Mr. Fitch appealed to the +Chair to put the question of order to the Senate, with a view of +stopping what threatened to be an interminable discussion. + +The Vice-President refused to do so. + +Mr. Seward went on, saying: "It is in the Thirty-fifth Congress that +the homestead bill has been put aside." He then contrasted the merits +of the two bills. + +Mr. Toombs said, as to "land for the landless," it carried with it +some demagogical power. He despised a demagogue, but despised still +more those who are driven by demagogues. What are the other side +afraid of? If they do not want to give $30,000,000 to carry out a +great national policy, let them say so and not attempt to get rid of +the issue by saying, "We want to give land to the landless." + +Mr. Wade said the question was land to the landless, or niggers to the +niggerless. He would antagonize these issues, and carry the appeal to +the country. The whole object of the Democratic party was to go round +the world hunting for niggers. They could no more sustain their party +without niggers, than they could a steam engine without fuel. + +Mr. Fessenden took Mr. Toombs to task, and asked if the language he +had used was not in imitation of the great man at the other end of the +Avenue (the President), who recently addressed an out-of-door crowd, +saying none but cowards shirk this Cuban bill. He told the senator the +Republicans did not tremble nor shrink. He referred to the trial of +physical endurance at the last session, and hinted that they could +endure as much again. He denied that the Republicans were obstructing +legitimate business, but said they were opposed to this Cuban measure, +by which nothing was intended but a party result. + +Mr. Seward was not in the habit of impugning the courage of any man. +He believed every senator had sufficient. He himself had enough for +his own purposes. But other qualities are also necessary. There is +moral courage. There is truthfulness to pledges. The President had +power to carry out his pledges, and has he done so? Where is the +Pacific Railroad bill? where his protection? where relief to the +bankrupt? Lost, sunk, sacrificed, in his attempt to fasten slavery on +the Spanish American States. No part of the President's policy has +been carried out, but it is all sacrificed to a false and pretended +issue. Out of nothing, nothing is expected to come. He (Mr. Seward) +had never mistaken the President's policy. He never mistook it for a +giant in arms, but for a windmill with sails. Mr. Seward concluded by +an energetic declaration that he is to be found on the side of +liberty, everywhere and always. + +Mr. Toombs replied at some length, till Mr. Johnson, of Arkansas, +again raised a question of order, to cut off debate. + +At eleven o'clock there was a crowded audience; half the senators were +in their seats, while the rest were reading and smoking in the +ante-room. + +Mr. Doolittle finally declined to withdraw his motion. + +At midnight, Mr. Chandler attempted to reply to the remarks of Mr. +Toombs respecting demagogues. + +The Vice-President ruled that he was not in order. + +Mr. Fessenden appealed from the ruling of the Chair. + +Mr. Mason again moved to adjourn. Lost by 20 to 30. + +The appeal of Mr. Fessenden was then laid on the table. + +Mr. Clark then spoke; after which Mr. Doolittle's motion to take up +the homestead bill was voted on, and lost, by yeas 17, nays 28. + +At last, wearied out, and convinced that the Republicans were not to +be intimidated or driven into a vote upon the bill without more +discussion, Mr. Slidell, himself, moved an adjournment, at one o'clock +at night, which was of course carried. + + + + +STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS. + + +Stephen Arnold Douglas was born in the town of Brandon, Vermont, on +the 23d of April, 1813. His father, S. A. Douglas, was a doctor and +native of Rensselaer County, New York. The father removed to Vermont +in early life, and was educated at Middlebury College. He was a +physician of some eminence. He died suddenly in 1813, leaving two +children--a daughter, twenty months old, and a son (the subject of +this sketch) only two months of age. The mother of Mr. Douglas, was +the daughter of a large farmer in Brandon, Vermont. Upon the death of +her husband, she went back to the old homestead which she inherited +with a bachelor brother. The brother and sister lived for many years +on this retired farm in one of the valleys of the Green Mountains, +caring for the two children with economy, prudence and the most ardent +affection. The farm-property increased in value, and the sister and +mother had no doubt that she could leave her children a comfortable +competence, enough to educate them and help them to an independence in +after life. After fourteen years had elapsed, the uncle visited the +State of New York, and very singularly took the idea into his head of +marriage, and returned with a young and handsome wife, who, at the end +of a year, presented him with a son. Stephen was at this time fifteen +years old, and had received a good common-school education, and he +began at once to prepare for college. His uncle was applied to, who by +this time began to grow selfish, and desired to keep his property for +_his own son_, and he very frankly informed the young man, that he did +not possess property sufficient to warrant him in getting a collegiate +education, and he advised him to stay at work upon the farm. The farm +and all the property attached to it was held in his uncle's name, was +legally his, and his mother only possessed a few worn-out acres, +barely sufficient to support her and her daughter. Until the marriage +of her brother, she had not dreamed of such a contingency and had +relied upon their joint property for her children, who had been great +favorites with the bachelor, who had frequently promised them all he +had. In this change of circumstances, young Stephen did not long +hesitate what to do, but apprenticed himself to a cabinet-maker in +Middlebury. He remained here for some eight months, working hard, but, +at the expiration of that time, he came to some misunderstanding with +his employer, and left him. He came back to his native town and +entered the cabinet-shop of one Deacon Knowlton, where he remained a +year, making French bedsteads of hard, curled maple, which was so +severe labor as to injure his health. He was now obliged to leave his +employer, and, while waiting to regain his health, he became a student +in the Brandon Academy. At the end of another year, he gave up all +hopes of being able to prosecute the cabinet business, and determined +on trying to get an education. His sister had married Julius N. +Granger, and moved to Ontario County, New York. His mother, a little +later, married her daughter's husband's father, Gehazi Granger, and +Stephen accompanied her, joining the Canandaigua Academy, where he +pursued the classical course till the spring of 1833. At the same +time, he was also studying law in the village with the Messrs. +Hubbell. He was at this time, though young, an ardent politician, and +gave abundant evidence that politics would, in after-life, be his +chosen field for action. In the spring of 1833, he turned his face +westward, and entered the law-office of S. T. Andrews, then a member +of Congress. He was here attacked with a bilious fever, and was ill an +entire summer, which threw him out of his place and used up his small +stock of funds. When he finally recovered, he was without place and +money, and in a situation which would completely dishearten most young +men. He started on westward, and seeing no good opening, and being +reduced to great straits, engaged to teach a school in the village of +Winchester, Illinois. When he came there, he had _but thirty-seven and +a half cents in his pocket_, but by a fortunate occurrence he was +enabled to earn a few dollars as clerk before his school opened. The +first Monday in December, 1833, he opened his school of forty +scholars, at a tuition of three dollars each. He studied law evenings, +and, in the course of the following spring, opened a law-office in the +place, having obtained a license upon examination from the Supreme +Court judges. He sprang at once into the full tide of success, for in +less than a year he was elected State's Attorney by the joint vote of +the Legislature? He was but twenty-two years of age, yet, by the very +nature of his office, he was pitted against the ablest and most acute +lawyers in the State. Nothing but the most untiring industry held him +up in this position. He endeavored to make up for his lack of +experience by the closest study and application, and he very naturally +exerted himself to the extent of all his abilities. The result was +that he attained distinguished success. In December, 1836, he was +elected to the Legislature of his State, and resigned the office of +State's Attorney to sit in the Legislature. He was the youngest member +of the House, yet he soon created for himself an excellent reputation +as a legislator. The State was then going mad with speculation and +wild-cat banking. Mr. Douglas opposed the banking institutions--their +increase in any shape or manner--but was overborne by numbers. The +majority were in favor of extending the then vicious system of +banking, and so voted. The very same year, all the banks suspended +specie payments, their paper depreciated to a frightful extent, and +after a few years they were wound up. Mr. Douglas participated in the +great struggle over internal improvements, giving his voice and vote +in favor of any plan of public works which would stand the test of an +examination. No public man could go through this ordeal without making +enemies, for there were rival routes for canals, rival interests, and +Mr. Douglas was too outspoken and independent not to take sides upon +these local questions. Of course, he made temporary enemies. The +railroad mania now began, and Mr. Douglas favored a plan which put the +public works _completely_ in the power of the State. The other plan +was to join the State with individual stockholders, but really give +the control of the works to the private stockholders. In all these +local quarrels Mr. Douglas participated with the enthusiasm and energy +which have always been characteristic of the man. + +Soon after the adjournment of the Legislature, Mr. Douglas was +appointed by the President of the United States, Register of the Land +Office at Springfield, Illinois. He desired to return to the law, but +the acceptance of the office would be to his pecuniary advantage, and +he felt it to be his duty to accept. + +In November 1837, he was nominated to Congress by a Convention of the +Democratic party in his district. The time was peculiarly unfavorable +to him, for the country was in a whirlpool of agitation and the +Democratic party of Illinois on many questions of the day, sided with +the Whigs, and were against Mr. Van Buren. + +The election took place in August, 1838--thirty-six-thousand votes +were cast--and his Whig opponent was elected by a majority of _five +votes_! At the ensuing Presidential election, the same district gave +Harrison a majority of three thousand votes over Van Buren. Mr. +Douglas devoted himself to the law till the Presidential campaign +opened, when he gave himself zealously up to that. He stumped the +State for seven months from one part to the other, making the +acquaintance of almost the entire people. The State went democratic. +In December, 1840, Mr. Douglas was elected Secretary of State, and in +February, 1841, was elected by joint vote of the State Legislature a +judge of the Supreme Court. He was now but twenty-eight years of age, +and at first resolved to decline this fresh honor; but, upon a +reconsideration, he accepted the appointment, though it was to his +pecuniary hurt. + +In 1843, Mr. Douglas's health became so impaired that he made a trip +into the Indian country. During his absence he was nominated for +Congress by his friends, and when he returned he resigned his judgship +and went into the canvass with great spirit. Himself and competitor +were soon prostrated with bilious fever, and they were unable to rise +from their beds on election day. The result of the election was the +triumph of Mr. Douglas by four hundred votes. At the next election he +was reelected by nineteen hundred majority, and on the third election +by twenty-nine hundred majority. He did not take his seat in the House +under the last election, for, before the time came for the Congress to +meet, he had been chosen to the U.S. Senate for six years. [Note: +election took place in 1847.] + +In April, 1847, M. Douglas was married to a Miss Martin, only daughter +of Col. Robert Martin, of Rockingham County North Carolina. A few +years since, Mr. Douglas lost his wife, and in the winter of 1856-7 +married Miss Cutts of Washington, his present accomplished wife. By +his first wife he had several children, and they inherited from their +mother a large property in the South, consisting of land and slaves. + +In 1838, Mr. Douglas took strong ground in Illinois against +naturalization as a necessary pre-requisite to voting. He contended in +the State courts--for the question was raised there--that though +Congress has the exclusive right to prescribe uniform naturalization +laws, yet that naturalization has necessarily no connection with the +elective franchise, that being a privilege granted by the States. Mr. +Douglas triumphed through a decision of the Supreme Court of Illinois. + +In 1841, Mr. Douglas opposed the Bankrupt law of the time, which +became so memorable. In the famous Oregon controversy and excitement +he belonged to the "fifty-four forty or fight" party, and in his +public speeches, as well as in private, took a very determined stand +against the pretensions of Great Britain. Here is a paragraph from a +speech of his in the House at this time: + +"It therefore becomes us to put this nation in a state of defence; and +when we are told that this will lead to war, all I have to say is +this: preserve the honor and integrity of this country, but at the +same time assert our right to the last inch, and then if war comes, +let it come. We may regret the necessity which produced it, but when +it does come, I would administer to our citizens Hannibal's oath of +eternal enmity, and not terminate it until the question was all +settled forever. I would blot out the lines on the map which now mark +our national boundaries on this continent and make the area of liberty +as broad as the continent itself." + +To show the position of Mr. Douglas on the Oregon question, we will +quote two paragraphs from one of his speeches: + +"I choose to be frank and candid in this declaration of my sentiments +on this question. For one, I never will be satisfied with the valley +of the Columbia nor with 49 deg., nor with 54 deg. 40', nor will I be while +Great Britain shall hold possession of one acre on the northwest coast +of America. And I will never agree to any arrangement that shall +recognize her right to one inch of soil upon the northwest coast; and +for this simple reason. Great Britain never did own, she never had a +valid title to one inch of that country. The question was only one of +dispute between Russia, Spain and the United States. England never had +a title to any part of the country. Our Government has always held +that England had no title to it. In 1826, Mr. Clay, in his dispatches +to Mr. Gallatin, said, 'it is not conceived that the British +Government can make out even a colorable title to any part of the +northwest coast!'... + +"The value of the Oregon Territory is not to be measured by the number +of miles upon the coast, whether it shall terminate at 49 deg., or at 54 deg. +40', or reach to 61 deg. and the Arctic Ocean. It does not depend on the +character of the country, nor the quality of the soil. It is true that +consideration is not virtually of attention; but the great point at +issue--the great struggle between us and Great Britain--is for the +freedom of the Pacific Ocean; for the trade of China and of Japan, of +the East Indies, and for the maritime ascendency on all these waters. +That is the great point at issue between the two countries, and the +settlement of this Oregon question involves all these interests. And +in order to maintain these interests, and secure all the benefits +resulting from them, we must not only go to 54 deg. 40', but we have got +to exclude Great Britain from the coast _in toto_." + +In the course of the debate in committee of the House upon resolutions +giving notice to Great Britain of the abrogation of the treaty between +this country and Great Britain, Mr. Ramsey moved to strike out all +after the word resolved (in one of the resolutions) and insert, "That +the Oregon question is no longer a subject of negotiation or +compromise." We quote from the record: + +"Tellers were ordered and _ten_ members passed between them, amid +shouts of laughter, cries of 54 deg. 40' forever, clapping of hands and +stamping of feet, which the chairman was some time in suppressing; and +the negative vote was then taken and stood 146. So the amendment was +_rejected_." + +The names of the ten "fifty-four forties," were as follows: + + ARCHIBALD BELL, of Arkansas. + ALEXANDER RAMSEY, of Pennsylvania. + WILLIAM SAWYER, of Ohio. + T. B. HOGE, of Illinois. + ROBERT SMITH, of Illinois. + STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS, of Illinois. + JOHN A. MCCLEELAND, " + JOHN WENTWORTH, " + CORNELIUS DARRAH, of Pennsylvania. + FELIX S. MCCONNEL, of Alabama. + +It will be noticed, that then, as now, Mr. Douglas had the faculty of +carrying his State delegation with him. + +Mr. Douglas has, while in Congress, favored the appropriation by the +general government of money for internal improvements upon the Jackson +plan of strictly confining such appropriations to objects of national +and general, not of State or local importance. + +He has frequently voted for river and harbor bills--voted for the +Independent Treasury bill, and has, in and out of Congress, utterly +denied the power of Congress over the franchise in the States. Mr. +Douglas was an early supporter of the Mexican war. "He opposed the +incorporation of the Wilmot proviso into the two or three million +bills. He believed the people's time had not come for any action on +that subject. Slavery was now prohibited in Mexico. If any portion of +that country should be annexed to the United States without any +stipulation being made on that point, the existing laws would remain +in force. ....If the question was pressed for immediate decision, he +could perceive no other mode of harmonizing conflicting sentiments, +but by the adoption of the Missouri Compromise Line." + +Mr. Douglas voted to bring up the Homestead bill which was before the +last Congress and which passed the House, showing that he is in favor +of that important measure. + +We now come to the history of Mr. Douglas in connection with the +Kansas-Nebraska bill. + +The battle which he waged with his political opponents and won upon +that bill is so fresh in the memory of all our readers that it will +not be safe, or necessary, to go into a minute history of the +struggle. In the winter of 1852-3, Mr. Douglas reported a Nebraska +bill from the Territorial Committee of which he was chairman, which +contained no repeal of the Missouri Compromise or enumeration of his +peculiar Popular Sovereignty doctrines. In the great debate over the +compromise measures in 1850, no one ever called in question the +Missouri Compromise. In the winter of 1852-3, Senator Atchison, of +Missouri, declared in his seat in the Senate that the Missouri +prohibition could never be repealed. + +The Kansas-Nebraska bill as reported from the Committee appeared first +without any repeal of the Missouri restriction--on the 7th day of +January it was first presented. On the 16th, Mr. Dixon, a Whig senator +from Kentucky, proposed an amendment to the bill reported from the +committee which repealed the aforesaid compromise. This movement was +at first opposed by leading Democrats and their organ the _Union_, but +in a very few days Mr. Douglas, either because he saw the justice of +the repeal of the restriction or thought it would advance his +political interests, acquiesced in the amendment and made it a part of +his bill. We make a few brief extracts from Mr. Douglas's argument in +the Senate, Jan. 30, 1854, in support of his bill: + + "Sir, I wish you to bear in mind, too, that this geographical + line, established by the founders of the Republic between free + territories and slave territories, extended as far westward as our + territory then reached; the object being to avoid all agitation + upon the slavery question by settling that question forever, as + far as our territory extended, which was then to the Mississippi + River. + + "When, in 1803, we acquired from France the territory known as + Louisiana, it became necessary to legislate for the protection of + the inhabitants residing therein. It will be seen by looking into + the bill establishing the territorial government in 1805 for the + territory of New Orleans, embracing the same country now known as + the State of Louisiana, that the ordinance of 1787 was expressly + extended to that territory, excepting the sixth section, which + prohibited slavery. Then that act implied that the Territory of + New Orleans was to be a slaveholding territory, by making that + exception in the law. But, sir, when they came to form what was + then called the Territory of Louisiana, subsequently known as the + Territory of Missouri, north of the thirty-third parallel, they + used different language. They did not extend the ordinance of 1787 + to it at all. They first provided that it should be governed by + laws made by the governor and the judges, and when, in 1812, + Congress gave to that territory, under the name of the Territory + of Missouri, a territorial government, the people were allowed to + do as they pleased upon the subject of slavery, subject only to + the limitations of the Constitution of the United States. Now, + what is the inference from that legislation? That slavery was, by + implication, recognized south of the thirty-third parallel; and + north of that, the people were left to exercise their own judgment + and do as they pleased upon the subject, without any implication + for or against the existence of the institution. + + "This continued to be the condition of the country in the Missouri + territory up to 1820, when the celebrated act which is now called + the Missouri Compromise act was passed. Slavery did not exist in, + nor was it excluded from the country now known as Nebraska. There + was no code of laws upon the subject of slavery either way: First, + for the reason that slavery had never been introduced into + Louisiana and established by positive enactment. It had grown up + there by a sort of common law, and been supported and protected. + When a common law grows up, when an institution becomes + established under a usage, it carries it so far as that usage + actually goes, and no further. If it had been established by + direct enactment, it might have carried it so far as the political + jurisdiction extended; but, be that as it may, by the act of 1812, + creating the territory of Missouri, that territory was allowed to + legislate upon the subject of slavery as it saw proper, subject + only to the limitations which I have stated; and the country not + inhabited or thrown open to settlement was set apart as Indian + country and rendered subject to Indian laws. Hence, the local + legislation of the State of Missouri did not reach into that + Indian country, but was excluded from it by the Indian code and + Indian laws. The municipal regulations of Missouri could not go + there until the Indian title had been extinguished and the country + thrown open to settlement. Such being the case, the only + legislation in existence in Nebraska territory at the time that + the Missouri act passed, namely, the 6th of March, 1820, was a + provision, in effect, that the people should be allowed to do as + they pleased upon the subject of slavery. + + "The territory of Missouri having been left in that legal + condition, positive opposition was made to the bill to organize a + state government, with a view to its admission into the Union; and + a senator from my State, Mr. Jesse B. Thomas, introduced an + amendment, known as the eighth section of the bill, in which it + was provided that slavery should be prohibited north of 36 deg. 30' + north latitude, in all that country which we had acquired from + France. What was the object of the enactment of that eighth + section? Was it not to go back to the original policy of + prescribing boundaries to the limitation of free institutions, and + of slave institutions, by a geographical line, in order to avoid + all controversy in Congress upon the subject? Hence, they extended + that geographical line through all the territory purchased from + France, which was as far as our possessions then reached. It was + not simply to settle the question on that piece of country, but it + was to carry out a great principle, by extending that dividing + line as far west as our territory went, and running it onward on + each new acquisition of territory. True, the express enactment of + the eighth section of the Missouri act, now called the Missouri + Compromise act, only covered the territory acquired from France; + but the principles of the act, the objects of its adoption, the + reasons in its support, required that it should be extended + indefinitely westward, so far as our territory might go, whenever + new purchases should be made. + + "Thus stood the question up to 1845, when the joint resolution for + the annexation of Texas passed. There was inserted in that a + provision, suggested in the first instance and brought before the + House of Representatives by myself, extending the Missouri + Compromise line indefinitely westward through the territory of + Texas. Why did I bring forward that proposition? Why did the + Congress of the United States adopt it? Not because it was of the + least practical importance, so far as the question of slavery + within the limits of Texas was concerned; for no man ever dreamed + that it had any practical effect there. Then, why was it brought + forward? It was for the purpose of preserving the principle, in + order that it might be extended still further westward, even to + the Pacific Ocean, whenever we should then acquire country that + far. I will here read that clause in the joint resolution for the + annexation of Texas. It is the third article, second section, and + is in these words: + + "'New States, of convenient size, not exceeding four in + number, in addition to said State of Texas, having sufficient + population, may hereafter, by the consent of said State, be + formed out of the territory thereof which shall be entitled to + admission under the provisions of the Federal Constitution. + And such States as may be formed out of that portion of said + territory, lying south of 36 deg. 30' north latitude, commonly + known as the Missouri Compromise line, shall be admitted into + the Union with or without slavery, as the people of each State + asking admission may desire. And in such State or States as + shall be formed out of said territory north of said Missouri + Compromise line, slavery or involuntary servitude (except for + crime) shall be prohibited.' + + "It will be seen that that contains a very remarkable provision, + which is, that when States lying north of 36 deg. 30' apply for + admission, slavery shall be prohibited in their constitutions. I + presume no one pretends that Congress could have power thus to + fetter a State applying for admission into this Union; but it was + necessary to preserve the principle of the Missouri Compromise + line, in order that it might afterward be extended, and it was + supposed that while Congress had no power to impose any such + limitation, yet, as that was a compact with the State of Texas, + that State could consent for herself, that, when any portion of + her own territory, subject to her own jurisdiction and control, + applied for a constitution, it should be in a particular form; but + that provision would not be binding on the new State one day after + it was admitted into the Union. The other provision was, that such + States as should lie south of 36 deg. 30' min. should come into the + Union with or without slavery, as each should decide, in its + constitution. Then, by that act, the Missouri Compromise was + extended indefinitely westward, so far as the State of Texas went, + that is, to the Rio del Norte; for our Government at the time + recognized the Rio del Norte as its boundary. We recognized it, in + many ways, and among them by even paying Texas for it, in order + that it might be included in and form a portion of the territory + of New Mexico. + + "Then, sir, in 1848, we acquired from Mexico the country between + the Rio del Norte and the Pacific Ocean. Immediately after that + acquisition, the Senate, on my own motion, voted into a bill a + provision to extend the Missouri Compromise indefinitely westward + to the Pacific Ocean, in the same sense and with the same + understanding with which it was originally adopted. That provision + passed this body by a decided majority, I think by ten at least, + and went to the House of Representatives, and was defeated there + by northern votes. + + "Now, sir, let us pause and consider for a moment. The first time + that the principles of the Missouri Compromise were ever + abandoned, the first time they were ever rejected by Congress, was + by the defeat of that provision in the House of Representatives in + 1848. By whom was that defeat effected? By northern votes with + free soil proclivities. It was the defeat of that Missouri + Compromise that reopened the slavery agitation with all its fury. + It was the defeat of that Missouri Compromise that created the + tremendous struggle of 1850. It was the defeat of that Missouri + Compromise that created the necessity for making a new compromise + in 1850. Had we been faithful to the principles of the Missouri + Compromise in 1848, this question would not have arisen. Who was + it that was faithless? I undertake to say it was the very men who + now insist that the Missouri Compromise was a solemn compact, and + should never be violated or departed from. Every man who is now + assailing the principle of the bill under consideration, so far as + I am advised, was opposed to the Missouri Compromise in 1848. The + very men who now arraign me for a departure from the Missouri + Compromise are the men who successfully violated it, repudiated + it, and caused it to be superseded by the compromise measures of + 1850. Sir, it is with rather bad grace that the men who proved + false themselves should charge upon me and others, who were over + faithful, the responsibilities and consequences of their own + treachery. + + "Then, sir, as I before remarked, the defeat of the Missouri + Compromise in 1848 having created the necessity for the + establishment of a new one in 1850, let us see what that + Compromise was. + + * * * * * + + "Mr. President, I repeat that so far as the question of slavery is + concerned, there is nothing in the bill under consideration which + does not carry out the principle of the compromise measures of + 1850, by leaving the people to do as they please, subject only to + the provisions of the Constitution of the United States. If that + principle is wrong, the bill is wrong. If that principle is right, + the bill is right. It is unnecessary to quibble about phraseology + or words; it is not the mere words, the mere phraseology, that our + constituents wish to judge by. They wish to know the legal effect + of our legislation. + + "The legal effect of this bill, if it be passed as reported by the + Committee on Territories, is neither to legislate slavery into + these territories, nor out of them; but to leave the people to do + as they please, under the provisions and subject to the + limitations of the Constitution of the United States. Why should + not this principle prevail? Why should any man, North or South, + object to it? I will especially address the argument to my own + section of country, and ask why should any northern man object to + this principle? If you will review the history of the slavery + question in the United States, you will see that all the great + results in behalf of free institutions which have been worked out, + have been accomplished by the operation of this principle and by + it alone. + + "When these States were colonies of Great Britain, every one of + them was a slaveholding province. When the Constitution of the + United States was formed, twelve out of the thirteen were + slaveholding States. Since that time six of those States have + become free. How has this been effected? Was it by virtue of + abolition agitation in Congress? Was it in obedience to the + dictates of the Federal Government? Not at all; but they have + become free States under the silent but sure and irresistible + working of that great principle of self-government, which teaches + every people to do that which the interests of themselves and + their posterity, morally and pecuniarily, may require. + + "Under the operation of this principle, New Hampshire became free, + while South Carolina continued to hold slaves; Connecticut + abolished slavery, while Georgia held on to it; Rhode Island + abandoned the institution, while Maryland preserved it; New York, + New Jersey, and Pennsylvania abolished slavery, while Virginia, + North Carolina, and Kentucky, retained it. Did they do it at your + bidding! Did they do it at the dictation of the Federal + Government? Did they do it in obedience to any of your Wilmot + Provisoes or Ordinances of '87? Not at all; they did it by virtue + of their rights as freemen under the Constitution of the United + States, to establish and abolish such institutions as they thought + their own good required. + + "The leading feature of the Compromise of 1850 was Congressional + non-intervention as to slavery in the territories; that the people + of the territories and of all the States, were to be allowed to do + as they pleased upon the subject of slavery, subject only to the + provisions of the Constitution of the United States. + + "That, sir, was the leading feature of the compromise measures of + 1850. Those measures, therefore, abandoned the idea of a + geographical line as a boundary between free States and slave + States--abandoned it because compelled to do it from an inability + to maintain it--and in lieu of that substituted a great principle + of self-government, which would allow the people to do as they + thought proper. Now the question is, when that new compromise, + resting upon that great fundamental principle of freedom, was + established, was it not an abandonment of the old one--the + geographical line? Was it not a supersedure of the old one, within + the very language of the substitute for the bill which is now + under consideration? I say it did supersede it, because it applied + its provisions as well to the north as to the south of 36 deg. 30'. It + established a principle which was equally applicable to the + country north as well as south of the parallel of 36 deg. 30'--a + principle of universal application." + +Mr. Douglas's bill passed both branches of Congress and became a law, +after passing through a severe ordeal both in Congress and before the +people. Its passage gave the popular branch of the next Congress into +the control of Mr. Douglas's political enemies, for the bill in a +majority of the free States was very unpopular. + +On the first Monday in December, 1857, Mr. Douglas took his seat in +the Senate with many anxious eyes upon him, for it had already been +rumored that he would differ with the administration upon its conduct +of Kansas affairs, and would take issue with the President in his +forthcoming message. Rumor was right--the message was read--it did in +effect recommend the indorsement of the Lecompton Constitution--and +Mr. Douglas had the courage and boldness to stand up in defence of his +peculiar doctrines of popular sovereignty, which he thought had been +violated by the Lecompton Constitution. His great opening speech was +delivered on the ninth of December, 1857. The President's message had +been read the day previous and Mr. Douglas had indicated his purpose +on the next day to speak upon it. Accordingly when the Senate +assembled on Tuesday, the old Senate-hall was crowded to its utmost +capacity and hundreds were unable to effect an entrance. The curiosity +of the public to learn the position which the Illinois senator would +take upon this important question was intense, and many of the members +of the house were present. Mr. D. rose, apparently as cool as he ever +was in his life, although, in the opinion of some of his Democratic +friends, his decision, which after careful thought he had reached, to +oppose the Lecompton Constitution, would ruin all his political +prospects. He began by quoting the peculiar language of the +President's message, and, perhaps in a vein of irony, contended that +the President was opposed to this Lecompton Constitution, which, +though under the circumstances he was for accepting, he did not like. +It was evident that the President, in his absence at a foreign court, +had fallen into an error in reference to the principle of the Nebraska +bill. We now quote Mr. Douglas: + + "Now, sir, what was the principle enunciated by the authors and + supporters of that bill, when it was brought forward? Did we not + come before the country and say that we repealed the Missouri + restriction for the purpose of substituting and carrying out as a + general rule the great principle of self-government, which left + the people of each State and each Territory free to form and + regulate their domestic institutions in their own way, subject + only to the Constitution of the United States? In support of that + proposition, it was argued here, and I have argued it wherever I + have spoken in various States of the Union, at home and abroad, + everywhere I have endeavored to prove that there was no reason why + an exception should be made in regard to the slavery question. I + have appealed to the people, if we did not all agree, men of all + parties, that all other local and domestic questions should be + submitted to the people. I said to them, 'We agree that the people + shall decide for themselves what kind of a judiciary system they + will have; we agree that the people shall decide what kind of a + school system they will establish; we agree that the people shall + determine for themselves what kind of a banking system they will + have, or whether they will have any banks at all; we agree that + the people may decide for themselves what shall be the elective + franchise in their respective States; they shall decide for + themselves what shall be the rule of taxation and the principles + upon which their finance shall be regulated; we agree that they + may decide for themselves the relations between husband and wife, + parent and child, guardian and ward; and why should we not then + allow them to decide for themselves the relations between master + and servant? Why make an exception of the slavery question, by + taking it out of that great rule of self-government which applies + to all the other relations of life? The very first proposition in + the Nebraska bill was to show that the Missouri restriction, + prohibiting the people from deciding the slavery question for + themselves, constituted an exception to a general rule, in + violation of the principle of self-government; and hence that that + exception should be repealed, and the slavery question, like all + other questions, submitted to the people, to be decided for + themselves. + + "Sir, that was the principle on which the Nebraska bill was + defended by its friends. Instead of making the slavery question an + exception, it removed an odious exception which before existed. + Its whole object was to abolish that odious exception, and make + the rule general, universal in its application to all matters + which were local and domestic, and not national or federal. For + this reason was the language employed which the President has + quoted; that the eighth section of the Missouri act, commonly + called the Missouri Compromise, was repealed, because it was + repugnant to the principle of non-intervention, established by the + compromise measures of 1850, 'it being the true intent and meaning + of this act, not to legislate slavery into any territory or State, + nor to exclude it therefrom, but to leave the people thereof + perfectly free to form and regulate their domestic institutions in + their own way, subject only to the Constitution of the United + States.' We repealed the Missouri restriction because that was + confined to slavery. That was the only exception there was to the + general principle of self-government. That exception was taken + away for the avowed and express purpose of making the rule of + self-government general and universal, so that the people should + form and regulate all their domestic institutions in their own + way. + + "Sir, what would this boasted principle of popular sovereignty + have been worth, if it applied only to the negro, and did not + extend to the white man? Do you think we could have aroused the + sympathies and the patriotism of this broad Republic, and have + carried the Presidential election last year, in the face of a + tremendous opposition, on the principle of extending the right of + self-government to the negro question, but denying it as to all + the relations affecting white men? No, sir. We aroused the + patriotism of the country and carried the election in defence of + that great principle, which allowed all white men to form and + regulate their domestic institutions to suit + themselves--institutions applicable to white men as well as to + black men--institutions applicable to freemen as well as to + slaves--institutions concerning all the relations of life, and not + the mere paltry exception of the slavery question. + + "Sir, I have spent too much strength and breath, and health, too, + to establish this great principle in the popular heart, now to see + it frittered away by bringing it down to an exception that applies + to the negro, and does not extend to the benefit of the white man. + + * * * * * + + "So far as the act of the territorial Legislature of Kansas, + calling this convention, was concerned, I have always been under + the impression that it was fair and just in its provisions. I have + always thought the people should have gone together, _en masse_, + and voted for delegates, so that the voice expressed by the + convention should have been the unquestioned and united voice of + the people of Kansas. I have always thought that those who stayed + away from that election stood in their own light, and should have + gone and voted, and should have furnished their names to be put on + the registered list, so as to be voters. I have always held that + it was their own fault that they did not thus go and vote; but + yet, if they chose, they had a right to stay away. They had a + right to say that that convention, although not an unlawful + assemblage, is not a legal convention to make a government, and + hence we are under no obligation to go and express any opinion + about it. They had a right to say, if they chose, 'We will stay + away until we see the Constitution they shall frame, the petition + they shall send to Congress; and when they submit it to us for + ratification, we will vote for it if we like it, or vote it down + if we do not like it.' I say they had a right to do either, though + I thought, and think yet, as good citizens, they ought to have + gone and voted; but that was their business, and not mine. + + "Having thus shown that the convention at Lecompton had no power, + no authority, to form and establish a government, but had power to + draft a petition, and that petition, if it embodied the will of + the people of Kansas, ought to be taken as such an exposition of + their will, yet, if it did not embody their will, ought to be + rejected. Having shown these facts, let me proceed and inquire + what was the understanding of the people of Kansas when the + delegates were elected? I understand, from the history of the + transaction, that the people who voted for delegates to the + Lecompton Convention, and those who refused to vote, both parties, + understood the Territorial act to mean that they were to be + elected only to frame a constitution, and submit it to the people + for their ratification or rejection. I say that both parties in + that territory, at the time of the election of delegates, so + understood the object of the convention. Those who voted for + delegates did so with the understanding that they had no power to + make a government, but only to frame one for submission; and those + who stayed away did so with the same understanding. + + * * * * * + + "Now, let us stop to inquire how they redeemed the pledge to + submit the constitution to the people. They first go on and make a + constitution; then they make a schedule, in which they provide + that the constitution, on the 21st of December, the present month, + shall be submitted to all the _bona fide_ inhabitants of the + territory, on that day, for their free acceptance or rejection, in + the following manner, to wit: Thus acknowledging that they were + bound to submit it to the will of the people, conceding that they + had no right to put it into operation without submitting it to the + people, providing in the instrument that they should take effect + from and after the date of its ratification, and not before; + showing that the constitution derives its vitality, in their + estimation, not from the authority of the convention, but from + that vote of the people to which it was to be submitted for their + acceptance or rejection. How is it to be submitted? It shall be + submitted in this form: 'Constitution with Slavery, or + Constitution with no Slavery.' All men must vote for the + constitution, whether they like it or not, in order to be + permitted to vote for or against slavery. Thus a constitution made + by a convention that had authority to assemble and petition for a + redress of grievances, but not to establish a government. A + constitution made under a pledge of honor that it should be + submitted to the people before it took effect; a constitution + which provides on its face, that it shall have no validity, except + what it derives from such submission, is submitted to the people + at an election where all men are at liberty to come forward + freely, without hindrance, and vote for it, but no man is + permitted to record a vote against it. + + "That would be as fair an election as some of the enemies of + Napoleon attributed to him when he was elected first consul. He is + said to have called out his troops, and had them reviewed by his + officers with a speech, patriotic and fair in its professions, in + which he said to them: 'Now, my soldiers, you are to go to the + election, and vote freely just as you please. If you vote for + Napoleon, all is well; vote against him, and you are to be + instantly shot.' That was a fair election. This election is to be + equally fair. All men in favor of the constitution may vote for + it--all men against it shall not vote at all. Why not let them + vote against it? I presume you have asked many a man this + question. I have asked a very large number of the gentlemen who + framed the constitution, quite a number of the delegates, and a + still larger number of persons who are their friends, and I have + received the same answer from every one of them. I never received + any other answer, and I presume we never shall get any other + answer. What is that? They say, if they allowed a negative vote, + the constitution would have been voted down by an overwhelming + majority, and hence the fellows shall not be allowed to vote at + all. + + * * * * * + + "Let me ask you, why force this constitution down the throats of + the people of Kansas, in opposition to their wishes and in + violation of our pledges. What great object is to be attained? + _Cui bono_? What are you to gain by it! Will you sustain the party + by violating its principles? Do you propose to keep the party + united by forcing a division? Stand by the doctrine that leaves + the people perfectly free to form and regulate their institutions + for themselves, in their own way, and your party will be united + and irresistible in power. Abandon that great principle, and the + party is not worth saving, and cannot be saved after it shall be + violated. I trust we are not to be rushed upon this question. Why + shall it be done? Who is to be benefited? Is the South to be the + gainer? Is the North to be the gainer? Neither the North nor the + South has the right to gain a sectional advantage by trickery or + fraud. + + "But I am beseeched to wait until I hear from the election, on the + 21st of December. I am told that perhaps that will put it all + right, and will save the whole difficulty. How can it? Perhaps + there may be a large vote. There may be a large vote returned. But + I deny that it is possible to have a fair vote on the slavery + clause; and I say that it is not possible to have any vote on the + constitution. Why wait for the mockery of an election, when it is + provided, unalterably, that the people cannot vote when the + majority are disfranchised? + + "But I am told on all sides, 'Oh, just wait; the pro-slavery + clause will be voted down.' That does not obviate any of my + objections; it does not diminish any of them. You have no more + right to force a free-State constitution on Kansas than a + slave-State constitution. If Kansas wants a slave-State + constitution, she has a right to it; if she wants a free-State + constitution she has a right to it. It is none of my business + which way the slavery clause is decided. I care not whether it is + voted down or voted up. Do you suppose, after the pledge of my + honor that I would go for that principle, and leave the people to + vote as they chose, that I would now degrade myself by voting one + way if the slavery clause be voted down, and another way if it be + voted up? I care not how that vote may stand. I take it for + granted that it will be voted out. I think I have seen enough in + the last three days to make it certain that it will be returned + out, no matter how the vote may stand. + + "Sir, I am opposed to that concern, because it looks to me like a + system of trickery and jugglery to defeat the fair expression of + the will of the people. There is no necessity for crowding this + measure, so unfair, so unjust as it is in all its aspects, upon + us. Why can we not now do what we proposed to do in the last + Congress? We then voted through the Senate an enabling act, called + 'the Toombs bill,' believed to be just and fair in all its + provisions, pronounced to be almost perfect by the senator from + New Hampshire (Mr. Hale), only he did not like the man, then + President of the United States, who would have to make the + appointments. Why can we not take that bill, and, out of + compliment to the President, add to it a clause taken from the + Minnesota act, which he thinks should be a general rule, requiring + the constitution to be submitted to the people, and pass that? + That unites the party. You all voted, with me, for that bill, at + the last Congress. Why not stand by the same bill now? Ignore + Lecompton, ignore Topeka; treat both those party movements as + irregular and void; pass a fair bill--the one that we framed + ourselves when we were acting as a unit; have a fair election, and + you will have peace in the Democratic party, and peace throughout + the country, in ninety days. The people want a fair vote. They + never will be satisfied without it. They never should be satisfied + without a fair vote on their constitution. + + "If the Toombs bill does not suit my friends, take the Minnesota + bill of the last session--the one so much commended by the + President in his message as a model. Let us pass that as an + enabling act, and allow the people of all parties to come together + and have a fair vote, and I will go for it. Frame any other bill + that secures a fair, honest vote, to men of all parties, and + carries out the pledge that the people shall be left free to + decide on their domestic institutions, for themselves, and I will + go with you with pleasure, and with all the energy I may possess. + But if this constitution is to be forced down our throats in + violation of the fundamental principle of free government, under a + mode of submission that is a mockery and insult, I will resist it + to the last. I have no fear of any party associations being + severed. I should regret any social or political estrangement, + even temporarily; but if it must be, if I cannot act with you and + preserve my faith and my honor; I will stand on the great + principle of popular sovereignty, which declares the right of all + people to be left perfectly free to form and regulate their + domestic institutions in their own way. I will follow that + principle wherever its logical consequences may take me, and I + will endeavor to defend it against assault from any and all + quarters. No mortal man shall be responsible for my action but + myself. By my action I will compromise no man." + +This speech made a deep impression upon the country, but Mr. Douglas +was unable to carry any considerable portion of his party in Congress +with him. The history of the struggle is well known. The Republicans, +a few Democrats, and a like number of Americans, united, were able to +force the administration into an abandonment of the original Lecompton +bill, and the English bill was substituted therefor. This bill was +opposed by Mr. Douglas; but inasmuch as it gave the people of Kansas +the privilege to reject the Lecompton Constitution, it passed by a +small majority. + +In the summer and autumn of 1858, Mr. Douglas went through a terrible +ordeal in Illinois--a campaign, the issue of which was political life +or death to him. He triumphed by a small majority--indeed the majority +was the other way before the people--which shows that Mr. D. was wise +in opposing the Lecompton measure, for if he had supported it, and +thus trampled upon his own principle of Popular Sovereignty, he would +have lost his election by thousands of votes. + +We now come to still later issues--to the discussion between Mr. +Douglas and his southern enemies, in the last session of the +thirty-fifth Congress--the present year--upon Congressional +intervention in favor of slavery. This great debate took place Feb. +23, 1859, in the Senate, and looked like a preconcerted attack upon +Mr. Douglas by some of his southern opponents. We have not the space +for the official report of the debate, and will endeavor faithfully to +abridge it. The debate opened on an amendment by Senator Hale to the +Appropriation bill before the Senate to repeal the restrictive clause +of the Kansas Admission act. This amendment was offered the day +previous, and the debate took an unexpected turn upon it. + +Mr. Seward, of New York, said Congress had decided that Kansas should +come in with the Lecompton Constitution, without reference to +population; but, on the other hand, should not come in outside of the +Lecompton Constitution unless she had 92,400 population. There was, +therefore, a discrimination by the Congress of the United States, as +against freedom, in favor of slavery. Oregon, because she was a +Democratic State, was admitted without reference to population, and +Kansas, because of her different politics, was excluded. He was glad +of this occasion to renew his vote. He was glad, also, to hear that so +many gentlemen on the other side will give Kansas a fair hearing. It +indicates that the time is coming when any State applying for +admission will be heard on its merits, apart from all other +considerations. He thought it goes to show that if Texas should be +divided, or free States, as he thought they would, be formed in +Mexico, they will come in as free States. + +Mr. Brown, of Mississippi, made a strong southern speech. + +He held to the doctrine of State rights; denied the squatter +sovereignty of territories; and threatened secession, with banners +flying, if the South was deprived of her rights. His address was +directed to northern Democrats. He placed his views frankly on record, +and desired neither to cheat nor be cheated. + +Mr. Douglas felt it incumbent on him, as a northern Democrat, to make +a reply. He admired the frankness, candor, and directness with which +Mr. Brown had approached the question. He (Douglas), too, would put +his opinions on record in such a manner as will acquit him of a desire +to cheat or be cheated. He agreed at the outset with Mr. Brown, and +with the decision of the Supreme Court, that slaves are property, and +that their owners have a right to carry them into the territories as +any other property. Having the right of transit into the territory, +the question arises, how far does the power of the territorial +legislature extend to slave property? And the reply is, to the same +extent, and no further, than to any other description of property. Mr. +Brown has said that slave property needs more protection than any +other description. If so, it is the misfortune of the owners of that +kind of property. Mr. Douglas's remarks, from the frequent +interruptions, assumed so much the form of question and reply, and +running comments on the various issues started, that we can only +notice the salient points of the main discussion, which extended +throughout many hours, he sustaining the principal part. His general +scope was, that he would leave all descriptions of property, slaves +included, to the operation of the local law, and would not have +Congress interfere in any way therewith. If the people of the +territory want slavery there, they will foster and encourage it, and +if they do not find it for their advantage, they will do otherwise. So +it becomes a question of soil, climate, production, etc. He +illustrated by saying, that if any discrimination is to be made in any +description of property, the owner of stock, or liquors, or any other, +might claim it likewise. + +After some other illustrations, he went into discussion of the +Kansas-Nebraska bill, which, he said, was passed by a distinct +understanding between northern and southern Democrats, however +differing on some points, to give to the territorial legislature the +full power, with appeal to the Supreme Court, to test the +constitutionality of any law, but not to Congress to repeal it. If the +court decides such law to be constitutional, it must stand; if not, it +must fall to the ground, without action of Congress. That doctrine of +non-intervention by Congress with slavery in the States and +territories, has been a fundamental principle of the Democratic +platform, and every Democrat is pledged to it by the Cincinnati +platform. Here Mr. Douglas, in reply to a question by Mr. Clay (who +also made the remark that, according to Mr. Douglas's interpretation, +squatter sovereignty is superior to the Constitution), said that the +limit of territorial legislation is the organic act and the +Constitution. In reply to Mr. Clay's question, "Can a slaveholder take +his slave property into the territory?" he would reply, Yes; and hold +it as other property. To the question, "Will Congress pass a law to +protect other kinds of property in the territories?" he would answer, +No; for the doctrine that Congress is to legislate on property and +persons without representation, is the doctrine of the parliament of +George III., that brought on the Revolutionary war. We said then it +was a violation of the rights of power to assume to legislate for +Englishmen without their consent. Now, was he (Mr. Douglas) to be +called on to force this same odious doctrine on the people of the +territories without their consent? He answered, No; let them govern +themselves. If they make good laws, let them enjoy the blessings; if +bad, let them suffer until they are repealed. Referring to the great +battles fought and gained in 1854 and 1856, he said he would like to +know how many votes Mr. Buchanan would have got in Pennsylvania or +Ohio, if he had then understood the doctrine of popular sovereignty as +he claims to do now. + +Mr. Bigler asked how many votes Mr. Buchanan would have received in +1856, had the senator from Illinois and those who acted with him told +the people that the Kansas act was not intended to extend to the +territories the sacred right of self-government, but simply to give +the people the right to petition for redress of grievances--a right +not denied to any citizen, white or black? + +Mr. Douglas said that there are no colored citizens, and he trusted in +God there never would be. He did not recognize the black brothers. + +Mr. Bigler knew that as well as the senator, and should have said +inhabitants. + +Mr. Douglas resumed. In 1856, he took the same ground as now, and Mr. +Buchanan, when he accepted the nomination, took the same ground. His +letter of acceptance to the Cincinnati Convention shows he then +understood that the people of the territories should decide whether +slavery should or should not exist within their limits. When gentlemen +called for Congressional intervention, they step off the Democratic +platform. He (Mr. Douglas) asserted that the Democratic creed was +non-intervention by Congress, and the right of the people to govern +themselves. He would frankly tell gentlemen of the South, that no +Democratic candidate can carry one State North but on the principles +of the Cincinnati platform, as construed by Mr. Buchanan when he +accepted his nomination, and which he (Mr. Douglas) stood here to-day +to defend. + +Mr. Davis replied to Mr. Douglas elaborately, denying that he +(Douglas) rightly interpreted the obligations of the Democratic party. + +Mr. Pugh said, Mr. Brown had asked if northern Democrats would vote +for Congressional intervention to protect the people against local +legislation. He would answer, Never. It is monstrous. It is against +the plighted faith both of the South and North. Mr. Pugh discussed the +question at length, and said he stood on the platform of his party +with the interpretation which he explained. + +Mr. Green was sorry that this subject of contention had been brought +forward. It was to try and bring discord into the Democratic party, +the only party able to override the Republican party. He hoped and +believed there was no difference between the North and the South. A +government is formed to protect persons and property; and when it +ceases to do either, it ceases to perform its one great function. Mr. +Hale's amendment had brought up the question, "What is property?" He +(Green) maintained that, under the Constitution and by the decision of +the Supreme Court, slaves are property; and he argued the subject in +many aspects, concluding by calling on the Democratic party to stand +united, and not permit a combination to make use of a mere figment to +disorganize them. In the course of his remarks, he quoted from Mr. +Douglas's Springfield speech, to show that he had therein proposed +Congressional intervention in Utah. He could not see the consistency +of the senator's course, then and now. + +Mr. Douglas denied that he had proposed Congressional intervention to +regulate the internal affairs of Utah. The intervention he proposed +was alone on the ground of rebellion--not on account of their domestic +affairs, but as aliens and rebels. + +Mr. Green, in speaking of how territorial legislation could destroy +the rights of slave property, said he had before him a copy of the +bill passed by the Kansas Legislature to abolish slavery. + +Mr. Douglas remarked that several speeches had been made very +pointedly at him, making him out no better than an Abolitionist, for +leaving the territories to carry out their own affairs. It does well +to attack one man for his opinion; but when was the most aggravated +act ever committed, that he did not say it was committed, in +manumitting your slaves and confiscating your property? The gentleman +who spoke thus, says: "It is not yet time." There is no better time +than the present, to introduce a bill to repeal that act of the Kansas +Legislature. Senators say that he (Douglas) may go out. No; he stands +on the platform, and it is for those who jump off, to go out. + +The chair called the Senate to order, threatening to clear the +galleries, unless it was maintained. + +Mr. Green said he had received information of the bill by telegraph; +but could not legislate on such information. + +Mr. Douglas would take it for granted that Mr. Green meant that he +received authentic information, and would introduce a bill to repeal +the act. The South, he said, had reluctantly acquiesced in the +movement with the Democrats of the North to settle the question. He +went at some length into a discussion and approval of the decision of +the Supreme Court in the case of Dred Scott. He did not agree with +Senator Douglas's views as to the power of the people of a territory, +and did not believe that the Nebraska-Kansas bill gave them +independent power. The senator from Virginia then gave his ideas as to +the people of the territories, and the people of the States. The right +of property is recognized in the former, but the inhabitants of a +territory are unknown to the Constitution. Congress cannot divest +itself of its power over the property of the territories, but it can +grant them nothing. South of the Potomac River, to the confines of +Mexico, there is not one dissentient voice. The South would be +recreant to itself; if it would give one vote for its rights to be +taken from the Constitution, and remitted to the pleasure of the +people temporarily in the territories. + +Mr. Davis took an animated part in the debate against Mr. Douglas, who +in the Kansas-Nebraska act, had made a great error, and drawn the +Senate into a great error. + +Mr. Douglas resumed, saying it won't do to read him out, because they +had fallen from the faith. There is no middle ground. It is either +intervention or non-intervention. + +Mr. Gwin said, if the senator from Illinois had given the same +interpretation to the Kansas-Nebraska bill when it was before the +Senate, he (Gwin) would not have voted for it, and believed those +around him would not. When the senator proposed to speak for the +Democracy of the free States, he had no right to speak for California, +which thought otherwise. + +Mr. Broderick contradicted Mr. Gwin's statement of the views of +California. He considered the views of his State were those expressed +by Mr. Douglas. + +Mr. Gwin replied that he was sent here to do his duty in representing +the Democracy of California, and he knew they indorse the action of +the Administration, and do not at all indorse the interpretation given +by the senator from Illinois. + +Mr. Douglas (to Mr. Gwin.) I do say the records show a very general +concurrence in the views I then expressed. + +Mr. Iverson raised the question of order, that Mr. Douglas had spoken +many times. He and Mr. Davis had occupied the floor four or five +hours. The point of order was sustained. + +Mr. Hunter said it was with reluctance that he occupied the time at +the late period of the evening, but the turn the debate had taken +rendered an explanation necessary, in justice to himself. He differed +with the senator from Illinois, both in the history of the +Kansas-Nebraska act, and what was intended by it. When the proposition +was made to pass that, he maintained, as he has always done since he +has had a place on that floor, that the South had a right to +protection for their slave property in the territories. + +Mr. Hunter read from his speech of that date, showing the views he +then expressed. The case stood thus: southern men on one side +maintained they had right, under the Constitution, to protection to +their slave property; northern men thought the contrary, and there was +no chance of agreement between them, as the act was very carefully +framed, neither affirming nor disaffirming the power of the territory +to abolish slavery, but reserving the question of right, and agreeing +to refer to the judiciary any points arising out of it. It was in +itself a compromise, in which neither party conceded their opinions or +their rights. They were but placed in abeyance until a case affecting +them might arise. No southern man with whom he acted ever considered +he was conferring on the Territorial Legislature the absolute right to +deal with this subject. They agreed to this settlement as a +consequence, acting together upon points wherein they agreed, and +expressing no opinion upon points where the differences were +irreconcilable. By this they secured the repeal of the Missouri +Compromise, upon which the Democrats were agreed, by confining the act +to the general purpose to be accomplished. Justice to himself and the +distinguished senator from South Carolina, now no more, with whom he +had acted and consulted on the matter, required the explanation. Mr. +Hunter then drew the attention of the Senate to the time consumed in +the debate, and urged a vote upon the amendment. + +Mr. Stuart, after some general remarks on the subject under +discussion, asked, why should the Democratic party be racked and torn +by the thought of the contingences which may not happen? If the +Democratic party in a body, if its able and efficient members +throughout the country, stand faithfully together, their flag will +remain in the ascendant, and the party will rise out of all the +difficulties which now beset it. + +Mr. Bigler was opposed to Congress extending slavery in the +territories, and against Congressional intervention with slavery, and +would stand by the Baltimore and Cincinnati platforms of the +Democratic party. He believed the best interests of the country were +in the hope of the Democracy. + +Mr. Douglas is a powerful debater, quick, ready at repartee, strong in +his logic, and possessing that animal courage which is so necessary to +the successful debater. Few men equal him in senatorial debate for +rough power. There are many who surpass him in silvery eloquence, who +excel him in winning, courteous debate, but no one in the present +Senate who has quite his _force_ and overwhelming courage. In the +debate, which we have abbreviated, Mr. Douglas was for hours--from +noon till nine o'clock in the evening--obliged to defend himself +against a half-dozen able and eloquent senators. His manner, his +voice, were at times like that of a wounded lion--deep, strong and +melancholy; but he fought to the last without a moment's thought of +quailing. + +Mr. Douglas has no sympathy with the anti-slavery sentiment of the +free States, but plants himself upon his principle, and puts slavery +and freedom upon the same footing. If the people want slavery, let +them have it. If they want freedom--no interference in favor of +slavery. This we understand to be his position, though some of his +southern friends claim that he admits that the Supreme Court is bound +to give slavery an existence _in all the territories_. In his New +Orleans speech of last winter, Mr. Douglas is reported to have said: + + "Whenever a territory has a climate, soil and production, making + it the interest of the inhabitants to encourage slave property, + they will pass a slave code, and give it encouragement. Whenever + the climate, soil and production preclude the possibility of + slavery being profitable, they will not permit it. You come right + back to the principle of dollars and cents. I do not care where + the migration in the southern country comes from; if old Joshua R. + Giddings should raise a colony in Ohio, and settle down in + Louisiana, he would be the strongest advocate for slavery in the + whole South; he would find, when he got there, his opinion would + be very much modified; he would find on those sugar plantations + that it was not a question between the white man and the negro, + but between the negro and the crocodile. + + "He would say that, between the negro and the crocodile, he took + the side of the negro. But, between the negro and the white man, + he would go for the white man. The Almighty has drawn the line on + this continent, on one side of which the soil must be cultivated + by slave labor; on the other, by white labor. That line did not + run on thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes, for thirty-six + degrees and thirty minutes runs over mountains and through + valleys. But this slave line meanders in the sugar-fields and + plantations of the South--[the remainder of the sentence was lost + by the confusion around the reporter.] And the people living in + their different localities and in the territories must determine + for themselves whether their 'middle bed' is best adapted to + slavery or free labor. + + "Hence, under the Constitution, there is no power to prevent a + southern man going there with his slaves, more than a northern + man." + +Mr. Douglas is a man of very short stature, but of large body, and a +frame and constitution capable of great endurance. He lives in +Washington half the year, where he has a handsome residence, and the +other half in Illinois among his constituents, where he has a country +mansion. The mother of Mr. Douglas, who was so faithful to him and +whom he has never ceased to love and reverence, still lives, and has +witnessed his rise from the cabinet-maker's shop to the senatorial +chair. + + + + +SALMON P. CHASE. + + +Salmon Porland Chase was born in Cornish, New Hampshire, Jan. 13th, +1808. He was seven years old when his father removed to the town of +Keene, where he attended the village school. In 1817 his father died, +and two years later the boy, then only twelve years old, went to +Worthington, Ohio. His uncle, Philander Chase, was then Bishop of +Ohio, and he superintended the education of his nephew. Shortly after +this, he entered Cincinnati College, of which institution his uncle +became president. He soon was promoted to the sophomore class. After a +year's residence in Cincinnati, he returned to New Hampshire and his +mother's house; and, in 1824, entered the junior class of Dartmouth +College. He graduated in 1826. The following winter Mr. Chase went to +the city of Washington, and opened a classical school for boys. Among +his pupils were the sons of Henry Clay, William Niel, and other +distinguished men. Many of the citizens of Washington at this day well +remember Mr. Chase's efforts as a teacher among them, and at that time +learned to esteem and respect the man who has since risen to so high a +position as a politician and statesman. He closed his school in 1829, +and soon was admitted to the bar, having studied law under Mr. Niel +while teaching his school, manifesting by his industry and courage +that he was possessed of the qualities which must certainly in the end +bring him position and reputation. + +In 1830, Mr. Chase left Washington for Cincinnati, where he has always +since resided, save when serving his State in an official capacity, +and pursued his profession. He was poor, unknown, and before he could +hope to attract the attention of the public, must earn his bread and +endure months, if not years, of serious toil and drudgery. During +these early years in his professional career, he prepared an edition +of Statutes of Ohio, and a preliminary sketch of the history the +State. The work made three large volumes, and at once became an +authority in the courts. The authorship of this volume was a happy +idea, for it not only brought him a moderate pecuniary reward +directly, but it also gave him the ear of the people, and practice at +once flowed in upon him. + +In 1834, Mr. Chase became solicitor of the Bank of the United States +in Cincinnati, and other corporations. In 1837, he first gave public +utterance to his views upon the slavery question in its legal aspects. +The article in Appleton's Encylopaedia upon Mr. Chase, which on many +points is our authority in this sketch, gives the subjoined history of +Mr. Chase's early legal arguments in reference to slavery: + +"In 1837, Mr. Chase acted as counsel for a colored woman claimed as a +fugitive slave and in an elaborate argument, afterward published, +controverted the authority of Congress to impose any duties or confer +any powers in fugitive slave cases on state magistrates, a position in +which he has since been sustained by the U.S. Supreme Court; and +maintained that the law of 1793, relative to fugitives from service, +was void, because unwarranted by the Constitution of the United +States. The same year, in an argument before the Supreme Court of +Ohio, in defence of James G. Birney, prosecuted under a State law for +harboring a negro slave, Mr. Chase asserted the doctrine that slavery +is local, and independent on state law for existence and continuance, +and insisted that the person alleged to have been harbored, having +been brought within the territorial limits of Ohio by the individual +claiming her as master, was thenceforth, in fact and by right, free. +In 1838, in a newspaper review of a report of the judiciary committee +of the senate of Ohio against the granting of trial by jury to alleged +slaves, Mr. Chase took the same ground as in his legal arguments. In +1846, he was associated with the Hon. W. H. Seward as defendant's +counsel in the case of Van Zandt, before the Supreme Court of the +United States. The case excited much interest, and in a speech which +attracted marked attention, Mr. Chase argued more elaborately the +principles which he advanced in former cases, maintaining that under +the ordinance of 1787 no fugitives from service could be reclaimed +from Ohio, unless there had been an escape from one of the original +States; that it was the clear understanding of the framers of the +Constitution, and of the people who adopted it, that slavery was to be +left exclusively to the disposal of the several States, without +sanction or support from the National Government; and that the clause +of the Constitution relative to persons held to service was one of +compact between the States, and conferred no power of legislation on +Congress, having been transferred from the ordinance of 1787, in which +it conferred no power on the Confederation, and was never understood +to confer any. He was subsequently engaged for the defence in the case +of Driskell _vs._ Parish, before the U.S. Circuit Court at Columbus, +and re-argued the same positions." + +Mr. Chase's _political_ history is thus summed up in the same article: + +"Mr. Chase's sentiments of hostility to the nationalization of slavery +were expressed by his position in the political movements of the +country, as well as his efforts at the bar. Prior to 1841 he had taken +little part in politics. He had voted sometimes with the Democrats, +but more commonly with the Whigs, who, in the North, seemed to him +more favorable to anti-slavery views than their opponents. He +supported Gen. Harrison in 1840, but the tone of his inaugural +address, and still more the course of the Tyler administration, +convinced him that no effective resistance to the encroachments of +slavery was to be expected from any party with a slaveholding and +pro-slavery wing, modifying if not controlling its action; and in 1841 +he united in a call for a convention of the opponents of slavery and +slavery extension, which assembled in Columbus in December of that +year. This convention organized the liberty party of Ohio, nominated a +candidate for governor, and issued an address to the people defining +its principles and purposes.--This address, written and reported by +Mr. Chase, and unanimously adopted by the convention, deserves +attention as one of the earliest expositions of the political +movements against slavery. In 1843, a national liberty convention +assembled at Buffalo. Mr. Chase was an active member of the committee +on resolutions, to which was referred, under a rule of the convention, +a resolution proposing 'to regard and treat the third clause of the +Constitution, whenever applied to the case of a fugitive slave, as +utterly null and void, and consequently as forming no part of the +Constitution of the United States, whenever we are called upon or +sworn to support it.' Mr. Chase opposed the resolution, and the +committee refused to report it. It was, however, afterward moved in +the convention by its author, and adopted. Having been charged in the +U.S. Senate with the authorship and advocacy of this resolution, by +Mr. Butler of South Carolina, who denounced the doctrine of mental +reservation apparently sanctioned by it, Mr. Chase replied: 'I have +only to say I never proposed the resolution; I never would propose or +vote for such a resolution. I hold no doctrine of mental reservation. +Every man, in my judgment, should speak just as he thinks, keeping +nothing back, here or elsewhere.' In 1843 it became Mr. Chase's duty +to prepare an address on behalf of the friends of liberty, Ireland, +and repeal in Cincinnati, to the loyal national repeal association in +Ireland, in reply to a letter from Daniel O'Connell. + +"In this address Mr. Chase reviewed the relations of the federal +government to slavery at the period of its organization, set forth its +original anti-slavery policy, and the subsequent growth of the +political power of slavery, vindicated the action of the liberal +party, and repelled the aspersions cast by a repeal association in +Cincinnati upon anti-slavery men. In 1845 Mr. Chase projected a +southern and western liberty convention, designed to embrace 'all who, +believing that whatever is worth preserving in republicanism can be +maintained only by uncompromising war against the usurpations of the +slave power, and are therefore resolved to use all constitutional and +honorable means to effect the extinction of slavery in their +respective States, and its reduction to its constitutional limits in +the United States.' The convention was held in Cincinnati in June, +1845, and was attended by 4,000 persons; delegates were present to the +number of 2,000. Mr. Chase, as chairman of the committee, prepared the +address, giving a history of slavery in the United States, showing the +position of the Whig and Democratic parties, and arguing the necessity +of a political organization unequivocally committed to the +denationalization of slavery and the overthrow of the slave power, and +exhibiting what he regarded as the necessary hostility of the +slaveholding interest to democracy and all liberal measures. This +address was widely circulated. + +"In 1847, Mr. Chase was a member of the Second National Liberty +Convention, and opposed the making of any national nomination at that +time, urging that a more general movement against slavery extension +and denomination, was likely to grow out of the agitation of the +Wilmot Proviso, and the action of Congress and political parties in +reference to slavery. In 1848, anticipating that the conventions of +the Whig and Democratic parties would probably refuse to take grounds +against the extensions of slavery, he prepared a call for a free +territory state convention at Columbus, which was signed by more than +3,000 voters of all political parties. The convention thus called was +largely attended, and invited a national convention to meet at Buffalo +in August. The influence of Mr. Chase was conspicuous in the state +convention, and no less so in the national convention, which assembled +upon its invitation, and nominated Mr. Van Buren for President. An +immense mass meeting was held at Buffalo at the same time. Mr. Chase +was president of the national convention, and also a member of its +committee on resolutions. The platform was substantially his work. On +February 22d, 1849, Mr. Chase was chosen a senator of the United +States from Ohio, receiving the entire vote of the Democratic members +of the Legislature, and of those freesoil members who favored +Democratic views. The Democratic party of Ohio, by the resolutions of +its state convention, had already declared slavery an evil; and +practically, through its press and the declarations of its leading +men, had committed itself to the denationalization of slavery. Mr. +Chase, therefore, coinciding with the Democrats in their general views +of the state policy, supported their state nominees, distinctly +announcing his intention, in the event of the party's desertion of its +anti-slavery position, in state or national conventions, to end at +once his connection with it. When the nomination of Mr. Pierce by the +Baltimore convention of 1852, with a platform approving the compromise +acts of 1850, and denouncing the further discussion of the slavery +question, was sanctioned by the Democratic party in Ohio, Mr. Chase, +true to his word, withdrew from it, and addressed to the Hon. B. F. +Butler, of New York, his associate in the Buffalo convention, a letter +in vindication of an independent Democratic party. He prepared a +platform, which was substantially adopted by the convention of the +independent Democracy at Pittsburg in 1852. Having thus gone into a +minority rather than compromise his principles, Mr. Chase gave a +cordial and energetic support to the nominees and measures of the +independent Democracy, until the Nebraska bill gave rise to a new and +powerful party, based substantially upon the ideas he had so long +maintained. As a senator of the United States, Mr. Chase delivered on +March 26 and 27, 1850, a speech against Mr. Clay's compromise bill, +reviewing thoroughly all the questions presented in it. He moved an +amendment providing against the introduction of slavery in the +territories to which the bill applied, but it failed by a vote of 25 +to 30. He proposed also, though without success, an amendment to the +fugitive slave bill, securing trial by jury to alleged slaves, and +another conforming its provisions to the terms of the Constitution, by +excluding from its operation persons escaping from State or +territories, and _vice versa_. In 1854, when the bill for the repeal +of the Missouri Compromise, commonly called the Nebraska Kansas bill, +was introduced, he drafted an appeal to the people against the +measure, which was signed by the senators and representatives in +Congress, concurring in his political opinions; and in a speech on +February 3, attempted the first elaborate exposure of the features of +that bill, as viewed by its opponents. In the general opposition to +the Nebraska bill he took a leading part, and the rejection of three +of his proposed amendments, was thought to be of such significance as +bearing on the slavery question, that it may be well to state them. +The first proposed to add after the words, 'subject only to the +Constitution of the United States,' in section 14, the following +clause: 'Under which the people of the territory, through their +appropriate representatives, may, if they see fit, prohibit the +existence of slavery therein.' This was rejected, yeas 10, nays 36. +The second proposed to give practical effect to the principle of +popular sovereignty by providing for the election by the people of the +territory of their own governor, judges, and secretary, instead of +leaving, as in the bill, their appointment to the Federal Executive. +This was defeated, yeas 10, nays 30. He then proposed an amendment of +the boundary, so as to have but one territory, named Nebraska, instead +of two entitled respectively Nebraska and Kansas. This was rejected, +yeas 8, nays 34. His opposition to the bill was ended by a final and +earnest protest against it on the night of its passage. While thus +vigilant in maintaining his principles on the slavery question, Mr. +Chase was constant in the discharge of the general duties of his +position. To divorce the Federal Government from all connection with +slavery; to confine its action strictly within Constitutional limits; +to uphold the rights of individuals and of States; to foster with +equal care all the great interests of the country, and to secure an +economical administration of the national finances, were the general +aims, which he endeavored, both by his votes and his speeches, to +promote. On the interests of the West, he always kept a watchful eye, +claiming that the Federal treasury should defray the expenses of +providing for the safety of navigation on our great inland seas, as +well as on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and advocating liberal aid +by the Federal Government to the construction of a railroad to the +Pacific by the best, shortest, and cheapest route. + +"He was an earnest supporter of the policy of the free homestead +movement, in behalf of which he expressed his views during the first +session of his term, on presenting a petition for granting the public +lands, in limited quantities, to actual settlers not possessed of +other land. He was also an early advocate of cheap postage and an +unwearied opponent of extravagant appropriations. In July, 1855, Mr. +Chase was nominated by the opponents of the Nebraska bill and the +Pierce administration for governor of Ohio, and was elected. His +inaugural address, delivered in 1856, recommended economy in the +administration of public affairs, single districts for legislative +representation, annual instead of biennial sessions of the +legislature, and ample provision for the educational interests of the +State. His state policy and senatorial course were now so much +approved that at the national convention of the Republican party, held +the same year, a majority of the Ohio delegation and many delegates +from other States, desired his nomination for the presidency; but his +name was, at his request, withdrawn. His first annual message to the +Ohio legislature, in 1857, after reviewing the material resources, and +the financial and educational condition of the State, together with +its federal relations, recommended a bureau of statistics, which was +accordingly established. + +"During the same year, a deficit of over $500,000 being discovered in +the State treasury, a few days before the semi-annual interest of the +State debt became due, the decided action of Gov. Chase compelled the +resignation of the State treasurer, who had concealed its existence, +secured a thorough investigation, and, through a prompt and judicious +arrangement, protected the credit of the State and averted a large +pecuniary loss. At the close of his first term, Gov. Chase desired to +retire from office, but the Republicans insisted on his renomination, +which was made by acclamation. After an active canvass, the continued +confidence of the people in his administration was manifested by his +reelection by the largest vote ever given for a governor in Ohio. In +his annual message, in 1858, after submitting an elaborate exposition +of the financial condition and resources of Ohio, he recommended +semi-annual taxation, more stringent provisions for the security of +the treasury, and a special attention to the State benevolent +institutions, including the reform school, in which he had always +manifested a deep interest. These suggestions met the approbation of +the legislature, and laws were passed accordingly." + +The sketch we have quoted, gives an _exact_ and impartial, though +brief, history of the political acts of Mr. Chase, but it is +bloodless, without enthusiasm, and _to the friends_ of the +distinguished subject of the sketch, will seem cold, giving no +adequate idea of the ability and greatness of the man; but the sketch +is perfectly impartial, and accurate in every particular. + +Mr. Chase, while in the Senate of the United States, bore a very high +reputation as a debater and as an orator. He never descended to notice +personal attacks unless his political history was called in question, +and remained cool and unruffled through scenes of great excitement and +under a storm of personalities. His manner is dignified and his +eloquence massive. Few men can deliver a speech, which for force, +solid arguments, and high-toned eloquence, will equal the best of his. +He is not an impetuous orator, or man, but is always collected, calm, +and self-poised. Nevertheless, he has warm and enthusiastic friends, +and those who know him best esteem him most. + +In his personal appearance, Mr. Chase is somewhat imposing, for he is +tall, of large proportions, with a large head and face, a fine port, +dignified bearing, and an eye of quick intelligence. Through his +entire career, whether at the bar, in Congress, or in the +gubernatorial chair, Mr. Chase has never for an instant compromised +the integrity or dignity of his character. + +One of the finest of his senatorial speeches was made Feb. 3, 1854, in +reply to a severe attack of Mr. Douglas upon himself and two or three +other gentlemen, who had issued an address to the people upon the +Kansas-Nebraska act. We can only quote the closing portions of this +great speech: + + "Mr. President, three great eras have marked the history of this + country, in respect of slavery. The first may be characterized as + the era of enfranchisement. It commenced with the earliest + struggle for national independence. The spirit which inspired it + animated the hearts and prompted the efforts of Washington, of + Jefferson, of Patrick Henry, of Wythe, of Adams, of Jay, of + Hamilton, of Morris--in short, of all the great men of our early + history. All these hoped, all these labored for, all these + believed in the final deliverance of the country from the curse of + slavery. That spirit burned in the Declaration of Independence, + and inspired the provisions of the Constitution, and of the + Ordinance of 1787. Under its influence, when in full vigor, State + after State provided for the emancipation of the slaves within + their limits, prior to the adoption of the Constitution. Under its + feebler influence at a later period, and during the administration + of Mr. Jefferson, the importation of slaves was prohibited into + Mississippi and Louisiana, in the faint hope that these + territories might finally become free States. Gradually that + spirit ceased to influence our public councils, and lost its + control over the American heart and the American policy. Another + era succeeded, but by such imperceptible gradations that the hues + which separate the two cannot be traced with absolute precision. + The facts of the two eras meet and mingle as the currents of + confluent streams mix so imperceptibly that the observer cannot + fix the spot where the meeting waters blend. + + "This second era was the era of Conservatism. Its great maxim was + to preserve the existing condition. Men said, let things remain as + they are; let slavery stay where it is; exclude it where it is + not; refrain from disturbing the public quiet by agitation; adjust + all differences that arise, not by the application of principles, + but by compromises. + + "It was during this period that the senator tells us that slavery + was maintained in Illinois, both while a territory and after it + became a State, in despite of the provisions of the ordinance. It + is true, sir, that the slaves held in the Illinois country, under + the French law, were not regarded as absolutely emancipated by the + provisions of the ordinance. But full effect was given to the + ordinance in excluding the introduction of slaves, and thus the + territory was preserved from eventually becoming a slave State. + The few slaveholders in the territory of Indiana, which then + included Illinois, succeeded in obtaining such an ascendency in + its affairs, that repeated applications were made, not merely by + conventions of delegates, but by the Territorial Legislature + itself, for a suspension of a clause in the ordinance prohibiting + slavery. These applications were reported upon by John Randolph, + of Virginia, in the House, and by Mr. Franklin, in the Senate. + Both the reports were against suspension. The grounds stated by + Randolph are specially worthy of being considered now. They are + thus stated in the report: + + "'That the committee deem it highly dangerous and inexpedient to + impair a provision wisely calculated to promote the happiness and + prosperity of the northwestern country, and to give strength and + security to that extensive frontier. In the salutary operation of + this sagacious and benevolent restraint, it is believed that the + inhabitants of Indiana will, at no very distant day, find ample + remuneration for a temporary privation of labor and of + emigration.' + + "Sir, these reports, made in 1803 and 1807, and the action of + Congress upon them, in conformity with their recommendation, saved + Illinois, and perhaps Indiana, from becoming slave States. When + the people of Illinois formed their State constitution, they + incorporated into it a section providing that neither slavery nor + involuntary servitude shall be hereafter introduced into this + State. The constitution made provision for the continued service + of the few persons who were originally held as slaves, and then + bound to service under the Territorial laws, and for the freedom + of their children, and thus secured the final extinction of + slavery. The senator thinks that this result is not attributable + to the ordinance. I differ from him. But for the ordinance I have + no doubt slavery would have been introduced into Indiana, + Illinois, and Ohio. It is something to the credit of the era of + conservatism, uniting its influences with those of the expiring + era of enfranchisement, that it maintained the Ordinance of 1787 + in the north-west. + + "The era of conservatism passed, also, by imperceptible + gradations, into the era of slavery propagandism. Under the + influences of this new spirit, we opened the whole territory + acquired from Mexico, except California, to the ingress of + slavery. Every foot of it was covered by a Mexican prohibition; + and yet, by the legislation of 1850, we consented to expose it to + the introduction of slaves. Some, I believe, have actually been + carried into Utah and into New Mexico. They may be few, perhaps, + but a few are enough to affect materially the probable character + of their future governments. + + "Sir, I believe we are on the verge of another era. The + introduction of this question here, and its discussion, will + greatly hasten its advent. That era will be the era of reaction. + We, who insist upon the denationalization of slavery, and upon the + absolute divorce of the General Government from all connection + with it, will stand with the men who favored the compromise acts, + and who yet wish to adhere to them, in their letter and in their + spirit, against the repeal of the Missouri prohibition. You may + pass it here, you may send it to the other House, it may become + law; but its effect will be to satisfy all thinking men that no + compromise with slavery will endure, except so long as they serve + the interests of slavery; and that there is no safe and honorable + ground to stand upon, except that of restricting slavery within + State limits, and excluding it absolutely from the whole sphere of + federal jurisdiction. The old questions between political parties + are at rest. No great question so thoroughly possesses the public + mind as this of slavery. This discussion will hasten the + inevitable reorganization of parties upon the new issues which our + circumstances suggest. It will light up a fire in the country + which may, perhaps, consume those who kindle it. + + "I cannot believe that the people of this country have so far lost + sight of the maxims and principles of the Revolution, or are so + insensible to the obligations which those maxims and principles + impose, as to acquiesce in the violation of this compact. Sir, the + Senator from Illinois tells us that he proposes a final settlement + of all territorial questions in respect to slavery, by the + application of the principle of popular sovereignty. What kind of + popular sovereignty is that which allows one portion of the people + to enslave another portion? Is that the doctrine of equal rights? + Is that exact justice? Is that the teaching of enlightened, + liberal, progressive Democracy? No, sir; no! There can be no real + Democracy which does not fully maintain the rights of man, as man. + Living, practical, earnest Democracy imperatively requires us, + while carefully abstaining from unconstitutional interference with + the internal regulations of any State upon the subject of slavery, + or any other subject, to insist upon the practical application of + its great principles in all the legislation of Congress. + + "I repeat, sir, that we who maintain these principles will stand + shoulder to shoulder with the men who, differing from us upon + other questions, will yet unite with us in opposition to the + violation of plighted faith contemplated by this bill. There are + men, and not a few, who are willing to adhere to the compromise of + 1850. If the Missouri prohibition, which that compromise + incorporates and preserves among its own provisions, shall be + repealed, abrogated, broken up, thousands will say: Away with all + compromises; they are not worth the paper on which they are + printed; we will return to the old principles of the Constitution. + We will assert the ancient doctrine, that no person shall be + deprived of life, liberty or property, by the legislation of + Congress, without due process of law. Carrying out that principle + into its practical applications, we will not cease our efforts + until slavery shall cease to exist wherever it can be reached by + the constitutional action of the government. + + "Sir, I have faith in progress. I have faith in Democracy. The + planting and growth of this nation, upon this western continent, + was not an accident. The establishment of the American Government, + upon the sublime principles of the Declaration of Independence, + and the organization of the Union of these States, under our + existing Constitution, was the work of great men, inspired by + great ideas, guided by Divine Providence. These men, the fathers + of the Republic, have bequeathed to us the great duty of so + administering the government which they organized, as to protect + the rights, to guard the interests, and promote the well-being, of + all persons within its jurisdiction, and thus present to the + nations of the earth a noble example of wise and just + self-government. Sir, I have faith enough to believe that we shall + yet fulfill this high duty. Let me borrow the inspiration of + Milton, while I declare my belief, that we have yet a country 'not + degenerated, nor drooping to a fatal decay, but destined, by + casting off the old and wrinkled skin of corruption, to outlive + these pangs, and wax young again, and, entering the glorious ways + of truth and prosperous virtue, become great and honorable in + these latter ages. Methinks I see in my mind a great and puissant + nation rousing herself like a strong man after sleep, and shaking + her invincible locks. Methinks I see her as an eagle mewing her + mighty youth, and kindling her undazzled eyes at the full midday + beam; purging and unscaling her long-abused sight at the fountain + itself of heavenly radiance; while the whole noise of timorous and + flocking birds, with those also that love the twilight, flutter + about, amazed at what she means, and in their envious gabble would + prognosticate a year of sects and schisms.' + + "Sir, we may fulfill this sublime destiny, if we will but + faithfully adhere to the great maxims of the Revolution; honestly + carrying into their legitimate practical applications the high + principles of democracy; and preserve inviolate plighted faith and + solemn compacts. Let us do this, putting our trust in the God of + our fathers, and there is no dream of national prosperity, power, + and glory, which ancient or modern builders of ideal commonwealths + ever conceived, which we may not hope to realize. But if we turn + aside from these ways of honor, to walk in the by-paths of + temporary expedients, compromising with wrong, abetting + oppression, and repudiating faith, the wisdom and devotion and + labors of our fathers will have been all--all in vain. + + "Sir, I trust that the result of this discussion will show that + the American Senate will sanction no breach of compact. Let us + strike from the bill the statement which historical facts and our + personal recollections disprove, and then reject every proposition + which looks toward a violation of the plighted faith and solemn + compact which our fathers made, and which we, their sons, are + bound, by every tie of obligation, sacredly to maintain." + +Mr. Chase's opinions respecting the independence of the State courts +can be gathered from his message to the Ohio Legislature, Jan. 4, +1858. We quote: + + "A disposition has been manifested, within the last few years, by + some of the officials of the Federal Government, exercising their + functions within the limits of Ohio, to disregard the authority, + and to encroach upon the rights of the State, to an extent and in + a manner which demands your notice. + + "In February, 1856, several colored persons were seized in + Hamilton County as fugitive slaves. One of these persons, Margaret + Garner, in the frenzy of the moment, impelled, as it seems, by the + dread of seeing her children dragged, with herself, back to + slavery, attempted to slay them on the spot, and actually + succeeded in killing one. For this act, she and her companions + were indicted by the grand jury for the crime of murder, and were + taken into custody upon a writ regularly issued from the Court of + Common Pleas. + + "While thus imprisoned under the legal process of a State court, + for the highest crime known to our code, a writ of habeas corpus + was issued by a judge of the District Court of the United States, + requiring their production before him. The writ was obeyed by the + sheriff, and, contrary to all expectations, and in disregard, as I + must think, of principle and authority, the prisoners were taken + from his custody by order of the judge, and, without allowing any + opportunity for the interposition of the State authorities, + delivered over to the Marshal of the United States, by whom they + were immediately transported beyond our limits. The alleged ground + for this action and order was that the indicted parties had been + seized as fugitive slaves upon a Federal Commissioner's warrant, + before the indictment and arrest, and that the right to their + custody, thus acquired, was superior to that of the sheriff, under + the process of the State. This doctrine must necessarily give + practical impunity to murder whenever the murderer may be seized + by a federal official as a fugitive from service before arrest for + the crime under State authority. Imputing no wrong intention to + the judge, I am constrained to add that his proceeding seems to me + an abuse, rather than an exercise, of judicial power. + + "A similar case occurred more recently in the county of Champaign. + Several deputies of the federal marshal having arrested certain + citizens of this State for some alleged offence against the + Fugitive Slave act, a writ of habeas corpus was issued by the + probate judge of that county, requiring the arrested parties to be + brought before him for inquiry into the grounds of detention. The + sheriff of Clark County, while attempting to execute this writ, + was assaulted by these petty officials and seriously injured, + while his deputy was fired upon, though happily without effect. A + warrant was issued by a justice of the peace for the apprehension + of the perpetrators of these offences. This warrant was duly + executed and the prisoners committed to jail under the custody of + the sheriff of Clark County. A writ of habeas corpus was then + issued by the same district judge who had interposed in the case + of Margaret Garner, requiring the sheriff of Clark County to + produce his prisoners before him at the city of Cincinnati. This + writ was also obeyed, and the prisoners were discharged from + custody by the order of the judge, on the ground that being + federal officers, and charged with the execution of a federal + writ, they had a right to overcome, by any necessary violence, all + attempts made under the process of a State court, to detain them + or their prisoners, even for inquiry into the legality of the + custody in which those prisoners were held. + + "This principle cannot be sound. It subverts effectually the + sovereignty of the State. It asserts the right of any district + judge of the United States to arrest the execution of State + process, and to nullify the functions of State courts and juries, + whenever in his opinion a person charged with crime under State + authority has acted in the matter forming the basis of the charge, + in pursuance of any federal law or warrant. No act of Congress, in + my judgment, sanctions this principle. Such an act, indeed, would + be clearly unconstitutional, because in plain violation of the + express provision which requires that the trial of all crimes + shall be by jury. + + "It is deeply to be regretted that collisions of this kind should + occur. The authorities of Ohio have never failed in due + consideration for the constitutional rights of federal courts, nor + will they thus fail. But they cannot admit, without dishonor, that + State process is entitled to less respect than federal, nor can + they ever concede to federal writs or federal officials a + deference which is not conceded to those of the State. + + "The true course is one of mutual respect and mutual deference. + Whenever, in any inquiry upon habeas corpus, by any court, State + or federal, it may be ascertained that the applicant for the writ + is detained under valid process in pursuance of a constitutional + law, he should be remanded at once to the custody from which he + may have been taken for trial in due course. No investigation + should take place into the guilt or innocence of the party + charged, or, what is substantially the same thing, whether the + facts were justified by the authority under which the applicant + was acting at the time. Inquiries of this character are for juries + upon a regular trial and in open court; not for a judge at + chambers. If made upon one side upon habeas corpus, they must also + be made upon the other. If federal courts are to protect federal + officials from prosecution by State courts for alleged violations + of State law, State courts in their turn must protect State + officers from prosecution in federal courts, under similar + circumstances. Hence, dangerous conflicts must arise, and imminent + peril both to liberty and union. + + "If such conflicts must come, to the extent of the power vested in + me, I shall maintain the honor of the State, and support the + authority of her courts." + +We have scarcely given the reader a sample of Mr. Chase's style of +speech, or opinions on the slavery question, and it is quite possible +we have not given the most eloquent extracts which may be found in his +public speeches and messages, but we have quoted enough to show every +intelligent reader who Mr. Chase is and what his opinions are. + + + + +EDWARD BATES. + + +We shall only give an outline sketch of Edward Bates, of Missouri, for +though a man whose name is prominently before the public, yet he has +seen little of that congressional life which gives a man a political +record. + +Mr. Bates was born in Goochland County, Virginia, on the 4th of +September, 1793, being the seventh son and twelfth child of Thomas F. +Bates. His ancestors came from the west of England to the Jamestown +settlement as early as 1625, and they were plain people of the middle +rank of English life. They were Quakers, and remained so for more than +a century--some of the descendants to this day. The ancestors of Mr. +Bates, however, forfeited membership in the Society of Friends--or we +should say, rather, Mr. Bates' _father_, Thomas F. Bates, lost his +membership with the Society for bearing arms in the war of the +Revolution. A noble cause to die for, and certainly to lose +ecclesiastical relations for! He was at the siege of York; and his +children from that day were no more Quakers. + +The scholastic education of Mr. Bates was not perhaps first-class. He +entered no college and passed through with no "course," but was, +nevertheless, well taught in the elements, at home, by his father and +a kinsman, Benj. Bates, of Hanover; at school, for several years, at +Charlotte Hall Academy, Maryland; and a most excellent school it was. + +The choice of the young man for a profession was the navy, and in the +winter of 1811-12, a midshipman's warrant was offered him; but in +deference to the wishes of his mother, he declined it and gave up his +choice. This fact gives a key to the man's character. He has always +been willing to do his duty, however great the personal sacrifice. In +1813, he served as a volunteer at Norfolk, Va., in a militia regiment. +In 1814, he emigrated to St. Louis, under the kind care of his elder +brother, Frederick Bates, then Secretary of Missouri Territory, and +afterward Governor of the State. He entered the law office of Rufus +Easton, an eminent lawyer, who was in his time a delegate from the +territory in Congress. In 1816, he was duly licensed to practise law, +and succeeded so well that in 1819 he was appointed Circuit Attorney. +In 1820, he was one of the eight men who represented St. Louis County +in the convention which formed the State Constitution for Missouri. +Later, he was the Attorney-General of the State; and later yet, was +elected for several times to both houses of the Missouri General +Assembly. In 1824, President Monroe appointed him U.S. Attorney-General +for the Missouri District. In 1826, he was elected to Congress, where +he served honorably for two years. In 1828, he ran again, but was +beaten by the storm of Jackson politics. This result of the +congressional campaign seemed to disgust him with public political +life, and he quietly withdrew to private life. He has since steadily +practised law to support a large family--with one exception. In 1853, +he was elected Judge of the St. Louis Land Court. After performing the +duties of the office for about three years, he resigned it and went +back to the practice of the law. + +In 1847, to go back a little, Mr. Bates presided over the Internal +Improvement Convention at Chicago. In 1850, Mr. Fillmore appointed him +Secretary of War, but he declined the office. In 1856, he presided at +the Whig Convention in Baltimore; in 1858, received from Harvard +University the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. We omitted to +mention that, in 1823, Mr. Bates married Julia D. Coulter, a native of +South Carolina, by whom he has had seventeen children, eight of whom +survive. + +Before we give a few of Mr. Bates' political opinions, one fact should +be stated. He, a southern man, went to Missouri and became a +slaveholder, by inheritance and otherwise; yet, a few years since, set +his slaves free, and is understood to be unequivocally in favor of +emancipation in the State of Missouri. + +Now for Mr. Bates' political opinions--and we shall quote from his +late letter. He says, speaking of slavery: + + "As to the negro question, I have always thought, and often + declared, in speech and in print, that it is a pestilent question, + the agitation of which has never done good to any party, section, + or class, and never can do good, unless it be accounted good to + stir up the angry passions of men, and exasperate the unreasoning + jealousies of sections, and by these bad means foist some unfit + men into office, and keep some fit men out. It is a sensitive + question, into whose dangerous vortex it is quite possible for + good men to be drawn unawares. But when I see a man, at the South + or the North, of mature age and some experience, persist in urging + the question, after the successful experience of the last few + years, I can attribute his conduct to no higher motive than + personal ambition or sectional prejudice." + +This is all Mr. Bates says on the slavery question. He then goes on to +speak in favor of internal improvements to advance the interests and +protect the rights and industry of the country. + + "Protection, if not the sole, is the chief end of government. It + is for the governing power to judge, in every instance, what kind + and what degree of protection is needful--whether a navy to guard + our commerce all around the world, or an army to defend the + country against armed invasion from without, or domestic + insurrection from within; or a tariff to protect our home industry + against the dangerous obtrusion of foreign labor and capital." + +As to our foreign policy generally, he says he is willing to leave it +where Washington placed it, on the sage maxim, "Peace with all +nations; entangling alliances with none." The greedy appetite for +foreign acquisition which makes us covet our neighbor's lands, and +devise cunning schemes to get them, has little of his sympathy. He +argues this point briefly, but forcibly, opposing the acquisition of +Cuba, and the other islands and Central American countries which would +then be demanded. As to buying them, we had better wait till we cease +borrowing money to pay current expenses; and before conquering, pause +and estimate the cost of rushing into war with all maritime Europe, +and half of America. Cuba has much more to fear from us than we have +to fear from Cuba. Mr. Bates continues: + + "But suppose we could get, honestly and peaceably, the whole + country, continental and insular, from the Rio Grande to the + Orinoco, and from Trinidad to Cuba, and thus establish our _mare + clausum_, and shut the gate of the world across the Isthmus, can + we govern them wisely and well? For the last few years, in the + attempt to govern our home territories of Kansas and Utah, we have + not very well maintained the dignity and justice of the nation, + nor secured the peace and prosperity of the subject people.... + + "For my part, I should grieve to have my country become, like + Rome, a conquering and dominant nation; for I think there are few + or no examples in history, of governments whose chief objects were + glory and power, which did ever secure the happiness and + prosperity of their own people. Such governments may grow great + and famous, and advance a few of their citizens to wealth and + nobility, but the price of their grandeur is the personal + independence and individual freedom of their people. Still less am + I inclined to see absorbed into our system, "on an equal footing + with the original States," the various and mixed races (amounting + to I know not how many millions) which inhabit the continent and + isthmus south of our present border. I am not willing to inoculate + our body politic with the virus of their diseases, political and + social--diseases which, with them, are chronic and hereditary, and + with us could hardly fail to produce corruption in the mind and + weakness in the members." + +The letter concludes as follows: + + "It seems to me that an efficient, home-loving government, + moderate and economical in its administration, peaceful in its + objects, and just to all nations, need have no fear of invasion at + home, or serious aggressions abroad. The nations of Europe have to + stand continually in defence of their existence, but the conquest + of our country by a foreign power is simply impossible, and no + nation is so absurd as to entertain the thought. We may conquer + ourselves by local strifes and sectional animosities, and when, by + our folly and wickedness, we have accomplished that great + calamity, there will be none to pity us for the consequences of so + great a crime. + + "If our government would devote all its energies to the promotion + of peace and friendship with all foreign countries; the + advancement of commerce; the increase of agriculture; the growth + and stability of manufactures, and the cheapening, quickening, and + securing the internal trade and travel of our country; in short, + if it would devote itself in earnest to the establishment of a + wise and steady policy of internal government, I think we should + witness a growth and consolidation of wealth and comfort, and + power for good, which cannot be reasonably hoped for from a + fluctuating policy, always watching for the turns of good fortune, + or from a grasping ambition to seize new territories, which are + hard to get and harder to govern. + + "The present position of the administration is a sorrowful + commentary upon the broad democracy of its professions. In theory, + the people have the right and ability to do anything--in practice, + we are verging rapidly to the one man power. + + "The President, the ostensible head of the national Democrats, is + eagerly striving to concentrate power in his own hands, and thus + exclude both the people and their representatives from the actual + affairs of government. Having emptied the treasury, which he found + full, and living precariously upon the borrowed money, he now + demands of Congress to intrust to his unchecked discretion the war + power, the purse, and the sword. + + "First, he asks Congress to authorize him, by statute, to use the + army to take _military_ possession of northern Mexico, and hold it + under his _protectorate_, and as a security for debts due to our + citizens. _Civil_ possession would not answer, for that exposes + him, as in the case of Kansas, to be annoyed by a factious + Congress, and a rebellious territorial legislature. + + "Second, not content with this, he demands discretionary power to + use the army and navy in the South also, in blockading the coast + and marching his troops into the interior of Mexico and New + Granada, to protect our citizens against all evil doers along the + transit route of Tehuantepec and Panama, and he and his supporters + claim this enormous power upon the ground that, in this particular + at least, he ought to be the equal of the greatest monarch of + Europe. They forget that our fathers limited the power of the + President by design, and for the reason that they had found out, + by sad experience, that the monarchs of Europe were too strong for + freedom. + + "Third, in strict pursuance of his doctrine, first publicly + announced from Ostend, he demands of Congress to hand over to him + thirty millions of dollars, to be used at his discretion, to + facilitate his acquisition of Cuba. Facilitate--how? Perhaps it + would be imprudent to tell. + + "Add to all this the fact (as yet unexplained) that one of the + largest naval armaments which sailed from our coasts is now + operating in South America, ostensibly against a poor little + republic far up the Plata River, to settle some little quarrel + between the two Presidents. If Congress had been polite enough to + grant the President's demand of the sword and the purse against + Mexico, Central America and Cuba, this navy, its duty done at the + South, might be made, on its way home, to arrive in the Gulf very + opportunely, to aid the 'Commander-in-Chief' in the acquisition of + some very valuable territory. + + "I allude to these facts with no malice against Mr. Buchanan, but + as evidences of the dangerous change which is now obviously sought + to be made in the practical working of the Government--the + concentration of power in the hands of the President--and the + dangerous policy, now almost established, of looking abroad for + temporary glory and aggrandizement, instead of looking at home for + all the purposes of good government--peaceable, moderate, + economical--protecting all interests, and by a fixed policy + calling into safe exercise all the talents and industry of our + people, and thus steadily advancing our country in everything + which can make a nation great, happy, and permanent. + + "The rapid increase of the public expenditures (and that, too, + under the management of statesmen professing to be peculiarly + economical) is an alarming sign of corruption and decay. + + "The increase bears no fair proportion to the growth and expansion + of the country, but looks rather like wanton waste and criminal + negligence. The ordinary objects are not materially augmented--the + army and navy remained on a low peace establishment--the military + defences are little, if at all enlarged--the improvement of + harbors, lakes and rivers is abandoned, and the Pacific railway is + not only not begun, but its very location is scrambled for by + hungry sections, which succeed in nothing but mutual defeat. In + short, the money, to an enormous amount (I am told at the rate of + from eighty to one hundred millions a year), is gone, and we have + little or nothing to show for it. + + "In profound peace with foreign nations, and surrounded by the + proofs of national growth and individual prosperity, the treasury, + by less than two years of mismanagement, is made bankrupt, and the + government itself is living from hand to mouth on bills of credit + and borrowed money! This humiliating state of things could hardly + happen, if the men in power were both honest and wise. The + democratic economists in Congress confess that they have + recklessly wasted the public revenue; they confess it by refusing + to raise the tariff to meet the present exigency, and by insisting + that they can replenish the exhausted treasury and support the + government, in credit and efficiency, by simply striking off their + former extravagances. + + "An illustrious predecessor of the President is reported to have + declared 'that those who live on borrowed money ought to break.' I + do not concur in that harsh saying; yet I am clearly of the + opinion that the government, in common prudence (to say nothing of + pride and dignity), ought to reserve its credit for great + transactions and unforeseen emergencies. In common times of peace, + it ought always to have an established revenue, equal, at least, + to its current expenses. And that revenue ought to be so levied as + to foster and protect the industry of the country, employed in our + most necessary and important manufactures." + + + + +DANIEL S. DICKINSON. + + +Daniel Stevens Dickinson was born at Goshen, Litchfield County, Conn., +Sept. 11, 1800. + +His father, Daniel T. Dickinson, was a farmer, an intelligent, upright +man, who through life was devoted to his calling as the most honorable +and useful, and left an unsullied name. + +In 1806, the family removed to what is now Guilford, Chenango County, +New York, where Daniel S. Dickinson spent his boyhood, mostly on the +farm, in the usual occupations of a farmer's boy. + +His education, as far as public advantages were concerned, was limited +to the common schools of the country; but with a spirit of +self-reliance, untiring industry and an ardent desire for knowledge +and advancement, he availed himself of such private facilities as he +could command or devise, and persevering in a plan of self-education +systematically, with a fine literary taste and extensive reading and +study, he early became a thorough English scholar, well versed in the +classics and familiar with general literature. + +Between 1816 and 1820, he learned, and worked as apprentice and +journeyman at, a mechanic's trade. In 1820, he commenced teaching and +was successfully engaged in it considerably up to 1825, both in the +common and in academical or select schools. + +About 1820, he learned, without a teacher, the art of land surveying, +in which he became expert, and practised somewhat extensively until +1828. During a portion of the time, while teaching and surveying, he +was also engaged in the study of the law. He married, in 1822, Lydia +Knapp, daughter of the late Colby Knapp, M.D., an early settler of +Guilford, a prominent member of the medical profession, and extensively +identified with the early history of the town and county. They have had +four children, only two of whom, the youngest--daughters--are living. +In 1828, he was admitted to the practice of the law, and opened an +office at Guilford, where he remained in practice until 1831. + +In December, 1831, he removed to Binghamton, the county seat of Broome +County, New York, where he has ever since resided. He immediately +entered upon an extensive legal practice, and soon took rank among the +ablest lawyers of the State. He was made the first President of +Binghamton, on its municipal organization in 1834. Was a member of the +Baltimore Convention which nominated Van Buren and Johnson, in 1835. +Was elected to the State Senate in the fall of 1836; took his seat 1st +January, 1837, and served for four years as a senator and member of +the Court for the Correction of Errors, in both of which capacities, +as a debater, legislator and jurist, he maintained a prominent rank. +His review in the Senate of the message of Governor Seward established +him at once as a leader of his party, and is still referred to among +politicians as exhibiting both the tact and power which afterward so +strongly marked his public career. His opinions delivered in the Court +of Errors are models of conciseness and force, and temper in just +proportion the technicalities of law with the deductions of sound +reason and strong common sense. + +His term in the State Senate expired Dec. 31, 1840. At the election in +1840, he was a candidate for the office of Lieut. Governor, at the +time Mr. Van Buren ran the second time for President, and was +defeated, though he received 5,000 more votes than Mr. Van Buren. + +In 1842, finding that his name was being used again in connection with +the office of Lieut. Governor, he declined the nomination in advance +of the meeting of the convention, but was nevertheless nominated +unanimously and by acclamation, and compelled by circumstances to +accept, and was elected by 25,000 majority. The office of Lieut. +Governor made him President of the Senate, Presiding Judge of the +Court for the Correction of Errors, member of the Canal Board, Regent +of the University, etc., etc. His term of office expired Dec. 31, +1844, and he declined a reelection. It was held during a somewhat +stormy period in the history of the State, but was so discharged as to +add to his reputation with the people and his standing with the +Democratic party. As the presiding officer of the Senate, in +particular, he showed a decision, firmness and dignity of character +which elicited the admiration and approval of opponents as well as +friends. + +At the election in 1844, he opened the Presidential campaign in New +York on the annexation of Texas, which he warmly advocated against the +opinion of many leading Democrats. He spent the whole campaign upon +the stump; was one of the Democratic _State_ electors, and united in +casting the vote of the State for Polk and Dallas. About the 1st of +December, 1844, he was appointed by Governor Bouck United State +senator in place of N. P. Tallmadge, resigned, and immediately +proceeded to Washington and took his seat as such. Governor +Tallmadge's term expired on the 4th of March, 1845. On the meeting of +the Legislature in January, 1845, he was elected for the unexpired +term of Governor Tallmadge, and subsequently for the regular term of +six years, from 4th March, 1845; during which term he remained in the +Senate, closing his public service 4th March, 1851. For a number of +years he was Chairman of the Committee of Finance in the Senate, but +declined it, and all committee service, the last short session of the +term. + +He was a member of the committee to bear the remains of Mr. Calhoun to +his native State, and discharged the duty with the almost filial +regard he felt for the great man who had been called away from the +field of his public labors. This is the only time he ever visited the +South; but, though necessarily a hasty trip, he received many tokens +of public and private appreciation. + +In 1847, he introduced into the Senate, and advocated in an able +speech, his celebrated resolution on the acquisition and annexation of +territory, and asserting, in opposition to the doctrines of the Wilmot +Proviso, the principles of "popular sovereignty," which formed the +basis of the adjustment of 1850, and has since been so fully approved +by the people. + +He opposed the Oregon Treaty, which surrendered several degrees of +American territory to Great Britain. + +He opposed the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty, which he conceived to be a +cheat, and has been a constant source of embarrassment and +misunderstanding between the two governments. + +During the session of 1850, he was given a public dinner by the +Democrats of the counties of New York, Kings, Queens, Richmond and +Westchester, at the city of New York. The invitation was tendered by +the leading Democrats of the five counties. They said in it that the +occasion was sought for the purpose of "giving full utterance to the +sentiments of respect and confidence with which his distinguished +political services to our common country had inspired them," and +closed as follows: "In the trying crisis through which our country, +and we may add the cause of the world's freedom, and of Republicanism, +is now passing, the State of New York is most fortunate in being +represented in the Senate of the Union, by one whose patriotism soars +above the level of time-serving purposes, and whose eminent talents +and moral worth command respect both in the State he represents, and +in the councils of the nation." + +On his visit to New York, in compliance with this invitation, besides +the splendid public _fete_, at which Charles O'Connor presided, he was +waited upon by the various Democratic committees with resolutions and +congratulatory addresses approving his course; was made the guest of +the Common Council, although it was then politically Whig, who +unanimously presented him the "freedom of the city," and passed +resolutions thanking him for his public services in behalf of the city +and State. + +He was a member of the Committee of Thirteen in the Senate, of which +Mr. Clay was chairman, which perfected the compromise measures of +1850, and took a leading part in their advocacy and adoption: a policy +which, though often disturbed by demagogues of both parties since, has +signally borne the test of the public judgment. At the close of the +session at which those measures were adopted, he received from Mr. +Webster the beautiful letter reference to his course, which we append. + + MR. WEBSTER TO MR. DICKINSON. + + WASHINGTON, _Sept. 27, 1850_. + + MY DEAR SIR: Our companionship in the Senate is dissolved. After + this long and important session, you are about to return to your + home, and I shall try to find leisure to visit mine. I hope we may + meet each other again two months hence for the discharge of our + duties in our respective stations in the government. But life is + uncertain, and I have not felt willing to take leave of you + without placing in your hands a note containing a few words which + I wish to say to you. + + In the earlier part of our acquaintance, my dear sir, occurrences + took place which I remember with constantly increasing pain, + because the more I have known of you the greater has been my + respect for your talents. But it is your noble, able, manly and + patriotic conduct in support of the great measures of this session + which has entirely won my heart, and secured my highest regard. I + hope you may live long to serve your country; but I do not think + you are ever likely to see a crisis in which you may be able to do + so much either for your own distinction or for the public good. + You have stood where others have fallen; you have advanced with + firm and manly step where others have wavered, faltered and fallen + back, and, for one, I desire to thank you, and to commend your + conduct out of the fullness of an honest heart. + + This letter needs no reply; it is, I am aware, of very little + value, but I have thought you might be willing to receive it, and + perhaps to leave it where it would be seen by those who may come + after you. + + I pray you, when you reach your own threshold, to remember me most + kindly to your wife and daughter, and I remain, dear sir, with the + truest esteem, your friend and obedient servant, + + DAN'L WEBSTER. + + MR. DICKINSON TO MR. WEBSTER. + + BINGHAMTON, _Oct. 5, 1850_. + + MY DEAR SIR: I perused and re-perused the beautiful note which you + placed in my hands as I was about leaving Washington, with deeper + emotion than I have ever experienced, except under some domestic + vicissitude. Since I learned the noble and generous qualities of + your nature, the unfortunate occurrence in our early acquaintance, + to which you refer, has caused me many moments of painful regret, + and your confiding communication has furnished a powerful + illustration of the truth that "to err is human, to forgive + divine." Numerous and valued are the testimonials of confidence + and regard which a somewhat extended acquaintance and lengthened + public service have gathered around me, but among them all there + is none to which my heart clings so fondly as this. + + I have presented it to my family and friends as the proudest + passage in the history of an eventful life, and shall transmit it + to my posterity as a sacred and cherished memento of friendship. I + thank Heaven that it has fallen to my lot to be associated with + yourself and others in resisting the mad current of disunion which + threatened to overwhelm us; and the recollection that my course + upon a question so momentous has received the approbation of the + most distinguished American statesman, has more than satisfied my + ambition. Believe me, my dear sir, that of all the patriots that + came forward in the evil day of their country, there was no voice + so potential as your own. Others could buffet the dark and angry + waves, but it was your strong arm that could roll them back from + the holy citadel. + + May that beneficent Being who holds the destiny of men and + nations, long spare you to the public service, and may your vision + never rest upon the disjointed fragments of a convulsed and ruined + confederacy. + + I pray you to accept and to present to Mrs. Webster the kind + remembrance of myself and family, and believe me sincerely yours, + + D. S. DICKINSON. + +He (Mr. Dickinson) was a member of the Baltimore Convention of 1848. +In 1852, he was again a member. The convention failed to nominate on +the first day of its sitting. The second day, on assembling in the +morning, the Virginia delegation presented his name for the +Presidency. Having been the friend and supporter of Gen. Cass for the +nomination, whose name in the balloting then stood at about 100, he +thought that in honor he could not become a candidate, and arose in +the convention and declined the use of his name in a speech which did +honor to his patriotism and self-sacrifice, and was received with the +warmest applause, though many of his friends and the sound democracy +of the country regretted his decision. Virginia subsequently brought +forward, in the same manner, the name of Gen. Pierce, and he was +nominated and elected. + +In 1853, he was appointed to the valuable office of Collector of the +Port of New York, which he declined. In 1858, the honorary degree of +Doctor of Laws was conferred on him by the Faculty of Hamilton +College, New York. Since the expiration of his senatorial term, he has +been entirely devoted to professional and rural occupations, and is at +present conducting a large professional business. He has not mingled +extensively in political affairs since, but was upon the stump in the +presidential campaigns of 1852 and 1856, in his own and some of the +other States. + +Mr. Dickinson possesses a strong constitution, land firm and uniform +health. His habits are those of exact regularity and active industry. +He is capable of great concentration of effort, and of endurance, and +performs every day of his life, either at the courts, in his office, +upon his grounds, or keeping up his extensive correspondence, a vast +amount of labor. + +He is devoted to his family and friends, is domestic in his tastes, +and his most cherished hours are those spent in the confidence and +quietude of home. + +Cheerful, genial and hospitable in his disposition and intercourse, he +is exceedingly popular in social life; his ready wit and fund of +anecdote, with his varied and more solid powers of conversation, +always make him welcome, and render him in society the centre of many +a delighted circle. + +He writes with facility, and in a style pointed and vigorous. + +His speeches are characterized always by plain and direct purpose, +sound argument and happy illustration, and often by sparkling repartee +and passages of stirring eloquence. Some of his most effective efforts +have been made without previous preparation. In public life his +distinguishing characteristics have been fidelity to friends and +party, and the courage and intrepidity with which, regardless of +considerations personal to himself, his opinions have been maintained. + +In public or in private life, the integrity and purity of his +character have never been questioned. + +To show how Mr. Dickinson is regarded by his political friends, we +quote a few paragraphs from a sketch of the man in a New York journal +friendly to him: + + "Mr. Dickinson is, in the true and democratic sense of the term, a + _national_ man. And while there have been, and still are, a few, + both North and South, who have believed, and do believe, that + emergencies may arise in the affairs of our country, when it would + be better to 'let the Union slide,' his course will show that in + his belief, under no possible or conceivable circumstances, could + a greater misfortune happen to our country and the cause of + humanity itself, than a rupture or dismemberment of the American + Union. This conviction has animated and controlled all his conduct + as a man and a public servant. In the elements of his character, + there is no neutrality or non-committal; his leading peculiarities + are point and positiveness--there is nothing negative about the + man, his convictions are all absolute, and they are always + vitalized into practical efficiency. Hence no man has warmer or + more attached personal friends, and none more bitter political + opponents, than he. The Van Buren men of New York, who defeated + Gen. Cass, in 1848, by their treachery to the democratic party, + have acted as though they thought his very political existence was + a standing rebuke and shame for their treasonable desertion; and + hence they have spared no pains or efforts to vilify his character + by the grossest misrepresentations. Yet notwithstanding these + efforts of a false and disappointed faction, the people of the + country feel, that there is no man to whom its true friends are + more indebted than to him, for his fearless course in stemming the + torrent of fanaticism and disunion. When the Abolitionists raised + the '_Black Flag_' of treason in the North, and the decree went + forth from the immediate friends and abettors of the Van Burens, + that every man in the State of New York who did not join with them + in their insane attempts to tear down the constitution of the + country, and trample its sanctions and compromises in the dust, in + order to invade the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the + South, should be tabooed and turned over to the mercies of the + political guillotine, Mr. D. threw himself into the van of the + opposition and dared to beard the lion in his den; and proclaimed + in stern and patriotic tones of defiance, that for himself, 'he + knew no North, no South, no East and no West--nothing but his + country.'" + +One of the editors of the "Dublin Nation," while travelling in this +country, gave the subjoined sketch of Mr. Dickinson, as he found him +in an American court: + + "I learned that a court of assize was sitting just then in the + town; I was quite glad of an opportunity of seeing for myself a + sight supposed to be such a compound of the farce and the row, 'an + American court of justice in the rural districts.' I found out the + courthouse; a dilapidated old building, crowning the rising ground + at one end of the principal street. I entered the hall. On one + side a rickety door, with a half moon grating near the top, marked + the apartment (about twelve feet by fifteen), which served as the + district jail. It was strong enough, probably, to be any barrier + to the liberty of a lame ewe; yet it was large enough and strong + enough for the requirements of the locality! I ascended the + stairs, and, pushing open a door on the first landing, I found + myself in 'court.' Accuse me not, oh hilarious reader, if I herein + depart from all precedent and prefer not fun to fact; if I declare + that I saw no revolvers, no bowie knives, heard neither cursing + nor squabbling; possibly these are to be seen, and I may see them + ere I return to Ireland--but here, at least, I declare, that I saw + gravity and dignity on the bench and at the bar; order and decorum + in the audience. The latter I attribute to the circumstance that + there were no policemen to disturb the quiet of the place, by + perpetually bawling out 'silence!'--an intolerable nuisance which + _we_ have to endure. The room was about thirty feet square and + fifteen in height. At the end opposite the entrance was the bench; + in the middle of the apartment an oval shaped space was railed off + on the floor; one end reaching to the desk (immediately under the + bench), at which sat the county clerk and the sheriff. The oval + space was alloted to the professors of the law. On each side, + rising gradually to the rear, were rows of seats, or rather pews, + for the auditors. The jury sat in one of these 'pews,' immediately + on the left of the judge. Two large stoves, whose flue-pipes cut + sundry capers in the air--with the laudable intention of giving us + all the benefit possible of the heat they contained--kept the + place comfortably warm. Occasionally the high sheriff would walk + quietly down to one of the stoves, open the door, poke up the + fire, and put in a fresh log. Accustomed from childhood to + associate so largely the judicial functions with a horse-hair wig, + and a black silk gown--indeed, rather inclined to think that these + constituted the judge, and that without them there could be no law + in the land, it seemed hard to believe that the gentleman on the + bench before me, in civilian costume, could be a real genuine + judge and no mistake.... + + "Yet I do not know that I ever saw in the same official position + more dignified demeanor. I never saw a judge listened to with more + deference, and treated with more respect than in this instance, in + this same village court, in the 'wilds' of western New York, + though Judge Balcom wears his own hair--black as Morven's--and + came to court without the blowing of even so much as a penny + whistle. + + * * * * * + + "Seated within the railed space--his arms folded on his breast, + his face raised upward in attentive listening attitude--was a man + who instantly struck me as being singular among the throng around + him. He might be sixty years of age; a powerfully built frame and + expansive chest gave indication of physical strength and energy; + but it was _the face_ that impressed me. It was one of those that + Rembrandt loved to paint; the grave serenity of strength in + repose; the warm glow of life's autumn evening upon a countenance + expressive of quiet dignity and intellectual power. The spacious + dome of a massive head was covered with silvery--nay, snow-white + hair, lending a venerable, though not an aged, aspect to the man. + He was very plainly dressed; the blue cloth body-coat, with brass + buttons, was perfectly American; the large high shirt-collar + standing out from the lower part of a face entirely shaven; and a + black silk neckerchief loosely fastened around in the very + carelessness of effect or appearance, was in perfect keeping with + the simplicity of his _tout ensemble_. This was the Honorable D. + S. Dickinson, the contemporary in politics of Webster, who found + in him, in many a passage of arms, a foeman worthy of his steel. + For some years Mr. Dickinson has remained in retirement from + active public life, notwithstanding many efforts to induce him to + reenter the arena. Yet it is shrewdly suspected that his counsel + is not seldom sought and acted upon by the great ones of that + party of which he once was so active and able a leader." + +We now proceed to make a few extracts from Mr. Dickinson's public +speeches. Here is an extract upon disunion: + + "The spirit of sectional hate, which is now inculcated by the + votaries of a corrupt and stultified Abolitionism, by bigots, + zealots, fanatics and demagogues; in desecrated pulpits, in ribald + songs, in incendiary presses and strife stirring orators, has + already promoted a feeling of irritation which should fill the + patriotic mind with apprehension and alarm. No feud is so bitter + as that which exists between brethren--no persecution so + relentless as that which pursues an estranged friend--no war so + ruthless as one of domestic strife; and yet this evil genius, + disguised with the garb of superior sanctity--the blear-eyed + miscreant disunion--is walking up and down the earth like Satan + loosed from his bondage of a thousand years, endeavoring to array + one section of the Union against the other upon a question which + was wisely disposed of by those who laid the broad and deep + foundations of our government. + + "With one hand it essays to tear out from the Constitution the + pages upon which are written its holiest guaranties, and with the + other, it seeks to erase from our nation's flag fifteen of the + stars which help to compose the pride and hope and joy of every + American. It would, in pursuit of its miserable and accursed + abstractions, array man against man, brother against brother, and + State against State, until it covered our fair land with anarchy + and blood, and filled it with mourning and lamentation; until + every field should be a field of battle, every hill-side drenched + in blood, every plain a Golgotha, every valley a valley of dry + bones; until fire should blast every field, consume every + dwelling, destroy every temple, and leave every town black with + ashes and desolation; until this fiendish spirit, compounding all + the elements of fury and horror, would sweep over this fair and + fertile portion of God's heritage, like the infuriated Hyder Ali + on the Carnatic, leaving it one everlasting monument of barbarous + vengeance." + +In anticipation of the acquisition of territory from Mexico, on +account of the Mexican war, the famous Wilmot proviso passed the House +of Representatives at the heel of the session in 1846. As an antidote +for the proviso, Mr. Dickinson introduced the following resolves into +the Senate, Dec. 14, 1847: + + "_Resolved_, That true policy requires the Government of the + United States to strengthen its political and commercial relations + upon this continent by the annexation of such contiguous territory + as may conduce to that end, and can be justly obtained; and that + neither in such acquisition nor in the territorial organization + thereof, can any conditions be constitutionally imposed, or + institutions be provided for or established, inconsistent with the + right of the people thereof, to form a free, sovereign State, with + the powers and privileges of the original members of the + confederacy. + + "_Resolved_, That, in organizing a territorial government for + territory belonging to the United States, the principles of + self-government upon which our federative system rests will be + best promoted, the true spirit and meaning of the Constitution be + observed, and the Confederacy strengthened, by leaving all + questions concerning the domestic policy therein to the + legislatures chosen by the people thereof." + +In a speech of power, delivered in the Senate Jan. 15, 1848, he tried +to demonstrate the correctness of the principle of these resolves. +From this, the first speech made during the slavery controversy in +favor of congressional non-intervention with slavery in the +territories, we make the following extracts: + + "The Republican theory teaches that sovereignty resides with the + people of a State, and not with its political organization; and + the Declaration of Independence recognizes the right of the + people to alter or abolish and reconstruct their government. + If sovereignty resides with the people and not with the + organization, it rests as well with the people of a territory, in + all that concerns their internal condition, as with the people of + an organized State. And if it is the right of the people, by + virtue of their innate sovereignty, to 'alter or abolish,' and + reconstruct their government, it is the right of the inhabitants + of territories, by virtue of the same attribute, in all that + appertains to their domestic concerns, to fashion one suited to + their condition. And it, in this respect, a form of government + is proposed to them by the Federal Government, and adopted or + acquiesced in by them, they may afterward alter or abolish it at + pleasure. Although the government of a territory has not the same + sovereign power as the government of a State in its political + relations, the people of a territory have, in all that appertains + to their internal condition, the same sovereign rights as the + people of a State.... + + "That system of government, whether temporary or permanent, + whether applied to States, provinces, or territories, is radically + wrong, and has within itself all the elements of monarchical + oppression, which permits the representatives of one community to + legislate for the domestic regulation of another to which they are + not responsible, which practically allows New York and + Massachusetts, and other Atlantic States, to give local laws to + the people of Oregon, Minnesota and Nebraska, to whom and whose + interests, wishes and condition, they are strangers." + +The following extracts from a campaign speech in 1856, of Mr. +Dickinson, will give the reader some idea of his wit and power before +an out-door audience. He is speaking of the Pennsylvania election: + + "In Pennsylvania every ill-omened bird in the nation had gathered + and croaked. Every device that those bent on evil could conceive + had been resorted to. Money had been spent with a lavish hand. All + this had been done in order to induce the people of that State to + favor the doctrines of the so-called Republican party. How well + had she stood the test in the last great fight! There, fanaticism + had been rebuked, hypocrisy had been unmasked, and villainy + discomfited. The Democratic candidates had been placed in the + field, and that being the home of Mr. Buchanan, the Republicans + had strained every nerve to defeat him there. But how gallantly + had old Pennsylvania come up to the work--how glorious the result! + How had they tried and judged that party--that political + mermaid--half-colored woman and half-scaly fish! The result + reminded him of a conference between Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Smith. + Mrs. Jones, calling on Mrs. Smith, said, 'Why, haven't you + finished your washing yet?' To which Mrs. Smith replied, 'Oh! no, + dear, we have a very great washing; it takes us a whole week to do + our washing, and I don't think we can get it done in a week!' + 'But, said Mrs. Jones, 'you haven't a _great_ many clothes-lines, + and they are not _very_ long, and you don't seem to hang out any + more clothes than other people! 'Oh, no,' replied Mrs. Smith; 'but + then you know what we hang out is a very small portion of what we + wash.' So it was with the Republicans of Pennsylvania. What they + hung out on election day was in miserable proportion to the amount + of washing they had done. Proceeding, he said that the Democrats + had hung out their banners--their principles were those of the + Constitution, and their candidates were upon them. The + Republicans, on the contrary, had but few principles, and scarcely + any candidates. The Democratic candidates represented the + principles of the Democratic party. And now of the general issue + between the parties. + + "What a spectacle! A slavery more base and abject than any African + slavery that was ever dreamed of; an enslavement of white men, in + order that their leaders may war against their brethren. How they + would make up their dividend of profits he could not see. Their + case would be similar to that of the man who thought he was going + to get a great deal of money by his wife. She had often told him + that when her father died, she would have considerable coming to + her. Well, the old man died, and it turned out that he had left + $9,000 and ten children. The husband tried to figure it up. He + said, 10 from 9 you can't. He tried it again and said, 10 from 9 + you can't. Turning to his wife, and greatly perplexed, he said, + 'you told me that when the old man died, you would have something + coming to you.' His wife replied that she had--that she had always + understood her father had $9,000. 'So he has,' says the husband; + 'but then he's got ten children--and 10 from 9 you can't. We won't + get a d----d cent.' So it would be with the Republicans. They had + resorted to political huckstering, such as had never before been + heard of. They had run through every issue, and had talked + thread-bare every principle. Kansas was now their great hobby. + They said they did not care so much about other issues. But + Kansas--bleeding Kansas, absorbed their very souls. Kansas was to + them what ale was to Boniface--it was meat, drink, washing and + lodging. Now, though Kansas was an important section of the + country, he did not think that it was worth while to upset the + Government, whether slavery went there or not. The Democracy were + willing to leave that question entirely with the people of that + country. They had no fear from slavery there, even if it had all + the evils pictured by the fanatics. New York could have slavery if + it wished, so could all the other States, and all the Democracy + wanted was that the people should do as they liked in the + question, whether slavery should be there or no. + + "In any event, slavery was not so bad or so baneful in its + influences as the trickery that had been resorted to in + Pennsylvania, and by the so-called Republicans. But, Kansas, + bleeding Kansas, they cry continually. Why, they had run poor, + bleeding Kansas until it was as dry as a turnip. It was to them + what the lamp was to Aladdin. When he wanted to raise the wind, he + rubbed his lamp, and when the Republicans wanted blood, they cried + 'bleeding Kansas.' Kansas, to them, was like the Yankee's clock, + that would strike whenever he told it to do so. But one day he + told it to strike, and it didn't; he told it again, but still no + strike. Finally, a voice was heard from behind the clock, saying, + 'I can't strike--the string's broke.' To this pass has it come at + length with the Republicans and their poor 'bleeding Kansas! When + they call for blood, the answer comes, 'The string's broke.'" + +In a territorial speech in the United States Senate, January 12, 1848, +Mr. Dickinson said: + + "Our form of government is admirably adapted to extend empire. + Founded in the virtue and intelligence of the people, and deriving + its just powers from the consent of the governed, its influences + are as powerful for good at the remotest limits as at the + political centre. + + "We are unlike all communities which have gone before us, and + illustrations drawn from comparing us with them, are unjust and + erroneous. The social order which characterizes our system is as + unlike the military republics of other times, as is the religion + of the Saviour of men to the impositions of Mahomet. Our system + wins by its justice, while theirs sought to terrify by its power. + Our territorial boundary may span the continent, our population be + quadrupled, and the number of our States be doubled, without + inconvenience or danger. Every member of the Confederacy would + well sustain itself and contribute its influences for the general + good; every pillar would stand erect, and impart strength and + beauty to the edifice. In matters of national legislation, a + numerous population, extended territory, and diversified + interests, would tend to reform abuses which would otherwise + remain unredressed, to preserve the rights of the States, and to + bring back the course of legislation from the centralism to which + it is hastening. One-half the legislation now brought before + Congress would be left undone, as it should be; a large portion of + the residue would be presented to the consideration of State + legislatures, and Congress would be enabled to dispose of all + matters within the scope of its legitimate functions without + inconvenience or delay. + + "The present political relations of this continent cannot long + continue, and it becomes this nation to be prepared for the change + which awaits it. If the subjects of the British crown shall + consent to be ruled through all time by a distant cabinet, Mexico + cannot long exist under the misrule of marauders and their + pronunciamentos, and this was as clearly apparent before as since + the existence of the war. If then, just acquisition is the true + policy of this Government, as it clearly is, it should be pursued + by a steady and unyielding purpose, and characterized by the + sternest principles of national justice. It should not rashly + anticipate the great results which are in progress, nor thrust + aside the fruits when they are produced and presented. The + national existence of Mexico is in her own keeping, but is more + endangered at this time by her own imbecility and + stubbornness--her national ignorance and brutality--than from the + war we are prosecuting and all its consequences. She has been + hastening to ruin for years upon the flood-tide of profligacy and + corruption; and if she is now rescued, and her downfall arrested + and postponed for a season, it may justly be attributed to the + salutary influences of the chastisement she has received." + +These general ideas upon the subject of territorial acquisition will +indicate Mr. Dickinson's views upon the Cuban and Mexican questions of +to-day. + + + + +JOHN BELL. + + +John Bell is a man of the old school in politics, an ancient southern +Whig, who has preserved his whiggery intact, and has not been +swallowed up in the Democratic party, but has rather sympathized to a +great extent with the party in the North which has taken the place of +the old Whig organization--the Republican party. Coming from a slave +State, and himself a slaveholder, of course Mr. Bell does not belong +to the Republican organization. He could not well do so without +occupying an anti-slavery attitude in Tennessee. But he has acted in +concert with the Republicans on most issues in Congress, and upon many +of the issues which slavery has raised, he has taken sides with the +North. In this manner he has gained the respect of his colleagues who +go further than he does in opposition to slavery. + +John Bell is an honest, upright man, and has been for years one of the +ablest members of the U.S. Senate. He has evinced the highest courage +in taking his stand against measures which were either proposed by +politicians from his own section of the country, or were expected to +inure to the benefit of that section. He came out boldly against the +repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and the Kansas-Nebraska act, +although in doing so he exposed himself at home, among his +constituents, to the raking fire of his political enemies. He also +opposed with great eloquence and vigor the Lecompton bill. For a +southern senator to do these things requires pluck as well as +principle, and we may be sure that John Bell lacks neither. His +enemies will give him credit for both. + +In his personal appearance in the Senate, Mr. Bell is noticeable. +Though his hair is grey, the fire of his eye is undimmed, and the +freshness of his countenance is youthful. Few men in the Senate speak +so vigorously as he. His voice is sonorous and loud, and the energy of +his tone, his style, and his gesticulation remind one of an orator of +thirty. We remember very well how during the Lecompton debate in the +Senate, Mr. Johnson, Bell's Democratic colleague, was replying with +great severity to his speech against the Lecompton bill. A portion of +his remarks were very personal, and must have somewhat irritated the +brave old senator. Johnson was fresh from the stump, and its phrases +and language were so beaten into his mind that he could not shake them +off. So, frequently in the course of his speech in alluding to Mr. +Bell, instead of saying "my colleague," he said "my _competitor_." +This was done several times, when Mr. Bell half-rose in his seat, his +face flushed red with his indignation, and hurled out at his +colleague, "_Competitor! I am not the gentleman's competitor!_" No one +who witnessed the scene will ever forget it. The Senate was convulsed +with laughter. + +Mr. Bell was born near Nashville, Tennessee, in February, 1797; his +father being a farmer in moderate circumstances. He--the son--was +educated at what is now Nashville University--afterward studied law, +and was admitted to the bar in 1816. He then settled down in Franklin, +Tennessee, from which place he was elected to the State Senate, in +1817, he then being but twenty years old. During the next nine years +he forsook politics and confined himself to his profession, but in +1826 he ran for Congress, in opposition to Felix Grundy. He had the +support of General Jackson, and triumphed by one thousand majority. +The canvass was long and exciting, and Mr. Bell was justly proud of +his victory. For fourteen consecutive years he remained in the House +of Representatives from this district. When first elected he was a +follower of Calhoun and an opponent of a Protective Tariff. He +afterward, by reading and argument, saw fit to change his position in +this respect, and has long been known as an advocate of the old Whig +tenets--a high tariff, internal improvements, etc. etc. He was for ten +years in the House, chairman of the committee on Indian Affairs, was +once chairman of the Judiciary committee. The breach between himself +and Jackson was on the question of the removal of the deposits, and +the result was that Mr. Bell went over to the Whigs. In 1834, he was +made Speaker of the House of Representatives, his opponent being James +K. Polk. The Whigs and a wing of the Democrats who disliked Van Buren +voted for Mr. Bell, and elected him. Mr. Bell opposed Mr. Van Buren +for removing men from office on account of their politics, and he made +a strong speech in the House against this policy. He refused to +support Van Buren for the presidency and went in for Judge White, who +carried the State of Tennessee. Mr. Bell was afterward reelected to +Congress from the Hermitage district, showing that the people even in +Jackson's district supported him in the position he had taken. It was +at this time that he had the courage to vote _in favor_ of receiving +anti-slavery politicians, when many northern politicians voted to +strike down this right of the people under the most despotic forms of +government. He also voted _against_ Atherton's famous Gag Resolutions. +In 1841, Gen. Harrison made him Secretary of War, but he resigned when +Tyler came into power. He was soon elected to the United States +Senate, where he remained till March 4th, 1859. + +Mr. Bell supported the compromise measures of 1850--was opposed to the +annexation of Texas--and, as we have remarked, opposed the +Kansas-Nebraska act and the Lecompton Constitution. He is opposed to +the _taking_ of Cuba or buying it at an extravagant price--opposes all +kinds of filibustering. We make a few extracts from Mr. Bell's great +speech against the Lecompton bill. Upon Popular Sovereignty he thus +expressed himself: + + "What is the true doctrine on this subject? I had supposed that + there could be no disagreement as to the true principles connected + with the rights and powers of the people in forming a State + Constitution; but since I have heard the speech of the senator + from Georgia, I do not know what principle he agrees to. I say + that in no disrespect; but I thought he was particularly wild, + shooting _extra flammantia maenia mundi_, on those high points of + doctrine which he, in some parts of his speech, thought proper to + enunciate. Does any person here deny the proposition, that the + people of a territory, in the formation of a State Constitution, + are to that extent--_quoad hoc_--sovereign and uncontrollable, + though still owing obedience to the provisional government of + the territory? Will any senator contend that the territorial + legislature can either give to the people any power over that + subject which they did not possess before, or withhold from them + any which they did possess? The territorial legislature cannot + dictate any one provision of the constitution which the people + think proper to form. Who is prepared to contend that Congress can + do anything more in this respect than a territorial legislature? + It is usual for the territorial legislature, when the people + desire to apply for admission into the Union, in the absence of an + enabling act of Congress, to pass a law providing for the + assembling of a convention to form a State Constitution. But that + is a mere usage, resorted to when Congress has not thought proper + to pass what is called an enabling act. What is an enabling act? + Nothing more than to signify to the people of a territory, that if + they shall think proper to meet in convention and form a State + Constitution, in compliance with certain forms therein prescribed, + to insure a fair expression of the people's will, Congress is + prepared to admit them into the Union as a State. + + "But such an act gives no more power to the people over the + subject of a constitution than an act of a territorial + legislature. But, suppose the people, either under an act of the + territorial legislature or of Congress, meet in convention, by + delegates chosen by the people, and form a constitution, what + then? Has it any vitality as a constitution? Does it transform the + territory into a State? Has it any binding force or effect, either + upon individuals or upon the community? Nobody pretends that it + has any such force. It is only after the acceptance of the + constitution, and the admission of the territory into the Union as + a State, that there is any vigor or validity in a constitution so + formed. Before that time, it is worth no more than the parchment + on which its provisions are written, so far as any legal or + constitutional validity is concerned. + + "But, upon principle, the people of a territory, without any act + of the territorial legislature, without an enabling act of + Congress, can hold public meetings and elect delegates to meet in + convention for the purpose of forming a constitution; and when + formed, it has all the essential attributes of a valid + constitution, as one formed in any other way. Many senators + contend that it is the inalienable and indefeasible right of the + people of a State at all times to change their constitution in any + manner they think proper. This doctrine I do not admit, in regard + to the people of a State; but, in reference to the formation of a + constitution by the people of a territory, there can be no + question as to the soundness of this doctrine. They can form a + constitution by delegates voluntarily chosen and sent to a + convention, but what is it worth when it is formed? Nothing at + all, until Congress shall accept it and admit the territory into + the Union as a State under that constitution. It is worth no more + in that case than in the case of a constitution formed under a + territorial act or an act of Congress; but it is worth just as + much." + +Upon the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and the effects which +followed the act, he remarked: + + "Four years ago, when it was proposed to repeal the Missouri + Compromise--to adopt the principle of non-intervention, and + concede to the people of the territories the right to settle the + question of slavery in their own way--it was said by the advocates + of the measure, that, as soon as the principles of it came to be + understood, all agitation and discussion upon the subject of + slavery in the territories would be localized--excluded from + Congress--and the country would be left in undisturbed repose. So + boldly and confidently were these views maintained, that the whole + southern delegation in Congress, Whigs and Democrats, with seven + or eight exceptions, together with many Democrats from the free + States, came into the support of the measure. How were these bold + predictions verified? In less than one month of the time during + which the Kansas-Nebraska bill was pending in Congress, nearly the + whole North was in a flame of resentment and opposition. Old men, + of high character and great influence, who had for twenty years + opposed the policy and designs of the Abolition faction in the + North, suddenly became its allies and coadjutors. Thousands of the + best citizens at the North, who had exerted all their energies to + repress all opposition to the execution of the Fugitive Slave law + of 1850, became suddenly converts to Free-Soilism. The religious + feelings of whole communities became frenzied. The pulpit was + converted into an engine of anti-slavery propagandism, and + hundreds of thousands of sober-minded and conservative people at + the North, who had never countenanced sectional strife on the + subject of slavery, evinced that they had thrown off their + conservatism, and were ready to array themselves under the banner + of any party leader or faction, to check the progress of the South + in what they considered its aggressive policy. + + "After that demonstration of opposition at the North, but little + more was said in debate of the tranquillizing character of the + measure. But its most influential supporters from the South, + becoming inflamed and irritated by the fierce invectives with + which the measure was assailed, both within and out of Congress, + became, in their turn, reckless (apparently at least) of all + consequences, and seemed only bent on victory--on obtaining a + triumph by passing the bill! It was in vain that they were + admonished that they were adding largely to the abolition faction + at the North; that they were increasing the free-soil element of + political power in that section. They admitted no distinction + between Abolitionists and Free-Soilers, and denounced all at the + North who opposed the bill as Abolitionists and foes to the South. + Some gentlemen declared that the screams of the Abolitionists were + music to their ears. It was idle to warn men in such a tempest of + passion, that, instead of sowing the seeds of peace, as they had + promised, they were sowing dragons' teeth, that would spring up + armed men. So intense did the feeling become on the subject, that + some southern members of Congress, who had gone into the support + of the bill on the idea that the Missouri restriction act was a + violation of the treaty with France, and who would not have + listened for a moment to the admission of aliens to the right of + suffrage in the territories, lost sight of these views under the + influence of the furor that was gotten up among the friends as + well as the opponents of the measure; and they became even more + determined champions of the bill when these grounds of their + original adhesion were entirely swept away--one by the rejection + of the Clayton amendment, and the other by the Badger + proviso--than they were at the outset. + + "There were, however, a few of the supporters of the bill who to + the last contended that the intemperate demonstrations of + opposition at the North were but the ebullitions of temporary + excitement, which would subside as soon as the equitable and just + principles of the bill should be exhibited in their practical + operation in Kansas. On what flimsy grounds that delusion was + indulged, and how soon and under what circumstances it vanished, I + need not recount. The recollection of every patriot must still be + painfully impressed with them. It is enough to say, that soon + after these principles were put in operation in Kansas, disorder, + anarchy, and civil war, ensued in rapid succession. It required + the strong arm of the government of the United States and the + interposition of the military force to sustain the territorial + government; and even now, after the lapse of four years, we still + find that the presence of a military force is necessary to + maintain peace. So much for the effect of that measure on Kansas + and the country. How has it been in Congress? Need I ask that + question? Has not the subject of slavery in the territory been the + absorbing subject of our thoughts and discussions at every session + of Congress since the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska act? And as + for the character and temper of the debates upon this subject, + have they not, in asperity and fierceness, far exceeded those of + any antecedent period of our history? + + * * * * * + + "I now ask the attention of the Senate to the effect of the + experiment of localizing slavery agitation in the territories, + made in 1854, in changing the complexion of parties both in + Congress and in the country. In the Congress which passed the + Kansas-Nebraska bill, we have seen that there was at the + commencement of the session, in December, 1853, a Democratic + majority of eighty-four in the House of Representatives, and only + four Free-Soilers, and in the Senate a like number--so small, yet + so distinct in their principles, that neither of the two great + parties then known to the country knew well how to arrange them on + committee. + + "MR. HALE.--You left them off. + + "MR. BELL.--The Whigs were afraid to touch them. Mr. Chase was a + Democrat, and was so recognized by his brethren in the Senate, and + was taken care of by them in arranging the committees; yet he was + one of the gentlemen whom I have designated as Free-Soilers. Now, + let us see what was the effect of the Kansas-Nebraska act on the + elections which ensued in the fall of 1854, just on the heels of + the adoption of that measure. One hundred and seven Free-Soilers + were returned to the House of Representatives, and the Democratic + party, instead of having a majority of eighty-four in that House, + found itself in a minority of seventy-six; and in the Senate the + number of Free-Soilers was increased to thirteen. Such was the + complexion of the two houses of Congress in the 33d Congress, + which assembled in December, 1855. Now, we find in the Senate + twenty Free-Soilers. How many more they may have in the next + Congress, will depend upon the disposition we make of the question + _now before the Senate_. I call upon the senator from Georgia to + say whether he will have that number limited or not. Does he want + a sufficient number to prevent the ratification of any future + treaty of acquisition? How long will it be before we have that + number, if the southern Democracy persist in their present course? + They would seem to be deeply interested in adding to the power of + the Republican party. + + "I consider that the most fearful and portentous of all the + results of the Kansas-Nebraska act was to create, to build up a + great sectional party. My friend from Ohio, who sits near me, [Mr. + Wade] must allow me to say, that I regard his party as a sectional + one. + + "MR. WADE.--Is not the other side a sectional party? + + "MR. BELL.--So far as they are confined to the South they are, but + they say that they lap over. + + "MR. WADE.--Lap over further South still. + + "MR. BELL.--I consider that no more ominous and threatening cloud + can darken the political horizon at any time. How formidable this + party has already become, may be well illustrated by the fact that + its representative candidate, Mr. Fremont, was only beaten in the + last Presidential election by the most desperate efforts; and I + feel warranted in saying, that but for the imminent prospect of + his success, which shone out near the close of the canvass, Mr. + Buchanan would not have attained his present high position." + +From these extracts the reader will readily perceive the position of +Mr. Bell upon the great political question of the day. + + + + +JOHN P. HALE. + + +John P. Hale comes of good old New England stock. His ancestors were +the men who founded those New England institutions which are alike the +glory of that section of the country and the whole nation. The +grandfather of Mr. Hale--Samuel Hale--was a lawyer of ability and +success, and he educated his son John--father of the present Mr. +Hale--to the same profession. The father of Mr. Hale married a Miss +O'Brien, daughter of Capt. Jeremiah O'Brien. Of this ancestor Mr. Hale +is justly proud. The following true story is told of his gallantry at +the beginning of the Revolutionary War: + + "When the news of the struggle with the mother country reached + Machias, in Maine (then a province of Massachusetts), on the 9th + of May, 1775, an armed British schooner, the Margaretta, was lying + in port, with two sloops under her convoy, loading with lumber in + behalf of the king's government. An attempt was made to capture + the officers of the Margaretta while they were at church, but they + escaped on board, weighed anchor, and dropped down the river. On + the 11th, a party of thirty-five volunteers was hastily collected, + and, taking one of the lumber sloops, they made sail. The + Margaretta, on observing their appearance, weighed and crowded + sail, to avoid a conflict; the sloop proved to be a better sailor. + As she approached, the schooner opened a fire with four light guns + and fourteen swivels, to which the sloop replied with musketry, + and soon the Americans boarded and captured the Margaretta. The + loss of life in this affair was not very large, though twenty men + on both sides are said to have been killed and wounded. It was the + first blow struck on the water in the Revolutionary struggle, and + it was characterized by a long chase, a bloody struggle, and a + triumph. + + "There was originally no commander in the sloop, but previously to + engaging the Margaretta, Jeremiah O'Brien was selected for that + station. Transferring the armament to a sloop, he engaged + separately, and captured two English cruisers sent out from + Halifax expressly to take him, and carried their crews as + prisoners to Watertown, where the provincial Legislature of + Massachusetts was assembled. His gallantry was so generally + admired, that he was appointed a captain in the marine of the + colony, and afterward distinguished himself as a continental + officer. Two of his brothers, uncles of Mrs. John P. Hale, senior, + were also noted for their nautical bravery." + +Mr. Hale, the subject of this sketch, was born on the 31st of March, +1806, at Rochester, New Hampshire. When a boy he, like most New +England boys, attended the common district school of his neighborhood. +When he grew up to be a young man, he was sent to Phillips Academy, at +Exeter, where the well-known Dr. Abbott also educated Daniel Webster, +Edward Everett, Lewis Cass and other distinguished men. In September, +1823, Mr. Hale entered Bowdoin College, and graduated with high honors +in 1827. Among his associates in college were Hawthorne, Longfellow, +Franklin Pierce, Prof. Stone, and S. S. Prentiss. In 1828, Mr. Hale +selected his home, the town of Dover, where he now resides. There he +went to study law in the office of D. M. Christie. He was admitted to +the bar in 1830, and in 1834 his clients had become so numerous that +he was obliged to take a partner. He was never so distinguished as a +law-_student_, as for his popular argument with a jury. His forte was +then, as now, in appealing directly to the hearts of men. By common +sense, humor, pathos and sarcasm he won his cause. Mr. Hale was, we +presume, a little more inclined to politics than to law, and if we may +judge at all from his looks to-day, he was never over-fond of severe +application, mental or physical, to labor. + +In 1832, Mr. Hale was elected to represent Dover in the New Hampshire +Legislature, and was a staunch Democrat. In 1834, General Jackson +appointed him U.S. Attorney for the district of New Hampshire, an +office which he filled creditably to himself. Mr. Van Buren continued +him in this office, and he filled it till John Tyler removed him. This +was a turning point in his history. He fell back to his old practice +of the law; but in 1843, he was nominated and elected to Congress, to +take his seat in the House of Representatives. A struggle was at that +time beginning between the North and the South, and Mr. Hale, +apparently to his certain defeat and humiliation, for New Hampshire +was then overwhelmingly Democratic, took side with the North and +freedom. He was renominated for Congress, but soon afterward he had +the courage to come out in a letter denouncing the annexation of +Texas. This, as a matter of course, brought down upon him the enmity +of his old companions. The State Democratic Committee called a new +convention in his district, set his nomination aside, and nominated +John Woodbury in his place. It was at this juncture that Mr. Hale +showed his nerve, and it is said that his spirited wife sustained him +through the campaign with a courage and spirit second only to his own. +Suffice it to say, that after an arduous campaign, Mr. Hale triumphed +so far as to prevent his competitor from being elected. A majority was +required to elect, and no candidate could get that majority. The next +year Mr. Hale was sent again to the State Legislature to represent the +town of Dover, and he was chosen Speaker of the House of +Representatives. He presided so fairly and won so much upon the +members, that before the adjournment took place, the Legislature +elected Mr. Hale to represent the State, in part, for six years in the +United States Senate! This was a great triumph. The man who had been +set aside for his faithfulness to his own convictions of right, by +party managers, was taken up by the State at large, and sent to +represent New Hampshire in the Senate of the United States. His new +position was an extraordinary one. He was about to take his seat in +the Senate backed by no party, utterly alone, sent there for his +individual merits, and not to advance the interests of any party. + +A writer not agreeing or sympathizing with Mr. Hale in his peculiar +anti-slavery views, speaks of this period of Mr. Hale's history in the +following language: + +"When Mr. Hale took his seat he was almost alone, and had to combat, +single-handed, the political 'giants in those days.' Sometimes he was +met with labored arguments, then subjected to bitter reproaches; at +times those who were but 'his peers' would affect almost to ignore his +presence, and again they would mercilessly denounce him as advocating +doctrines dangerous to the liberties of the Republic. But the senator +from New Hampshire was not to be intimidated or diverted from what he +considered to be his duty. Adopting the _guerrilla_ tactics, he +manfully held his ground, and with felicitous humor, pungent retort, +or keen sarcasm, made an impression upon the phalanx against which he +had to contend. So high were his aims, and so conciliating were his +manners, that before the close of his senatorial term, Mr. Hale had +beaten down the barriers of prejudice, and fairly conquered sectional +discourtesy. He was thus not only the standard-bearer, but the pioneer +of the North in the Senate." + +In 1853, the Democracy were in the ascendency in New Hampshire, and +Mr. Atherton took Mr. Hale's seat in the Senate. Mr. Hale was +persuaded at this time to locate himself in the city of New York, to +practise his profession. Luckily, he did not give up his house at +Dover, his family remaining there, and he paying his poll tax there. + +In 1855, he was again elected to serve New Hampshire for an unexpired +term; and in 1859, was reelected for another whole term of six years. +The same writer from whom we have just quoted, remarks further: + +"Senator Hale is especially attentive to his constituents, and never +neglects their interests for practice in the Supreme Court or other +private business. He is, nevertheless, ever ready to address public +assemblages on subjects in which he takes an interest. The sailors +will never forget his efforts in procuring an abolition of flogging in +the United States navy, in commemoration of which they presented him +with a gold medal. + +"From the commencement of Senator Hale's career up to the present +time, he has been the untiring advocate of whatever he viewed as +powerful for good, as calculated to meliorate the condition of man, or +as likely to advance the general interests of the American Union, +without prejudice to the rights of the section which he represents. He +has ever firmly refused to bow before counterfeited images, or to +scramble for place in the arena of party, but he has never declined to +assume whatever burden of duty his friends counselled him to bear. + +"In person, Senator Hale is burly, bluff-looking, with a clear eye, +and a hearty grasp of the hand for his friends. His colloquial powers +are of a splendid order, and he is a rare humorist, genial, sunshiny +and kindly. He laughs with the foibles and shortcomings of the +world--not at them; and his laugh is pure and silvery. Married in +early life to Miss Lucy H. Lambert, of Berwick, Maine (a lady who +combines rare attainments of mind, beauties of character, and personal +charms), he has ever found his highest happiness in his own domestic +circle, which is now graced by two accomplished daughters, just +budding into womanhood. An evening spent with this estimable family is +an event to be remembered with pleasure." + +Mr. Hale has long been a favorite in the Senate with men of all +parties. Whenever it is known beforehand that he is going to speak--no +matter what the subject may be--he is sure to gather a crowded +audience. He is one of the most popular men in the country, for his +satire has never a spice of cruelty in it. His jolly humor, +everlasting good nature, and natural love of fair play, make him +friends wherever he is, no matter if he be among his bitterest +southern enemies. + +To gain any idea of the change which has taken place in the Senate +since Mr. Hale took his seat in it, we must remember that then he +stood up _alone_ the champion of anti-slavery--unless we make an +exception in favor of Mr. Seward--while now more than twenty +Republican senators sit with him on the "opposition benches." To get a +faint idea of the condition of the Senate when Mr. Hale entered it, +let us go back to the 20th of April, 1845. The famous Drayton and +Soyers slave case had just occurred, and Dr. Bailey and his paper, the +"National Era," had been at the mercy of a mob for three days. Mr. +Hale introduced into the Senate a bill relating to riots and unlawful +assemblages in the District of Columbia. We will abridge the debate +which ensued: + +Mr. Foote, of Miss., made a very long speech on the general subject of +slavery, and especially slavery in the District of Columbia. The +attempt to legislate indirectly--that is, to sustain freedom of +discussion in the District--against slavery, was an outrage upon the +rights of the South. If any man gives countenance to this bill, he +said, I pronounce him to be no gentleman--he would, upon temptation, +be guilty of highway robbery on any of the roads of the Union. He +charged that the abduction of the Drayton-Soyer slaves was instigated +or countenanced by a member of the United States Senate--meaning Mr. +Hale. This bill is intended to cover negro-robbery. The New Hampshire +senator is endeavoring to get up civil war and insurrection. Let him +go South. Let him visit the good State of Mississippi. I invite him +there, and will tell him beforehand, in all honesty, _that he could +not go ten miles into the interior before he would grace one of the +tallest trees of the forest, with a rope around his neck, and if +necessary_, I should myself assist in the operation! + +MR. HALE.--I did not anticipate this discussion, yet I do not regret +it. Before proceeding further, let me say that the statement that I +have given the slightest countenance to the recent "kidnapping of +slaves is false." + +MR. FOOTE.--It had been stated so to me and I believed it. I am glad +to hear the senator say he had no connection with the movement--some +of his brethren doubtless had. + +MR. HALE.--The sneer of the gentleman does not affect me. While I am +up, let me call the attention of the Senate to a man, who I am proud +to call my friend, the editor of the "National Era." Mr. Hale read a +card of Dr. Bailey's in the "Intelligencer," declaring his entire +ignorance of the abduction of the slaves till they were returned. + +MR. CALHOUN.--Does he make denunciation of the robbery? + +MR. HALE.--He had quite enough to do in defending himself, and it was +no part of his duty to denounce others. + +MR. CALHOUN.--I understand that. + +Mr. Hale went on to refer to Mr. Foote's invitation of hanging in +Mississippi, and would, in return for the hospitality, invite the +senator to come to New Hampshire to discuss this whole subject, and he +would there promise him protection and rights. He defended his bill as +containing simply the plainest provisions of the common law; yet the +South Carolina senator was shocked at his temerity. + +MR. BUTLER.--Will the senator vote for a bill, properly drawn, +inflicting punishment on persons inveigling slaves from the District +of Columbia? + +MR. HALE.--Certainly not; and why? Because I do not believe slavery +should exist here. + +MR. CALHOUN.--He wishes to arm the robbers and disarm the people of +the district.... I will take this occasion to say, that I would just +as soon argue with a maniac from Bedlam as with the senator from New +Hampshire. + +Mr. Hale went on calmly to reply to all these personalities by +defending his bill. Mr. Foote again got the floor, and began to defend +his threat of assassination. He never deplored the death of such men. +The senator from New Hampshire will never be a victim. He is one of +those gusty declaimers--a windy speaker--a---- + +MR. CRITTENDEN.--I call the gentleman to order--and Mr. Foote was +called to order by the presiding officer. + +Later in the day, Mr. Douglas rose and congratulated Mr. Hale on the +triumph he had achieved. The debate would give him ten thousand votes. +He could never have represented a State on that floor but for such +southern speeches as they had just listened to, breathing a fanaticism +as wild and reckless as that of the senator from New Hampshire. + +MR. CALHOUN.--Does the gentleman pretend to call me and those who act +with me fanatics? We are only defending ourselves. The Illinois +senator partially apologized. Mr. Foote was restive, however, and said +that he must repeat his conviction, that any man who utters in the +South the sentiments of the New Hampshire senator, will meet with +death upon the scaffold--and deserves it. + +MR. DOUGLAS.--I must again congratulate the senator from New Hampshire +upon the accession of five thousand more votes! and he is on for +honors? Who can believe that _now_ walks into the United States +Senate, that such things could have been within so few years? + +It would be easy to fill this volume with extracts from exciting and +interesting debates in the Senate, in which Mr. Hale participated, but +we have room only for a few paragraphs, to show his style and manner. + +Jan. 19 and 21, 1857, Mr. Hale delivered one of his longest and ablest +senatorial speeches upon Kansas and the Supreme Court. We subjoin a +few extracts: + + "I aver here that the object of the Nebraska bill was to break + down the barrier which separated free territory from slave + territory; to let slavery into Kansas, and make another slave + state, legally and peacefully if you could, but a slave state + anyhow. I gather that from the history of the times, from the + character of the bill, from the measure, the great measure, the + only measure of any consequence in the bill, which was the repeal + of the Missouri restriction. + + * * * * * + + "I say, then, sir, that the rule by which to judge of the intent, + the object, the purpose of an act, is to see what the act is + calculated to do, what its natural tendency is, what will in all + human probability be the effect. Before the passage of the + Kansas-Nebraska act, there stood upon your statute-book a law by + which slavery was prohibited from going into any territory north + of 36 deg. 30'. The validity and constitutionality of that law had + been recognized by repeated decisions of the courts of the several + States. If I am not mistaken, I have a memorandum by me, showing + that it had been recognized by the Supreme Court of the State of + Louisiana. So far as I know, the constitutionality of that + enactment was unquestioned, and the country had reposed in peace + for more than a generation under its operation. By and by, + however, it was discovered to be unconstitutional, and it was + broken down. The instant it was broken down, slavery went into + Kansas; but still, gentlemen tell us they did not intend to let + slavery in; that was not the object. Let me illustrate this. + Suppose a farmer has a rich field, and a pasture adjoining, + separated by a stonewall which his fathers had erected there + thirty years before. The wall keeps out the cattle in the pasture, + who are exceedingly anxious to get into the field. Some modern + reformer thinks that moral suasion will keep them in the pasture, + even if the wall should be taken down, and he proceeds to take it + down. The result is, that the cattle go right in; the experiment + fails. The philosopher says; 'Do not blame me; that was not my + intention; but it is true, the effect has followed.' I retort upon + him; 'You knew the effect would follow; and, knowing that it would + follow, you intended that it should follow.' + + * * * * * + + "This brings me to another part of my subject, in answer to a + question which the honorable senator from Illinois (Mr. Douglas) + propounded, when he asked if he was to be read out of the party + for a difference on this point. I have great regard for the + sagacity of that honorable senator, but I confess it was a little + shaken when he asked that question; is a man to be read out of the + party for departing from the President on this great cardinal + point? Why, sir, he asks, is a man who differs from the President + on the Pacific railroad to go out of the party? Oh no, he may + stay. If he differs on Central America, very good; take the first + seat if you please. You may differ with the President on anything + and everything but one, and that is this sentiment, which I shall + read; Mr. Buchanan shall speak his own creed. On the 19th of + August 1842, in the Senate, Mr. Buchanan used this language: + + "'I might here repeat what I have said on a former occasion'--(you + see it was so important he must repeat it)--'that all + Christendom'--(mark the words)--'is leagued against the South upon + this question of domestic slavery.' + + "All Christendom includes a great many people. If that be true, + and if you have got any allies, it is manifest they must be + outside of Christendom, because Mr. Buchanan says all Christendom + is against you; but still he leaves you some allies, and you will + see--it is as plain as demonstration can make it--that your allies + are not included in Christendom. Where are the allies? I will read + the next sentence: + + "'They have no other allies to sustain their constitutional rights + except the Democracy of the North.' + + "There is a fight for you: all Christendom on one side, and the + Democracy of the North on the other. That is not my version; it is + Mr. Buchanan's. That is the way he backs his friends; for he went + on, after having made this avowal, to claim peculiar consideration + from southern gentlemen, and intimated that he might speak a + little more freely, having previously indorsed them so highly as + this. Well, sir, when all Christendom was on one side, and the + Democracy of the North on the other, and the Democracy of the + North growing less and less every day--a small minority in the New + England States--how could the senator from Illinois be so unkind, + or how could he doubt, if on this vital question he deserted the + Democracy and went over to Christendom, as to how the question + would be answered whether he was to be read out of the party? Read + out, sir. That question was settled long ago. On this great vital + question he is out of the party. + + "I would not say anything unkind to that senator, nor would I say + anything uncourteous in the world; but my experience in the + country life of New England does present to my mind an + illustration which I know he will excuse me if I give it. A + neighbor of mine had a very valuable horse. The horse was taken + sick, and he tried all the ways in the world to cure him, but it + was of no avail. The horse grew worse daily. At last, one of his + neighbors said: 'What are you going to do with the horse?' 'I do + not know,' was the reply; 'but I think I shall have to kill him.' + 'Well,' said the other, 'he does not want much killing.' You see, + in ordinary times, and on ordinary questions, a little wavering + might be indulged; but when it is on one question, and a great + vital question, and all Christendom is on the one side, and the + northern Democracy on the other, to go over from the ranks of the + Democracy to swell the swollen ranks of Christendom, and then ask + if he is to be read out! + + "This omission to submit the constitution to the people of Kansas + is not accidental. I am sorry to find, as I have found out this + session, that the omission to put it in the original bill was not + accidental. We have a little light on this subject from a + gentleman who always sheds light when he speaks to the Senate--I + mean the honorable senator from Pennsylvania [Mr. Bigler]. He says + that this was not accidental, by any means. He has spoken once or + twice about a meeting that was held in the private parlor of a + private gentleman. There was a good deal of inquiry and anxiety to + know what sort of a meeting that was. The gentleman who owns the + house said he did not know anything about it. That is not strange. + The hospitable man let his guests have the use of any room they + chose. The honorable senator from Pennsylvania said this meeting + was 'semi-official.' I do not know what kind of a meeting that + was. I have heard of a semi-barbarous, a semi-civilized, and a + semi-savage people; I have heard of a semi-annual, and + semi-weekly; but when you come to semi-official, I declare it + bothers me. What sort of a meeting was it? Was it an official + meeting? No. Was it an unofficial meeting? No. What was it? + Semi-official. + + "I have never met anything analogous to it but once in my life, + and that I will mention by way of illustration. A trader in my + town, before the day of railroads, had taken a large bank bill, + and he was a little doubtful whether it was genuine or not. He + concluded to give it to the stage driver, and send it down to the + bank to inquire of the cashier whether it was a genuine bill. The + driver took it, and promised to attend to it. He went down the + first day, but he had so many other errands that he forgot it, and + he said he would certainly attend to it the next day. The next day + he forgot it, and the third day he forgot it; but he said, + 'to-morrow I will do it, if I do nothing else; I will ascertain + whether the bill is genuine or not.' He went the fourth day, with + a like result; he forgot it; and when he came home, he saw the + nervous, anxious trader, wanting to know whether it was genuine or + not; and he was ashamed to tell him he had forgotten it, and he + thought he would lie it through. Said the trader to him, 'Did you + call at the bank?' 'Yes.' Did the cashier say it was a genuine + bill?' 'No, he did not.' 'Did he say it was a bad one?' 'No.' + 'Well, what did he say?' 'He said it was about + middling--semi-genuine.' I have never learned to this day whether + that was a good or a bad bill. They used to say, in General + Jackson's time, that he had a kitchen cabinet as well as a regular + one. This could not be a meeting of the kitchen cabinet, because + it sat in a parlor. It was semi-official in its character also." + +The speech closes with the following language in reference to the Dred +Scott decision of the Supreme Court: + + "If the opinions of the Supreme Court are true, they put these men + in the worst position of any men who are to be found on the pages + of our history. If the opinion of the Supreme Court be true, it + makes the immortal authors of the Declaration of Independence + liars before God and hypocrites before the world; for they lay + down their sentiments broad, full, and explicit, and then they say + that they appeal to the Supreme Ruler of the universe for the + rectitude of their intentions; but, if you believe the Supreme + Court, they were merely quibbling on words. They went into the + courts of the Most High, and pledged fidelity to their principles + as the price they would pay for success; and now it is attempted + to cheat them out of the poor boon of integrity; and it is said + that they did not mean so; and that when they said all men, they + meant all white men; and when they said that the contest they + waged was for the right of mankind, the Supreme Court of the + United States would have you believe that they meant it was to + establish slavery. Against that I protest, here, now, and + everywhere; and I tell the Supreme Court that these things are so + impregnably fixed in the hearts of the people, on the page of + history, in the recollections and traditions of men, that it will + require mightier efforts than they have made or can make to + overturn or to shake these settled convictions of the popular + understanding and of the popular heart. + + "Sir, you are now proposing to carry out this Dred Scott decision + by forcing upon the people of Kansas a constitution against which + they have remonstrated, and to which, there can be no shadow of + doubt, a very large portion of them are opposed. Will it succeed? + I do not know; it is not for me to say, but I will say this, if + you force that, if you persevere in that attempt, I think, I hope + the men of Kansas will fight. I hope they will resist to blood and + to death the attempt to force them to a submission against which + their fathers contended, and to which they never would have + submitted. Let me tell you, sir, I stand not here to use the + language of intimidation or of menace; but you kindle the fires of + civil war in that country by an attempt to force that constitution + on the necks of an unwilling people; and you will light a fire + that all Democracy cannot quench. Aye, sir, there will come up + many another Peter the Hermit, that will go through the length and + the breadth of this land, telling the story of your wrongs and + your outrages; and they will stir the public heart; they will + raise a feeling in this country such as has never yet been raised; + and the men of this country will go forth, as they did of olden + time, in another crusade; but it will not be a crusade to redeem + the dead sepulchre where the body of the Crucified had lain from + the profanation of the infidel, but to redeem this fair land, + which God has given to be the abode of freemen, from the + desecration of a despotism sought to be imposed upon them in the + name of 'perfect freedom' and 'popular sovereignty!'" + + + + +ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS. + + +Mr. Stephens, of Georgia, has for years been a leading character in +the politics of the country, and has been reckoned by all who know +him, or of his acts in Congress, as one of the first men which the +South has sent into public life. He is a native of Georgia, where he +was born in the year 1812. His grandfather, the Hon. Alexander +Stephens, was an Englishman and Jacobite, and came to this country +about the year 1746. He joined the American Colonial army--was present +at Braddock's defeat, and took a very active part in the Revolutionary +War, and settled down, after it was over, in Pennsylvania. In 1795, he +emigrated to Georgia, and finally settled down on the place now +occupied by his grandson--the subject of this sketch--in Taliaferro +County. He died on this place, in 1813, at the age of ninety-three. +The year before, young Alexander was born, his mother dying while he +was an infant. His father was comparatively poor, but was industrious +and virtuous, so that he maintained a high reputation in the town of +his birth. He died when Alexander was only fourteen years of age, +leaving each of his children a trifle over four hundred dollars as +their portion. Alexander was sickly and emaciated, and little was +hoped of him. He had attended a common school in the neighborhood, and +his uncle kept him still in attendance upon it. Of course this school +was a very inferior one, not at all equal to one of the common schools +of New England. But the boy learned enough there to excite his +ambition, and he made known his desire to gain a classical education. +He was without sufficient funds, but generous friends immediately came +forward and furnished him with all the money he needed, which he would +only accept as a loan. He now went to his studies alone, and in less +than a year, without a teacher, fitted himself for a freshman class, +and entered the Georgia University. After the usual four years' +course, he graduated with unusually high honors. Having been an +invalid since his birth, the severe application of his college course +left him in a state of great prostration, and he was obliged to leave +his studies and travel for his health. In May, 1834, he commenced the +study of the law, and he was soon admitted to the bar. His first +"case" was an action against a landlord for a stolen trunk--the trunk +being his own. He gained his case and trunk easily. The next was a +very important one. "A wealthy man was guardian of his grandchild, its +mother having married to a second husband. In course of time, the +mother desired possession of the child, which was resisted by the +grandfather, who claimed it as legal guardian. The step-father, +desiring to please his wife, came to young Stephens and engaged him as +counsel to set aside the guardianship, older lawyers declining on the +score of the hopelessness of the case, and perhaps a fear to encounter +the learned array of counsel engaged on the opposite side. The trial +came off before five judges, no jury being called. Owing to the +respectability of the parties, and the novel scene of a sickly boy, +without any legal practical experience, opposed to the most veteran +lawyers at the bar, the case attracted unusual attention. The result +was, that the guardianship was set aside, and the child was restored +to the possession of its mother, and young Stephens at once took a +prominent place at the bar, from that time, being engaged on one side +or the other of every important case that was tried in the county." + +Mr. Stephens' success was now so marked that he was sought after to +remove to some prominent city, but he refused, preferring to remain +with his old friends, and he was in a few years able, out of his +earnings, to purchase his grandfather's estate, and settled upon it. +The subjoined political sketch of Mr. Stephens is by one of his +personal friends--Mr. Thorpe--and is in the main correct: + +"In 1836, against his wishes, Mr. Stephens was run by his friends for +the legislature. On the Wednesday before the election he made his +first stump-speech--this was followed by another on Saturday, and +still another at the polls on election day. He was triumphantly +returned against a bitter opposition. He signalized his appearance as +a legislator in defence of the bill which proposed 'that Georgia +should launch out in certain internal improvements,' and in spite of +the formidable opposition, his speech probably saved the bill, and +thus inaugurated the commencement of the present prosperity of the +'Empire State of the South.' In the six years which he remained in the +legislature he took a most prominent part in all important matters, +particularly the one which proposed a change in the Constitution. The +instrument at the time in force said that it should only be amended by +a bill passed by two-thirds of each branch of the legislature at two +consecutive sessions. + +"The difficulty seemed insurmountable, if opposition to a change +existed in either branch of the legislature, and the opponents of the +bill appeared to be impregnable. Stephens took the ground that when +the constitution is silent upon the mode of its amendment, then the +legislature can call a convention; that when a constitution points out +a particular mode in which it may be amended, without excluding other +modes, then the legislature may adopt some other mode than that +pointed out; but when a constitution provides a mode for its +amendment, and prohibits all other modes, then that mode only can be +taken which is provided for. Jenkins, Crawford, Howard, and others, +took the opposite side, opposed the bill, and voted for a convention; +the universal opinion was that the convention could be called, and the +convention was called by an overwhelming majority, which passed the +proper amendments, but they were never ratified by the people. + +"As a member of the legislature, he opposed the organization of the +Court of Errors, believing that the judiciary as established was the +best in the world, and that the change would only multiply +difficulties, without gaining any additional certainty to the +administration of the law; the bill was not passed while Mr. Stephens +was in the legislature. + +"In 1842, he went to the State Senate, opposed the Central Bank, and +took an active part in the questions of internal improvements and +districting the State, which then divided parties. + +"In 1843, he was nominated for Congress, on a general ticket, and +commenced the canvass with a majority of two thousand votes against +him, and came out of the contest with thirty-five hundred majority; +and as he discussed on the stump matters entirely relating to local +interests, his eloquence and power undoubtedly carried the State. His +entry into Congress was signalized by extraordinary circumstances; his +right to a seat was denied. Stephens, in the discussion that ensued, +made a speech in favor of the power of Congress to district the +States, though he was elected in defiance of the law on a general +ticket, and then left the House to decide upon his claims. He was +permitted to take his seat. + +"Up to this time Mr. Stephens was a prominent Whig, having been bred +in that school of States' rights men of the South who sustained +Harrison in 1840; but upon the question of the annexation of Texas +coming up, he favored that bill, and for the first time affiliated +with the Democracy. In the contest between Taylor and Cass, he +supported Taylor. On the compromises of 1850, he was willing to +support any measure that did away with Congressional restriction, +leaving the territories to come into the Union with or without +slavery. In the Mexican war, he stood beside Mr. Calhoun, and held +that the troops should not be advanced; but after the war commenced, +he sustained it with vigor. + +"The guaranty that four slave States should be carved out of the +territory of Texas was secured mainly by Mr. Stephens' untiring labor +and foresight. In 1854, he advocated the Kansas bill, which declared +null and void the Missouri restriction, for the purpose of carrying +out the principle of 1850, advanced in the Utah and New Mexican bills. +The year 1855 was the most interesting and critical period of his +life, which he spent fighting the Know Nothing organization, in the +commencement of which he found all his early friends and associates +for the first time opposed to him. In the month of May, of this year, +he wrote his celebrated letter against the order, addressed to Col. +Thos. W. Thomas. The effect of it was overwhelming, not only in his +own State, but in Virginia and the adjoining States. His position was +sustained, and commencing with three thousand majority against him in +his own district, he came out of the contest with nearly three +thousand majority. + +"When Mr. Stephens rises to speak there is a sort of electric +communication among the audience, as if something was about to be +uttered that was worth listening to. The loungers take their seats, +and the talkers become silent, thus paying an involuntary compliment +to Mr. Stephens' talents and high claims as a gentleman. At first his +voice is scarcely distinguishable, but in a few moments you are +surprised at its volume, and you are soon convinced that his lungs are +in perfect order, and as his ideas flow, you are not surprised at the +rapt attention he commands. His style of speaking is singularly +polished, but he conceals his art, and appears, to the superficial +observer, to be eloquent by inspiration. The leading characteristic of +his mind is great practical good sense, for his arguments are always +of the most solid and logical kind; hence his permanent influence as a +statesman, while his bright scintillations of wit, and profuse +adornment, secure him a constant popularity as an orator. Possessed of +a mind too great to be restrained by mere partisan influence, he has +therefore the widest possible field of action, at one time heading a +forlorn hope and leading it to victory, at another, giving grace and +character to a triumphant majority. Common as it is to impugn the +motives of many of our public servants, and charge them directly with +corruption, Mr. Stephens has escaped without even the taint of +suspicion, an inflexible honesty of purpose on his part, as a +governing principle, is awarded to him by his veriest political foe." + +Mr. Stephens' position in Georgia, in reference to calling a +convention to frame a new constitution, is not very distinctly stated +by Mr. Thorpe. A bill was introduced into the legislature providing +for the calling of a convention to remodel the State constitution. Mr. +Stephens opposed the bill because the constitution, as it then stood, +provided that _only_ by a two-thirds vote of both branches of the +legislature, at two consecutive sessions, could any amendment be put +upon the constitution. Mr. Stephens argued that, under these +circumstances, it would be revolutionary to pass the bill calling a +convention. But the bill passed--and a convention submitted various +amendments to the people, all of which were repealed. Since then Mr. +Stephens' views have been generally adopted by the people of Georgia, +for the constitution has been amended in the mode pointed out in that +document itself. Since then, too, Mr. Stephens' position has been +sustained by the Supreme Court of the United States in the Dorr case. + +We have noticed the fact that Mr. Stephens, when young and poor, was +furnished with the means to procure an excellent classical and legal +education. He repaid this money to the parties who so generously aided +him when help was of so much importance to his welfare. Not only this: +since he has himself been so successful, Mr. Stephens has been +constantly engaged in helping poor young men to an education. He has +carried _upward of thirty_ young men through a collegiate or academic +course within the last fifteen or twenty years, and has, in this way, +repaid the generosity of his friends to him. This single incident will +show what his character is for generosity. + +Mr. Stephens is one of the most effective public speakers in the +country, whether it be in the court-room, the legislative hall, or +before the people. During the last Congress he was the leader of the +Democracy in the House of Representatives, and by his management +secured the admission of Oregon into the Union. Perhaps the finest +speech he ever made in Congress was the closing one in the Oregon +debate. We subjoin a few quotations. + +One in reference to the anti-negro clause of the Oregon constitution: + + "And those who profess to be the exclusive friends of negroes, as + they now do, so far as that constitution was concerned, voted to + banish them forever from the State, just as Oregon has done. + Whether this banishment be right or wrong, it is no worse in + Oregon than it was in Kansas. But, on the score of humanity, we of + the South do not believe that those who, in Kansas or Oregon, + banish this race from their limits, are better friends of the + negro than we are, who assign them that place among us to which by + nature they are fitted, and in which they add so much more to + their own happiness and comfort, besides to the common well-being + of all. We give them a reception. We give them shelter. We clothe + them. We feed them. We provide for their every want, in health and + in sickness, in infancy and old age. We teach them to work. We + educate them in the arts of civilization and the virtues of + Christianity, much more effectually and successfully than you can + ever do on the coasts of Africa. And, without any cost to the + public, we render them useful to themselves and to the world. The + first lesson in civilization and Christianity to be taught to the + barbarous tribes, wherever to be found, is the first great curse + against the human family--that in the sweat of their face they + shall eat their bread. Under our system, our tuition, our + guardianship and fostering care, these people, exciting so much + misplaced philanthropy, have attained a higher degree of + civilization than their race has attained anywhere else upon the + face of the earth. The Topeka people excluded them; they, like the + neighbors we read of, went round them; we, like the good + Samaritans, shun not their destitution or degradation--we + alleviate both. But let that go. + + "Oregon has, in this matter, done no worse than the gentleman's + friends did in Kansas. _I think she acted unwisely in it_--that is + her business, not mine. But the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Stanton] + questions me, how could a negro in Oregon ever get his freedom + under the constitution they have adopted? I tell him, under their + constitution a slave cannot exist there. The fundamental law is + against it. But, he asks, how could his freedom ever be + established, as no free person of color can sue in her courts? + Neither can they in Georgia; still our courts are open to this + class of people, who appear by _prochein ami_ or guardian. Nor is + there any great hardship in this; for married women cannot sue in + their own names anywhere where the common law prevails. Minors + also have to sue by guardian or next friend. We have suits + continually in our tribunals by persons claiming to be free + persons of color. They cannot sue in their own names, but by next + friend. They are not citizens; we do not recognize them as such; + but still the courts are open; and just so will they be in Oregon, + if the question is ever raised." + +The closing portions of the speech give such a good idea of the style +of Mr. Stephens' oratorical powers, that we must quote them: + + "Let us not do an indirect wrong, for fear that the recipient from + our hands of what is properly due will turn upon us and injure us. + Statesmen in the line of duty should never consult their fears. + Where duty leads, there we may never fear to tread. In the + political world, great events and changes are rapidly crowding + upon us. To these we should not be insensible. As wise men, we + should not attempt to ignore them. We need not close our eyes, and + suppose the sun will cease to shine because we see not the light. + Let us rather, with eyes and mind wide awake, look around us and + see where we are, whence we have come, and where we shall soon be, + borne along by the rapid, swift, and irresistible car of time. + This immense territory to the west has to be peopled. It is now + peopling. New States are fast growing up; and others, not yet in + embryo, will soon spring into existence. Progress and development + mark everything in nature--human societies, as well as everything + else. Nothing in the physical world is still; life and motion are + in everything; so in the mental, moral, and political. The earth + is never still. The great central orb is ever moving. Progress is + the universal law governing all things--animate as well as + inanimate. Death itself is but the beginning of a new life in a + new form. Our government and institutions are subject to this + all-pervading power. The past wonderfully exemplifies its + influence, and gives us some shadows of the future. + + "This is the sixteenth session that I have been here, and within + that brief space of fifteen years, we have added six States to the + Union--lacking but one of being more than half the original + thirteen. Upward of twelve hundred thousand square miles of + territory--a much larger area than was possessed by the whole + United States at the time of the treaty of peace in 1783--have + been added to our domain. At this time the area of our Republic is + greater than that of any five of the greatest powers in Europe all + combined; greater than that of the Roman empire in the brightest + days of her glory; more extensive than were Alexander's dominions + when he stood on the Indus, and wept that he had no more worlds to + conquer. Such is our present position; nor are we yet at the end + of our acquisitions. + + "Our internal movements, within the same time, have not been less + active in progress and development than those external. A bare + glance at these will suffice. Our tonnage, when I first came to + Congress, was but a little over two million; now it is upward of + five million, more than double. Our exports of domestic + manufactures were only eleven million dollars in round numbers; + now they are upward of thirty million. Our exports of domestic + produce, staples, etc., were then under one hundred million + dollars; now they are upward of three hundred million! The amount + of coin in the United States, was at that time about one hundred + million; now it exceeds three hundred million. The cotton crop + then was but fifty-four million; now it is upward of one hundred + and sixty million dollars. We had then not more than five thousand + miles of railroad in operation; we have now not less than + twenty-six thousand miles--more than enough to encircle the + globe--and at a cost of more than one thousand million dollars. At + that time, Prof. Morse was engaged in one of the rooms of this + Capitol in experimenting on his unperfected idea of an electric + telegraph--and there was as much doubt about his success, as there + is at present about the Atlantic cable; but now there are more + than thirty-five thousand miles in extent of these iron nerves + sent forth in every direction through the land, connecting the + most distant points, and uniting all together as if under the + influence of a common living sensorium. This is but a glance at + the surface; to enter within and take the range of other + matters--schools, colleges, the arts, and various mechanical and + industrial pursuits, which add to the intelligence, wealth and + prosperity of a people, and mark their course in the history of + nations, would require time; but in all would be found alike + astonishing results. + + "This progress, sir, is not to be arrested. It will go on. The end + is not yet. There are persons now living who will see over a + hundred million human beings within the present boundaries of the + United States, to say nothing of future extension, and perhaps + double the number of States we now have, should the Union last. + For myself, I say to you, my southern colleagues on this floor, + that I do not apprehend danger to our constitutional rights from + the bare fact of increasing the number of States with institutions + dissimilar to ours. The whole governmental fabric of the United + States is based and founded upon the idea of dissimilarity in the + institutions of the respective members. Principles, not numbers, + are our protection. When these fail, we have like all other + people, who, knowing their rights, dare maintain them, nothing to + rely upon but the justice of our cause, our own right arms and + stout hearts. With these feelings and this basis of action, + whenever any State comes and asks admission, as Oregon does, I am + prepared to extend her the hand of welcome, without looking into + her constitution further than to see that it is republican in + form, upon our well-known American models. + + "When aggression comes, if come it ever shall, then the end + draweth nigh. Then, if in my day, I shall be for resistance, open, + bold, and defiant. I know of no allegiance superior to that due + the hearthstones of the homestead. This I say to all. I lay no + claim to any sentiment of nationality not founded upon the + patriotism of a true heart, and I know of no such patriotism that + does not centre at home. Like the enlarging circle upon the + surface of smooth waters, however, this can and will, if + unobstructed, extend to the utmost limits of a common country. + Such is my nationality--such my sectionalism--such my patriotism. + Our fathers of the South joined your fathers of the North in + resistance to a common aggression from their fatherland; and if + they were justified in rising to right a wrong inflicted by a + parent country, how much more ought we, should the necessity ever + come, to stand justified before an enlightened world, in righting + a wrong from even those we call brothers. That necessity, I trust, + will never come. + + "What is to be our future, I do not know. I have no taste for + indulging in speculations about it. I would not, if I could, raise + the veil that wisely conceals it from us. 'Sufficient unto the day + is the evil thereof,' is a good precept in everything pertaining + to human action. The evil I would not anticipate; I would rather + strive to prevent its coming; and one way, in my judgment, to + prevent it, is, while here, in all things to do what is right and + proper to be done under the Constitution of the United States; + nothing more, and nothing less. Our safety, as well as the + prosperity of all parts of the country, so long as this government + lasts, lies mainly in a strict conformity to the laws of its + existence. Growth is one of these. The admission of new States, is + one of the objects expressly provided for. How are they to come + in? With just such constitutions as the people in each may please + to make for themselves, so it is republican in form. This is the + ground the South has ever stood upon. Let us not abandon it now. + It is founded upon a principle planted in the compact of Union + itself; and more essential to us than all others besides; that is, + the equality of the States, and the reserved rights of the people + of the respective States. By our system, each State, however great + the number, has the absolute right to regulate all its internal + affairs as she pleases, subject only to her obligations under the + Constitution of the United States. With this limitation, the + people of Massachusetts have the perfect right to do as they + please upon all matters relating to their internal policy; the + people of Ohio have the right to do the same; the people of + Georgia the same; of California the same; and so with all the + rest. + + "Such is the machinery of our theory of self-government by the + people. This is the great novelty of our peculiar system, + involving a principle unknown to the ancients, an idea never + dreamed of by Aristotle or Plato. The union of several distinct, + independent communities upon this basis, is a new principle in + human governments. It is now a problem in experiment for the + people of the nineteenth century upon this continent to solve. As + I behold its workings in the past and at the present, while I am + not sanguine, yet I am hopeful of its successful solution. The + most joyous feeling of my heart is the earnest hope that it will, + for the future, move on as peacefully, prosperously, and + brilliantly, as it has in the past. If so, then we shall exhibit a + moral and political spectacle to the world something like the + prophetic vision of Ezekiel, when he saw a number of distinct + beings or living creatures, each with a separate and distinct + organism, having the functions of life within itself, all of one + external likeness, and all, at the same time, mysteriously + connected with one common animating spirit pervading the whole, so + that when the common spirit moved they all moved; their appearance + and their work being, as it were, a wheel in the middle of a + wheel; and whithersoever the common spirit went, thither the + others went, all going together; and when they went, he heard the + noise of their motion like the noise of great waters, as the voice + of the Almighty. Should our experiment succeed, such will be our + exhibition--a machinery of government so intricate, so + complicated, with so many separate and distinct parts, so many + independent States, each perfect in the attributes and functions + of sovereignty, within its own jurisdiction, all, nevertheless, + united under the control of a common directing power for external + objects and purposes, may natural enough seem novel, strange, and + inexplicable to the philosophers and crowned heads of the world. + + "It is for us, and those who shall come after us, to determine + whether this grand experimental problem shall be worked out; not + by quarrelling amongst ourselves; not by doing injustice to any; + not by keeping out any particular class of States, but by each + State remaining a separate and distinct political organism within + itself--all bound together for general objects, and under a common + Federal head; as it were, a wheel within a wheel. Then the number + may be multiplied without limit; and then, indeed, may the nations + of the earth look on in wonder at our career; and when they hear + the noise of the wheels of our progress in achievement, in + development, in expansion, in glory and renown, it may well appear + to them not unlike the noise of great waters; the very voice of + the Almighty--_Vox populi! Vox Dei!_ (Great applause in the + galleries and on the floor.) + + "THE SPEAKER.--If the applause in the galleries is repeated, the + chair will order the galleries to be cleared. + + "MANY MEMBERS.--It was upon the floor. + + "MR. STEPHENS, of Georgia. One or two other matters only I wish to + allude to. These relate only to amendments. I trust that every + friend of this bill will unite and vote down every amendment. It + needs no amendment. Oregon has nothing to do with Kansas, and + should in no way be connected with her. To remand her back, as the + gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Marshall) proposes, to compel her to + regulate suffrage as we may be disposed to dictate, would be but + going back to the old attempt to impose conditions upon Missouri. + There is no necessity for any census if we are satisfied, from all + the evidence before us, that there are sixty thousand inhabitants + there. Florida was admitted without a census. Texas was admitted, + with two members on this floor without a census. So was + California. + + "To our friends upon this side of the house, let me say, if you + cannot vote for the bill, assist us in having it voted upon as it + is. Put on no riders. Give us no side-blows. Aid in keeping them + off. Let the measure stand or fall upon its merits. If you cannot + vote for the bill, vote against it just as it stands. + + "I see my time is nearly out, and I cannot go into the discussion + of other branches of the question; but may I not make an appeal to + all sides of the house to come up to do their duty to-day? I have + spoken of the rapid development of our country and its progress in + all its material resources. Is it true that the intellectual and + moral development of our country has not kept pace with its + physical? Has our political body outgrown the heads and hearts of + those who are to govern it? Is it so, that this thirty-fifth + Congress is unequal to the great mission before it! Are we + progressing in everything but mind and patriotism? Has destiny + cast upon us a heavier load of duty than we are able to perform? + Are we unequal to the task assigned us? I trust not. I know it is + sometimes said in the country that Congress has degenerated. It is + for us this day to show whether it is true or not. For myself, I + do not believe it. It may be that the _esprit de corps_ may have + some influence on my judgment. Something may be pardoned to that. + But still I feel that I address men of as much intelligence, + reflection, talent, integrity, virtue and worth, as I have ever + met in this hall; men not unfit to be the Representatives of this + great, growing and prosperous Confederacy. The only real fitness + for any public station is to be up to the requirements of the + occasion, whatever that be. Let us, then, vindicate our characters + as fit legislators to-day; and, with that dignity and decorum + which have so signally marked our proceedings upon other great, + exciting questions before, and which, whatever may be said of our + debates, may be claimed as a distinguished honor for the present + House of Representatives, let us do the work assigned us with that + integrity of purpose which discharges duty regardless of + consequences, and with a patriotism commensurate with the + magnitude of the subject under all its responsibilities." + +Mr. Stephens took very decided ground in favor of the Lecompton bill +in 1857-8, and when that was likely to fail in favor of the English +Compromise. He is also, while a Union man, very much in sympathy with +the Southern Rights school of politicians, and has made two or three +speeches in defence of filibusterism in the house. He has not entirely +forgotten that he was once a Whig, for last winter he spoke in favor +of, and supported heartily the French Spoliation bill. He is a very +fair political opponent, doing everything in an open and frank manner, +but a very shrewd tactician. He has rarely allowed himself to be led +into excited, partisan or sectional speeches, and, therefore, has long +been looked upon in Congress as an admirable party manager. + + + + +N. P. BANKS. + + +Few men in the country have, in these latter days of politics, been so +uniformly successful, even when circumstances were untoward, as +Governor Banks. He is known by the people as _a lucky man_. He +succeeds in whatever he undertakes. He has risen from an obscure young +man to be Speaker of the National House of Representatives, and +Governor of one of the first States of the Union. What may not such a +man expect if he be ambitious? + +Mr. Banks was born in Waltham, Mass., January 30, 1816, where he +received a common school education. At a very early age he was placed +to work in a cotton-mill, in his native town, as a common hand. His +father was an overseer in the same mill. Here he remained for some +time, but not liking the business left the mill, and learned the trade +of machinist. While thus engaged, a strolling theatrical company +passed through Waltham, and young Banks was so much taken with their +acting, that he learned to perform several parts himself. He succeeded +so well that a tempting offer was made to him to follow the fortunes +of the company. He was sufficiently wise to refuse the offer. There +can be no doubt that to this dramatic corps Mr. Banks owes much of his +after success. They taught him much of that gracefulness which, to +this day, distinguishes him as an orator and a presiding officer. + +Banks now joined a village lyceum and made himself a ready +speaker--then delivered temperance speeches, and at last drifted into +politics as a Democrat. He edited a village paper in Waltham, a +Democratic paper, and Mr. Polk gave him an office in the Boston Custom +House. In attending political meetings, Mr. Banks often acted as +presiding officer, and it was soon discovered that he possessed a +remarkable talent for such a post. In 1849, Mr. Banks was elected to +the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and put himself down in +the list of members as a "machinist." The very next year he turned to +the law--in 1851 was chosen Speaker of the State Legislature, and was +a prominent advocate of the coalition between the Democrats and Free +Soilers. This was his first step out of the Democratic party toward +Republicanism. The next year he was reelected speaker, and in the +autumn was elected to Congress. While in Congress, during his first +term, he voted against the Kansas-Nebraska bill, though he was one of +those Democrats who _voted to take the bill up_, a movement which +insured its final success. + +In 1854, Mr. Banks was taken up by the Americans and Republicans, and +sent again to Congress, where, after a memorable _two months'_ +contest, yet fresh in the reader's memory, he was elected Speaker of +the House of Representatives. No man has ever surpassed, if one has +ever equalled him, as a speaker of that turbulent body, and he left +the post with the highest honors. He was reelected to Congress, but +after taking his seat and remaining a month at Washington, he resigned +it to assume the governorship of Massachusetts, to which office the +people of the State had elected him by a tremendous majority. + +He was reelected in the fall of 1858 by a heavy majority, and at this +time fills the Governor's chair. This, in a few words, is Governor +Bank's political career. As a politician, he has shown himself shrewd, +as a presiding officer prompt, graceful, commanding, and as an +administrator, a governor, he has proved himself to be a man of rare +genius. This, in fact, is Governor Bank's _forte_. He has a genius +_for governing men_--that most rare of all gifts. He cannot be said to +have made a political blunder in his life, speaking after the fashion +of political men. + +It is of great importance to the people what are the _political +opinions_ of such a man as Governor Banks. But he is so cautious, so +reticent, that upon some points it is difficult to state his exact +position. In a letter, addressed by Mr. Banks to the Republican +Convention of Worcester--in the fall of 1857, Mr. Banks states his +opinions upon some of the prominent questions of the day. We will make +a few extracts: + + "My opinions upon all questions relating to the General Government + of the States, have been made public during my connection with an + office from which I have been but recently relieved, and also by + my course in the late Presidential canvass. I resisted the repeal + of the Missouri Compromise, and I am still opposed to that + measure, as I am to all acts of the late and present + administration, whether of an executive, legislative, or judicial + character, which have been devised to maintain or to perpetuate + the original purpose of that flagitious wrong; and I shall + earnestly advocate the admission of Kansas into the Union of + States, under its own charter of freedom. I am opposed to the + further extension of slavery, or to the increase of its political + power. I believe that the Constitution confers upon Congress + sovereign power over the territories of the United States for + their government; and that, in the exercise of its authority, it + is its duty to prohibit slavery or polygamy therein. I shall + support the most energetic measures which the Constitution admits, + for the development of the moral and material interests of the + American people, defend the sovereignty of the States against + executive or judicial encroachment, and contribute all in my power + for the restoration of the General Government to the principles of + the fathers of the Constitution and the Union. + + "I am opposed to the recent decision of the Supreme Court of the + United States, not only upon the ground that it controverts the + principles and overthrows all the precedents of our history upon + the subject of slavery, but that it assumes to decide, as a + judicial problem, the question whether slavery shall be + established in this State, which has been, and ought to be, left + as a political question for the people of the State to determine + for themselves. + + "It is pleasant for us at all times to recall the traditions of + our fathers, to repeat their affirmation of principles, which seem + to us to be self-evident truths, and which were announced to the + world by men who were ready and able to support them in council, + and to defend them in the field. But it is a pleasure that cannot + be enjoyed apart from the conviction that it is for us an equal, + if not a higher duty, vigilantly to course every means that will + tend to insure and perpetuate their supremacy, on this continent + at least. If it shall hereafter appear that our Government has + departed therefrom, and joined itself to other and false political + doctrines, I trust that it may never be said of the people of + Massachusetts, that an unreasonable refusal of minor concessions, + or their immaterial diversities of opinions--always the bane of + republics--gave success and perpetual power to their opponents. No + one can doubt that a vast majority of the people of the United + States are opposed to the policy represented by the slavery + propagandists; and still less can we doubt that it is their + diversity of opinion in non-essentials that encourages the + Government with hopes of success, and constantly defeats the + purposes of the people. It is no less a shame for us, under such + circumstances, to admit our incapacity to maintain our principles, + than to acknowledge a defection from the faith of our fathers. + + "In our age, with our lights, success is a duty. The graves of the + past proclaim that failure must be the fault of the people, and + not of their cause. But there will be no permanent failure. There + was never a more auspicious hour for the friends of freedom than + the present. To whatever policy the Government may now devote its + energies, political power must soon fall into new hands. And when + power shall pass into the hands of the young men of this age, I + can entertain no doubt that, like the young men of a past age, to + whom Jefferson appealed, and who were his constant supporters in + the great battles of his day, for the suppression of the slave + trade, and the ultimate supremacy of Liberty in the early councils + of our people, they will give renewed life to a national policy of + freedom, traditional and true, which must be the basis of all + moral or material prosperity, and which is dictated alike by + conscience and common sense. I rejoice with an inward joy, that + the young men of Massachusetts, as it were by spontaneous + movement, and with a true appreciation of their duty and power, + have assumed a position and unfurled a flag that will be hailed in + other States as a harbinger of a better age--a radiant star, that + shall lead to new and decisive victories for the good old cause. + + "The affairs of our State demand no less our attention. There is + now an unusually favorable opportunity for the initiation of + political changes of great importance, which cannot fail to be + acceptable to all classes of people. Of these, restricted sessions + of the legislature, and heavy retrenchment in State expenditures, + are of lasting importance. Our people, constantly engaged in + pursuits of commerce, manufactures, mechanic arts, and + agriculture, have a right to demand of the Government that it + shall meet, without evasion, the necessities of the time, and + enable them, without following the constant changes of + partisanship, to hold their servants to an immediate and direct + responsibility." + +It is not easy to say how closely Mr. Banks has been connected with +Americanism in Massachusetts. It is very certain that he _used_ +Americanism, and that he guided it, but to what extent he has adopted, +at any time, its doctrines, we cannot say. It has been said that Mr. +Banks was opposed to the "Two Years' Amendment" recently adopted by +the voters of Massachusetts, but he failed to show his hand upon it +one way or the other. The Americans, we believe, claim that Mr. Banks +is one of them in principle, but upon what grounds we know not. + +Mr. Banks, though formerly a Democrat, is understood to be in favor of +a moderately protective tariff. He is, as the extracts we have quoted +show, decidedly opposed to the extension of slavery, but does not +occupy, as an opponent of slavery, such advanced ground as that upon +which Mr. Seward stands. He is opposed to agitation upon the slavery +question, except in self-defence, while Mr. Seward is for battle, open +and decided, but constitutional, till slavery is driven from the +continent. + + + + +JOSEPH LANE. + + +Gen. Lane occupies a somewhat prominent position before the country in +reference to the Presidency. Not because he professes to be a leading +statesman of the country, for it is but recently that he has become a +national legislator, or participated, to any great extent, in national +politics. But possibly for this very reason many eyes are turned +toward him as a fit subject for the suffrages of the Charleston +convention. + +Joseph Lane is a native of North Carolina, and was born December 14, +1801. In 1804 his father removed his family to Kentucky, and in 1816 +young Joseph crossed the Ohio, and entered a store in Warwick County, +Indiana. What his opportunities were, in early life, for education, we +do not learn, but that they were slight cannot be doubted--a common +school education being all that was within his reach. The rest he +procured for himself in the wide school of the world. + +For several years Lane followed a mercantile life, marrying early, and +changing his residence to Vanderberg County. He first tried the paths +of public life as a member of the Indiana legislature, the people of +Warwick and Vanderberg counties liking him so well that they invited +him to become their representative in the State legislature. He proved +himself to be a capable, and, indeed, popular legislator, so much so, +that his constituents kept him in the Senate or House of +Representatives of the State, off and on, for more than twenty years. +He was always in the legislature a manager, rather than a talker. He +has never claimed the title of orator, for he was not bred to it, nor +ever had an aptness for it. But he showed at once that he possessed a +genius for legislation, and was kept constantly by the people at the +business. In the Indiana legislature, he strenuously opposed the +project of repudiation which, in the dark days of Indiana, was +supported by many of her citizens and politicians. His independent +course against the proposed measure of dishonor, was all that saved +the State from the terrible step, and this fact is generally admitted +by her people, irrespective of their politics. + +The military career of Gen. Lane now began, and is sketched by one of +his friends in the following language: + +"In the Mexican war, Gen. Lane was among the first to respond to the +call for volunteers, by enlisting as a private in the 2d Indiana +regiment, of which he was subsequently elected colonel. He, however, +took the field with the rank of brigadier general, having been +commissioned by President Polk, at the solicitation of the Indiana +Congressional delegation. His subsequent conduct fully justified this +honor. Soon after reaching Mexico, he was appointed by General Butler +civil and military governor of Saltillo, but after the battle of +Monterey, received orders to join General Taylor with his brigade. He +was first under fire at the terrible battle of Buena Vista, on the 22d +and 23d of February, 1847, and particularly distinguished himself in +the furious encounters of the second day. With a command reduced to +400 men, by details sent to check a flank movement of Santa Anna, +General Lane maintained the position he occupied against an attack of +6,000 Mexicans. It appears almost incredible that he was enabled to +roll back such an overwhelming force. When Santa Anna made his last +desperate attack on the Illinois and Kentucky regiments, General Lane, +at a critical moment, hastened to their support, and his timely aid +enabled the column to reform and return to the contest, and thus +contributed largely to the victory that crowned the American arms. In +September, 1847, General Lane was transferred to Scott's line. On the +20th of September he took up his line of march for the capital at the +head of a column of volunteers, including some horse, and two pieces +of artillery, and amounting in all to about 2,500 men. On the way, +Major Lally joined him with 1,000 men, and at Jalapa his force was +further augmented by a company of mounted riflemen, two companies of +infantry (volunteers), and two pieces of artillery. At this time the +gallant Colonel Childs, U.S.A., was holding out Puebla, against a +siege conducted by Santa Anna in person. Foiled in this effort, the +Mexican general moved toward Huamantla, with the purpose of attacking +General Lane's column in the rear, simultaneously with another attack +from the direction of Puebla. But General Lane, who, throughout the +campaign, exhibited the highest military qualities, penetrated the +design of the enemy, and leaving a detachment to guard the wagon +trains, diverged from the main road and marched on to Huamantla, which +he reached on the 9th of October. The Mexicans, dismayed at his +unexpected appearance, hung out white flags, and the Americans began +to enter the city. + +"The treacherous Mexicans, however, opened a fire on his advanced +guard, under Captain Walker, and a terrible contest took place in the +plaza. General Lane, in the meanwhile, was engaged with the +reinforcement brought up under Santa Anna; but after a furious battle, +the Americans were victorious, and the stars and stripes waved in +triumph over Huamantla. The remains of the Mexican force fell back on +Atlixo, where they were rallied and reinforced by General Rea. General +Lane, coming up after a long and fatiguing march, found the enemy +strongly posted on a hill-side about a mile and a half from the town, +and immediately gave them battle. After a desperate conflict, the +Mexicans gave way, and threw themselves into Atlixo. At nightfall, +General Lane established his batteries on a commanding eminence, and +opened his fire on the town; but the Mexican troops having retreated, +the civil authorities immediately surrendered the place, and the +Americans took possession of it. Throughout the remainder of the +campaign, General Lane was in active service, and contributed greatly +to its fortunate issue. His operations exhibited a striking +combination of intelligence and daring. With a Napoleonic celerity of +movement, he appeared almost ubiquitous. Wherever and whenever his +presence was most needed, then and there did the 'Marion of the +Mexican war' make his appearance. The long marches executed by his +command excited the admiration of military men as much as their +chivalric daring in the field. General Lane succeeded in infusing into +his troops his own spirit of patient toil and brilliant valor. After +marching many leagues under a broiling sun, reflected from arid plains +and rocks, through rugged defiles and lonely valleys, the presence of +the enemy always found them ready to rush into battle, resistless and +undaunted. Far away from the scenes of strife, we read of General +Lane's exploits with mingled admiration and astonishment, and the +barbarous names of Tlascala, Matamaros, Galaxa, Tulaucingo, became +'familiar in our mouths as household words,' when illustrated by the +valor of the American general. The story of his deeds read like a +romance, and there was that in the character of the gallant volunteer +which enlisted the warmest sympathy. He was the true type of the +American citizen soldier, abandoning the tranquil delights of home, +and the honors of a civic career, for the toils and dangers of war, at +the call of his country, and learning the military art by its +exercise. To the fiery and impetuous valor which distinguishes the +French soldier, General Lane united the stern resolution which +characterized the old Roman warrior, but he repudiated the Roman +military maxim, 'Woe to the vanquished!' as unworthy of an American +officer. The wounded enemy received as much attention at his hands as +a wounded comrade, and as he had communicated to his men his spirit of +endurance and valor, so he impressed them by his example of humanity +and moderation in victory. In July, 1848, General Lane returned to the +United States, and was appointed by President Polk, Territorial +Governor of Oregon. After a perilous journey, he reached his post in +March, 1849, and immediately organized the government. After being +superseded by Governor Gaines, under Taylor's administration, he was +elected by the people of Oregon, with whom he was universally popular, +as delegate to Congress. In 1853, the outrages of the Indians in the +southern part of Oregon, called him once more to the field at the head +of a small force of volunteers and regular troops, and after a +desperate battle near Table Rock, in which he was severely wounded, he +succeeded in forcing them into submission and peace." + +General Lane labored faithfully to bring Oregon into the Union, and at +last succeeded, for in February, 1859, the Oregon bill passed the +House of Representatives, and he having been elected senator of the +young State took his seat in that body, and chose the long, or six +years' term. + +General Lane has taken little part, as we have said, in the recent +party politics of the day, though, in the winter of 1857-8, he did +make a speech in defence of the Lecompton Constitution. He was not +however ultra in his sentiments. We quote his speech, which was short, +on the admission of Oregon into the Union. It will be seen that +portions of the speech relate to General Lane's personal history: + + "Mr. Speaker, I have not yet had an opportunity of addressing + myself to the House in behalf of the admission of Oregon. It is a + matter of very great importance to the people of that territory, + and of the whole country. I would not now trespass on the time of + the House, were it not for the purpose of making a personal + explanation. + + "I find in the 'Oregon Statesman,' a paper published at Salem, + Oregon, a letter purporting to have been written from this city, + bearing date the 17th of June last, in which it is charged that I + had managed to prevent action on the admission bill, for the + purpose of obtaining double mileage if elected to the Senate. If + that letter had not been published in a Democratic paper, I would + not have noticed it; but as it has been, I feel it my duty to say, + that if the letter was written here, the writer of that letter + knew very little about me. + + "Money, I thank God, has not been a consideration with me in the + discharge of my official duty. It has had no influence over my + action, official, moral, political, or social. I have never + coveted money. I desire only the reputation of an honest man; and + that I intend to deserve always, as I have deserved heretofore + that reputation. I did all I could to bring Oregon in; and when I + found we could not, I said to you, Mr. Speaker, I said to the + Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, I said to the Sergeant-at-Arms of + the House, that if elected and admitted to the Senate, I would not + take double mileage, or double compensation. Throughout all my + official action, I have studied the strictest principles of + economy toward the Government. When I was appointed Governor of + Oregon territory, in 1848, I paid for my own outfit, and travelled + across the plains to the territory of Oregon without the cost to + the Government of a single cent. When I arrived at San Francisco, + I had to make the trip from there to Oregon by water. I had run + out of money, and I borrowed enough to pay my passage to Oregon + City, and I paid it as soon as I earned it out of my salary. + Though I was offered a free passage by the quartermaster, who went + out in the same vessel with a small detachment of troops, and who + thought I was entitled to a free passage, yet I declined to accept + the offer. + + "Then, in the discharge of my duties of Governor, in the + management of Indian affairs, I can say, that, for the smallness + of those expenses, there is no parallel to my administration in + that respect. During the time I was Governor of Oregon, and _ex + officio_ superintendent of Indian affairs, I visited fifty-odd + tribes of Indians, and gave them presents, small in amount, it is + true, but such as were necessary to keep them in a good + disposition toward the whites; and that for the whole amount of + expenses in travelling, I made not a cent of charge. My accounts + show not a single charge against the Government; and the whole + amount of expense, of whatever nature, for the whole eighteen + months that I visited those tribes of Indians, was less than three + thousand dollars. I mention these things in the way of a personal + explanation against the charges of a letter-writer. + + "MR. KILGORE.--I wish to ask the gentleman from Oregon a question. + I understood him to remark that he would not have noticed the + matter had it been published in a Republican paper. Will the + gentleman let us know why he would not have noticed it if it had + been published in a respectable Republican newspaper?" + + "MR. LANE.--The Republican papers have taken the liberty so often + of giving me so many hard raps that I have got used to it, and I + would not have taken it to heart. But this appears in a Democratic + paper, and in a paper that has had the Government public printing. + This is a fire in the rear that I do not like. + + "I will say this: that I have had no cause of complaint of + letter-writers since I have been a delegate upon this floor. Very + few of them have taken the trouble to notice me favorably, and I + am sure I never should desire them to notice me unfavorably; but I + will say in vindication, or rather to the credit of the + letter-writers in this city, that I do not believe that this + letter was written in Washington. I believe it was written in + Oregon territory, and with a view, in my absence, to affect my + character as a public servant and as an honest man, and with a + view to prejudice the admission of Oregon; and perhaps in order + that the editor of this Democratic paper might still have the + benefit of his thousands of dollars annually for the public + printing. + + "I have said this much about the letter-writers; and now I must be + allowed, as I feel the deepest interest in the admission of + Oregon, to say a few words upon this subject. + + "MR. GOOCH.--I wish to ask the gentleman from Oregon if, in case + Oregon is admitted and he has a vote at either end of this + Capitol, he will vote to relieve Kansas from the effect of the + English bill, so called, and let her present herself for admission + when she chooses? + + "MR. LANE.--I do not come here to make any bargain, contract, or + promises. I am an honest man; and if I am permitted to go into the + Senate I shall exercise a sound discretion and judgment, and with + a strong desire to promote the general good, prosperity and + welfare of a country that I love more than life; and I believe + that my official action through life is a guaranty that in all + matters I will do what I believe to be right. + + "Now, Mr. Speaker, Oregon territory is peculiarly situated. I + think if there ever was a case in this country where a people were + entitled to the care, the protection, and aid of this Government, + it is the people of that territory. They went out there at a very + early day. I heard with pleasure, from gentlemen on the other side + of the House, a partial history of the early settlement of that + country. As early as 1832, 1833, and 1834, and from that time down + to 1839 and 1840, the missionary societies of this country took it + into their heads very wisely to establish missionaries upon the + Pacific. They sent out good and educated men, men who had a strong + desire to civilize the savages, to inculcate religious principles + among them, and encourage habits of industry and civilization. + Their missions were assisted by many old trappers, who, though + they had spent many years in the mountains, in pursuit of game and + furs, were yet men who had noble and pure hearts, and who readily + offered such aid and assistance as was in their power. Settlements + grew up around the missionary posts. Every effort was put forth by + these good people to influence the habits of the savages. They + were urged to be led upon the paths of Christianity and + civilization. + + "In 1841, these settlements had been extended all over the + country, and their welfare depended upon order and good + government. They, therefore, organized themselves into a temporary + provisional government. A board was appointed to enact laws, and + judges were selected for the decision of all matters in dispute. + That provisional government continued until 1843, when a regular + form of government was adopted. George Abernethy was elected + Governor. A Legislative Assembly was created, judges were + appointed, and all the operations of a government went on as + smoothly as they do in any of the territories of the United + States. A post-office department was established, and mail service + was performed throughout the territory. Communication thus was + kept up with all sections of the Union and Oregon. That government + continued until 1848, when, by act of Congress, the laws of the + United States were extended over Oregon, and a territorial + government was voted to her. When I arrived there, in the winter + of 1848, I found the provisional government I have referred to, + working beautifully. Peace and plenty blessed the hills and vales, + and harmony and quiet, under the benign influence of that + government, reigned supreme throughout her borders. I thought that + it was almost a pity to disturb the existing relations--to put + that government down and another up. Yet they came out to meet me, + their first Governor under the laws of the United States. They + told me how proud they were to be under the laws of the United + States; and how glad they were to welcome me as holding the + commission of the General Government. Why, sir, my heart waxed + warm to them from that day. + + "Mr. Speaker, can any man upon this floor reconcile it with the + common dictates of justice to deny to this people a State + government? They are law-abiding; they have population; they are + competent for self-government: wherein is it that they are + deficient? My friend from Tennessee [Mr. Zollicoffer] said that he + voted for Kansas because of fear of disturbances; because, + forsooth, they were outlaws and bad men. Would not that be a + reward for defiance of the law? + + "MR. ZOLLICOFFER.--The statement of the gentleman from Oregon does + me a great injustice. On the Kansas question there was great + excitement, connected with the question of slavery, which agitated + the public mind of the whole Union to such an extent that I + regarded it my duty to aid to bring Kansas into the Union, and at + once settle the agitation attaching to that territory. This + consideration was, to my mind, paramount to that of population. + + "MR. DAVIS, of Mississippi.--I desire to ask the gentleman from + Oregon whether, from his knowledge of the country, he believes + there are ninety-three thousand four hundred and twenty people + there? + + "MR. LANE.--I do. From my knowledge of the country, from the rapid + increase of population there, I believe that there are + ninety-three thousand four hundred and twenty inhabitants there; + ninety-three thousand four hundred and twenty white people, no + Chinamen or negroes counted. I am not only satisfied of that, but + I can show, I think, that Oregon, before the apportionment in + 1870, will stand here with her representatives representing three + hundred thousand people. + + "Mr. Speaker, she comes here with a constitution regularly framed, + and adopted by her people. It is the wish of those people that + they shall assume the responsibilities of State government. Are + they not entitled to it? Now I would ask the friends of her + admission to vote down all amendments. If the bill is to stand, + let it stand as it came from the Senate. If it is to fall, then + let it fall upon that bill. Do not refuse her request by + indirection; let the issue be fairly and openly made. She has been + fair and honest in her dealings with us, and why should we be + otherwise to her? My northern friends will believe me when I say + that the rights of every State of the Union are as dear to me as + those of Oregon. If I have a seat in Congress, I will be, at all + times, prompt to resent any trespass on the rights of the States + as secured by the Constitution. My affection rests on every inch + of this Union--East and West, North and South. The promotion of + the prosperity of this great country is the strongest desire of my + heart. I then ask gentlemen, on all sides of the House, on what + principle of justice or right, the application of Oregon can be + refused?" + +In his personal appearance Mr. Lane is dignified and commanding. He is +uniformly good natured and his intimate friends assert that in his +judgments of men and political parties he is very fair. He is tall, +with a fine forehead, greyish hair, and florid complexion. As a +speaker, we have remarked, he is not distinguished, though he is +perfectly at his ease while delivering a speech in Congress. + + + + +JOHN McLEAN. + + +John McLean, or rather Judge McLean--for by the last name he is +everywhere known--has been member of Congress, Post Master-General, +General Land Office Commissioner, Judge in the State of Ohio, and +finally Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. We can add +that the man so prominent, so successful, is worthy of all his +advancement, for he has ever been a man of unswerving integrity, and +of lofty character. He was born in Morris County, New Jersey, on the +11th of March, 1785. Four years later, his father, who was poor, +removed to the West--first to Morganstown, Virginia, next to +Jessamine, Kentucky, and finally to what is now Warren County, Ohio. +This was then a wild country, and the hardy pioneer went at work and +cleared up a farm in it, whereon he resided forty years, and died in +the home which he had made in the wilderness. Here, too, lived John +McLean, the subject of this sketch, and worked upon the farm which he +afterward owned. There were few opportunities within his reach to +obtain a good education--this was at the beginning of the present +century--but to such schools as were to be found near home he was +sent, and made such rapid progress that when he was sixteen years of +age he was put under the care of a neighboring clergyman that he might +study the languages, and as his father's means were still somewhat +limited, he entirely supported himself and paid his tuition expenses +by his labor. He was already ambitious, and determined to study the +law. When he was eighteen years old, he made an engagement to write in +the clerk's office of Hamilton County, in Cincinnati, and entered the +law office of Arthur St. Clair, then an eminent lawyer of Cincinnati. +His writing in the clerk's office supported him, though he was obliged +to practise the closest economy. He took part in a debating society, +and by practice fitted himself for his future business. In the spring +of 1807, he married a Miss Edwards--before he was admitted to the +bar--which was doubtless in the eyes of all his prudent friends a very +foolish act. But so it did not turn out to be. Miss Edwards made him +an excellent wife, and the early marriage saved him from vice and +dissipation into which so many young men of his profession plunge at +his age. In the fall of the same year, Mr. McLean was admitted to the +bar, and returned to Warren County, where he speedily secured a large +legal business. + +In 1812, he became a candidate for Congress, his district then +including Cincinnati. He had two competitors, but was chosen by a +large majority. One of his friends writes: + +"From his first entrance upon public life, John McLean was identified +with the Democratic party. He was an ardent supporter of the war, and +of the administration of Mr. Madison, yet not a blind advocate of +every measure proposed by the party, as the journals of that period +will show. His votes were all given in reference to principle. The +idea of supporting a dominant party, merely because it was dominant, +did not influence his judgment, or withdraw him from the high path of +duty which he had marked out for himself. He was well aware, that the +association of individuals into parties was sometimes absolutely +necessary to the prosecution and accomplishment of any great public +measure. This he supposed was sufficient to induce the members +composing them, on any little difference with the majority, to +sacrifice their own judgment to that of the greater number, and to +distrust their own opinions when they were in contradiction to the +general views of the party. But as party was thus to be regarded as +itself, only an instrument for the attainment of some great public +good, the instrument should not be raised into greater importance than +the end, nor any clear and undoubted principle of morality be violated +for the sake of adherence to party. Mr. McLean often voted against +political friends; yet so highly were both his integrity and judgment +estimated, that no one of the Democratic party separated himself from +him on that account. Nor did his independent course in the smallest +degree diminish the weight he had acquired among his own constituents. + +"Among the measures supported by him, were the tax bills of the extra +session at which he first entered Congress. He originated the law to +indemnify individuals for property lost in the public service. A +resolution instructing the proper committee to inquire into the +expediency of giving pensions to the widows of the officers and +soldiers who had fallen in their country's service, was introduced by +him; and the measure was afterward sanctioned by Congressional +enactment. By an able speech he defended the war measures of the +administration; and by the diligent discharge of his duties in respect +to the general welfare of the country, and the interests of his people +and district, he continued to rise in public estimation. In 1814, he +was re-elected to Congress by the unanimous vote of his district, +receiving not only every vote cast in the district for representative, +but every voter that attended the polls voted for him--a circumstance +that has rarely occurred in the political history of any man. His +position as a member of the committee of foreign relations and of the +public lands, indicates the estimation in which he was held, and his +familiarity with the important questions of foreign and domestic +policy which were in agitation during the eventful period of his +membership." + +In 1815, he was urgently solicited to become a candidate for the U.S. +Senate, but he declined. He was then but thirty years of age. In 1816, +he was unanimously elected judge of the Supreme Court of the state of +Ohio and he resigned his seat in Congress. While in Congress he voted +for a bill giving to each member a salary of $1,500 a year instead of +the per diem allowance. + +Judge McLean presided on the bench in Ohio for six years, during which +time he won for himself an enviable judicial reputation. In 1822, he +was appointed commissioner of the general Land Office by President +Monroe; and in 1823, he entered the cabinet as Postmaster General. As +Postmaster General he secured a fine reputation, improving its +finances and in every possible way improving the postal facilities of +the country. By an almost unanimous vote of Congress his salary was +increased from $4,000 to $6,000. + +"The distribution of the public patronage of his department exhibited +in another respect his qualities as an executive officer, and +manifested the rule of action that has always marked his character. +The principle upon which executive patronage should be distributed, +has been one of the most important questions in this government, and +has presented the widest variation between the profession and practice +of individuals and parties. In the administration of the post-office +department by Judge McLean, an example was presented in strict +consistence with sound principles of republican government, and just +party organization. During the whole time that the affairs of the +department were administered by the judge, he had necessarily a +difficult part to act. The country was divided into two great parties, +animated by the most determined spirit of rivalry, and each bent on +advancing itself to the lead of public affairs. A question was now +started, whether it was proper to make political opinions the test of +qualification for office. Such a principle had been occasionally acted +upon during the preceding periods of our history; but so rarely, as to +constitute the exception, rather than the rule. It had never become +the settled and systematic course of conduct of any public officer. +Doubtless every one is bound to concede something to the temper and +opinions of the party to which he belongs, otherwise party would be an +association without any connecting bond of alliance. + +"But no man is permitted to infringe any one of the great rules of +morality and justice, for the sake of subserving the interests of his +party. It cannot be too often repeated, nor too strongly impressed +upon the public men of America, that nothing is easier than to +reconcile these two apparently conflicting views. The meaning of +party, is an association of men for the purpose of advancing the +public interests. Men thrown together indiscriminately, without any +common bond of alliance, would be able to achieve nothing great and +valuable; while united together, to lend each other mutual support and +assistance, they are able to surmount the greatest obstacles, and to +accomplish the most important ends. This is the true notion of party. +It imports combined action; but does not imply any departure from the +great principles of truth and honesty. So long as the structure of the +human mind is so varied in different individuals, there will always be +a wide scope for diversity of opinion as to public measures; but no +foundation is yet laid in the human mind for any material difference +of opinion, as to what constitutes the great rule of justice. + +"The course which was pursued by Judge McLean was marked by the +greatest wisdom and moderation. Believing that every public officer +holds his office in trust for the people, he determined to be +influenced by no other principle in the discharge of his public +duties, than a faithful performance of the trust committed to him. No +individual was removed from office by him, on account of his political +opinions. In making appointments where the claims and qualifications +of persons were equal, and at the same time one was known to be +friendly to the administration, he felt himself bound to appoint the +one who was his friend. But when persons were recommended to office, +it was not the practice to name, as a recommendation, that they had +been or were warm supporters of the dominant power. In all such cases, +the man who was believed to be the best qualified was selected by the +department." + +In 1829, General Jackson appointed Mr. McLean to the bench of the +Supreme Court of the United States, he having previously declined the +War and Navy Departments, although the two men differed somewhat in +their ideas of public policy. In January, 1830, he took his seat upon +the bench, and since that time the only indications of Judge McLean's +opinions on the political issues of modern times which the public +could notice, have been afforded by his published decisions involving +the question of slavery. Some years since, the private friends of +Judge McLean were aware that he sympathized very deeply with the +Anti-Slavery reformers of the West and North, and that he did not +approve of the political principles of the Democratic party, as laid +down in their regular platforms, on this subject. He may be safely set +down as a conservative opponent of negro slavery, and its extension +into the territories of the republic. In the last Presidential +election he voted for John C. Fremont, which would seem to settle the +question as to his political affinities. He is a Republican. + +From Judge McLean's opinion, delivered in the Dred Scott case, we +gather his views upon some of the more prominent political issues of +the day: + + "As to the locality of slavery. The civil law throughout the + continent of Europe, it is believed, without an exception, is, + that slavery can exist only within the territory where it is + established; and that, if a slave escapes, or is carried beyond + such territory, his master cannot reclaim him, unless by virtue of + some express stipulation. + + "There is no nation in Europe which considers itself bound to + return to his master a fugitive slave, under the civil law or the + law of nations. On the contrary, the slave is held to be free + where there is no treaty obligation, or compact in some other + form, to return him to his master. The Roman law did not allow + freedom to be sold. An ambassador or any other public functionary + could not take a slave to France, Spain, or any other country in + Europe, without emancipating him. A number of slaves escaped from + a Florida plantation, and were received on board of ship by + Admiral Cochrane; by the King's Bench, they were held to be free. + + In the great and leading case of Prigg _v._ the State of + Pennsylvania, this court says that, by the general law of nations, + no nation is bound to recognize the state of slavery, as found + within its territorial dominions, where it is in opposition to its + own policy and institutions, in favor of the subjects of other + nations where slavery is organized. If it does it, it is as a + matter of comity, and not as a matter of international right. The + state of slavery is deemed to be a mere municipal regulation, + founded upon and limited to the range of the territorial laws. + This was fully recognized in Somerset's case, which was decided + before the American Revolution. + + "There was some contrariety of opinion among the judges on certain + points ruled in Prigg's case, but there was none in regard to the + great principle, that slavery is limited to the range of the laws + under which it is sanctioned. + + "No case in England appears to have been more thoroughly examined + than that of Somerset. The judgment pronounced by Lord Mansfield + was the judgment of the Court of King's Bench. The cause was + argued at great length, and with great ability, by Hargrave and + others, who stood among the most eminent counsel in England. It + was held under advisement from term to term, and a due sense of + its importance was felt and expressed by the Bench. + + "In giving the opinion of the court, Lord Mansfield said: + + "'The state of slavery is of such a nature that it is incapable of + being introduced on any reasons, moral or political, but only by + positive law, which preserves its force long after the reasons, + occasion, and time itself, from whence it was created, are erased + from the memory; it is of a nature that nothing can be suffered to + support it but positive law.'" + + In relation to the connection between the Federal Government and + slavery, Judge McLean remarks: + + "The only connection which the Federal Government holds with + slaves in a State, arises from that provision in the Constitution + which declares that 'No person held to service or labor in one + State, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall in + consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from + such service or labor, but shall be delivered up, on claim of the + party to whom such service or labor may be due.' + + "This being a fundamental law of the Federal Government, it rests + mainly for its execution, as has been held, on the judicial power + of the Union; and so far as the rendition of fugitives from labor + has become a subject of judicial action, the federal obligation + has been faithfully discharged. + + "In the formation of the Federal Constitution, care was taken to + confer no power on the Federal Government to interfere with this + institution in the States. In the provisions respecting the slave + trade, in fixing the ratio of representation, and providing for + the reclamation of fugitives from labor, slaves were referred to + as persons, and in no other respect are they considered in the + Constitution. + + "We need not refer to the mercenary spirit which introduced the + infamous traffic in slaves, to show the degradation of negro + slavery in our country. This system was imposed upon our colonial + settlements by the mother country, and it is due to truth to say + that the commercial colonies and States were chiefly engaged in + the traffic. But we know as a historical fact, that James Madison, + that great and good man, a leading member in the Federal + Convention, was solicitous to guard the language of that + instrument so as not to convey the idea that there could be + property in man. + + "I prefer the lights of Madison, Hamilton, and Jay, as a means of + construing the Constitution in all its bearings, rather than to + look behind that period, into a traffic which is now declared to + be piracy, and punished with death by Christian nations. I do not + like to draw the sources of our domestic relations from so dark a + ground. Our independence was a great epoch in the history of + freedom; and while I admit the Government was not made especially + for the colored race, yet many of them were citizens of the New + England States, and exercised the rights of suffrage when the + Constitution was adopted, and it was not doubted by any + intelligent person that its tendencies would greatly ameliorate + their condition. + + "Many of the States, on the adoption of the Constitution, or + shortly afterward, took measures to abolish slavery within their + respective jurisdictions; and it is a well-known fact that a + belief was cherished by the leading men, South as well as North, + that the institution of slavery would gradually decline, until it + would become extinct. The increased value of slave labor, in the + culture of cotton and sugar, prevented the realization of this + expectation. Like all other communities and States, the South were + influenced by what they considered to be their own interests. + + "But if we are to turn our attention to the dark ages of the + world, why confine our view to colored slavery? On the same + principles, white men were made slaves. All slavery has its origin + in power, and is against right." + +In reference to the power of Congress to prohibit slavery in the +territories, we quote the subjoined paragraphs from Judge McLean's +opinion: + + "On the 13th of July, the ordinance of 1787 was passed, 'for the + government of the United States territory northwest of the river + Ohio,' with but one dissenting vote. This instrument provided + there should be organized in the territory not less than three nor + more than five States, designating their boundaries. It was passed + while the federal convention was in session, about two months + before the Constitution was adopted by the convention. The members + of the convention must therefore have been well acquainted with + the provisions of the ordinance. It provided for a temporary + government, as initiatory to the formation of State governments. + Slavery was prohibited in the territory. + + "Can any one suppose that the eminent men of the federal + convention could have overlooked or neglected a matter so vitally + important to the country, in the organization of temporary + governments for the vast territory northwest of the river Ohio? In + the 3d section of the 4th article of the Constitution, they did + make provision for the admission of new States, the sale of the + public lands, and the temporary government of the territory. + Without a temporary government, new States could not have been + formed, nor could the public lands have been sold. + + "If the 3d section were before us now for consideration for the + first time, under the facts stated, I could not hesitate to say + there was adequate legislative power given in it. The power to + make all needful rules and regulations is a power to legislate. + This no one will controvert, as Congress cannot make 'rules and + regulations,' except by legislation. But it is argued that the + word territory is used as synonymous with the word land; and that + the rules and regulations of Congress are limited to the + disposition of lands and other property belonging to the United + States. That this is not the true construction of the section + appears from the fact that in the first line of the section 'the + power to dispose of the public lands' is given expressly, and, in + addition, to make all needful rules and regulations. The power to + dispose of is complete in itself and requires nothing more. It + authorizes Congress to use the proper means within its discretion, + and any further provision for this purpose would be a useless + verbiage. As a composition the Constitution is remarkably free + from such a charge. + + "The prohibition of slavery north of 36 deg. 30', and of the State of + Missouri, contained in the act admitting that State into the + Union, was passed by a vote of 134, in the House of + Representatives, to 42. Before Mr. Monroe signed the act, it was + submitted by him to his Cabinet, and they held the restriction of + slavery in a territory to be within the constitutional powers of + Congress. It would be singular, if, in 1804, Congress had the + power to prohibit the introduction of slaves in Orleans territory + from any other part of the Union, under the penalty of freedom to + the slave, if the same power embodied in the Missouri Compromise + could not be exercised in 1820. + + "But this law of Congress, which prohibits slavery north of + Missouri and of 36 deg. 30', is declared to have been null and void by + my brethren. And this opinion is founded mainly, as I understand, + on the distinction drawn between the ordinance of 1787 and the + Missouri Compromise line. In what does the distinction consist? + The ordinance, it is said, was a compact entered into by the + confederated States before the adoption of the Constitution; and + that in the cession of territory, authority was given to establish + a territorial government. + + "It is clear that the ordinance did not go into operation by + virtue of the authority of the confederation, but by reason of its + modification and adoption by Congress under the Constitution. It + seems to be supposed, in the opinion of the court, that the + articles of cession placed it on a different footing from + territories subsequently acquired. I am unable to perceive the + force of this distinction. That the ordinance was intended for the + government of the northwestern territory, and was limited to such + territory, is admitted. It was extended to southern territories, + with modifications by acts of Congress, and to some northern + territories. But the ordinance was made valid by the act of + Congress, and without such act could have been of no force. It + rested for its validity on the act of Congress, the same, in my + opinion, as the Missouri Compromise line. + + "If Congress may establish a territorial government in the + exercise of its discretion, it is a clear principle that a court + cannot control that discretion. This being the case, I do not see + on what ground the act is held to be void. It did not purport to + forfeit property, or take it for public purposes. It only + prohibited slavery; in doing which, it followed the ordinance of + 1787." + +In 1840, Judge McLean lost his wife, and in 1843, married his present +wife, Mrs. Sara Bella Gerrard of Cincinnati. In his personal +appearance, Judge McLean is imposing, for he is tall and well +proportioned, and his face is one of the finest among the list of +American jurists. As a judge, he is above reproach; and as a +Christian--he is a member of a Christian church--he has won the +esteem of all who know him in that relation. + + + + +HENRY A. WISE. + + +Governor Wise is certainly one of the ablest of the southern +democrats. He may lack judgment and that balance of character which +is necessary in the truly great man; but he is a decided genius. +Whatever he has attempted he has accomplished, thus far, from his +wonderful energy and activity. Whether he has reached that bound +in his political triumphs beyond which he cannot pass, remains to +be seen. We will very briefly glance at his past history and his +present views upon the great political issues of the country. + +Henry A. Wise was born in Drummond Town, Accomack County, Virginia, +December 3, 1806. He was a precocious lad, for he graduated at +Washington College, Pa., when he was but nineteen years old. He then +studied law, and was admitted to the bar of Winchester, Va., in 1828. +With a western fever in his bones, and desirous of a new field in a +new country, he emigrated to Nashville, Tennessee, where he practised +law for two years. He soon grew homesick for old Virginia, and +returned to Accomack County. The district showed its estimation of the +young man by returning him to Congress in 1833. He continued to +represent it in the House of Representatives for ten years. In 1843, +he resigned his place and took the mission to Brazil. He remained +there for a Presidential term. In 1848, he was a Presidential elector +in Virginia; in 1850, was a member of the Reform Convention which +adopted the present constitution of the State. In 1852, he was again a +Presidential elector, and in 1855 was nominated by his party as their +candidate for Governor. This caucus will always be remembered and will +give him unfading political laurels. The contest was probably one of +the most exciting, close, and bitter, which ever took place, even in +Virginia. The Know Nothings, or Americans, were then in the height of +power and were sanguine of success. Mr. Wise took the stump with the +prophets against him, and in fact with a general impression abroad +that he would be defeated. He carried on the year's canvass as no +other man beside Henry A. Wise could have done it. He bearded +Americanism in its den--forced it upon its own territory--and +triumphed in the popular vote by thousands. However rash and +extravagant his speeches were, he had that overwhelming enthusiasm and +vigor, which carried down all opposition, and placed him in the +Governor's chair. + +As a politician, Governor Wise has always been true to the Virginian +school. Rigidly in favor of State rights, and as rigidly opposed to +protective tariffs--in short, bitterly anti-Whig in all his opinions. +On the slavery question, from the outset, he has been ultra +pro-slavery, though he was opposed to the Lecompton policy of Mr. +Buchanan's administration. He has favored internal improvements in +Virginia, and has in this respect differed from Mr. Hunter. This is +the bright feature in Governor Wise's political character. He never +was an old fogy, but is brimful of originality and reform. To see what +is Governor Wise's position on many of the issues of the day, we will +quote a few passages from his letter of January 3, 1859, to Hon. David +Hubbard: + + "Now, I have raised my warning of late against this weakness and + wickedness on our part. I have tried to protect my widowed mother, + the South, by giving honest filial counsel against the whole + household. The Reubens have tried to sell me into Egypt for my + 'dreaming.' But I am, nevertheless, loyal to the house of my + father and loving to my misguided brethren, and I mean to redouble + my efforts the more to save the house of Israel. If I must be + driven out as a dreamer, I will, at least, preserve 'mine + integrity,' and time and the day of famine will show whose counsel + and whose course will have saved the household and fed it, and all + the land of the stranger too. Aye; and is democracy as well as the + South to have no out-spoken, honest counsellor? Are we to be given + over to the federal gods of Pacific railroads? Are we to + _out-Yazoo Yazoo_? To out-Adams Adams in putting internal + improvements by the General Government on the most Omnipotent and + indefinitely stretching power of all powers of the Federal + Government--_the war power_? Are we to abolish _ad valorem_ and + adopt the specific duties to supply a tariff for revenue, the + standard of which is already eighty-one millions of expenditure on + three hundred and twenty-one millions average rate of + importations? Are we to increase eighty-one millions of + expenditure to the unknown limitless amount required for railroads + across this continent; for post-offices that don't pay expenses; + for pensions unheard of in character and amount; for a land office + which gives away three acres for every one sold, and brings us in + debt; for increase of a standing army such as our frontiers and + Indian wars and protectorates of foreign territory propose; and, + therefore, for such a navy as Isthmian wars with no less than + eight powers of the earth--England, Spain, France, Mexico, + Nicaragua, Costa Rica, New Granada, and Paraguay--demand if + threatened only? Is protection to be turned into prohibition? If + so, what is a 'direct tax?' Is land tax the only one which can be + 'apportioned?' Are the landowners to pay all the cost of the + crusade of Congress and manifest destiny? Is strict construction + and are State rights to be abandoned, and are we to give up State + corporations to the bankruptcies of a federal commission? Where + would have been our people and their effects last year if a + federal power could have put our State banks into a course of + liquidation under a commission of bankruptcy? Is the South, is any + portion of our community, in a situation to rush into wars--wars + invited by the President with three European and five American + powers? And are we to be a grand consolidated, elective, North and + South American imperialism? The question is not, 'Will the Union + be dissolved?' That is a settled question. But the question is, + 'Is the old Virginia democratic faith to be abandoned, and are we + to rush on with the President into a full scheme of federal policy + which in its outline and filling up, exceeds any federalism, in + all its points, which a Hamilton, or Adams, or any other + latitudinarian, ever dared to project or propose? + + "For my part, I take ground now firmly and at once against the war + power. I am for the Washington policy of peace, and against all + entangling alliances and protectorates, and the Jackson rule of + 'demanding nothing but what is right, and submitting to nothing + that is wrong,' and for preserving and protecting the South and + whole country from ambitious and buccaneering wars, of which the + landed and planting interests would have to bear the burden, at a + great sacrifice of present prosperity. I am against internal + improvements by the General Government, more than ever since their + construction is put on the war power. If we could beard England up + to 54 deg. 40', ten years ago, without a road or known route to + Oregon, why can't we wait for emigrants to beat a path on their + way to gold mines, and hold California, without cutting a military + road in time of peace? I am for retrenchment and reform of all + expenditures, and for revenue only for economical administration, + on a scale of pure, old-fashioned republican simplicity, + discriminating no more than is necessary to prevent prohibition on + non-dutiable articles. I am for free trade, and the protection it + affords is demonstrably ample for a people of enterprise and art + like ours. I am against State-bank bankruptcy, and all sorts of + bankruptcy whatever. The Federal Government shall never declare + again that honest debts shall be paid by gulping and oaths, with + my consent. But my paper is run out. + + "The President bids high. To filibusters he offers Cuba and the + Isthmus and North Mexico; to the West a Pacific Railroad; to the + North protection to iron and coarse woollens; and to the great + commercial countries the power of centralization by obvious uses + and abuses of a bankrupt act to supply to State banks. Yesterday + Biddle was a monster, and to-day a few Wall street bankers can + expand and contract upon us more like a vice than he did; and what + would they not do if they could force the poor provinces when they + pleased into bankruptcy?" + +In his later letter--to Mr. Samford, of Alabama--Gov. Wise gave his +opinion of the Douglas "non-intervention" doctrine in unmistakable +language. He says: + + "Intervention for protection, by the United States, through + Congress, is all-pervading. It penetrates into States, + territories, districts and other places throughout the United + States, and is one of the most vitally essential attributes of our + blessed Federal Union. No doctrine could be more repugnant to its + benign spirit, none more destructive of federal immunities and + privileges, and none more fatal to State rights and the safety of + individual persons and their property, than this new light of + "Non-Intervention" to protect all and everything in the + jurisdiction of the United States. It is a question which cannot + be retired from discussion in Congress, where it rises up every + day in every form, and where it must be met with intelligence, + integrity and courage. It cannot be renounced or smothered, or the + Government must relinquish its dominion over every subject of its + jurisdiction. + + "And this doctrine of 'Non-Intervention for Protection' is only + equalled in danger and destructiveness by that correlative error + of some minds in these days: 'That Congress may not intervene to + protect; for if it has the power to protect, it has the power to + destroy.' This is a _non sequitur_, and a weak fallacy and gross + delusion. The power and duty to protect is the power and duty not + only not to destroy, but something far greater--it is the duty to + intervene against invasion and violence. The whole American system + of government throughout is one to protect against destruction. + Because Congress may and shall provide the writ of habeas corpus, + trial by jury, freedom of speech or of the press, etc., etc., + shall it, therefore, be said to possess the power to withhold, + deny or destroy either or all of these rights? + + "But, say some, _cui bono_?--if a majority of Congress are opposed + to the protection of the right, what use is there in claiming the + mere abstraction of the right? I reply that there is great use and + practical effect in it too. + + "The proposition of non-intervention is: 'By the Compromise of + 1850, the Kansas Nebraska act, and other declarations of its will, + Congress renounced the exercise of any direct jurisdiction over + the territories, and delegated its power to the local + legislatures.' But it concedes that Congress could bestow no + authority on the local legislatures of which it was not itself + possessed'--in other words, "Congress cannot delegate more power + than it possesses itself; and it has none to prohibit slavery. + Very well, and so good as to the power. But there is a positive + duty to be discharged as well as a power not to be exercised. + Suppose the territorial legislature attempts to prohibit slavery, + and thus do what Congress itself cannot do in the territories. Has + Congress renounced its jurisdiction in the case? Could it or can + it do so? If not, what is its duty? Does non-intervention renounce + this duty of protection, in such a case, or not? It replies that + this claim upon Congress to discharge this duty will be vain. Why? + There is a dead majority against us in Congress, and they will not + heed the appeal to the legislative department for protection. + + "Well, but the case supposes a like dead majority and an + aggressive majority against us in the territorial legislature + too.--What then? There is no refuge of safety from a majority + against us in territorial legislatures. Non-intervention quickly + answers this dilemma, by saying: 'let the courts determine between + us and our adversaries.' This is what is called 'remitting' the + question to the judiciary, which may decide as well as the + Congress or the Executive.--True, the judiciary may and must + decide, anyhow, in either case, for that was no discovery of Mr. + Calhoun, but a Constitutional function, which has ever belonged to + the courts, and of which Congress and the Executive and the + Territorial authorities cannot deprive them; and, without any + remission by Congress, the judiciary department has the power of + deciding upon the validity of laws. And it can as well and more + directly pass upon the validity of laws enacted by Congress itself + as upon the validity of those enacted by the territorial + legislatures. If Congress passes an unconstitutional law, we can + go to the courts, just as easy as if the law was passed by its + delegate, the territorial Legislature. And if Congress does not + renounce its direct jurisdiction and delegate it to the + territorial legislature, then the latter will have no power to + annoy the slave property locally by its abuse of delegated power; + and the territorial legislature is more apt to pass a prohibition + than Congress is, for very obvious reasons. The eye of the whole + nation is immediately upon Congress, and no positive code is + required to establish its power and duty to protect persons and + property. The Constitution itself dictates and enjoins both. And + it is first of all necessary, that neither the power nor the duty + shall be practically denied, embarrassed or obstructed, by the + enactment of unconstitutional laws of prohibition. Positive + legislation is more apt to be passed against slavery by local than + by national laws. In any practical view, then, we are attempting + to shear a lion instead of a wolf. Non-intervention is simply + absurd and impossible, and it is worse than impracticable. + + * * * * * + + "Such are the teachings to me of our past history, and I trust + that I have now demonstrated in the second place: 'That the + inhabitants or people of a territory are sovereign to form + themselves a constitution and State government as I have shown in + the first place, that in their territorial condition they are + within the entire control and jurisdiction, or under the entire + rule or regulation of Congress, subject to the Constitution of the + United States, and that the citizens of each and all of the States + are alike equally entitled to protection in all the privileges and + immunities of persons and property, common to equal confederates. + + "And this right and this duty of protection is not to be evaded or + avoided either by the false _ad captandum_ clamor that a code is + required to be enacted by Congress for the protection of slave + property. This is but to cast odium upon slavery, by creating the + impression that a discrimination is necessary to distinguish it + above what is due to other personal and proprietary rights. On the + contrary, no such code is required to create either the right or + the duty of protection, and no law is necessary to distinguish + slave property from any other property. All persons and all + property, equally and alike, require only not to be assailed and + destroyed in, or excluded from the common territories. Every + species of rights requires laws, it is true, suited to its + character and to its case. Personal property, for example, must + have a law that it shall not be 'taken and carried away;' and + land, which cannot be 'taken and carried away,' must have a law + that it shall not be trespassed upon in some other way; and so + with slaves and everything else, they must have provisions + according to their kind. But the Constitution of the United + States, and the laws of Congress heretofore organizing territories + are sufficient, and if amendments of the laws are required, it is + the duty of Congress to see that they are provided, of the + Executive of the United States to see that they are executed, and + of the judiciary to decide upon the rights under the laws. The + slave States should never pretend to any peculiar privileges, and + do not, so far as I know. They ask only that their rights shall + not be assailed and invaded, and, if they be assailed, that they + may be protected as other personal and proprietary rights are + protected; that they may have equal, confederate, federal + privileges and immunities, and they ask for no special or peculiar + code.... + + "To escape danger or disaster to themselves, your Congress, and + Executives, and judiciary, and State legislatures, shall not, with + my consent, be allowed to drop the reins of government and leap + from the seats of power and responsibility, and renounce the duty + of protection and preservation to all within their care by the + ignoring and stultifying and disqualifying plea of + negation--'_Non-intervention_.' There are too many elements of + discord in this country which require to be restrained by the most + active and positive, but prudent intervention. These resolutions + of Vermont, the tendency of which is either to drive one section + of the States out of the Union, or to degrade and subjugate them + in it, are an example. If anything can be worse than disunion to + the United States, it would be the more dire alternative of + degrading and subjugating any one State by forcing her submission + to unequal laws and dishonorable conditions in the confederacy. + The state or section of states thus subdued and humbled, would be + unworthy of the union with other free republics, and such a union + would be no longer what union now is. It should, then, be the + watchful concern of all to maintain and support the honor, + dignity, and equality of each; and equality alone can reciprocally + maintain the strength of all. If first one and then another may be + subdued, finally all but one will become subject to that one, + central and consolidated. This should always combine the majority + of States to support the weaker portion of the Union against the + very appearance of oppression." + +Such is the position of Gov. Wise on the slavery question. He is +radical in his views, demanding the fullest protection from the courts +and Congress for the protection of slavery. The faults as well as the +virtues of Gov. Wise he carries openly in his face; if he is bold and +imprudent, so he is frank and truthful. There is no deceit in him, and +his political enemies know the worst when they know anything of his +views or his course. + + + + +R. M. T. HUNTER. + + +Senator Hunter is a contrast, in almost every one of his traits of +character, to Governor Wise. The Governor is voluble--he writes +letters thirty columns long upon the condition of the country. Senator +Hunter is reticent. The Governor is, say his enemies, rash. Mr. Hunter +is cautious and prudent to a fault. Governor Wise, again, is a +reformer in his way--Senator Hunter is set down as an "old fogy" in +politics. Yet both are Democrats, and agree in essentials, as a matter +of course. + +Few members of the Senate enjoy to such an extent the respect of the +entire body as Mr. Hunter. His manners, his bearing, his style of +speaking, and his deportment in social circles, are such as to win him +the esteem of all who know him, even in spite of political opposition. + +In the Senate, he resembles some quiet unpretending farmer, who might +have come up from a rural district, to sit in a State legislature. He +dresses plain, is dignified without the least particle of pretension; +speaks plainly, slowly, but clearly. Never tries to ride down a +political opponent by declamation, but coolly _argues_ the point of +difference. During the most exciting debates he keeps his temper, and +though in political matters, especially upon the slavery question, he +is ultra-southern in his views, he is so watchful, so prudent, so mild +in his speech, that he contrives to win the esteem of his northern +associates, and to be very popular with them. + +Mr. Hunter is a native of Essex County, Va., was liberally educated, +and adopted the law as a profession. His first political experience +was gained in the Virginian State Legislature, where he remained three +years; but in 1837, he was elected to Congress as a member of the +House of Representatives, where he remained four years. In 1845, he +was reelected to Congress, and was made Speaker of the Twenty-sixth +Congress. In 1847, he was elected United States' Senator, where he +still remains, and has been for years the able Chairman of the Finance +Committee. + +Mr. Hunter's political views are known to the country at large. He is +a southern Democrat, with the views of a southern democratic +politician--anti-tariff, of course--anti-homestead law--in the last +Congress voting in the Senate against bringing up the bill for +consideration. His views on Popular Sovereignty, we will give, +shortly, from his own lips. He supported the Lecompton bill through +thick and thin, though he did it as he does all his work, in a modest, +quiet way, without bluster, or any attempt to intimidate. + +In the non-intervention debate of March, 1839, Senator Hunter gave his +views of the question under discussion, in the following language: + +"It is with extreme reluctance that I say a word on this subject so +unhappily sprung up on the appropriation bill, of which I stand here +as the guardian, a very insufficient one, as it seems; but the course +of the debate has made it necessary for me, in my own vindication, to +say a word or two in regard to this Nebraska-Kansas act. + + "I differ from the senator from Illinois in regard to the bill, + the history of its inception, and what was intended by it. As I + understand it, we stood in this position: the southern senators, I + believe, almost without an exception, who spoke upon that + question--I know I did for one, as I have always done from the + time I first made my appearance on this floor--maintained that the + South had the right, under the Constitution, of protection of this + property in the Territories; on the other hand, senators from the + free States denied that right. None of them would vote to give it + to us; but there were a portion of the northern democracy who were + willing to do this; they were willing to repeal the Missouri + restriction, and establish a territorial government there. A bill + was immediately drawn which left this right to the territories to + legislate for the prohibition of slavery in abeyance. It neither + affirmed nor disaffirmed the power of the territorial legislature + to legislate upon this subject of slavery; but it provided very + carefully and cautiously that any question arising out of it might + be referred to the judiciary.... + + The case then stood thus: whilst the southern men maintained on + one side (and I was amongst them) that they had the right to the + protection of their property under the Constitution, those from + the free States maintained the opposite opinion. There could have + been no accord between them on that point; but the southern men, + with some objection and reluctance, in order to harmonize, did + agree, as the only mode of getting the Missouri Compromise + repealed, if the territorial legislature attempted to exercise the + power, that the court should decide; and this they could do with + perfect consistency, because they provided that whatever powers + were delegated to the territorial legislature should be exercised + under the Constitution. In their opinion, the Constitution not + only prohibited Congress from delegating a power to abolish + slavery to the territories, but from exercising it itself. Whilst + they maintained that Congress had the power to govern in the + territories, they maintained that there was an obligation on + Congress, imposed by the equality of the States, that they should + not prohibit the institutions of one State while they allowed + those of another; and that was the mode in which it was passed. + The bill in itself was, in my opinion, a compromise in which + neither sacrificed principles, but left the whole question in + abeyance to be decided by the courts without taking from Congress + the power to resume jurisdiction, if they should choose to do so + afterward. They retained as much good as they could without + raising those questions upon which there could have been no accord + of opinion. + + "Now, sir, I say it never was understood, so far as I had anything + to do with the bill, by the southern men who maintained the class + of opinions of which I am speaking, that they were conferring on + the territorial legislature the absolute power to deal with this + subject. They did not; but they were secured to vote for a bill + which would organize a territorial Legislature which should leave + this question in abeyance, and this bill decided nothing, but only + provided that the question should go to the courts, to be decided + under that jurisdiction. + + "Nor did the bill--although everybody consented to strike out the + phrase to which the senator from Illinois alludes--nor did the + bill ever mean to say that Congress absolutely gave up + jurisdiction over the subject. Inasmuch as it was a common point + which accomplished good, which repealed what all the branches of + the Democracy thought unconstitutional--the Missouri + Compromise--they passed a bill which did that, without deciding + absolutely on other differences of opinion, but merely providing a + tribunal to decide them when they should come up." + +That Senator Hunter stated the truth in reference to himself is +evident from the subjoined quotation from a speech of his, delivered +during the discussion of the Kansas-Nebraska act in 1854: + + "But it has been often said by those who admit that Congress has + the power of governing the territories, that it is a power to be + exercised, not in reference to the rights of the States, but in + reference to the good and welfare of the people of the + territories. Now, if in exercising this power we are to be + confined to the single consideration of the good and welfare of + the people of the territories, then, I say, the whole subject of + government ought to be left to the people of the territories. That + is the true American principle. If the only consideration which is + to apply to their government be the good and welfare of the people + of the territories, then they ought to determine all questions in + regard to their domestic institutions and laws. But, in my + opinion, the government of these territories ought to be + administered with the double object of securing the rights of the + States as well as those of the people of the territories, and to + these last should be given all the rights of self-government which + are consistent with the limitation, that they shall not interfere + with the equal rights of the States, or violate the provisions of + the Constitution. With those limitations, all the power that could + possibly be given to the people of that territory, ought to be + given to them. All that portion of the power which is to be + exercised with a view to their interests, ought to be exercised as + they wish it. That, in my opinion, is the true principle. + + "I know we have most high, distinguished, and respectable + authority for the opinion that the people of the territories have + a sort of natural right to exercise all power within those + territories. It is not my purpose to raise an issue upon that + question. I do not mean to argue it. I do not wish to raise an + issue with the friends of this bill, with those whom I am + assisting, and who are assisting me, to pass this measure. Nor + will I do it unless it should be absolutely necessary, which is + not now the case. For, happily, the bill is so framed that it can + be maintained, not only by those who entertain such opinions as I + have referred to, but by those, also, who entertain opinions like + my own. The bill provides that the legislatures of these + territories shall have the power to legislate over all rightful + subjects of legislation, consistently with the Constitution. And + if they should assume powers which are thought to be inconsistent + with the Constitution, the courts will decide that question, + whenever it may be raised. There is a difference of opinion + amongst the friends of this measure, as to the extent of the + limits which the Constitution imposes upon the territorial + legislatures. This bill proposes to leave these differences to the + decision of the courts. To that tribunal I am willing to leave + this decision, as it was once before proposed to be left, by the + celebrated compromise of the senator from Delaware (Mr. Clayton), + a measure which, according to my understanding, was the best + compromise which was offered upon this subject of slavery. I say, + then, that I am willing to leave this point, upon which the + friends of this bill are at difference, to the decision of the + courts." + +This position cannot be misunderstood. It is that the Supreme Court +may overturn the action of territorial legislatures. But does Senator +Hunter advocate, as Governor Wise does, Congressional intervention _to +enforce_ the decisions of the Supreme Court? Upon this point he is +silent; though, from the language he uses, it is evident enough that +as a matter of right he would claim the interference of Congress for +this purpose--but, considering the fact that there is not the +slightest chance that Congress could ever be brought to vote such +protection, he may _as a matter of policy_ relinquish the demand. + + + + +HENRY WILSON. + + +Henry Wilson was born on the 16th of February, 1812, at Farmington, +New Hampshire. His parents being poor, with a large family of children +to support by their labor, he, with their consent, at the age of ten +years, apprenticed himself to Mr. William Knight, a farmer of his +native town, a man remarkable for his industry and habits of rigid +economy. He remained with Mr. Knight till the age of twenty-one, and +for these eleven years of incessant toil, he received one yoke of +oxen, and six sheep. During this period, he was annually allowed to +attend the public school four weeks. Throughout these years of +unremitting, severe, and scantily-rewarded toil, he devoted his +Sabbaths, and as much of his evenings as he could command, to reading. +Too poor to purchase lights, he was forced to read by the dim light of +wood fires; and after other members of the family had retired to rest, +though weary with the toils of the day, he spent the hours in reading, +which they employed in sleep. During his apprenticeship, he read more +than seven hundred volumes of history and biography, most of which +were selected and loaned to him by the wife of the Hon. Nehemiah +Eastman, a gentleman who was a member of Congress during the first +years of John Quincy Adams' administration. Mrs. Eastman was the +sister of Hon. Levi Woodbury, and a lady of rare intelligence. To the +judicious kindness of this accomplished lady, who thus early +discovered and appreciated his talents, he was indebted for the means +of acquiring a fund of solid and useful knowledge, and of forming +habits of study and reflection, which have largely contributed to his +subsequent success. To Judge Whitehouse, of his native town, he was +also largely indebted for the use of many valuable books. Poverty and +toil were the companions of his boyhood. His means of mental culture +were very limited, and his education, on attaining his majority, was +very deficient; yet very few young men at the age of twenty-one were +better read in history, especially in the history of the United +States, England, and modern France. + +After attaining his majority, Mr. Wilson, for eight months, worked on +a farm, receiving nine dollars a month. + +Hoping to better his condition, in December, 1833, he left Farmington, +and, with a pack on his back, made his way, on foot, to the town of +Natick, Massachusetts, his present residence. Here he hired himself to +a shoemaker, who agreed, for five months' service, to teach him the +art of bottoming shoes. At the end of six weeks, Mr. Wilson bought his +time, and went to work on his own account, at which employment he +continued for more than two years, working so hard and incessantly +that his health became seriously injured, and he was at length +compelled to quit for a time the shoemaker's bench; and in May, 1836, +he made a visit to Washington, where he remained for several weeks in +regular attendance upon the debates in Congress. During his stay at +the metropolis, Pinckney's Gag Resolutions were passed by the House of +Representatives, and Calhoun's Incendiary Publication bill passed the +Senate by the casting vote of the Vice-President, Martin Van Buren. +The exciting debates to which he listened during this memorable +period, and the scenes which he witnessed at Williams' slave-pen, to +which he paid a visit, made Henry Wilson an anti-slavery man, and he +returned to New England with the fixed resolution to do all in his +power to advance the anti-slavery cause, and overthrow the influence +of slavery in the nation. How steadily he has adhered to that +resolution, his subsequent career bears ample witness. + +From Washington, Mr. Wilson returned to New Hampshire, and entered +Stafford Academy as a student, on the first of July, 1836. In the +autumn of that year, he attended the academy at Wolfsborough; and +during the winter of 1837, taught school in that town. In the spring +of 1837, he entered Concord Academy, where he remained six months. +While there, he was chosen a delegate to the Young Men's Anti-slavery +State Convention, before which body he made his first public speech in +behalf of freedom. In the autumn, he returned to Wolfsborough Academy, +and at the close of the academic term, went again to Natick, Mass., +where he taught school during the winter of 1837-8. He had intended to +continue for some time longer at school, and to commence a course of +classical studies, but the failure of a friend, to whom he had +intrusted the few hundred dollars his own hands had earned, left him +penniless, and he was compelled to change his plans of life. + +In the spring of 1838, he engaged in the shoe manufacturing business, +in which he continued till the autumn of 1848. During these ten years +he annually manufactured from 40,000 to 130,000 pairs of shoes, a +large portion of which he sold to southern merchants. One of his +southern customers, who owed him more than a thousand dollars, having +failed, wrote to him that he could pay him fifty per cent. of his +debt, and asked to be discharged. On examining his statement, Mr. +Wilson found that several slaves were included in his assets. Here was +a question to test his anti-slavery professions. Mr. Wilson promptly +signed the papers discharging him from all obligations, and wrote to +him, never to send him a dollar of the dividend if it included the +money received for slaves. + +In November, 1839, Mr. Wilson was a candidate for representative to +the legislature from the town of Natick, but being a zealous +temperance man, and an advocate of the fifteen-gallon law, he was +defeated by the opponents of that measure. In the spring of 1840, he +took the stump for General Harrison, and during that memorable +campaign, made upward of sixty speeches. In 1840, he was married to +Miss Harriet M. Howe, of Natick. In 1840, and again in 1841, the +people of Natick elected him their representative to the legislature. +In 1842, he was a candidate for the State Senate, for Middlesex +County, but in that year the Whig ticket was defeated. The next year, +however, and in that following, 1844, he was chosen senator. + +During the session of 1845, the State was deeply agitated by the +discussion of the annexation of Texas. In February of that year, a +State convention was called to be held in Faneuil Hall, to protest +against the annexation. Mr. Wilson drew up the paper calling the +convention, for the signatures of the members of the legislature, and +applied to every Whig member for his name. The president of the +Senate, Hon. Levi Lincoln, and other Whig members, refused to sign the +call. Mr. Abbot Lawrence, Mr. Nathan Appleton, Mr. John Davis, Mr. +Winthrop, and other eminent Whigs also declined to unite in, or to +approve the movement. This was the beginning of that division among +the Whigs of Massachusetts on the slavery question, which resulted in +an open rupture in 1848, and finally in the utter overthrow of that +great and powerful party in Massachusetts. + +In September, 1845, Mr. Wilson got up a call for a mass convention, in +Middlesex County, to oppose the admission of Texas as a slave State. +The call was responded to by the people, and at an adjourned meeting +in Cambridge, over which Mr. Wilson presided, a state committee was +appointed, composed of men of all parties, to procure signatures to +petitions against the admission of Texas. Sixty-five thousand names +were procured in a few weeks, and Henry Wilson and John G. Whittier +were appointed to carry the petitions to Washington. + +In the autumn of 1845, Mr. Wilson declined being a candidate for the +Senate, and was chosen Representative from the town of Natick. In the +legislature he introduced a resolution announcing the unalterable +hostility of Massachusetts to the further extension and longer +existence of slavery in America, and her fixed determination to use +all constitutional and legal means for its extinction. In spite of the +coldness and opposition of several leading Whigs, this resolution was +adopted by ninety-three majority in the House, but was lost in the +Senate by four votes. Mr. Wilson made an elaborate speech in its +behalf, and Mr. Garrison, in the "Liberator," pronounced it the +fullest and most comprehensive speech upon the slavery question, ever +made in any legislative body in this country. In 1846, Mr. Wilson +declined to be again a candidate for the legislature. + +In 1843, the officers of the First Regiment of Artillery elected Mr. +Wilson its Major without his knowledge. He accepted the position, and +in June, 1846, he was chosen Colonel, and was elected Brigadier +General of the Third Brigade in August, which position he continued to +hold for five years. + +In March, 1848, a Whig district convention was held at Dedham, to +nominate a candidate for Congress to fill the vacancy occasioned by +the death of John Quincy Adams. Henry Wilson, Horace Mann, and William +Jackson, were the leading candidates. After three ballotings Mr. +Wilson declined being considered a candidate, and Mr. Mann was +nominated. The convention, at the same time, by an almost unanimous +vote, elected Mr. Wilson a delegate to the National Whig Convention. +That the vote was not unanimous was owing to the fact that he had +stated in public and in private that if General Taylor should be fixed +upon by the Whig party as its candidate, unpledged to the Wilmot +Proviso, he not only would not support him, but would do all in his +power to defeat him. + +When General Taylor was nominated, and the Wilmot Proviso voted down +by the Whig National Convention, in June, 1848, General Wilson, and +his colleague, Hon. Charles Allen, denounced the action of the +convention, and left it. Gen. Wilson then got up a meeting of a few +northern men, which was held in the evening, to consider what steps +should be taken. + +Gen. Wilson called the meeting to order, and after stating its +purposes, moved the appointment of a committee to call a convention of +the opponents of the Slave Power. The committee was accordingly +appointed, and united with others in calling the Buffalo Convention, +which nominated Mr. Van Buren and Mr. Chas. Francis Adams. + +In the summer of 1848, General Wilson purchased the "Boston +Republican" a free-soil newspaper, which he edited from January, 1849, +to January, 1851, during which two years he gave his whole time to the +free-soil cause, and spent more than seven thousand dollars of his own +property, in the support of the newspaper, whose continued existence +was deemed essential to the welfare of the party of which it was the +organ. In 1849, he was chosen chairman of the Free-soil State +Committee, in which capacity he acted for four years. In the fall of +1849, a coalition was formed between the free-soilers, and the +Democrats of Middlesex County, for the election of senators, and +General Wilson was pressed by both parties to stand as a candidate for +the Senate, which he steadfastly refused to do. He was, however, in +that year, chosen a representative from the town of Natick. When the +legislature met, he was unanimously nominated by the free-soilers, as +their candidate for Speaker. During the session, he was in his seat +every day, always attentive to business. + +After Mr. Webster made his seventh of March speech, an effort was made +to instruct him to vote for the doctrines embodied in the resolutions +pending before the legislature; but the proposition was resisted, and +voted down by the Whig majority. General Wilson told the House that +the people would repudiate that speech, and the men who indorsed it, +and that at the coming election, the men who had deserted the cause of +freedom would be crushed by the people. This prediction, which was +received with defiance by the Whig leaders, was fulfilled, and no one +in Massachusetts contributed more to its fulfillment than the man who +made it. + +In the summer of 1850, General Wilson called together, at the Adams +House in Boston, the State Committee, and the leading men of the +free-soil party, to the number of about seventy. He stated to the +meeting that the people would make a coalition; that it would be +successful if the committee would aid it; that Mr. Webster's seventh +of March speech could be rebuked; the Fillmore administration +condemned; a free-soiler sent to the United States Senate in place of +Mr. Webster for the long term; and an anti-compromise Democrat for the +short term; and in short, that by a coalition, Massachusetts could be +placed in such a position that the anti-slavery men could control her +policy. After a debate of five hours, in which Messrs. Marcus Morton, +Samuel Hoar, J. G. Palfrey, C. F. Adams, R. H. Dana, Jr., and others +took part, the meeting declined to sanction the coalition, only nine +gentlemen, and they the youngest present, advocating the coalition. +The people, however, made it, in spite of the disapprobation of the +eminent men, and the State was carried against the Whigs, and Geo. S. +Boutwell made Governor, and Charles Sumner and Robert Rantoul sent to +the United States Senate. + +In 1850, General Wilson was unanimously nominated for senator from +Middlesex County by the free-soil and Democratic conventions, and +elected by twenty-one hundred majority. When the legislature met, he +was chosen President of the Senate. In 1851, he was reelected and +again chosen president. While President of the Senate, he was made +Chairman of the Committee to welcome President Fillmore to +Massachusetts, and also Chairman of the Committee to welcome Kossuth. + +In 1852, he was a delegate to the free-soil National Convention at +Pittsburg, and was selected to preside over that body, and also made +Chairman of the National Free-soil Committee. In the same year, he was +unanimously nominated for Congress by the free-soilers of the eighth +district, and, although the majority against the free-soilers in that +district exceeded seventy-five hundred, he failed of an election by +only ninety-three votes. A large portion of the free-soilers desired +him that year to be a candidate for Governor, and most of the +coalition Democrats likewise desired his nomination. In a public +letter he peremptorily declined to be a candidate, notwithstanding +which he received more than a third of the votes of the Free-soil +State Convention at Lowell. + +In March, 1853, General Wilson was elected to the Constitutional +Convention by the town of Berlin, and also by his own town of Natick. +He was not absent from the convention for an hour during the session, +and the journal and report of the debates show the active part taken +by him in its transactions. During the temporary illness of the +president, Mr. Banks, he was chosen president _pro tem_. In September, +1853, he was nominated by the Free Democratic State Convention, as +candidate for the office of Governor. Out of six hundred votes cast by +the convention, he received all but three. At the time he was +nominated, men of all parties conceded the probability of his +election. But the letter of Caleb Cushing, denouncing, in behalf of +the administration, the cooperation of Democrats and free-soilers in +State affairs--the bitter hostility of conservatism toward the new +constitution, and the Irish vote against it--all contributed to +overthrow the State reform party, and to defeat General Wilson and his +friends. + +When the proposition was made in 1854 to abrogate the Missouri +Compromise, the country was profoundly excited, and the opponents of +slavery extension in all parties hoped to bring about the union of men +who were ready to resist the slave-power. Believing that the time had +come to effect the union of men who were opposed to the Kansas +Nebraska Act, Gen. Wilson labored with unflagging zeal to accomplish +that result, and for that end he visited Washington, in May, and +consulted with the opponents of the bill, to repeal the prohibition of +slavery in Kansas and Nebraska. Returning home, he avowed in the +Free-soil State Convention, assembled in Boston on the 31st of May, +the readiness of the free-soilers to abandon their organization, +everything but their principles, to bring about the union of men who +were ready to crush out the members from the North who had betrayed +the people, and to sustain the faithful men of all parties who had +been true to principle, and who were ready to resist hereafter the +policy of the slavery propagandists. Speaking for the men of the +free-soil party, he said they "were ready to go into the rear;" if a +forlorn hope was to be led, they would lead it; they would toil; +others might take the lead, hold the offices, and win the honors. The +hour had come to form one great Republican party, which should +hereafter guide the policy and control the destinies of the Republic. +A State Convention was called at Worcester on the 10th of August, with +the view of uniting the people in one organization, and Gen. Wilson +addressed the people in all sections of the State in favor of the +fusion, in which he assured men of all political creeds that the men +of the free-soil party would gladly yield to others the lead and the +honors; all they asked was the acceptance of their doctrines of +perpetual hostility to the aggressive policy of the slave power. But +the leaders of the Whig party in Massachusetts, then in the pride of +power, resisted all attempts to unite the people, and the convention +at Worcester, on the 10th of August, failed to accomplish that decided +result. Gen. Wilson, and other members of the free-soil party at this +convention, again avowed their desire for union, for the sake of the +cause of freedom, and their readiness to yield to men of other +parties, everything but principle. The people desired fusion, and in +spite of the efforts of the Whig leaders, they rushed into the +councils of the American organization to effect that object. Gen. +Wilson, finding that all efforts to unite the people in the Republican +movement had been defeated by men who had personal ends to secure, +urged his friends to unite in that rising organization, liberalize its +platform and action, and make it a party for freedom. With the view of +bringing about harmonious action among men who desired to unite the +people, he accepted the nomination of the Republican party for +Governor, and exerted every effort to conciliate and bring together +men in favor of organizing a great party of freedom. Some of his +political friends doubted the wisdom of his policy, as they did in +1850 the wisdom of the coalition with the Democrats; but that +coalition placed Rantoul and Sumner in the Senate of the United +States, and this union largely contributed to the influence of +anti-slavery men, enabling them to choose a delegation to Congress, of +true men, a majority of whom were free-soilers, and to elect the most +radical anti-slavery legislature ever chosen in America. + +In the elections of 1854, the Americans had in the free States +cooperated with men of other parties in opposition to the pro-slavery +policy of the Administration. But in November of that year, a national +council assembled at Cincinnati, and through the management of +southern men, anxious to win local power, and corrupt and weak +politicians from the North, hungry for place, the American +organization was placed in an equivocal attitude on the slavery +question. The work of treachery to freedom commenced, and men who had +labored to combine the opponents of slavery in one organization, as +Gen. Wilson had done, were marked for swift destruction, and men who +were ready to compromise away the cause of freedom, were to be the +trusted leaders of the now nationalized American party. + +The legislature of Massachusetts, which assembled in January, 1855, +had to choose a United States senator in place of Mr. Everett, who had +resigned and whose term expired on the 3d of March, 1859. General +Wilson had publicly and privately declared that the slavery question +was with him the paramount question, and in the spring and summer of +1854, while a member of the American organization, he had at all times +openly labored to unite men of all parties for freedom. He had taken +this position, and his declared opinions and acts were well known in +and out of his State, and the men who were ready to sacrifice the +anti-slavery cause, to adhere to the compromising policy of the past, +were bitterly hostile to his elevation to the Senate. But the +anti-slavery men in and out of the State were enthusiastic in his +support. He was nominated in the caucus of the members of the +legislature, by more than one hundred majority on the first ballot. +While the election was pending, several gentlemen representing that +portion of the party who wished to nationalize the organization, +called upon him, and urged him to write something to modify his +recorded opinions, and thus give the men who claimed to be national +men, an opportunity to assent to his elevation. In answer to this +request, he said he had not travelled a single mile, expended a single +dollar, nor conversed with a single member to secure votes for his +election;--that his opinions upon the slavery questions were the +matured convictions of his life, and that he would not qualify them to +win the loftiest position on earth. If elected, he should carry these +opinions with him into the Senate, and if the party with which he +acted proved recreant to freedom, he would, if he had the power, +shiver it to atoms. His position was distinctly avowed and fully +comprehended, and he was opposed to the end by members who dissented +from his principles, and supported and chosen by men who concurred +with him in opinion and policy. He received 234 to 130 votes in the +House of Representatives, and 21 to 19 votes in the Senate, and took +his seat in the Senate of the United States on the 8th of February, +1855. + +When he arrived in Washington, leading politicians were assembled +there from the South, endeavoring to organize a National American +party, which should ignore the slavery issues, and contest the +supremacy of the Democracy in the South. In his speech at Springfield, +before the State Council, he thus described the efforts made to seduce +him to assent to this policy: + + "On my arrival at Washington, I saw at a glance that the + politicians of the South--men who had deserted their northern + associates upon the Nebraska issue, were resolved to impose upon + the American party by the aid of doughfaces from New York and + Pennsylvania, as the test of nationality, fidelity to the slave + power. Flattering words from veteran statesmen were poured into my + ears--flattering appeals were made to me to aid in the work of + nationalizing the party whose victories in the South were to be as + brilliant as they had been in the North. But I resolved that upon + my soul the sin and shame of silence or submission should never + rest. I returned home, determined to baffle if I could the + meditated treason to freedom and to the North." + +Two weeks after taking his seat, he addressed the senate upon Mr. +Toucey's "bill to protect persons executing the fugitive slave act, +from prosecution by State courts." Extracts from this speech show that +his sentiments had undergone no change in Washington, under the +pressing influences of political leaders: + + "Now, sir, I assure senators from the South, that we of the free + States mean to change our policy--I tell you, frankly, just how we + feel and just what we propose to do. We mean to withdraw from + these halls that class of public men who have betrayed us and + deceived you; men who have misrepresented us, and not dealt + frankly with you. And we intend to send men into these halls who + will truly represent us and deal justly with you. We mean, sir, to + place in the councils of the nation men who, in the words of + Jefferson, 'have sworn on the altar of God eternal hostility to + every kind of oppression of the mind and body of man.' Yes, sir, + we mean to place in the national councils men who cannot be + seduced by the blandishments, or deterred by the threats of power; + men who will fearlessly maintain our principles. I assure senators + from the South that the people of the North entertain for them and + their people no feelings of hostility; but they will no longer + consent to be misrepresented by their own representatives, nor + proscribed for their fidelity to freedom. This determination of + the people of the North has manifested itself during the past few + months in acts not to be misread by the country. The stern rebuke + administered to faithless northern representatives, and the + annihilation of old and powerful political organizations, should + teach senators that the days of waning power are upon them. This + action of the people teaches the lesson, which I hope will be + heeded, that political combinations can no longer be successfully + made to suppress the sentiments of the people. We believe we have + the power to abolish slavery in all the territories of the Union; + that, if slavery exists there, it exists by the permission and + sanction of the Federal Government, and we are responsible for it. + We are in favor of its abolition wherever we are morally or + legally responsible for its existence. + + "I believe conscientiously, that if slavery should be abolished by + the National Government in the District of Columbia, and in the + territories, the fugitive slave act repealed, the Federal + Government relieved from all connection with, or responsibility + for the existence of slavery, these angry debates banished from + the halls of Congress, and slavery left to the people of the + States, that the men of the South who are opposed to the existence + of that institution, would get rid of it in their own States at no + distant day. I believe that if slavery is ever peacefully + abolished in this country--and I certainly believe it will be--it + must be abolished in this way. + + "The senator from Indiana [Mr. Pettit] has made a long argument + to-night to prove the inferiority of the African race. Well, sir, + I have no contest with the senator upon that question. I do not + claim for that race intellectual equality; but I say to the + senator from Indiana that I know men of that race who are quite + equal in mental power to either the senator from Indiana or + myself--men who are scarcely inferior, in that respect, to any + senators upon this floor. But, sir, suppose the senator from + Indiana succeeds in establishing the inferiority of that despised + race, is mental inferiority a valid reason for the perpetual + oppression of a race? Is the mental, moral, or physical + inferiority of a man a just cause of oppression in republican and + Christian America? Sir, is this Democracy? Is it Christianity? + Democracy cares for the poor, the lowly, the humble. Democracy + demands that the panoply of just and equal laws shall shield and + protect the weakest of the sons of men. Sir, these are strange + doctrines to hear uttered in the Senate of republican America, + whose political institutions are based upon the fundamental idea + that 'all men are created equal.' If the African race is inferior, + this proud race of ours should educate and elevate it, and not + deny to those who belong to it the rights of our common humanity. + + "The senator from Indiana boasts that his State imposes a fine + upon the white man that gives employment to the free black man. I + am not surprised at the degradation of the colored people of + Indiana, who are compelled to live under such inhuman laws, and + oppressed by the public sentiment that enacts and sustains them. I + thank God, sir, Massachusetts is not dishonored by such laws! In + Massachusetts we have about seven thousand colored people. They + have the same rights that we have; they go to our free schools, + they enter all the business and professional relations of life, + they vote in our elections, and in intelligence and character are + scarcely inferior to the citizens of this proud and peerless race + whose superiority we have heard so vauntingly proclaimed to-night + by the senators from Tennessee and Indiana." + +Returning home at the close of the session, he warned his personal +friends and political associates that the American organization, which +had acted with the anti-Nebraska men in the North, was to be seduced +by the South, and betrayed by men in the North, who assumed to control +its actions. On the 8th of May, he delivered an address before a +large assemblage in the Metropolitan Theatre in New York, upon the +development of the anti-slavery sentiment in America for twenty years, +from 1835 to 1855. On this occasion he declared that: + + "He owed it to truth to speak what he knew--that the anti-slavery + cause was in extreme peril--that a demand was made upon us of the + North to ignore the slavery question, to keep quiet, and go into + power in 1856. If there were men in the free States who hoped to + triumph in 1856 by ignoring the slavery issues now forced upon the + nation by the slave propagandists, he would say to them, that the + anti-slavery men cannot be reduced or driven into the organization + of a party that ignores the question of slavery in Christian and + Republican America. Let such men read and ponder the history of + the Republic; let them contrast anti-slavery in 1835 and + anti-slavery in 1855. Those periods are the grand epochs in the + anti-slavery movement, and the contrast between them cannot fail + to give us some faint conception of the mighty changes that twenty + years of anti-slavery agitation have wrought in America. + Anti-slavery in 1835 was in the nadir of its weakness; + anti-slavery in 1855 is in the zenith of its power. Then, a few + unknown, nameless men were its apostles and leaders; now, the most + profound and accomplished intellects of America are its chiefs and + champions. Then, a few proscribed and humble followers rallied + around its banner; now, it has laid its grasp upon the conscience + of the people, and hundreds of thousands rally under the folds of + its flag. Then, not a single statesman in all America accepted its + doctrines or defended its measures; now, it has a decisive + majority in the national House of Representatives, and is rapidly + changing the complexion of the American Senate. Then, every State + in the Union was arrayed against it; now, it controls fifteen + sovereign States by more than 300,000 popular majority. Then, the + public press covered it with ridicule and contempt; now, the most + powerful journals in America are its instruments. Then, the + benevolent, religious and literary institutions of the land + repulsed its advances, rebuked its doctrines and persecuted its + advocates; now, it shapes, molds and fashions them at its + pleasure, compelling the most powerful benevolent organizations of + the western world, upon whose mission stations the sun never sets, + to execute its decrees, and the oldest literary institution in + America to cast from its bosom a professor who had surrendered a + man to the slave hunters. Then, the political organizations + trampled disdainfully upon it; now, it looks down with the pride + of conscious power upon the wrecked political fragments that float + at its feet. Then, it was impotent and powerless; now it holds + every political organization in the hollow of its right hand. + Then, the public voice sneered at and defied it; now it is the + master of America and has only to be true to itself to grasp the + helm and guide the ship of State hereafter in her course." + +"This brief contrast," he said, "would show the men who hoped to win +power by ignoring the transcendent issue of our age in America, how +impotent would be the efforts of any class of men to withdraw the +mighty questions involved in the existence and expansion of slavery on +this continent, from the consideration of the people." To the idea of +going into power by sacrificing the anti-slavery cause, he replied: + + "Now, gentlemen, I say to you frankly, I am the last man to object + to going into power [laughter], and especially to going into power + over the present dynasty that is fastened upon the country. But I + am the last man that will consent to go into power by ignoring or + sacrificing the slavery question. [Applause.] If my voice could be + heard by the whole country to-night--by the anti-slavery men of + the country to-night of all parties, I would say to them, resolve + it--write it over your door-posts--engrave it on the lids of your + Bibles--proclaim it at the rising of the sun and the going down + of the sun, and in the broad light of noon, that any party in + America, be that party Whig, Democratic, or American, that lifts + its finger to arrest the anti-slavery movement, to repress the + anti-slavery sentiment, or proscribe the anti-slavery men, it + surely shall begin to die--[loud applause]--it would deserve to + die; it will die; and by the blessing of God I shall do what + little I can to make it die." + +This address was repeated in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, +Dorchester, and other places in Massachusetts, and General Wilson +was branded as an agitator, traitor, and disorganizer, by men who had +been for six months secretly and darkly intriguing to betray the +liberty-loving men who had given the American organization power +in the free States. This feeling of hostility was heightened by +the publication of his speech, delivered on the 16th of May, at +Brattleborough, Vt., "On the position and duty of the American +party." In this speech he said that + + "The time has come for the advocates of the American movement + distinctly to define their principles and their policy. + + "If the American party is to achieve anything for good, it must + adopt a wise and humane policy consistent with our Democratic + ideas--a policy which will reform existing abuses and guard + against future ones--which shall combine in one harmonious + organization moderate and patriotic men who love freedom and hate + oppression. Upon the grand and overshadowing question of American + slavery, the American party must take its position. If it wishes a + speedy death and a dishonored grave, let it adopt the policy of + neutrality upon that question or the policy of ignoring that + question. If that party wishes to live, to impress its policy upon + the nation, it must repudiate the sectional policy of slavery and + stand boldly upon the broad and national basis of freedom. It must + accept the position that 'Freedom is national and slavery is + sectional.' It must stand upon the national idea embodied in the + Declaration of Independence--that 'all men are created equal, and + have an inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of + happiness.' It must accept these words as embracing the great + central national idea of America, fidelity to which is national in + New England and in South Carolina. It must recognize the doctrine + that the Constitution of the United States was made 'to secure the + blessing of liberty,'--that Congress has no right to make a slave + or allow slavery to exist outside of the slave States, and that + the Federal Government must be relieved from all connection with, + and responsibility for slavery. + + "In their own good time the Americans of Massachusetts have spoken + for themselves. They have placed that old Commonwealth face to + face to the slave oligarchy and its allies. Upon their banner they + have written in letters of living light the words, 'No exclusion + from the public schools on account of race or color.'--'No slave + commissioners on the judicial bench.'--'No slave States to be + carved out of Kansas and Nebraska.'--'The repeal of the + unconstitutional fugitive slave act of 1850.'--'An act to protect + personal liberty.' The men who have inscribed these glowing words + upon their banner will go into the conflicts of the future like + the Zouaves at Inkermann, 'with the light of battle on their + faces,'--and if defeat comes, they will fall with their 'backs to + the field, and their feet to the foe.'" + +Early in June, 1855, the American National Council assembled at +Philadelphia. General Wilson was a delegate, and his position in the +Senate, and his avowed sentiments, opinions and policy, brought him at +once into conflict with the men in and out of the council, who were +intriguing to make the American organization an instrument of the +slave power. An attempt was made to keep him out of the council, on +account of the sentiments he had expressed, and to draw off the +Massachusetts delegation from him; but they stood by him, and thus +baffled the designs of the plotters. On taking his seat in the +council, he was at once recognized by friends and foes as the leader +of the North--the representative of the anti-slavery men of the free +States. The National Council sat for more than one week, and during +that time it was the scene of stormy, exciting and angry discussion +upon the slavery question. Early in the debate, a delegate from +Virginia made a fierce personal attack upon him, quoting from his +speeches, and denouncing him as the leader of the anti-slavery men of +the North, who had come into the council to rule or to destroy. +General Wilson promptly replied to this assault, and defiantly told +the delegate from Virginia and his compeers, that "his threats had no +terrors for free men--that he was then and there ready to meet +argument with argument--scorn with scorn--and if need, be, blow with +blow, for God had given him an arm ready and able to protect his head! +It was time the champions of slavery in the South should realize the +fact, that the past was theirs--the future ours." The debate went on, +and on the 12th of June, General Wilson made an elaborate speech in +reply to the assaults made upon the North and upon the anti-slavery +men, by both southern and northern delegates. To the assaults made +upon Massachusetts by some of the delegates from New York, he said: +"When Massachusetts pleads to any arraignment before the nation, she +will demand that her accusers are competent to draw the bill." To the +men of the South who had denounced the action of Massachusetts, he +replied: + + "But gentlemen of talents and of character have undertaken here to + arraign Massachusetts. To those gentlemen I have to say, that + Massachusetts means to go to the very verge of her constitutional + powers, to protect the personal rights of her people! She means + to exercise her constitutional rights, for the security of + the liberties of her people, against what she deems to be + unconstitutional, inhuman and unchristian legislation; and I tell + you frankly, if any constitutional powers are in doubt, she will + construe them in favor of liberty; not in favor of slavery. In the + future, if she errs at all, in the interpretation of her reserved + rights, as a sovereign State, I trust she will go a little beyond + the limits of State sovereignty, rather than fall short of + marching up to those limits. The personal liberties of her people + demand that she should do so. + + "Massachusetts has the right, if she chooses, to remove from her + judicial bench, any officers who shall consent to perform the + duties imposed upon United States commissioners. She denies your + right, gentlemen, to arraign her here or elsewhere for the + exercise of her own constitutional powers. By the decision of the + Supreme Court of the United States, Massachusetts has a right to + forbid the use of her prisons--she has a right to forbid her + officers from engaging in the extradition of fugitives from labor. + She believes that every human being within her limits, has a right + to the benefits of the writ of _habeas corpus_, and to a jury + trial. She proposes to test the question by the judicial + authorities. Her 'offence hath that extent, no more.' + Massachusetts stands upon the State rights doctrines of Virginia + and Kentucky, of 1798 and 1799. She raises no standard of + nullification or rebellion--she will submit to the decisions of + those tribunals authorized to expound the judicial powers of the + Government. + + "The gentleman from Alabama (Judge Hopkins), has hinted to us that + the Southern States may find it necessary to protect themselves + against this action of Massachusetts, by legislation that shall + touch her material interests. Threats of that kind, sir, have no + terrors for Massachusetts. Her people will laugh to scorn all such + idle threats, by whomsoever made. Massachusetts, with one million + of intelligent people, with free schools, free churches, free + labor, is competent to take care of her own material interests. + 'Her goods are for sale--not her principles.' If gentlemen from + the South expect to intimidate Massachusetts by such threats, I + tell them here and now, that we scorn, spurn and defy your + threats." + +Of the proposed national platform he said: + + "The adoption of this platform commits the American party + unconditionally to the policy of slavery--to the iron dominion of + the Black Power. I tell you, sir, I tell this convention, that we + cannot stand upon this platform in a single free State of the + North. The people of the North will repudiate it, spurn it, spit + upon it. For myself, sir, I here and now tell you to your faces, + that I will trample with disdain on your platform. I will not + support it. I will support no man who stands upon it. Adopt that + platform, and you array against you everything that is pure and + holy--everything that has the elements of permanency in it--the + noblest pulsations of the human heart--the holiest convictions of + the human soul--the profoundest ideas of the human intellect and + the attributes of Almighty God! Your party will be withered and + consumed by the blasting breath of the people's wrath! There is an + old Spanish proverb, which says that 'the feet of the avenging + deities are shod with wool.' Softly and silently these avenging + deities are advancing upon you. You will find that 'the mills of + God grind slowly, but they grind to powder.' + + "When I united with the American organization in March, 1854, in + its hour of weakness--I told the men with whom I acted that my + anti-slavery opinions were the matured convictions of years, and + that I would not modify or qualify my opinions or suppress my + sentiments for any consideration on earth. From that hour to this, + in public and in private, I have freely uttered my anti-slavery + sentiments, and labored to promote the anti-slavery cause, and I + tell you now, that I will continue to do so. You shall not + proscribe anti-slavery principles, measures or men, without + receiving from me the most determined and unrelenting hostility. + It is a painful thing to differ from our associates and + friends--but when duty, a stern sense of duty, demands it, I shall + do so. Reject this majority platform--adopt the proposition to + restore freedom to Kansas and Nebraska, and to protect the actual + settlers from violence and outrage--simplify your rules--make an + open organization--banish all bigotry and intolerance from your + ranks--place your movement in harmony with the humane progressive + spirit of the age, and you may win and retain power, and elevate + and improve the political character of the country. Adopt this + majority platform--commit the American movement to the slave + perpetualists and the slave propagandists, and you will go down + before the burning indignation and withering scorn of American + freemen." + +But the pro-slavery platform was adopted, and most of the delegates +from the North retired from the National Council. A meeting was at +once held, over which General Wilson presided. This meeting adopted a +protest against the action of the council, and announced their final +separation from the national organization. The American organization +was shivered to atoms, and no man contributed more to that result than +General Wilson; and in doing it he but redeemed the words he had +uttered while his election to the Senate was pending. The New York +"Tribune," referring to the action of the council, said: + + "The antecedents of Mr. Wilson naturally made him the particular + object of hostility to the slave-drivers in the convention; and + one of the earliest displays after the body was organized, was a + grossly personal attack upon him by a delegate from Virginia. But + the assailants had now met an antagonist who was not to be cowed + or silenced, and the response they received was of a character to + induce them not to repeat their experiment. We have the unanimous + testimony of many northern members of the convention to the signal + gallantry and effect of Mr. Wilson's bearing, and to the bold, + virile and telling eloquence of his speeches. While all have done + so well in bringing about results so gratifying, it may be + invidious to particularize; but a few names among the northern + members, who were devoted from the start to the work of creating a + unity and a strength of _northern back-bone_, should justly be + exposed to the public appreciation and honor that they deserve. + First stands Henry Wilson of Massachusetts, preeminent as the + leader in the whole movement. He was handsomely sustained by all + his associates, and the numerous insidious efforts of the enemy to + separate them from him, only attached them the more closely to his + side. He has the highest honor in this contest, exhibited the + greatest political ability, and broke down many strong prejudices + against him, both among Massachusetts men who were witnesses to + his conduct, and among the delegates of the other States, North + and South. No man went into that council with more elements of + distrust and opposition combined against him; no one goes out of + it with such an enviable fame, or such an aggregation to his + honor. He is worthy of Massachusetts, and worthy to lead the new + movement of the people of that State, which the result here so + fitly inaugurates." + +General Wilson, during the summer and autumn of 1855, visited thirteen +States, travelled more than twenty thousand miles, consulted with +leading men of all parties, and addressed tens of thousands of people +in favor of the fusion of men of all parties for freedom. In the State +council of the Americans of Massachusetts, at Springfield, on the 7th +of August, he made an elaborate speech on the "necessity of the fusion +of parties," in which he invoked the members to sustain the resolution +announcing the readiness of the Americans "to unite and cooperate +with" men of other parties, in forming a great party of freedom. On +that occasion he said: + + "The gathering hosts of northern freemen, of every party and + creed, are banding together to resist the aggressive policy of the + Black Power. Freedom, patriotism, and humanity demand the union of + the freemen of the Republic, for the sake of liberty now perilled. + Religion sanctions and blesses it. + + "How and where stands Massachusetts? Shall she range herself in + line, front to the Black Power, with her sister States? or shall + she maintain the fatal position of isolation? Here and now, we, + the chosen representatives of the American party of this + Commonwealth, are to meet that issue, to solve that problem. + + "The American party of Massachusetts, dashing other organizations + into powerless fragments, had grasped the reins of power, placed + an unbroken delegation in Congress pledged to the policy of + freedom, ranged this ancient Commonwealth front to front with the + slave power, and written, with the iron pen of history, upon her + statutes, declarations of principles and pledges of acts hostile + to the aggressive policy of the slaveholding power. When the Black + Power of the imperious South, aided by the servile power of the + faltering North, imposed upon the national American organization + its principles, measures and policy, the representatives of the + American party of this Commonwealth, spurned the unhallowed + decrees, turned their backs, forever, upon that prostituted + organization, and their action received the approving sanction of + this State council by a vote approaching unanimity. The American + party, as a national organization, is broken and shivered to + atoms. By its own act the American party of Massachusetts has + severed itself from all connection with that product of southern + domination and northern submission. + + "The American party of Massachusetts has, during its brief + existence, uttered true words and performed noble deeds for + freedom. The past at least is secure. Whatever may have been its + errors of omission or commission, the slave and the slave's + friends will never reproach it. Holding, as it does, the reins of + power, it has now a glorious opportunity to give to the country + the magnanimous example of a great and dominant party, in the full + possession of consummated power, freely yielding up that power, + for the holy cause of freedom, to the equal possession of other + parties, who are willing to cooperate with it upon a common + platform. Here and now, we, its representatives, are to show by + our acts whether we can rise above the demands of partisan policy, + to the full comprehension of the condition of public affairs--to + the full realization of the obligations which fidelity to freedom + now imposes upon us. + + "If the representatives of the American party reject this + proposition for fusion, I shall go home once more with a sad + heart--but I shall not go home to sulk in my tent--to rail and + fret at the folly of men; I shall go home, sir, with a resolved + spirit and iron will, determined to hope on and to struggle on, + until I see the lovers of universal and impartial freedom banded + together in one organization--moved by one impulse. For seven + years I have labored to break up old organizations, and to make + new combinations, all tending to the organization of that great + party of the future, which is to relieve the government from the + iron dominion of the Black Power. + + "Sir, gentlemen may defeat this proposed fusion here to-day, but + they cannot control the action of the people. A fusion movement + will be made under the lead of gentlemen of the Whig, Democratic + and Free-soil parties, of talents and character. The movement will + be in harmony with the people's movements in the North. Sir, such + a movement will put a majority of the men, who voted with you last + autumn, in a false position before the country, or drive them from + your ranks. I cannot speak for others, but I tell you frankly, + that I cannot be placed in a false position--I cannot, even for + one moment, consent to stand arrayed against the hosts of freedom + now preparing for the contest of 1856. I tell you frankly that + whenever I see a formation in position to strike effective blows + for freedom, I shall be with it in the conflict--whenever I see an + organization in position antagonistic to freedom, my arm shall aid + in smiting it down." + +The proposition for a union of the people was lost by a small vote, +and the twenty-one years' amendment adopted by a small majority. +Against the twenty-one years proposition, General Wilson said: + + "Sir, the American movement is not based upon bigotry, intolerance + or proscription. If there is anything of bigotry, intolerance or + proscription in the American movement--if there is any disposition + to oppress or degrade the Briton, the Scot, the Celt, the German + or any one of another clime or race, or to deny to them the + fullest protection of just and equal laws, it is time such + criminal fanaticism was sternly rebuked by the intelligent + patriotism of the State and country. I deeply deplore, sir, the + adoption of the twenty-one years amendment. It will weaken the + American movement at home and in other States, especially in the + West, and tend to defeat any modification whatever of the + naturalization laws. I warn gentlemen, who desire the correction + of the evils growing out of the abuses of the naturalization laws, + against the adoption of extreme opinions; I tell you, gentlemen of + the council, that this intense nativism kills--yes, sir, it kills + and is killing us, and unless it is speedily abandoned, will + defeat all the needed reforms the movement was inaugurated to + secure, and overwhelm us all in dishonor. Every attempt, by + whomsoever made, to interpolate into the American movement, + anything inconsistent with the theory of our democratic + institutions--anything inconsistent with the idea that 'all men + are created equal'--anything contrary to the commands of God's + Holy Word that 'the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto + you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as + thyself,'--is doing that which will baffle the wise policy which + tries to reform existing evils and to guard against future + abuses." + +General Wilson engaged with his accustomed industry and energy in the +practical business, and in the exciting debates of the memorable +session of 1855-6. In February, he made a speech on the affairs of +Kansas, replete with facts not then familiar to the country. This +speech went through three editions, and nearly 200,000 copies were +circulated through the free States. In April, General Wilson made a +speech in favor of receiving the petition of the Topeka Legislature +for admission into the Union, and on this occasion in reply to the +taunts of Mr. Douglas about "Amalgamationists," he said: + + "Mr. President, the senator from Illinois tells us, with an air of + proud assurance, that the State he represents does not believe the + negro the equal of the white man; that she is opposed to placing + that degraded race upon terms of equality; that she had a right to + enact her black laws; and that if we of Massachusetts do not like + those acts, she does not care. Illinois, he tells us, does not + wish the blood of the white race to mingle with the blood of the + inferior race--Massachusetts can do otherwise if she chooses. Let + me tell the honorable senator from Illinois, that these taunts, so + often flung out about the equality of races, about amalgamation, + and the mingling of blood, are the emanations of low and vulgar + minds. These taunts usually come from men with the odor of + amalgamation upon them. Sir, I am proud to live in a commonwealth + where every man, black or white, of every clime and race, is + recognized as a man, standing upon terms of perfect and absolute + equality before the laws. Yes, sir, I live in a commonwealth that + recognizes the sublime creed embodied in the Declaration of + Independence--a commonwealth that throws over the poor, the weak, + the lowly, upon whom misfortune has laid its iron hand, the + protection of just and equal laws. Sir, the people of + Massachusetts may not believe that the African race, + + "Outcast to insolence and scorn," + + is the equal to this Anglo-Saxon race of ours in intellectual + power; but they know no reason why a man, made in the image of + God, should be degraded by unjust laws, because his Creator has + given him a weak body or a feeble mind. Sir, the philanthropist, + the Christian, the true Democratic statesman, will see in the fact + that a man is weak, ignorant, and poor, the reason why the State + should throw over him the panoply of just and equal laws." + +In the latter part of May, 1856, Mr. Sumner was assailed in his seat +in the Senate chamber by Mr. Brooks of South Carolina, and beaten over +the head with a cane until he fell unconscious upon the floor, covered +with blood. When the assault was made, General Wilson was in the room +of Speaker Banks engaged in conversation with several members of the +House. Returning to the Senate Chamber, he found his friend and +colleague almost unconscious in the hands of his friends. He aided in +the sad task of bearing him to his chamber and placing him on his +couch of pain. That night the Republican members met at the house of +Mr. Seward, and commissioned General Wilson to call the attention of +the Senate to the assault upon his colleague, which duty he performed +next day in a few very appropriate words. On motion of Mr. Seward, a +committee was appointed, and on the morning of the 27th, Mr. Slidell, +Mr. Toombs, Mr. Douglas and others rose to make some personal +explanations concerning the statement made to the committee by Mr. +Sumner. The floor and galleries were crowded, and every word was +listened to with the most intense interest. General Wilson rose to +defend his absent colleague, who was confined to his room, as he +declared, from the effects "of _a brutal, murderous, and cowardly +assault_." He was instantly interrupted by an exclamation from Mr. +Butler, and cries of order increased the intense excitement which +prevailed in the crowded chamber. Threats of personal violence were +made by Mr. Brooks' friends, and several members of both houses +assured General Wilson that they would stand by him in any emergency. +That evening, after the adjournment of Congress, he was compelled to +leave Washington for Trenton, to address the Republican State +convention of New Jersey. On his return, on the morning of the 29th, +he was called upon by General Lane, of Oregon, and a challenge from +Mr. Brooks placed in his hands. General Wilson promptly responded by +placing in the hands of General Lane, through his friend, Mr. +Buffinton, the following note: + + WASHINGTON, _May 29, 10-1/2 o'clock_. + + "HON. P. S. BROOKS, + + "SIR: Your note of the 27th inst. was placed in my hands by your + friend General Lane, at twenty minutes past ten o'clock to-day. + + "I characterized, on the floor of the Senate, the assault upon my + colleague as 'brutal, murderous, and cowardly.' I thought so then, + I think so now. I have no qualifications whatever to make in + regard to those words. + + "I have never entertained or expressed in the Senate or elsewhere, + the idea of personal responsibility in the sense of the duellist. + + "I have always regarded duelling as the lingering relic of a + barbarous civilization, which the law of the country has branded + as a crime. While, therefore, I religiously believe in the right + of self-defence in its broadest sense, the law of my country and + the matured convictions of my whole life alike forbid me to meet + you for the purpose indicated in your letter. + + "Your obedient servant, + + "HENRY WILSON." + +This prompt and emphatic response, declining to fight a duel, but at +the same time avowing his readiness to maintain the right of +self-defence, was most enthusiastically approved and applauded by the +people and presses of the North, and he received many letters, from +men of the highest character, warmly commending his noble and +dignified course. + +On the 13th of June, General Wilson made a full and elaborate reply to +Mr. Butler, and in defence of Mr. Sumner. This speech and his speeches +on the bill to admit Kansas, his speech in defence of the acts of Col. +Fremont, and against using the army to enforce the acts of the +territorial legislature of Kansas, were largely circulated through the +country. + +On the adjournment of Congress, General Wilson entered into the +Presidential campaign, and gave all his energies to secure the triumph +of the Republican cause. + +During the sessions of 1856-7-8 and 1858-9, General Wilson was in +constant attendance upon Congress, and his duties, owing to the +prolonged absence of his colleague, were very arduous and pressing. In +those sessions he took his full share of labor in the committee rooms, +on the floor of the Senate, and on matters of legislative action. He +took part in the debates during these sessions, upon all questions of +importance, and on most of the questions before the Senate, he +delivered elaborate speeches. Those upon the affairs of Kansas exhibit +an amount of information, concerning that territory, surpassed by no +other member of either House of Congress, and his speeches on the +Treasury Note bill, the expenses of the Government, the revenue +collection appropriations, the tariff, the President's Message, and +the Pacific Railroad, are remarkable for fullness and accuracy of +facts, and clearness and force of statement. His speech in March, +1850, in reply to Mr. Hammond of South Carolina, is one of the most +effective speeches ever delivered in Congress, in defence of free +labor. It is full of facts and points of great power, and few speeches +ever made in Congress have had a wider circulation, or received warmer +approval, in the free States. + +Mr. Hammond characterized the manual laborers as "slaves"--the +"mud-sills" of society. This extract is quoted from General Wilson's +reply: + + "Mr. President, the senator from South Carolina tells us that 'all + the powers of the world cannot abolish' 'the thing' he calls + slavery. 'God only can do it when he repeals the fiat, "the poor + ye have always with you;" for the man who lives by daily labor, + and your whole class of hireling manual laborers and operatives, + are essentially slaves! Our slaves are black; happy, content, + unaspiring; yours are white, and they feel galled by their + degradation. Our slaves do not vote; yours do vote, and, being the + majority, they are the depositaries of all your political power; + and if they knew the tremendous secret, that the ballot-box is + stronger than an army with banners, and could combine, your + society would be reconstructed, your government overthrown, and + your property divided.' + + "'The poor ye have always with you!' This fiat of Almighty God, + which Christian men of all ages and lands have accepted as the + imperative injunction of the common Father of all, to care for the + children of misfortune and sorrow, the senator from South Carolina + accepts as the foundation-stone, the eternal law, of slavery, + which 'all the powers of earth cannot abolish.' These precious + words of our Heavenly Father, 'the poor ye have always with you,' + are perpetually sounding in the ears of mankind, ever reminding + them of their dependence and their duties. These words appeal + alike to the conscience and the heart of mankind. To men blessed + in their basket and their store, they say 'property has its duties + as well as its rights!' To men clothed with authority to shape the + policy or to administer the laws of the State, they say, 'lighten + by wise, humane, and equal laws, the burdens of the toiling and + dependent children of men!' To men of every age and every clime + they appeal, by the Divine promise that 'he that giveth to the + poor lendeth to the Lord!' Sir, I thank God that I live in a + commonwealth which sees no warrant in these words of inspiration + to oppress the sons and daughters of toil and poverty. Over the + poor and lowly she casts the broad shield of equal, just, and + humane legislation. The poorest man that treads her soil, no + matter what blood may run in his veins, is protected in his rights + and incited to labor by no other force than the assurance that the + fruits of his toil belong to himself, to the wife of his bosom, + and the children of his love. + + "The senator from South Carolina exclaims, 'The man who lives by + daily labor, your whole class of manual laborers, are essentially + slaves'--'they feel galled by their degradation!' What a sentiment + is this to hear uttered in the councils of this democratic + Republic! The senator's political associates who listen to these + words which brand hundreds of thousands of the men they represent + in the free States, and hundreds of their neighbors and personal + friends as 'slaves,' have found no words to repel or rebuke this + language. This language of scorn and contempt is addressed to + senators who were not nursed by a slave; whose lot it was to toil + with their own hands--to eat bread earned, not by the sweat of + another's brow, but by their own. Sir, I am the son of a 'hireling + manual laborer' who, with the frosts of seventy winters on his + brow, 'lives by daily labor.' I, too, have 'lived by daily labor.' + I, too, have been a 'hireling manual laborer.' Poverty cast its + dark and chilling shadow over the home of my childhood, and want + was there sometimes--an unbidden guest. At the age of ten + years--to aid him who gave me being, in keeping the gaunt spectre + from the hearth of the mother who bore me--I left the home of my + boyhood, and went to earn my bread by 'daily labor.' Many a weary + mile have I travelled + + "'To beg a brother of the earth + To give me leave to toil.' + + "Sir, I have toiled as a 'hireling manual laborer' in the field + and in the workshop; and I tell the senator from South Carolina + that I never 'felt galled by my degradation.' No, sir--never! + Perhaps the senator who represents that 'other class which leads + progress, civilization, and refinement,' will ascribe this to + obtuseness of intellect and blunted sensibilities of the heart. + Sir, I was conscious of my manhood; I was the peer of my employer; + I knew that the laws and institutions of my native and adopted + States threw over him and over me alike the panoply of equality; I + knew, too, that the world was before me, that its wealth, its + garnered treasures of knowledge, its honors, the coveted prizes of + life, were within the grasp of a brave heart and a tireless hand, + and I accepted the responsibilities of my position all unconscious + that I was a 'slave.' I have employed others, hundreds of + 'hireling manual laborers.' Some of them then possessed, and now + possess, more property than I ever owned; some of them were better + educated than myself--yes, sir, better educated, and better read, + too, than some senators on this floor; and many of them, in moral + excellence and purity of character, I could not but feel, were my + superiors. I have occupied, Mr. President, for more than thirty + years, the relation of employer and employed; and while I never + felt 'galled by my degradation' in the one case, in the other I + was never conscious that my 'hireling laborers' were my inferiors. + That man is a 'snob' who boasts of being a 'hireling laborer,' or + who is ashamed of being a 'hireling laborer;' that man is a 'snob' + who feels any inferiority to any man because he is a 'hireling + laborer,' or who assumes any superiority over others because he is + an employer. Honest labor is honorable; and the man who is ashamed + that he is or was a 'hireling laborer' has not manhood enough to + 'feel galled by his degradation.' + + "Having occupied, Mr. President, the relation of either employed + or employer for a third of a century; having lived in a + commonwealth where the 'hireling class of manual laborers' are + 'the depositaries of political power;' having associated with this + class in all the relations of life; I tell the senator from South + Carolina, and the class he represents, that he libels, grossly + libels them, when he declares that they are 'essentially slaves!' + There can be found nowhere in America, a class of men more proudly + conscious or tenacious of their rights. Friends and foes have ever + found them + + 'A stubborn race, fearing and flattering none.' + + "Ours are the institutions of freedom; and they flourish best in + the storms and agitations of inquiry and free discussion. We are + conscious that our social and political institutions have not + attained perfection, and we invoke the examination and the + criticism of the genius and learning of all Christendom. Should + the senator and his agitators and lecturers come to Massachusetts + on a mission to teach our 'hireling class of manual laborers,' our + 'mud-sills,' our 'slaves,' the 'tremendous secret of the + ballot-box,' and to help 'combine and lead them,' these + stigmatized 'hirelings' would reply to the senator and his + associates, 'We are freemen; we are the peers of the gifted and + the wealthy; we know the "tremendous secret of the ballot-box;" + and we mold and fashion these institutions that bless and adorn + our proud and free Commonwealth! These public schools are ours, + for the education of our children; these libraries, with their + accumulated treasures, are ours; these multitudinous and varied + pursuits of life, where intelligence and skill find their reward, + are ours. Labor is here honored and respected, and great examples + incite us to action. All around us in the professions, in the + marts of commerce, on the exchange, where merchant-princes and + capitalists do congregate; in these manufactories and workshops, + where the products of every clime are fashioned into a thousand + forms of utility and beauty; on these smiling farms, fertilized by + the sweat of free labor; in every position of private and of + public life, are our associates, who were but yesterday "hireling + laborers," "mud-sills," "slaves." In every department of human + effort are noble men who sprang from our ranks--men whose good + deeds will be felt and will live in the grateful memories of men + when the stones reared by the hands of affection to their honored + names shall crumble into dust. Our eyes glisten and our hearts + throb over the bright, glowing and radiant pages of our history + that records the deeds of patriotism of the sons of New England + who sprang from our ranks and wore the badges of toil. While the + names of Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Nathaniel Greene and + Paul Revere live on the brightest pages of our history, the + mechanics of Massachusetts and New England will never want + illustrious examples to incite us to noble aspirations and noble + deeds. Go home, say to your privileged class, which, you + vauntingly say, "leads progress, civilization and refinement," + that it is the opinion of the "hireling laborers" of + Massachusetts, if you have no sympathy for your African bondmen, + in whose veins flows so much of your own blood, you should at + least sympathize with the millions of your own race, whose labor + you have dishonored and degraded by slavery! You should teach your + millions of poor and ignorant white men, so long oppressed by your + policy, the "tremendous secret that the ballot-box is stronger + than an army with banners!" You should combine and lead them to + the adoption of a policy which shall secure their own emancipation + from a degrading thralldom!'" + +Early in January, 1859, Gen. Wilson was reelected United States +Senator for six years from March 3, 1859. He had in the Senate 35 to 5 +votes, and in the House of Representatives 199 to 36 votes. Before the +people and in the legislature, he was without a competitor in the +ranks of his own party; and the unity of sentiment in favor of his +reelection was a noble tribute of which any public man might justly be +proud. + + + + +JEFFERSON DAVIS. + + +Jefferson Davis is a native of Kentucky. His father took him, when he +was an infant, to Mississippi Territory, about the year 1806. His +father was moderately wealthy and gave his son an excellent education. +He had the ordinary course at the schools, and then entered +Transylvania University College, Kentucky. There he remained till his +father removed him to West Point as a cadet. This was in 1822, and in +1828 he left it with honor as brevet second lieutenant, and was at +once placed in active service. He served in the Indian war of the +times so ably as to gain almost immediately a first lieutenant's +commission. The famous Indian chief, "Black Hawk," became his +prisoner, and a strong friendship was struck up between the lieutenant +and his prisoner, which lasted till the death of the latter. + +In 1835, Mr. Davis, sickened of military life without the excitement +of actual engagement with an enemy, and retired from the service, +settling down upon a cotton plantation in Mississippi. For nearly ten +years he remained on his plantation in quiet, cultivating cotton and +his intellect at the same time, for he was during all these years of +rural life a great student and reader. He was contentedly preparing +himself for the future occasion which should call for his services. In +1843, he took the stump for Mr. Polk, and such was his ability before +the people that they sent him to Congress in 1845. When he had been in +Washington but a few months, the war with Mexico broke out, and his +constituents raised a regiment of volunteers, who elected Mr. Davis as +their colonel. He immediately resigned his seat in Congress, and went +with his regiment to join General Taylor in Mexico. The history of +Col. Davis' career in Mexico is full of interest, but we cannot stay +to elaborate it. At Buena Vista he won laurels of glory, in the +parlance of the soldier. Says a friend of his: + + "His men--though volunteers--showed a steadiness which equalled + anything that might have been expected of veteran troops; and they + were handled in so masterly a way, that, if the glory of that day + were to be assigned to any one corps rather than any other, they + would probably bear away the palm. Every one remembers the proud + appeal of Colonel Davis to another regiment of volunteers, who + were finding the fire rather warm, to 'Stay and re-form behind + that wall'--pointing to his Mississippians. Throughout the war, he + and his brave riflemen loom up at intervals whenever the fire + grows hot or the emergency grave, and never without good effect. + They were armed with a peculiar rifle, now best known as the + Mississippi rifle, chosen by their colonel himself; it was + scarcely less deadly than the Minie. Their colonel set the example + of intrepidity and recklessness of personal injury: at Buena Vista + he was badly wounded at an early part of the action; but he sat + his horse steadily till the day was won, and refused even to + delegate a portion of his duties to his subordinate officers." + +The term of service for which his regiment was enlisted having +expired, his medical advisers insisted upon his going home and curing +himself of his wounds. He did not stay long, however; for that very +year--in the late autumn--he was appointed United States Senator +by the Governor of Mississippi to fill a vacancy, and when the +legislature of the State came together, it elected him to the same +high office for the ensuing six years. + +In the Senate he at once took a high position. He was made Chairman of +the Military Committee of the Senate, a position he has held during +his entire term of senatorial services, and which he has honored. In +the long and excited debates of 1849-50, and 1850-51, Mr. Davis took a +prominent part, and always what is termed an ultra-sectional position. +He was the champion of the extreme South, and made some of the ablest +speeches of the entire slavery debate. + +In September, 1851, Mr. Davis was nominated by the Democrats of +Mississippi, as their candidate for Governor. He at once resigned his +seat in the Senate. He lost an election by a thousand votes--and +retired to his plantation. + +Upon the nomination of Franklin Pierce to the Presidency, he took the +stump for him in several of the more doubtful southern States, and +with great success. His popularity before the people as a speaker was +great, and his success was in due proportion. + +Mr. Pierce rewarded Mr. Davis for his eminent services in the campaign +by the offer of the Secretaryship of War--an office which he was +peculiarly qualified to fill. He was quite successful as Secretary of +War, though his unfortunate quarrel with General Scott (about the +merits of which we are incompetent to pronounce an opinion), damaged +his popularity with a portion of his friends. When the Pierce +administration went out, Mr. Davis was reelected United States +Senator, and he has latterly been looked upon as a Democratic leader +in the Senate. + +In his personal appearance in the Senate-room, Mr. Davis has few +equals. Tall, upright, stern, and with the bearing of a prince, he at +once commands the admiration of the stranger so far as his personal +appearance is concerned. His military manners have followed him from +the camp into the Senate. We say this in no offensive sense, though it +is true that the senator often unintentionally offends by the +quickness, the savageness, and the irritability of his style and +speech. This is not intentional, and though it now and then gives +offence, it at the same time gives great force to the sentiment which +the senator may be uttering at the time. He has a peculiar voice, +keyed high, yet musical, and his words come flowing out like so many +cannon-balls with the force of gunpowder behind them. + +The political position of Mr. Davis cannot be misunderstood. He is +ultra-southern. Not a disunionist, at all events; but a disunionist in +a certain event. He stands by the extreme southern men--occupies an +extreme southern position for a man who claims yet to stand by the +national Democratic party. His views upon the non-intervention +doctrines of Mr. Douglas, we shall quote that we may not do him +injustice. He is an enthusiastic and consistent advocate of utter free +trade. Nothing short of absolute free trade will suit him or satisfy +him. He is also opposed to the Homestead bill, and all like +appropriations of the public lands. He is in favor of the acquisition +of Cuba, but opposed the Senate resolution--proposed--giving Mr. +Buchanan power to make war upon the southern republics when he should +think the occasion demanded it. + +If Mr. Davis' position be thought to be extremely southern, it must be +remembered that he is an honest, upright man--much more so than some +who clamor after office; and that such a man can be trusted generally, +in spite of his prejudices, to deal fairly even with his opponents. An +honest man, however ultra his position, if he have intellect, is safer +to be trusted with a high office, than the mere twaddling politician, +who will execute the party's bidding, however iniquitous it may be. + +In the great "non-intervention debate" of the Senate, in February, +1859, Mr. Davis said: + + "Now, the senator asks will you make a discrimination in the + territories? I say yes, I would discriminate in the territories + wherever it is needful to assert the right of a citizen: wherever + it is proper to carry out the principle, the obligation, the clear + intent and meaning of the Constitution of the United States. I + have heard many a siren's song on this doctrine of + non-intervention; a thing shadowy and fleeting, changing its color + as often as the chameleon, which never meant anything fairly + unless it was that Congress would not attempt to legislate on a + subject over which they had no control; that they would not + attempt to establish slavery anywhere nor to prohibit it anywhere; + and such was the language of the compromise measures of 1850 when + this doctrine was inaugurated. Since that, it has been woven into + a delusive gauze, thrown over the public mind, and presented as an + obligation of the Democratic party to stand still; withholding + from an American citizen the protection he has a right to claim; + to surrender their power; to do nothing; to prove faithless to the + trust they hold at the hands of the people of the States. If the + theory of the senator be correct, and if Congress has no power to + legislate in any regard upon the subject, how did you pass the + fugitive slave law? He repeats, again and again, that you have no + power to legislate in regard to slavery either in the States or in + the territories, and yet the fugitive slave law stands on the + statute-book; and although he did not vote for it, he explained to + the country why he did not, and expressed his regret that his + absence had prevented him from recording his vote in favor of it. + + "From the plain language of the Constitution, as I have read it, + how is it possible for one still claiming to follow the path of + the Constitution, to assert that Congress has no power to + legislate in relation to the subject anywhere? He informs us, + however, that by the Kansas-Nebraska bill, the full power of the + inhabitants of a territory to legislate on all subjects not + inconsistent with the Constitution, was granted by Congress. If + Congress attempted to make such a grant; if Congress thus + attempted to rid themselves of a trust imposed upon them, they + exceeded their authority. They could delegate no such power. The + territorial legislature can be but an instrument, through which + the Congress of the United States execute their trust in relation + to the territories. Therefore it was, that notwithstanding the + exact language of that bill which the senator has read, the + Congress of the United States did assume, and did exercise, the + power to repeal a law passed in that very territory of Kansas, + which they clearly could not have done if they had surrendered all + control over its legislation. Whether the senator voted for that + report or not, I do not know; I presume he did; but whether he did + or not, does not vary the question, except so far as it affects + himself. The advocates of the Kansas-Nebraska bill were generally + the men who most promptly claimed the repeal of those laws, + because they said they were a violation of those rights which + every American citizen possessed under the Constitution. + + "But the senator says territorial laws can only be set aside by an + appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States. If so, then they + have a power not derived from Congress; they are not the + instruments of Congress. But in the course of the senator's + remarks, and quite inconsistent with this position, he announced + that they possessed no power save that which they derived from the + organic act and the Constitution. They can derive no power from + the Constitution save as territories of the United States, over + which the States have given the power of a trustee to the + Congress; and being the delegate of the Congress, they have such + powers as Congress has thought proper to give, provided they do + not exceed such powers as the Congress possesses. How, then, does + the Senator claim that they have a power to legislate which + Congress cannot revise; and yet no power to legislate at all save + that which they derive from their organic act? + + "My friend from Alabama presented a question to the senator from + Illinois, which he did not answer. It was, whether a law + pronounced unconstitutional by the Supreme Court was still to + remain in force within the territory, Congress failing to provide + any remedy which would restore the right violated by that + unconstitutional act? The senator answers me from his seat, + 'clearly not.' Then I ask him, what is the remedy? The law is + pronounced unconstitutional, and yet the right which it has + violated is not restored; the protection which is required is not + granted; the law which deprived him of the protection, though it + may be declared unconstitutional, is not replaced by any which + will give him the adequate protection to hold his property. Then + what is the benefit he derives from the decision of the Supreme + Court? The decision of the Supreme Court is binding upon the + Congress; but this squatter-sovereignty legislation, seeming to be + outside of the Constitution, outside of the legislation of the + Federal Government, erects itself into an attitude that seems to + me quite inappropriate. + + "I concede to the Congress the power, through the instrumentality + of a territorial legislature, to legislate upon such subjects as + Congress itself has the right to make laws for; no more than that. + More than that the senator cannot claim, unless he can show to us + that philosophical problem of getting more out of a tub than it + contains; its contents being measured, to find something more + which can be taken out of it. If he will not--and I suppose he + will not--contend that Congress can delegate more power than it + possesses, how does he get the power in the territorial + legislature to pass laws which will interfere with the rights of a + citizen choosing to migrate to a territory? It is the common + property of the people of the States. Every citizen has a right to + go there, and to carry with him whatever property is recognized by + the Constitution; the common law of the States forming the Union. + Congress has no power to prohibit it; is bound to see that it is + fully enjoyed. Then, I ask the senator, where does he derive the + power for the territorial legislature to do it? for he has planted + himself now on the ground that they derive their authority from + the organic act." + +At a subsequent stage of the debate, the subjoined colloquy occurred +between Mr. Pugh, of Ohio, who had the floor, and Mr. Davis: + + "MR. DAVIS.--With the permission of the senator from Ohio, I will + ask him whether he understood the senator from Virginia to assert + that the Constitution of the United States would give the right to + carry this property into the limits of a State where it is + prohibited? + + "MR. PUGH.--No, sir; but I say that this proposition is nothing, + unless it goes to that extent. + + "MR. DAVIS.--In the absence of my friend from Virginia, I would + say that his theory, I believe, agrees with mine; and certainly + does not go to that extent. It is that the Constitution makes it + property throughout the United States. It can, therefore, be taken + and held wherever the sovereign power of a State has not + prohibited it. When it reaches the territory of a sovereign State + where its introduction is inhibited, it there stops; except for + the reserved right to recover a fugitive, and for the right of + transit, which belongs to every citizen of the United States. That + is the decision of the Supreme Court. + + "MR. PUGH.--I repeat my assertion: if the Constitution of the + United States gives this form of property its peculiar protection, + as gentlemen assert, and the right to carry it, it is carried into + every State over the constitution and laws of the State; for the + Constitution of the United States is supreme above the + constitutions and laws of the States; and it means that, or it + means nothing. There is no distinction; there can be none made; + and my colleague put the very question which proved the fallacy of + the whole proposition. But senators say there is no sovereignty in + the territories. I agree to that; but why do we deceive ourselves + about words? There is no such language as sovereignty in the + Constitution of the United States. Senators say it requires a + power of sovereignty to exclude slavery, and the senator from + Mississippi has just now spoken of the sovereignty of the State + which excludes slavery. He says it requires sovereign power to + exclude slavery. Well, how is that sovereignty to be expressed? + + "MR. DAVIS.--When a State, being a sovereign, by its organic law + excludes that species of property, the act is final. There is no + sovereignty in the Constitution, as the senator states, and why? + Because the Constitution is a compact between sovereigns creating + an agent with delegated powers; and sovereignty is an indivisible + thing. They gave functions of sovereignty from their plenary + power. Sovereignty remained with the people of the States. + + "MR. PUGH.--Then I understand the senator that the sovereignty can + only speak through a constitution, and that it is in the + constitution of a State only that the power to admit or exclude + slavery is to be exercised. Why, sir, until the year 1820 not a + State of this Union, in her constitution, either admitted or + excluded slavery, and I do not believe Virginia did until 1850 or + 1851. None of the States did it until Missouri when she came into + the Union, and she put it into her constitution, not upon the idea + that that was peculiarly the place, but for the express purpose of + disarming her legislature. It was an ordinary legislative power, + nothing else in the world; known and recognized as such and + admitted as such by every State in the Union. New York abolished + slavery by law, Pennsylvania abolished slavery by law, and in the + States where the institution continued, it was fostered, + protected, and recognized by ordinary acts of legislation. + + "MR. DAVIS.--I am sorry to interrupt the senator again, and I + believe this will be the last time. The first instance he will + find was that of Massachusetts, who, in her bill of rights, at the + Revolutionary era, made a declaration which her supreme court held + to be the abolition of slavery; and I think he will find that it + has generally been acted on in that way; but he has not the right + to assume anything more than I stated. I stated a mode." + + + + +JAMES L. ORR. + + +Col. Orr is of Irish extraction, his ancestors on the paternal and +maternal side coming originally from Ireland. His grandfather, a +native of North Carolina, was a Revolutionary soldier. Christopher +Orr, his father, was a country merchant of considerable means, and who +expended them liberally upon the education of his children. James L. +Orr was born May 12, 1822, at Craytonville, Anderson District, South +Carolina. He began his education at a common school, but was soon sent +to the Anderson Academy, at the same time, however, assisting his +father in keeping his books. When he was eighteen years old, he was +sent to the University of Virginia, where his proficiency in his +studies was so great, that he attracted the attention of his tutors, +who predicted a promising career for the young student. In 1841, he +left college and spent two years in pursuing a course of general +reading, of the greatest importance to him in after life. + +In 1843, he studied law, was admitted to the bar. He began the +practice of law at home, in Anderson, the same year establishing a +village newspaper and editing it. It was called the "Anderson +Gazette." In 1844, when but twenty-two years of age, his neighbors and +friends elected him to the State Legislature, where he began his +political career in a quiet, unostentatious manner. Still, he took a +very decided position--one which gave an indication of his future +policy. It was this: he delivered a speech in opposition to the +doctrine of nullification, in reference to the tariff of 1812. He also +took democratic ground in favor of the election of Presidential +electors of the people. They were then, and are now in South Carolina, +elected by the legislature. + +In 1848, Mr. Orr became a candidate for Congress. His chief opponent +was a Democrat, a lawyer of wealth and talents, and of course the +contest was simply one of personal popularity, as both gentlemen held +the same political sentiments. After a very lively contest, Mr. Orr +was elected by 700 majority over his Democratic competitor. He entered +Congress at a time when the country was convulsed with the slavery +question, and though such men as Webster, Clay, Calhoun, Cass, and the +like, were in Congress, he very soon attracted the attention of the +experienced legislators of that time. Not by egotistic speeches, +forcing himself, as some men do, upon the attention of Congress and +the country, but by delivering, at judicious times, speeches which +were full of solid ability. While he was a firm defender of slavery +and what are called "the constitutional rights of the South," he +condemned the agitation of the question of slavery, and arrayed +himself against the ultraists of his section of the country. Col. +Orr's constituents were so well pleased with his conduct that they +have left him in it till he was, in December, 1857, elected speaker of +the House of Representatives. + +When the compromise measures were passed, South Carolina for a time +seemed to favor a secession from the Union. A Constitutional +Convention had been called and a large majority of the delegates were +pledged to favor secession. Col. Orr, however, come out very boldly +and eloquently against their policy. A General Convention of the +disaffected people was held in Charleston, in 1851, and Col. Orr +attended as a delegate from the Anderson District. In the Convention +he took strong ground against disunion, and introduced resolutions +embodying his opinions on that subject. But out of 450 members, only +30 came to his support. But Col. Orr was undaunted by the majority of +numbers against him. He appealed to the people by voice and pen, and +as the result he and a companion in his disunion views were elected to +the proposed Southern Congress over two secession candidates. An +apparent admirer of Col. Orr, speaking of this contest, says: + + "That the crisis was one full of alarm and danger must be admitted + even by those furthest from the scene, and most disposed to deny + both the right and power of a State to secede; and that Mr. Orr, + in the very opening of a brilliant political career, hazarded his + future hopes and prospects to a sense of right and duty, entitles + him to the regard of every true lover of the Union. His triumph + was highly honorable to himself, and fixed him more firmly than + ever in the esteem and affections of his constituents." + +The same writer remarks: + +"The Congressional career of Mr. Orr, which a want of space prevents +us from noticing more in detail, has been both a brilliant and a +useful one. Always sustaining his positions with eloquence and force +of argument, and exhibiting great fairness in debate, he has commanded +attention, and exercised a powerful influence over the questions of +the day. His habits of thorough investigation and analysis, and his +tenacious adherence to his convictions of right, have frequently +placed him at the head of important committees; and his reports are +among the ablest in our legislative records. As chairman of the +Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union, during the +discussion of the most important and exciting measures, he displayed +so much promptness, firmness, and intelligence in his decisions that +he won the confidence and respect of men of all parties; and at the +commencement of last Congress he was almost unanimously selected by +the Democrats as their candidate for Speaker. His party was, however, +in the minority, and his election failed. When the present session of +Congress opened, Mr. Orr was nominated, without opposition, and +elected its presiding officer. So far he has justified the +expectations of his friends and of the party which placed him in the +chair. In the fulfillment of the duties of his present position Mr. +Orr will doubtless add honorably to the reputation he now enjoys. He +is too wise a man not to perceive that while fidelity to party was the +best ladder for him to rise to his present height, impartial +neutrality will now serve his fame and ambition better." + +Upon the whole, Mr. Orr made an admirable Speaker to the Thirty-fifth +Congress. If he was not always rigidly impartial, the exceptional +cases were rare, and when he was swerved from the straight line of +duty by his sectional prejudices. + +In November, 1855, to go back a little--Col. Orr published a letter in +reference to the duty of South Carolina toward the Democratic party of +the North. The people of that State were then, as they seem almost +always to be, in a state of high excitement on the slavery question. +Many leading politicians counselled secession and non-action in +reference to the Presidential canvass. But Col. Orr took different +ground. In his letter to Hon. C. W. Dudley, dated Anderson, Nov. 23, +1855, he said: + + "A convention is merely a method of finding out what the popular + opinion is, and giving to it a more conspicuous and imposing + expression. It has been steadily and uniformly pursued by the + Democracy of all the States (except our own) for fifteen years or + more, and the selection of delegates, manner of voting and + nominating, has been defined by a usage well understood and + acquiesced in, as if regulated by law. Hence, we know that such a + convention will assemble in Cincinnati in May next, and that it + will nominate candidates for the Presidency and Vice + Presidency--adopt a platform of principles--and it is nearly + certain that the nominees will receive the votes of the Democratic + party of every State in the Union. Shall the Democracy of this + State send delegates? It is our privilege to be represented there, + and at the present time I believe it to be a high and solemn duty + to meet our political allies, and to aid, by our presence and + councils, in selecting suitable nominees and constructing a + platform, which will secure our rights and uphold the + Constitution. + + "There has never been a time since the convention policy was + adopted--if, indeed, there has been such a time since the + government was inaugurated--when the success of the Democratic + party in the electoral college was so vitally important as now. If + that party should be defeated in the election before the people, + every patriot's mind must be filled with gloomy forebodings of the + future. The indications now are, that the opposition to the + Democratic party, made up of Know Nothings, Abolitionists, and + Fusionist, will run two or more candidates: if the Democracy fail + to secure a majority in the electoral college over all elements of + opposition, then the election must be made, according to the + Constitution, by the House of Representatives. Can we safely trust + the election of our rights to that body? The House is now elected, + and we _know_ that a decided majority of the House are members of + the Know Nothing, Fusion and Whig parties; and if the election be + devolved on them, the Democratic party will be certainly defeated, + and perhaps a Fusionist promoted to the Presidency. Are the people + of South Carolina so indifferent to their relations to the Federal + Government, that they will quietly look on and see such an + administration as we have had since the 4th of March, '53--an + administration that has faithfully and fearlessly maintained the + Constitution in its purity--supplanted by Know Nothingism or Black + Republicanism? That is the issue to be decided in the next + presidential election, and that, too, in the electoral college; + for if we fail there, then we know now with absolute certainty + that we must be defeated before the House. Was it, then, ever so + important before that the Convention should be filled with + discreet, patriotic men; that there should be the fullest + representation of every man devoted to the Democratic faith, and + opposed to Fusion and Know Nothingism; that they should commune + freely together, and nominate a candidate who will command the + confidence of the entire party. + + * * * * * + + "We have heard much of southern union being necessary to our + safety. We now have it in our power, by cordial cooperation with + our southern sisters, to secure it--to secure it on such a basis + as will permanently preserve our institutions. We can here make + our demand, and with a united South, we can offer it to the true + men of the North. If we act wisely and present such an ultimatum, + I doubt not that thousands, perhaps millions, at the North, will + espouse and maintain it; for it is a platform of the Constitution, + and there are hosts of conservative men who I know are prepared to + maintain the Constitution of our fathers. + + "Will we reject it with silent contempt--adhere to our isolation, + and stubbornly refuse to fraternize with her, and all the balance + of our southern sisters? Who doubts that all the South will be + represented there? and can it be said, truthfully, that our voice + can be of no avail or weight, when the ultimatum shall be laid + down? If we send delegates, who can say that our votes may not + secure a reliable nominee and a sound platform? Will the + instructions of Georgia to her delegates be more or less potent + with the indorsement of all or of only a portion of the South? + + "If, indeed, fanaticism is in the ascendant in the North, and + cannot be overcome, then what initiative step toward a southern + Union, for the last resort, can be more effective than to unite + all the South on the Georgia platform and instructions? Our + influence in counsel and in action will be increased, whenever we + show a hearty disposition to harmonize with our sisters in the + South. Have we not heretofore kept aloof from their consultations + in every instance, save in the Nashville Convention?--and that was + a movement which did not derive any popularity in the South from + being suspected of having originated in South Carolina. Sooner or + later we must learn the important truth, that the fate and destiny + of the entire South is identical. Isolation will give neither + security nor concert. When we meet Virginia and Georgia, Alabama + and Mississippi, in consultation, as at Cincinnati, it is the + supremacy of Pharisaism to flippantly denounce such association as + either dangerous or degrading. North Carolina, Missouri, Florida, + and Texas, will be there represented; and are we too exalted or + conceited to meet them at the same council board? + + "We shall meet there many liberal men from the North; those who in + their section have done good service against political + abolitionism. When we insist upon our platform with firmness, and + they see we only make a demand of our constitutional rights, they + will concede it; and when they go home they will prosecute the + canvass in good faith, upon the principles enunciated at the + Convention. Concert among ourselves, with the aid of the + conservative men at the North, may enable us to save a + constitutional Union; if that cannot be preserved, it will enable + us to save ourselves and our institutions. Are we alone to have + unoccupied seats, when such grave matters are to be decided by the + Cincinnati Convention? + + "Suppose the Democracy of this State should decide not to send + delegates, and the other States of the South should follow her + example, who would be voted for? Could the party, _even at the + South_, without some concert, which could only be secured by + meeting, rally upon the same man? No well-informed person would + venture an affirmative answer; what would be the result? The + Democratic party would certainly be defeated, and the Know + Nothing, or Black Republican party, would as certainly be + successful. Our policy, then, would inevitably bring upon us + defeat; and if we are to be saved from a free-soil President, it + is only to be done by the party in the other States assembling and + making a nomination in which we refuse to participate. Even those + who are opposing the sending of the delegates, I doubt not, + rejoice in the hope that the other States, despite our + impracticable example, will meet and nominate candidates. + + * * * * * + + "The northern Democrats aided us to bring into the Union Texas, a + magnificent slave-holding territory--large enough to make four + slave States, and strengthened us more in that peculiar interest + than was ever before done by any single act of the Federal + Government. Since then they have amended a very imperfect fugitive + slave law, passed in 1793, and have given us now a law for the + recovery of fugitive slaves, as stringent as the ingenuity of man + could devise. Since then they have aided us by their votes in + establishing the doctrine of non-intervention with slavery by + Congress in the territories. Since then they have reduced the + odious tariff of 1842, and fixed the principle of imposts on the + revenue, not the protective basis. Since then they have actually + repealed the Missouri restriction, opened the territories to + settlement, and enabled us, if the South will be true to herself, + and aid in peopling Kansas, to form another slave State. + + "In 1843, a man would have been pronounced insane, had he + predicted that slavery would be introduced there by the removal of + congressional restrictions. Since then they have adopted the + Virginia and Kentucky resolutions and Madison's report--the very + corner-stone of State rights--as a part of the Democratic + platform. They have by their votes in Congress and Convention + given all these pledges to the Constitution since 1843; and if we + could then fraternize with them, what change has transpired that + justifies the delegates in that Convention, at least, in refusing + now to fraternize with northern and southern Democrats?" + +The reader will easily see Col. Orr's position from this letter. He is +a southern Democrat, and, as such, a defender of slavery and slavery +extension, a free trader, and an opponent of all homestead bills, but +he does not go with the most ultra class of Southern politicians; in +short, he is "a National Democrat." He stands by the Democratic +organization of the country, so long as it stands by the South and her +institutions as well as it has done in the past. Upon the new issues +of intervention for slavery in the territories he has not yet spoken, +but he was, of course, a rigid Lecomptonite. But during the debate on +the Kansas-Nebraska bill he spoke very decidedly. He said: "The +legislative authority of a territory is invested with no vote for or +against laws. We think they ought to pass laws in every territory, +when the territory is open to settlement, and slaveholders go there, +to protect slave property. But if they decline to pass such laws, what +is the remedy? _None, sir._ If the majority of the people are opposed +to the institution, and if they do not desire it ingrafted upon their +territory, all they have to do is simply to decline to pass laws in +the territorial legislature for its protection." + +In Congress, Col. Orr has generally ranged himself with the +compromising democracy. He is not born of the old aristocratic stock +of South Carolina planters, but was the son of a worker--a country +merchant. This fact has never been lost sight of by a portion of the +citizens of South Carolina, and they have been, some of them at least, +his bitter enemies for years. It is not impossible but Col. Orr, for +this reason, has taken a more "national" view of politics, and has +refused to go out of the Union for the sake of the slaveholding +aristocracy. + +In his personal appearance Col. Orr is not, perhaps, prepossessing; +though his great, black eye and fine open face show the force and +power of his intellect. He is large in person, and not particularly +graceful in his actions or appearance. He has a certain dignity, +however, which enforces attention if he is the orator of the occasion, +and obedience if he is the presiding officer. + + + + +JOHN MINOR BOTTS. + + +We have no extended sketch of Mr. Botts to present to the reader, but +a few leading facts in reference to the political man. + +Mr. Botts is a native of Dumfries, Prince William County, Virginia, +and was born in September, 1802. As early as 1834, he joined the Whig +party, and in 1839, he came to Congress as a Whig. He was known in the +House as a follower of Mr. Clay, or rather a supporter of Mr. Clay and +his peculiar doctrines. Mr. Botts, in other words, was in favor of a +highly protective tariff, the distribution of the public lands, and +internal improvements. He is to-day in favor of these measures of what +he would call reform. So strong was he in his devotion to the tenets +of the Whig party, that when President Tyler disappointed his friends +by his tariff policy, Mr. Botts, though a friend of years, at once +terminated the friendship. He could not hold in respect the man who, +it seemed to him, had betrayed his friends. + +Mr. Botts was opposed to the Kansas-Nebraska act and to the passage of +the Lecompton bill. Nevertheless he is a slaveholder and a defender of +the institution as it now exists in Virginia. But he is not a believer +in the finality of the present system, nor is he afraid to express his +opinions of slavery. This will be seen at once by the perusal of a +letter to the "Richmond Whig," from Mr. Botts, from which we quote. It +is dated April 18, 1859: + + "I have recently received many letters from different parts of the + State, asking for a copy of my Powhatan speech, delivered in 1850, + which it is impossible for me to furnish, as I have only some half + dozen copies left. As the best means of supplying the information + so earnestly sought by those friends who are anxious to ascertain + _what horrible sentiments I uttered on the subject of slavery_, + which have been recently, to a great extent, substituted for the + 'free negro' misrepresentation, I have concluded to publish, for + the benefit of the Imposition party in particular, everything in + that speech that relates to the question of slavery; garbled + extracts of which have already appeared in a small portion of the + press of that party--many of them, seeming to think there was no + great amount of capital to be made out of it, have declined to + notice it. The following is the portion objected to. I said: + + "'There are, sir, two parties in our country, distinct from all + the rest, of whom I wish to say a word. The one in the North, + called 'Abolitionists,' and the other, in the South, known as + 'Disunionists.' I am not sure for which of the two parties I have + the least sympathy or respect; and I am not sure to which attaches + the largest share of the responsibility for the chief difficulties + with which the nation has been lately afflicted. + + "The Abolitionists seem to estimate the value of this Union (and + to hold as a condition and a price for its continuance) by the + _abolition of African slavery_. While the ultra men of the South, + or disunionists, seem to regard the _perpetuation_ and _extension_ + of slavery as the chief bond that can hold them and the Union + together. For neither of these parties have I any sympathy. I hold + to the Union for far different, and, I trust, higher and nobler + purposes. It is for the _perpetuation of American Freedom_, rather + than the _abolition_ or _perpetuation of African Slavery_. I am + one of those who think slavery, in the abstract, is much to be + deprecated; and whilst I think that, as at present organized in + the southern States, it is a humanizing, civilizing, and + Christianizing institution, as must all agree who will take the + pains to compare the present condition of our slaves with the + original African race, yet I regard it as a great calamity that it + should have been entailed upon us; and I should look upon that man + as the first and greatest benefactor to his country, whose wisdom + could point out to us some practical and satisfactory means by + which we could, through our own instrumentality, and without + interference from our neighbors, provide for the ultimate + emancipation and removal of all the slaves in the country. I speak + of this as a desirable thing, especially to the owners of slaves, + who, I think, are the chief sufferers, but at the same time I fear + it is perfectly Utopian to attempt it; but I have seen too much + difference between the enterprise, the industry, and the + prosperity of the free and the slave States, to doubt the + advantage we would derive from it if it could be accomplished.' + + "Now, there it is; let them make the most of it. I will add, that + I said it all at mature age, after full and careful deliberation, + honestly believing and thinking all that it contains. I have seen + no reason for _modification_, _recantation_, or _equivocation_. + What I thought and said then, I think and repeat now, _in the most + emphatic terms_; and hold, that he who objects to the sentiments + conveyed, to be consistent, must not only be in favor of reopening + the African slave trade at this time, but must take the position, + that if no such thing as slavery had ever been known to or + introduced amongst us, he would now favor its introduction for the + first time; for if its original introduction is not to be + deprecated, but justified and approved, why would he not advocate + a traffic that holds so high a place in his judgment and regard? I + do not know how many there are in this State, or in the South, who + set themselves up as advocates of this revolting trade, nor do I + care; I have only to say, that I am not one of them, and that, as + a _humanized_, _civilized_ and _christianized_, member of the + community, I should be utterly _ashamed_ of myself, if I could + _entertain_ any other opinions than those I have expressed; and I + should deserve the scorn of all men, if I could permit any + condition of the public mind to induce me so far to _debase_ + myself as to render me capable of expressing any other, for the + purpose of catering to a morbid, vitiated, and corrupt taste, or + to an affected and artificial sentimentality on the subject of + slavery. These were then, and are now, my honest convictions, and + I think all who have participated in the clamor that has been + attempted to be gotten up, for the opportunity afforded me of + proclaiming them from the house-tops, to the _humanized_, + _civilized_, and _christianized_ world; and I hope the Imposition + press, throughout the State, will publish them, and that their + candidates for gubernational and subordinate honors may read this + my last declaration on the subject, wherever they may speak. + + "In another part of that speech I said: + + "'What I would ask and _demand_ of the North, is that they shall + not interfere with slavery as it exists under the Constitution; + that they shall not touch the question of the slave trade between + the States; that they shall carry out the true intent and meaning + of the Constitution in reference to the restitution of fugitive + slaves. These are the _true issues_ between the North and the + South; and I would go as far as he who goes furthest in exacting + them, 'at all hazards, and to the last extremity." And what I + would ask of the South is, not to suffer itself to be led off, + without due consideration, upon false issues, presented by + intemperate or over-zealous politicians, many of whom delight in, + and live upon, agitation and excitement, and many more, perhaps, + who owe their ephemeral fame and position to a _pretended, + exclusive championship for southern rights_. Southern honor does + not depend upon making unreasonable and untenable demands. The + interference _with_, or abolition _of_ slavery, where it exists, + is one thing; the extension of it, where it does not exist, is a + very different thing! Let us claim no more than we are entitled to + under the Constitution; and then, what we do claim, let us stand + by, like men who "know their rights, and, knowing, dare maintain + them.'" + + "I have seen no reason to recant what I said here, either; these + are the sentiments I now entertain, as I did when they were + delivered before the people of Powhatan. What fault do they find + with this? Do they indorse it or repudiate it? If they indorse it, + even-handed justice requires them to say so. If they condemn it, + justice to themselves, as they are resolved to make war on me, + requires that they should point out wherein they differ from me. + + "In this connection it may be proper to add, for the information + of all who feel an interest in my record, one short paragraph from + my African Church speech, in 1856, relating to the same subject; + and from the several extracts herewith furnished, I think few will + have any difficulty in ascertaining my position on the slavery + question. Here is the passage referred to: + + "'My position on the question of slavery is this; and, so far from + wishing to conceal it, I desire it should be known to all. Muzzles + were made for dogs, and not for men; and no press and no party can + put a muzzle on my mouth, so long as I value my freedom. I make + bold, then, to proclaim that I am no slavery propagandist. I will + resort to all proper remedies to protect and defend slavery where + it exists, but I will neither assist in nor encourage any attempt + to force it upon a reluctant people anywhere, and still less will + I justify the use of the military power of the country to + establish it in any of the territories. If it finds its way there + by legitimate means, it is all well; but never by force, through + any instrumentality of mine. I am myself a slaveholder, and all + the property my children have in the world is slave property, + inherited from their mother; and he who undertakes to connect my + name, or my opinions, with abolitionism, is either a knave or a + fool, and not unfrequently both. And this is the only answer I + have to make to them. I have not connected myself with any + sectional party or sectional question; and so help me God, I never + will.'" + + + + +JAMES H. HAMMOND. + + +The moderate political views which Gov. Hammond, of South Carolina, +has within a couple of years given publicity to, has given him a +somewhat national reputation among the adherents of the Democratic +party. He came to Congress as a politician of the Southern Rights +school, and it was generally supposed that he would be found acting +with the ultra wing of the Southern party in Congress. He brought with +him the reputation of a scholar and an orator, and mingled at once in +the Lecompton fray. He took sides with the administration against Mr. +Douglas, though it was noticed at the time that the senator had very +little to say about the Lecompton Constitution and the real issue then +before Congress. His speeches were upon the general question of +slavery. + +The new senator from South Carolina attracted the universal attention +of Congress and the strangers then present in Washington, and the +impression he made was generally a happy one. His manners were quiet, +unostentatious, gentlemanly. His style of speech was smooth, pleasant, +and sometimes eloquent. As a man he was liked. Genial in his nature +and pleasant in his conversation, he soon made warm friends at the +capital--even among some of the very men whom he had in his South +Carolina home regarded as little less than monsters in human shape. +Senator Hammond at first tried his lance with the Illinois Giant, but +either from personal considerations, or other, he soon desisted. To +show Gov. Hammond's position on the slavery question in the winter of +1847-8, we quote a few passages from his celebrated speech delivered +in the Senate in the Lecompton debate. We have, in the following +passage, his opinion of squatter sovereignty: + + "If what I have said be correct, then the will of the people of + Kansas is to be found in the action of her Constitutional + Convention. It is immaterial whether it is the will of a majority + of the people of Kansas _now_, or not. The convention was, or + might have been, elected by a majority of the people of Kansas. A + convention, elected in April, may well frame a constitution that + would not be agreeable to a majority of the people of a new State, + rapidly filling up, in the succeeding January; and if legislatures + are to be allowed to put to vote the acts of a convention, and + have them annulled by a subsequent influx of immigrants, there is + no finality. If you were to send back the Lecompton Constitution, + and another was to be framed, in the slow way in which we do + public business in this country, before it would reach Congress + and be passed, perhaps the majority would be turned the other way. + Whenever you go outside of the regular forms of law and + constitutions to seek for the will of the people, you are + wandering in a wilderness--a wilderness of thorns. + + "If this was a minority constitution, I do not know that that + would be an objection to it. Constitutions are made for + minorities. Perhaps minorities ought to have the right to make + constitutions, for they are administered by majorities. The + Constitution of this government was made by a minority, and as + late as 1840 a minority had it in their hands, and could have + altered or abolished it; for, in 1840, six out of the twenty-six + States of the Union held the numerical majority. In all countries + and in all time, it is well understood that the numerical majority + of the people could, if they chose, exercise the sovereignty of + the country; but for want of intelligence, and for want of + leaders, they have never yet been able successfully to combine and + form a stable popular government. They have often attempted it, + but it has always turned out, instead of a popular sovereignty, a + _populace_ sovereignty; and demagogues, placing themselves upon + the movement, have invariably led them into military despotism. + + "I think that the popular sovereignty which the senator from + Illinois would derive from the acts of his territorial + legislature, and from the information received from partisans and + partisan presses, would lead us directly into _populace_, and not + popular sovereignty. Genuine popular sovereignty never existed on + a firm basis except in this country. The first gun of the + Revolution announced a new organization of it, which was embodied + in the Declaration of Independence, developed, elaborated, and + inaugurated forever in the Constitution of the United States. The + two pillars of it were Representation and the Ballot-box. In + distributing their sovereign powers among the various departments + of the Government, the people retained for themselves the single + power of the ballot-box; and a great power it was. Through that + they were able to control all the departments of the Government. + It was not for the people to exercise political power in detail; + it was not for them to be annoyed with the cares of government; + but, from time to time, through the ballot-box, to exert their + sovereign power and control the whole organization. This is + popular sovereignty, the popular sovereignty of a legal + constitutional ballot-box; and when spoken through that box, the + 'voice of the people,' for all political purposes, 'is the voice + of God; but when it is heard outside of that, it is the voice of a + demon, the _tocsin_ of the reign of terror." + +Speaking of the South and slavery, he said: + + "If we never acquire another foot of territory for the South, look + at her. Eight hundred and fifty thousand square miles. As large as + Great Britain, France, Austria, Prussia, and Spain. Is not that + territory enough to make an empire that shall rule the world? With + the finest soil, the most delightful climate, whose staple + productions none of those great countries can grow, we have three + thousand miles of continental shore line, so indented with bays + and crowded with islands, that, when their shore lines are added, + we have twelve thousand miles. Through the heart of our country + runs the great Mississippi, the father of waters, into whose bosom + are poured thirty-six thousand miles of tributary streams; and + beyond we have the desert prairie wastes, to protect us in our + rear. Can you hem in such a territory as that? You talk of putting + up a wall of fire around eight hundred and fifty thousand square + miles so situated! How absurd. + + "But, in this territory lies the great valley of the Mississippi, + now the real, and soon to be the acknowledged, seat of empire of + the world. The sway of that valley will be as great as ever the + Nile knew in the earlier ages of mankind. We own the most of it. + The most valuable part of it belongs to us now; and, although + those who have settled above us are now opposed to us, another + generation will tell a different tale. They are ours by all the + laws of nature; slave labor will go over every foot of this great + valley where it will be found profitable to use it; and some of + those who may not use it are soon to be united with us by such + ties as will make us one and inseparable. The iron horse will soon + be clattering over the sunny plains of the South, to bear the + products of its upper tributaries to our Atlantic ports, as it now + does through the ice-bound North. There is the great Mississippi, + a bond of union made by Nature herself. She will maintain it + forever." + + * * * * * + + "In all social systems, there must be a class to do the menial + duties, to perform the drudgery of life--that is, a class + requiring but a low order of intellect and but little skill. Its + requisites are vigor, docility, fidelity. Such a class you must + have, or you would not have that other class which leads progress, + civilization, and refinement. It constitutes the very mud-sill of + society and of political government; and you might as well attempt + to build a house in the air, as to build either the one or the + other, except on this mud-sill. Fortunately for the South, she + found a race adapted to that purpose to her hand--a race inferior + to her own, but eminently qualified, in temper, in vigor, in + docility, in capacity, to stand the climate to answer all her + purposes. We use them for our purpose, and call them slaves. We + found them slaves, by the 'common consent of mankind,' which, + according to Cicero, '_lex naturae est_'--the highest proof of what + is Nature's law. We are old-fashioned at the South yet; it is a + word discarded now by 'ears polite;' I will not characterize that + class at the North with that term; but you have it; it is there; + it is everywhere; it is eternal." + +Upon going home to his South Carolina plantation, a change seems +to have come over the mind of the senator--or he was greatly +misunderstood while at Washington. In a speech, delivered at Brownwell +Court House, South Carolina, October 27, 1858, he astonished some of +his neighbors as well as distant friends and enemies, by the +enunciation of peculiarly moderate views for a South Carolina +Democrat. Let us quote a few paragraphs. First upon Disunion. Says +Senator Hammond: + + "But I will not detain you longer with what belongs to the past. + The present and the future are what concern us most. You desire to + know my opinion of the course the South should pursue under + existing circumstances. I will give you, frankly and fully, the + results of my observations and reflections on this all-important + point. The first question is, Do the people of the South consider + the present Union of these States as an evil in itself, and a + thing that it is desirable we should get rid of under all + circumstances? There are some, I know, who do; but I am satisfied + that an overwhelming majority of the South would, if assured that + this government was hereafter to be conducted on the true + principles and construction of the Constitution, decidedly prefer + to remain in the Union rather than incur the unknown costs and + hazards of setting up a separate government. I think I say what is + true when I say that, after all the bitterness that has + characterized our long warfare, the great body of the southern + people do not seek disunion, and will not seek it as a primary + object, however promptly they may accept it as an alternative, + rather than submit to unconstitutional abridgments of their + rights. I confess that for many years of my life I believed that + our only safety was in the dissolution of the Union, and I openly + avowed it. I should entertain and without hesitation express the + same sentiments now, but that the victories we have achieved, and + those I think we are about to achieve, have inspired me with hope, + I may say the belief, that we can fully sustain ourselves in the + Union, and control its action in all great affairs." + +Upon the African Slave Trade thus speaks the senator: + + "We have it proposed to reopen the African slave trade and bring + in hordes of slaves from that prolific region to restore the + balance. I once entertained that idea myself; but, on further + investigation, I abandoned it. I will not now go into the + discussion of it further than to say that the South is itself + divided on that policy, and, from appearances, opposed to it by a + vast majority, while the North is unanimously against it. It would + be impossible to get Congress to reopen the trade. If it could be + done, then it would be unnecessary, for that result could only be + brought about by such an entire abandonment by the North and the + world of all opposition to our slave system that we might safely + cease to erect any defences for it. But if we could introduce + slaves, where could we find suitable territory for new slave + States? The Indian Reserve, west of Arkansas, might make one; but + we have solemnly guaranteed that to the remnants of the red race. + Everywhere else, I believe, the borders of our States have reached + the great desert which separates the Atlantic from the Pacific + States of this Confederacy. Nowhere is African slavery likely to + flourish in the little oasis of that Sahara of America. It is much + more likely, I think, to get the Pacific slope and to the north in + the great valley than anywhere else outside of its present limits. + Shall we, as some suggest, take Mexico and Central America to make + slave States? African slavery appears to have failed there. + Perhaps, and most probably, it will never succeed in those + regions. If it might, what are we to do with the seven or eight + millions of hardly semi-civilized Indians and the two or three + millions of Creole Spaniards and Mongrels who now hold those + countries? We would not enslave the Indians! Experience has proved + that they are incapable of steady labor, and are therefore unfit + for slavery. We would not exterminate them, even if that inhuman + achievement would not cost ages of murder and incalculable sums of + money. We could hardly think of attempting to plant the black race + there, superior for labor, though inferior, perhaps, in intellect, + and expect to maintain a permanent and peaceful industry, such as + slave labor must be to be profitable, amid those idle, restless, + demoralized children of Montezuma, scarcely more civilized, + perhaps more sunk in superstition, than in his age, and now + trained to civil war by half a century of incessant revolution. + What, I say, could we do with these people or these countries to + add to southern strength? Nothing. Could we degrade ourselves so + far as to annex them on equal terms, they would be sure to come + into this Union free States all. To touch them in any way is to be + contaminated. England and France, I have no doubt, would gladly + see us take this burden on our back if we would secure for them + their debts and a neutral route across the Isthmus. Such a route + we must have for ourselves, and that is all we have to do with + them. If we can not get it by negotiation or by purchase, we must + seize and hold it by force of arms. The law of nations would + justify it, and it is absolutely necessary for our Pacific + relations. The present condition of those unhappy States is + certainly deplorable, but the good God holds them in the hollow of + his hand and will work out their proper destinies." + +Upon the Cuban question: + + "We might expand the area of slavery by acquiring Cuba, where + African slavery is already established. Mr. Calhoun, from whose + matured opinions, whether on constitutional principles or southern + policy, it will rarely be found safe to depart, said that Cuba was + 'forbidden fruit' to us unless plucked in an exigency of war. + There is no reasonable grounds to suppose that we can acquire it + in any other way; and the war that will open to us such an + occasion will be great and general, and bring about results that + the keenest intellect cannot now anticipate. But if we had Cuba, + we could not make more than two or three slave States there, which + would not restore the equilibrium of the North and South; while, + with the African slave trade closed, and her only resort for + slaves to this continent, she would, besides crushing our whole + sugar culture by her competition, afford in a few years a market + for all the slaves in Missouri, Kentucky and Maryland. She is, + notwithstanding the exorbitant taxes imposed on her, capable now + of absorbing the annual increase of all the slaves on this + continent, and consumes, it is said, twenty to thirty thousand a + year by her system of labor. Slaves decrease there largely. In + time, under the system practised, every slave in America might be + exterminated in Cuba as were the Indians. However the idle African + may procreate in the tropics, it yet remains to be proven, and the + facts are against the conclusion, that he can in those regions + work and thrive. It is said Cuba is to be 'Africanized' rather + than that the United States should take her. That threat, which at + one time was somewhat alarming, is no longer any cause of + disquietude to the South, after our experience of the Africanizing + of St. Domingo and Jamaica. What have we lost by that?" + +And finally upon his own position as a National Democrat: + + "And this leads me to say that having never been a mere party + politician, intriguing and wire-pulling to advance myself or + others, I am not learned in the rubric of the thousand slang, + unmeaning and usually false party names to which our age gives + birth. But I have been given to understand that there are two + parties in the South, called 'National' and 'State Rights' + Democrats. The word 'national' having been carefully excluded from + the Constitution by those who framed it, I never supposed it + applicable to any principle of our government; and having been + surrendered to the almost exclusive use in this country of the + federal consolidationists, I have myself repudiated it. But if a + southern 'National Democrat' means one who is ready to welcome + into our ranks with open arms, and cordially embrace and promote + according to his merits every honest free State man who reads the + Constitution as we do, and will cooperate with us in its + maintenance, then I belong to that party, call it as you may, and + I should grieve to find a southern man who does not. + + "But, on the other hand, having been all my life, and being still, + an ardent 'State Rights' man--believing 'State Rights' to be an + essential, nay, the essential, element of the Constitution, and + that no one who thinks otherwise can stand on the same + constitutional platform that I do, it seems to me that I am, and + all those with whom I act habitually are, if Democrats at all, + true 'State Rights Democrats.' Nothing in public affairs so + perplexes and annoys me as these absurd party names, and I never + could be interested in them. I could easily comprehend two great + parties, standing on two great antagonistic principles which are + inherent in all things human; the right and the wrong, the good + and the evil, according to the peculiar views of each individual; + and was never at a loss to find my side, as now, in what are known + as the Democratic and Republican parties of this country. But the + minor distinctions have, for the most part, seemed to me to be + factitious and factious, gotten up by cunning men for selfish + purposes, to which the true patriot and honest man should be slow + to lend himself. For myself and for you, while I represent you, I + shall go for the Constitution strictly construed and faithfully + carried out. I will make my fight, such as it may be, by the side + of any man, whether from the North, South, East or West, who will + do the same; and I will do homage to his virtue, his ability, his + courage, and, so far as I can, make just compensation for his + toils, and hazards, and sacrifices. As to the precise mode and + manner of conducting this contest, that must necessarily, to a + great extent, depend upon the exigencies that arise; but, of + course, I could be compelled by no exigency, by no party ties or + arrangements, to give up my principles, or the least of those + principles which constitute our great cause." + +Senator Hammond entered the Senate with the reputation of a southern +"Fire-eater," but before a year had passed by, he had taken ground +with the most conservative northern Democrat, on Cuba, the African +slave trade, and the general question of the annexation of foreign +territory to this Union. Here was an apparent change which very +naturally excited the criticisms of the ultra southern politicians. + +Gov. Hammond is a native of Newberg District, South Carolina, where he +was born, November 15, 1807. His parents were natives of the State of +New York. He graduated at Columbia College, S.C., practised law from +1828 to 1830, afterward became editor of the "Southern Times," came to +Congress a single term in 1835 and when the two years were over, made +the trip of Europe. In 1841, he was made a militia general--yet +something of an honor in South Carolina--and a year later was elected +Governor of the Palmetto State. After a single term he retired to his +extensive estate upon the Savannah River, where he remained in quiet, +raising cotton and reading books till in 1857 he was elected by the +State legislature to represent, in part, South Carolina in the United +States Senate. + +In his personal appearance Senator Hammond is prepossessing. He is of +medium height, has a fine, open face, sparkling black eyes, and black +hair--what there is left--a broad forehead and the manners of a +pleasant gentleman. + + + + +HOWELL COBB. + + +Mr. Cobb is a native of Cherry Hill, Georgia, where he was born, in +September, 1815. His father was in affluent circumstances, and the +family one of distinction. He was educated at Franklin College, +Georgia, where he graduated at the age of nineteen, in the year 1834. +His uncle, Howell Cobb, after whom he was named, was in Congress +during the war of 1812, and still later a cousin was U.S. senator. So +the young man had examples in his own family of political distinction +which were calculated to fire his ambition. + +In 1834, Mr. Cobb was married, which was set down, we dare say, by his +elderly friends as a very imprudent step, for he was but nineteen and +had no profession; nevertheless, he established his household gods at +that time, and two years after was admitted to the bar. The very next +year he was made solicitor general of the western part of Georgia, so +finely had he succeeded in his profession. For the next three years he +applied himself very closely to the duties of his profession, and +being naturally shrewd and quick-witted, he at once attained unusual +success. To this day, in Upper Georgia, Mr. Cobb has a reputation +unsurpassed by no local favorite. + +Early in life, Mr. Cobb was known as a Jackson or Union man, in the +thick of the nullification agitation. Either from education or nature, +he seems from the first to have had a repugnance for ultraism, and has +therefore never agreed with that class of southern politicians usually +termed Fire-eaters. + +In 1842, Mr. Cobb was elected to Congress, where he, in a short time, +rose to a prominent position as one of the party leaders among the +Democratic members. He was especially great on parliamentary +questions, and was in his way a party oracle in these matters. Though +he never sympathized with the disunionists of the South, he has been a +consistent as well as an ardent supporter of the institution of negro +slavery. His entire course in Congress showed his strong and +persistent opposition to any of the movements of the friends of +freedom. He voted against the right of petition on the 3d of May, +1844, and made a strong speech in favor of utter free trade. Mr. Cobb +also favored the Mexican war. In 1849, he underwent a severe contest +in Georgia. While in Congress he supported the famous compromise +measures, which secured to him the opposition and enmity of the +southern fire-eaters. The greatest contest of his life ensued. The +Union Democrats put him in nomination for Governor of Georgia, and he +took the stump and was elected by a tremendous majority. In 1855, he +was reelected to Congress and was soon known as a Buchanan man. He +labored for Mr. Buchanan's nomination, and when he was nominated +canvassed the county in favor of his election. This secured, Mr. Cobb +was rewarded for his services by a seat in the Cabinet, and as he was +thought to be peculiarly fitted for the Treasury Department, he was +made Secretary of the Treasury. + +As a member of the Cabinet, Mr. Cobb used his influence in favor of +the Lecompton bill and made war upon Mr. Douglas. During the winter of +1858-9 his recommendations on the tariff question were thought to +indicate a change of opinion. Formerly he was in favor of free trade, +and lacking that, he was in favor of the nearest possible approach to +it. But in his communications to Congress as Secretary of the +Treasury, Mr. Cobb admitted that the revenues of the country were not +sufficient for its expenses, and he recommended a revision of the +tariff to meet the emergency. It is not probable, however, under +present circumstances, that he would favor any change in the tariff. + +As a man--socially speaking, we mean--Mr. Cobb is a favorite. Good +natured and intelligent, he is surrounded by scores of friends, who +like him all the better for the fact that he has been independent +enough in his political career to make enemies. + + + + +JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE. + + +Perhaps no public man has more friends or fewer enemies than Mr. +Breckinridge; but his modesty, or caution, is so great, that but few +particulars of his history have ever got into print. His high position +has attracted the eyes of the nation as well as the Senate to him, and +he has been unanimously pronounced, both by political friend and foe, +to be an impartial presiding officer, and a pleasant and upright man. +His personal appearance is unusually prepossessing, and his social +bearing is such as to win him scores of friends. + +Mr. Breckinridge was born near Lexington, Kentucky, January 21, 1821, +and is the grandson of John Breckinridge, who was United States +Senator and Attorney General. He was educated at Central College, +Danville, and studied law at Transylvania Institute. After his +professional education was complete, he emigrated to Iowa, but the +frontier life did not suit him, and he returned to Kentucky, where +there was a better field for the display of his talents. Soon after +his return, he married Miss Birch of Georgetown, Kentucky, and settled +down in Lexington in the practice of his profession. When the Mexican +war broke out, he volunteered at once to take a part in it, and was +elected Major of the Third Regiment of Kentucky volunteers. The +regiment came to the scene of strife so late that they did not see +much active service. + +Upon Mr. Breckinridge's return from Mexico, he was elected to the +State legislature, and in 1851, after an exciting contest with General +Leslie Coomb, he was elected to Congress. In 1853, a still fiercer +canvass ensued; but he was reelected to the House by a heavy majority. +One of his first acts was to deliver a eulogy upon Henry Clay, a +political opponent. + +In the Thirty-third Congress, an unpleasant scene occurred between Mr. +Breckinridge and Mr. Cutting of New York, upon the Kansas and Nebraska +act. Mr. Cutting, though a Democrat, refused to support that measure, +while Mr. Breckinridge supported it with considerable zeal. + +The debate occurred March 27, 1854, and we quote from a report of it: + + "The House of Representatives, Monday, resolved itself into + committee of the whole on the Custom House bill, Mr. Hamilton in + the chair; but the chairman decided that before that bill could be + taken up, all those preceding it must first be set aside; and that + the first business in order was the consideration of the bill + making appropriations for the civil and diplomatic expenses of the + Government for the year ending June 30, 1855. Mr. Houston moved + that the committee take up the bill named by the Chair, which was + agreed to. + + "Mr. Cutting then arose and replied to the remarks made by Mr. + Breckinridge on Thursday last. He adverted to his course in moving + that the Senate Nebraska bill be committed to the committee of the + whole on the state of the Union, and said that at that time he + gave his reasons for the act, and declared that there was no + gentleman on this floor who was to be regarded as a stronger and + more zealous advocate of the great principle which the measure was + said to contain--that of non-intervention--than he was. But the + bill required amendment and discussion before it could receive + that support to which, in his opinion, it was entitled. After this + subject had been disposed of, and after the elapse of some two + days, a gentleman from a slaveholding State, who had had no lot or + parcel in its discussion, as a volunteer merely, came into the + House, and thought it not incompatible with his character as a + leading member to undertake to assail his motives; though it was + true that he disclaimed any intention of attacking them. The + gentleman [Mr. Breckinridge] came into the House, with + concentrated wrath and bitterness, to assail him for having, in + his place, and under his responsibility as a member, stated his + views frankly as to the direction this bill ought to take. + + "The gentleman had charged him with being a secret enemy of the + bill, and, while professing friendship for it, as having taken a + course which would end in its destruction. When did the gentleman + from Kentucky ever hear him say he was friendly to the bill? The + gentleman was present, and heard him declare his opposition to it + in the shape in which it came from the Senate, and the belief that + not only himself, but a majority of the House, would be found + against it. Had not the gentleman sufficient perspicuity of + understanding to know the difference between the principles + involved in a measure and a bill which professed to carry them + out? And when he [Mr. C.] declared in this House frankly and + openly, before the question on the motion to commit was put, that + he was against the bill, but in favor of the principles which it + professed to enact, how came the gentleman to undertake to declare + that he [Mr. C.] had declared himself a friend of the bill, + against the record, against the reports that appeared everywhere? + + "The gentleman had complained that by the motion to commit he [Mr. + C.] had consigned this measure to the tomb of the Capulets. If + this were so, and this bill could never again be brought before + the House, why did the gentleman submit to an hour's argument to + prove that it ought to pass? It was time wasted, time thrown away. + No gentleman acquainted with the orders of the calendar could for + a moment believe that sending this bill to the committee of the + whole would prevent action on it this session. The gentleman had + said that there were scores and scores of bills before it on the + calendar. Now, what was the fact? There were some eighteen or + nineteen bills and resolutions, all told, large and small, of + great and little degree, ahead of it on the calendar, including + appropriation bills, which were subject to the control of the + committee of ways and means. Then why, with this fact staring the + gentleman in the face, did the gentleman undertake, for the + purpose of making an assault on him, to declare that there were + scores upon scores of bills before this measure on the calendar? + By what authority did the gentleman, who had a supposed connection + with the Administration, complain of him, a friend of the measure, + of undertaking to send it to a tomb, where there was a mountain + piled upon it, for the purpose of creating a false impression in + the public mind? + + "For the course he had seen proper to pursue he had been assailed + in papers of this city (one of them, the "Union," it was said, + conducted by the clerk of this House), and by other presses. How + was it that he, a friend of the measure, had been selected as a + victim to drive off those who had given the principle their + support? Was it to assassinate the friends who had stood with him + on this subject? + + "MR. BRECKINRIDGE.--Does the gentleman intend to apply that remark + to me? + + "MR. CUTTING.--Not unless you consider yourself a portion of the + Union newspaper. + + "MR. BRECKINRIDGE.--I was at that moment taking a note, and heard + the word. I would ask whether the gentleman applied the remark to + me? + + "MR. CUTTING.--I did not. I am the only one charged with being an + assassin. + + "He had been subject to the continual attacks of New York papers, + which, while opposing this measure, were enjoying the patronage of + the Administration. + + "In the course of his remarks, he said that there was but one + single ground upon which the Democracy of the North could stand, + and that was the principle of non-intervention. If this was found + in the bill, he should vote for it; and the reason why he wished + it referred was for the purpose of examining into the matter, that + there might be a distinct and plain understanding between the + different sections of the country, as to the character of the act, + so that there might be no misunderstanding upon the subject of the + principles contained in it. + + "Mr. Breckinridge said that he had forborne to interrupt the + gentleman; but whilst his remarks were fresh in his mind he wished + to reply. + + "Mr. Cutting yielded, and no objection was made to Mr. B.'s + proceeding. + + "Mr. Breckinridge said that he had listened to the gentleman from + New York, who had not met a single position which he took the + other day. He had been amazed at the manner in which a man of + intellectual ingenuity had twisted and distorted words and + opinions out of their proper connections. + + "He explained that the reason why he permitted two days to elapse + before he replied to the gentleman, was because the gentleman + himself after making his speech the other day on the motion to + commit, put down the hatchway of the previous question, so that he + was denied an opportunity of responding to him. + + "He had said, and he now repeated, that with the gentleman's + motives he had nothing to do; he had made and should make no + attack upon them. When he spoke of the movement of the gentleman, + he characterized it as one the effect of which would be to kill + the bill, and said that after the question was decided, he was + surrounded by every abolitionist in the hall, and received their + congratulations for the course he had pursued. He did not intend + to charge the gentleman with intentionally playing the part of an + assassin; but said, and could not take it back, that the act, to + all intents, was like throwing one arm around it in friendship, + and stabbing it with the other--to kill the bill. + + "The gentleman from New York had said that there were but eighteen + or nineteen bills before the Nebraska bill on the calendar? + + "MR. ENGLISH.--There are fifty bills before the Senate bill. + + "MR. CUTTING.--Before the House bill? + + "MR. BRECKINRIDGE.--I will nail the gentleman to the counter + there. 'Before the House bill?' says he. 'Why, I give up that we + will never reach the Senate bill, but we will reach the House + bill.' But did not the gentleman say that his object in moving to + commit the bill was that he might discuss the bill and examine the + Badger proviso? And is not the Badger amendment contained in the + Senate bill? Thus it would be seen that the bill which the + gentleman moved to commit for the purpose of examining into could + never be reached. + + "The meaning of the gentleman's remarks about the press was, that + he (Mr. B.) had acted in concert with papers in this city to drive + the gentleman from the support of the bill. Was it not a low + ambition for a man to take a course against a measure because + another was for it? Did the gentleman suppose that twenty + Administrations could ever drive him (Mr. B.) from his position? + Even if the Administration were against the bill, he (Mr. B.) + would go for it. They should never influence him in this respect. + He had no more connection with the Administration than any other + gentleman on this floor. + + "The gentleman had said that he (Mr. B.) was the last individual + whom he supposed would have made an assault on him, because in the + hour of his greatest need the Hards came to his assistance. This + innuendo was so deep that he could not understand it, and + therefore asked for an explanation. + + "MR. CUTTING replied, that he had been informed that during the + canvass in Kentucky, it having been intimated that the gentleman's + friends needed assistance to accomplish his election, his friends + in New York made up a subscription of some $1,500, and transmitted + it to Kentucky, to be employed for the benefit of the gentleman, + who is now the peer of Presidents and Cabinets. [Laughter.] + + "MR. BRECKINRIDGE.--And not only the peer of Presidents and + Cabinets, but the peer of the gentleman from New York, fully and + in every respect. + + "MR. BRECKINRIDGE, resuming, said that the gentleman should have + known the truth of what he uttered before he pronounced it on this + floor. He (Mr. B.) was not aware that any intimations were sent + from Kentucky that funds were needed to aid in his election, nor + was he aware that they were received. He did not undertake to say + what the fact might be in regard to what the gentleman had said, + but he had no information whatever on that fact. He (Mr. B.) came + here not by the aid of money, but against the use of money. + [Applause.] The gentleman could not escape by any subtlety, or by + any ingenuity, a thorough and complete exposure of any ingenious + device to which he might resort for the purpose of putting + gentlemen in a false position, and the sooner he stopped that + game, the better. + + "MR. CUTTING said that he had given the gentleman an opportunity + of indulging in one of the most violent, inflammatory, and + personal assaults that had ever been known upon this floor; and he + would ask, how could the gentleman disclaim any attack upon him + when he followed it up by declaring that his (Mr. C.'s) intention + and motive was to destroy a measure for which he professed + friendship? + + "MR. BRECKINRIDGE asked the gentleman to point to the occasion + when he made such a remark. + + "MR. CUTTING submitted to the committee that the whole tenor and + scope of the speech of the gentleman from Kentucky was an attack + upon his motives in moving to commit the bill. It was in vain for + the gentleman to attempt to escape by disclaiming it; the fact was + before the committee. But he would say to the gentleman that he + scorned his imputation. How dare the gentleman undertake to assert + that he had professed friendship for the measure, with a view to + kill it, to assassinate it by sending it to the bottom of the + calendar? And then, when he said that the committee of the whole + had under its control the House bill upon this identical subject, + which the committee intended to take up, discuss, amend, and + report to the House, the gentleman skulked behind the Senate bill, + which had been sent to the foot of the calendar! + + "MR. BRECKINRIDGE.--I ask the gentleman to withdraw that last + word. + + "MR. CUTTING.--I withdraw nothing. I have uttered what I have said + in answer to one of the most violent and most personal attacks + that has ever been witnessed upon this floor. + + "MR. BRECKINRIDGE.--Then, when the gentleman says I skulk, he says + what is false. + + "THE CHAIR.--The gentleman is not in order. + + "MR. CUTTING.--I do not intend upon this floor to answer the + remark which the gentleman from Kentucky has thought proper to + employ. It belongs to a different region. It is not here that I + will desecrate my lips with undertaking to retort in that manner. + + "Mr. C. then declared that in moving to commit the bill, his + object was to get it in such a shape as would be satisfactory to + the country, and put at rest the outcries of fanaticism which now + prevailed throughout the land. + + "He desired peace and harmony, and would suggest to gentlemen who + were anxious for the passage of the bill, that it was not the best + mode of accomplishing their object by assailing those who + proclaimed themselves favorable to its principles and its great + cardinal outlines. It seemed to him, if gentlemen desired the + success of the bill, it would answer a better purpose if they + would turn their batteries upon its enemies, rather than attempt + to destroy those who were its friends." + +The result was, that the preliminaries of a duel were arranged, but +fortunately, by the interposition of friends, an amicable adjustment +of the difficulty was arrived at. + +When Mr. Pierce was in power, he offered Mr. Breckinridge the Spanish +mission, but he refused it. In 1856, he was put upon the Democratic +ticket and elected Vice-President of the United States. + +The official position of Mr. Breckinridge has been such as to render +his position on some of the present political issues somewhat +doubtful. He is, of course, a believer in the old Democratic creed, +and is a moderate supporter of the South and her institutions. It was +generally understood at Washington, during the Lecompton struggle, +that he sided with the President against Mr. Douglas--in other words, +was in favor of the bill. He was a warm supporter of Mr. Douglas in +1854, and his great measure, the Kansas act. In the last session of +Congress, Mr. Breckinridge gave his casting vote to postpone the +consideration of the Homestead bill, which gives an indication of his +hostility to the measure. He is a very fair politician, of unspotted +integrity as a man, and is possessed of talents of high order, such as +fit him to occupy with ability any office within the gift of the +people. + + + + +JOHN C. FREMONT. + + +The leadership of Mr. Fremont in a Presidential campaign has doubtless +made his name and history familiar to all intelligent men, but the +fact that he is a prominent candidate for the Presidency in 1860, +makes it proper to give in this volume an outline sketch of his life. +Aside from this, such men as Fremont, whether Presidential candidate +or not, whether President or not, are the great, daring, +characteristic, men of our times, and their deeds should always be +held in remembrance. + +Mr. Fremont is a native of Savannah, Georgia, where he was born, June +21, 1813. At an early age he entered the law office of John W. +Mitchell, of Charleston, where he gave such indications of talent, +that Mr. Mitchell bestowed unusual pains upon his education, placing +him under the care of an excellent teacher, Dr. Robertson, a Scotch +gentleman, who carried him through the classics. At the age of +sixteen, young Fremont was confirmed in the Protestant Episcopal +church. In 1833, the sloop-of-war Natchez entered the port of +Charleston and was ordered from there to South America. Fremont, just +twenty years old, got the situation of teacher of mathematics aboard +of her, and made a cruise of two and a half years. Upon his return, he +was made professor of mathematics and appointed to the frigate +Independence. He afterward made one of a corps of topographical +engineers to explore a route of a railway from Charleston to +Cincinnati. It was here that Fremont got his first experience of camp +life. He went next to the Upper Mississippi on a similar undertaking. + +In 1841, Mr. Fremont was ordered to examine the Desmoines River, in +Iowa--then a wilderness; and when it was performed, he returned to +marry Jessie Benton, the young daughter of Thomas H. Benton. The next +year he projected his first great exploring expedition to the Rocky +Mountains, setting out from Washington, May 2, 1842. The results of +the expedition were great and made a deep impression upon the +Government and nation, and a second expedition was ordered, much more +complete in preparation than the first. The party left Kansas in May, +1843, and did not get back to the United States until August of 1844. +The tour was full of dangers and thrilling incidents, and the results +were still more striking than those of the first expedition. Col. +Benton sketched the expedition in a few eloquent words, as follows: + + "'The Government deserves credit for the zeal with which it has + pursued geographical discovery.' Such is the remark which a + leading paper made upon the discoveries of Fremont, on his return + from his second expedition to the great West; and such is the + remark which all writers will make upon all his discoveries who + write history from public documents and outside views. With all + such writers the expeditions of Fremont will be credited to the + zeal of the Government for the promotion of science, as if the + Government under which he acted had conceived and planned these + expeditions, as Mr. Jefferson did that of Lewis and Clark, and + then selected this young officer to carry into effect the + instructions delivered to him. How far such history would be true + in relation to the first expedition, which terminated in the Rocky + Mountains, has been seen in the account which has been given of + the origin of that undertaking, and which leaves the Government + innocent of its conception; and, therefore, not entitled to the + credit of its authorship, but only to the merit of permitting it. + In the second, and greater expedition, from which great political + as well as scientific results have flowed, their merit is still + less; for, while equally innocent of its conception, they were not + equally passive to its performance--countermanding the expedition + after it had begun--and lavishing censure upon the adventurous + young explorer for his manner of undertaking it. The fact was, + that his first expedition barely finished, Mr. Fremont sought and + obtained orders for a second one, and was on the frontier of + Missouri with his command, when orders arrived at St. Louis to + stop him, on the ground that he had made a military equipment + which the peaceful nature of his geographical pursuit did not + require! as if Indians did not kill and rob scientific men as well + as others, if not in a condition to defend themselves. The + particular point of complaint was that he had taken a small + mountain howitzer, in addition to his rifles; and which, he was + informed, was charged to him, although it had been furnished upon + a regular requisition on the commandant of the arsenal at St. + Louis, approved by the commander of the military department + (Colonel, afterward General Kearney). Mr. Fremont had left St. + Louis, and was at the frontier, Mrs. Fremont being requested to + examine the letters that came after him, and forward those which + he ought to receive. She read the countermanding orders and + detained them! and Fremont knew nothing of their existence, until + after he had returned from one of the most marvellous and eventful + expeditions of modern times--one to which the United States are + indebted (among other things) for the present ownership of + California, instead of seeing it a British possession. The writer + of this view, who was then in St. Louis, approved of the course + which his daughter had taken (for she had stopped the orders + before he knew it); and he wrote a letter to the department + condemning the recall, repulsing the reprimand which had been + lavished upon Fremont, and demanding a court martial for him when + he should return. The Secretary of War was then Mr. James Madison + Porter, of Pennsylvania; the chief of the topographical corps the + same as now (Colonel Abert), himself an office man, surrounded by + West Point officers, to whose pursuit of easy service, Fremont's + adventurous expedition was a reproach; and in conformity to whose + opinions the secretary seemed to have acted. On Fremont's return, + upward of a year afterward, Mr. William Wilkins, of Pennsylvania, + was Secretary of War, and received the young explorer with all + honor and friendship, and obtained for him the brevet of captain + from President Tyler. And such is the inside view of this piece of + history--very different from what documentary evidence would make + it. + + "To complete his survey across the continent, on the line of + travel between the State of Missouri and the tide-water region of + the Columbia, was Fremont's object in this expedition; and it was + all that he had obtained orders for doing; but only a small part, + and to his mind, an insignificant part, of what he proposed doing. + People had been to the mouth of the Columbia before, and his + ambition was not limited to making tracks where others had made + them before him. There was a vast region beyond the Rocky + Mountains--the whole western slope of our continent--of which but + little was known; and of that little, nothing with the accuracy of + science. All that vast region, more than seven hundred miles + square--equal to a great kingdom in Europe--was an unknown land--a + sealed book, which he longed to open, and to read. Leaving the + frontier of Missouri in May, 1843, and often diverging from his + route for the sake of expanding his field of observation, he had + arrived in the tide-water region of Columbia in the month of + November; and had then completed the whole service which his + orders embraced. He might then have returned upon his tracks, or + been brought home by sea, or hunted the most pleasant path for + getting back; and if he had been a routine officer, satisfied with + fulfilling an order, he would have done so. Not so the young + explorer, who held his diploma from nature, and not from the + United States Military Academy. He was, at Fort Vancouver, guest + of the hospitable Dr. McLaughlin, Governor of the British Hudson + Bay Fur Company; and obtained from him all possible information + upon his intended line of return--faithfully given, but which + proved to be disastrously erroneous in its leading and governing + feature. A southeast route, to cross the great unknown region + diagonally through its heart (making a line from the Lower + Columbia to the Upper Colorado of the Gulf of California), was his + line of return; twenty-five men (the same who had come with him + from the United States) and a hundred horses, were his equipment; + and the commencement of winter the time of starting--all without a + guide, relying upon their guns for support; and, in the last + resort, upon their horses--such as should give out! for one that + could carry a man, or a pack, could not be spared for food. + + "All the maps up to that time had shown this region traversed from + east to west--from the base of the Rocky Mountains to the bay of + San Francisco--by a great river called the _Buena Ventura_: which + may be translated, the _Good Chance_. Governor McLaughlin believed + in the existence of this river, and made out a conjectural + manuscript map to show its place and course. Fremont believed in + it, and his plan was to reach it before the dead of winter, and + then hibernate upon it. As a great river, he knew that it must + have some rich bottoms, covered with wood and grass, where the + wild animals would collect and shelter, when the snows and + freezing winds drove them from the plains: and with these animals + to live on, and grass for the horses, and wood for fires, he + expected to avoid suffering, if not to enjoy comfort, during his + solitary sojourn in that remote and profound wilderness. + + "He proceeded--soon encountered deep snows, which impeded progress + upon the highlands--descended into a low country to the left + (afterward known to be the Great Basin, from which no water issues + to any sea)--skirted an enormous chain of mountain on the right, + luminous with the glittering white snow--saw strange Indians, who + mostly fled--found a desert--no Buena Ventura; and death from cold + and famine staring him in the face. The failure to find the river, + or tidings of it, and the possibility of its existence seeming to + be forbid by the structure of the country, and hibernation in the + inhospitable desert being impossible, and the question being that + of life and death, some new plan of conduct became indispensable. + His celestial observations told him that he was in the latitude of + the bay of San Francisco, and only seventy miles from it. But what + miles! up and down that snowy mountain which the Indians told him + no men could cross in the winter--which would have snow upon it as + deep as the trees, and places where people would slip off, and + fall half a mile at a time;--a fate which actually befell a mule, + packed with the precious burden of botanical specimens, collected + along a travel of two thousand miles. No reward could induce an + Indian to become a guide in the perilous adventure of crossing + this mountain. All recoiled and fled from the adventure. It was + attempted without a guide--in the dead of winter--accomplished in + forty days--the men and surviving horses, a woeful procession, + crawling along one by one--skeleton men leading skeleton + horses--and arriving at Sutter's Settlement in the beautiful + valley of the Sacramento; and where a genial warmth, and budding + flowers, and trees in foliage, the grassy ground, and flowing + streams, and comfortable food, made a fairy contrast with the + famine and freezing they had encountered, and the lofty Sierra + Nevada which they had climbed. Here he rested and recruited; and + from this point, and by way of Monterey, the first tidings were + heard of the party since leaving Fort Vancouver. + + "Another long progress to the south, skirting the western base of + the Sierra Nevada, made him acquainted with the noble valley of + the San Joaquin, counterpart to that of the Sacramento; when + crossing through a gap, and turning to the left, he skirted the + Great Basin; and by many deviations from the right line home, + levied incessant contributions to science from expanded lands, not + described before. In this eventful exploration, all the great + features of the western slope of our continent were brought to + light--the Great Salt Lake, the Utah Lake, the Little Salt Lake; + at all which places, then deserts, the Mormons now are; the Sierra + Nevada, then solitary in the snow, now crowded with Americans, + digging gold from its flanks; the beautiful valleys of the + Sacramento and San Joaquin, then alive with wild horses, elk, + deer, and wild fowls, now smiling with American cultivation, the + Great Basin itself, and its contents; the Three Parks; the + approximation of the great rivers which, rising together in the + central region of the Rocky Mountains, go off east and west, + toward the rising and the setting sun--all these, and other + strange features of a new region, more Asiatic than American, were + brought to light and revealed to public view in the results of + this exploration. + + "Eleven months he was never out of sight of snow; and sometimes, + freezing with cold, would look down upon a sunny valley, warm with + genial heat; sometimes, panting with the summer's heat, would look + up at the eternal snows which crowned the neighboring mountain. + But it was not then that California was secured to the Union--to + the greatest power of the new world--to which it of right + belonged; but it was the first step toward the acquisition, and + the one that led to it. The second expedition led to a third, just + in time to snatch the golden California from the hands of the + British, ready to clutch it. But of this hereafter. Fremont's + second expedition was now over. He had left the United States a + fugitive from his Government, and returned with a name that went + over Europe and America, and with discoveries bearing fruit which + the civilized world is now enjoying." + +In 1845, the third expedition of Col. Fremont was made--principally +intended to explore the Great Basin and country of Oregon and +California. + + "He approached these settlements in the winter of 1845-6. Aware of + the critical state of affairs between the United States and + Mexico, and determined to give no cause of offence to the + authorities of the province, with commendable prudence he haulted + his command on the frontier, one hundred miles from Monterey, and + proceeded alone to that city to explain the object of his coming + to the commandant general, Castro, and to obtain permission to go + to the valley of the San Joaquin, where there was game for his men + and grass for his horses, and no inhabitants to be molested by his + presence. The leave was granted; but scarcely had he reached the + desired spot for refreshment and repose, before he received + information from the American settlements, and by express from our + Consul at Monterey, that General Castro was preparing to attack + him with a comparatively large force of artillery, cavalry and + infantry, upon the pretext that, under the cover of a scientific + mission, he was exciting the American settlers to revolt. In view + of this danger and to be in a condition to repel an attack, he + then took a position on a mountain overlooking Monterey, at a + distance of about thirty miles, intrenched it, raised the flag of + the United States, and with his own men, sixty-two in number, + awaited the approach of the commandant general. + + "From the 7th to the 10th of March, Colonel Fremont and his little + band maintained this position. General Castro did not approach + within attacking distance, and Colonel Fremont, adhering to his + plan of avoiding all collisions, and determined neither to + compromise his Government nor the American settlers, ready to join + him at all hazards, if he had been attacked, abandoned his + position, and commenced his march for Oregon, intending by that + route to return to the United States. Deeming all danger from the + Mexicans to be past, he yielded to the wishes of some of his men + who desired to remain in the country, discharged them from his + service, and refused to receive others in their stead, so cautious + was he to avoid doing anything which would compromit the American + settlers or give even a color of offence to the Mexican + authorities. He pursued his march slowly and leisurely, as the + state of his men and horses required, until the middle of May, and + had reached the northern shore of the greater Tlamath Lake, within + the limits of the Oregon territory, when he found his further + progress in that direction obstructed by impassable snowy + mountains and hostile Indians, who, having been excited against + him by General Castro, had killed and wounded four of his men, and + left him no repose either in camp or on his march. At the same + time, information reached him that General Castro, in addition to + his Indian allies, was advancing in person against him with + artillery and cavalry, at the head of four or five hundred men; + that they were passing around the head of the Bay of San Francisco + to a rendezvous on the north side of it, and that the American + settlers in the valley of the Sacramento were comprehended in the + scheme of destruction meditated against his own party. + + "Under these circumstances, he determined to turn upon his Mexican + pursuers, and seek safety both for his own party and the American + settlers, not merely in the defeat of Castro, but in the total + overthrow of the Mexican authority in California, and the + establishment of an independent government in that extensive + department. It was on the 6th of June, and before the commencement + of the war between the United States and Mexico could have there + been known, that this resolution was taken; and, by the 5th of + July, it was carried into effect by a series of rapid attacks, by + a small body of adventurous men, under the conduct of an intrepid + leader, quick to perceive and able to direct the proper measures + for accomplishing such a daring enterprise. + + "On the 11th of June, a convoy of 200 horses for Castro's camp, + with an officer and 14 men, were surprised and captured by 12 of + Fremont's party. On the 15th, at daybreak, the military post of + Sonoma was also surprised and taken, with nine brass cannon, 250 + stand of muskets, and several officers and some men and munitions + of war. + + "Leaving a small garrison at Sonoma, Colonel Fremont went to the + Sacramento to rouse the American settlers; but scarcely had he + arrived there, when an express reached him from the garrison at + Sonoma, with information that Castro's whole force was crossing + the bay to attack that place. This intelligence was received in + the afternoon of the 23d of June, while he was on the American + fork of the Sacramento, 80 miles from the little garrison at + Sonoma; and, at two o'clock on the morning of the 25th, he arrived + at that place with 90 riflemen from the American settlers in that + valley. The enemy had not yet appeared. Scouts were sent out to + reconnoitre, and a party of 20 fell in with a squadron of 70 + dragoons (all of Castro's force which had crossed the bay), + attacked and defeated it, killing and wounding five, without harm + to themselves; the Mexican commander, De la Torre, barely escaping + with the loss of his transport boats and nine pieces of brass + artillery, spiked. + + "The country north of the bay of San Francisco, being cleared of + the enemy, Colonel Fremont returned to Sonoma on the evening of + the 4th of July, and on the morning of the 5th, called the people + together, explained to them the condition of things in the + province, and recommended an immediate declaration of + independence. The declaration was made, and he was selected to + take the chief direction of affairs. + + "The attack on Castro was the next object. He was at Santa Clara, + an intrenched post on the upper or south side of the Bay of San + Francisco, with 400 men and two pieces of field artillery. A + circuit of more than a hundred miles must be traversed to reach + him. On the 6th of July the pursuit was commenced, by a body of + 160 mounted riflemen, commanded by Colonel Fremont in person, who, + in three days, arrived at the American settlements on the Rio de + los Americanos. Here he learnt that Castro had abandoned Santa + Clara, and was retreating south toward Ciudad de los Angeles (the + city of the Angels), the seat of the Governor General of the + Californias, and distant 400 miles. It was instantly resolved on + to pursue him to that place. At the moment of departure, the + gratifying intelligence was received that war with Mexico had + commenced; that Monterey had been taken by our naval force, and + the flag of the United States there raised on the 7th of July; and + that the fleet would cooperate in the pursuit of Castro and his + forces. The flag of independence was hauled down, and that of the + United States hoisted, amidst the hearty greetings and to the + great joy of the American settlers and the forces under the + command of Colonel Fremont. + + "The combined pursuit was rapidly continued; and on the 12th of + August, Commodore Stockton and Colonel Fremont, with a detachment + of marines from the squadron and some riflemen, entered the City + of the Angels, without resistance or objection; the Governor + General, Pico, the Commandant General, Castro, and all the Mexican + authorities, having fled and dispersed. Commodore Stockton took + possession of the whole country as a conquest of the United + States, and appointed Colonel Fremont Governor, under the law of + nations; to assume the functions of that office when he should + return to the squadron. + + "Thus, in the short space of sixty days from the first decisive + movement, this conquest was achieved by a small body of men, to an + extent beyond their own expectation; for the Mexican authorities + proclaimed it a conquest, not merely of the northern part, but of + the whole province of the Californias. + + "The Commandant General, Castro, on the 9th of August, from his + camp at the Mesa, and next day 'on the road to Sonora,' announced + this result to the people, together with the actual flight and + dispersion of the former authorities; and at the same time, he + officially communicated the fact of the conquest to the French, + English, and Spanish Consuls in California; and to crown the + whole, the official paper of the Mexican government, on the 16th + of October, in laying these official communications before the + public, introduced them with the emphatic declaration, 'The loss + of the Californias is consummated.' + + "The whole province was yielded up to the United States, and is + now in our military occupancy. A small part of the troops sent out + to subject this province will constitute, it is presumed, a + sufficient force to retain our possession, and the remainder will + be disposable for other objects of the war." + +We shall not stop to examine the Stockton and the Kearney controversies, +the Monroe duel, nor the troubles which beset the gallant explorer and +officer. Suffice it to say, that out of all he came with clean hands, +and an unspotted reputation. Though a court martial, asked for by +himself, sentenced him to be dismissed the service for disobedience of +orders, or rather for not selecting the proper officer in California +to obey, the President remitted the penalty. Too proud to hold an +office in any army of any nation under such circumstances, Col. +Fremont tendered his resignation as Lieutenant Colonel in the United +States army. + +It was the old story of the triumph of Red Tapism and dull routine +over genius and services of transcendent importance; but, however Col. +Fremont might fare before a board of jealous officers, the people took +his cause up, and make him a hero. From all parts of the land, and +from countries over the sea, letters of congratulation and admiration +of his scientific explorations, poured in upon him. + +In October, 1848, Mr. Fremont set out upon his _fourth_ trip over the +Rocky Mountains, which proved to be the most dangerous and fearful of +all. Though 120 mules were frozen in one night, and some of his +comrades were starved, he had succeeded in reaching California. The +trip was made entirely at his own expense, but its results were given +in the journals at the time for the benefit of the nation. + +The year previous to his fourth Overland Expedition, Col. Fremont had, +for $3,000, bought the since famous "Mariposa Estate," which will +eventually make him a very wealthy man, if he succeeds in establishing +his rights in California. + +In 1849, General Taylor appointed Fremont Commissioner to run the +boundary line between the United States and Mexico; but while he was +deliberating upon an acceptance or declination, the new legislature of +California, assembled at San Jose, elected him United States Senator. +In the Senate his course was distinguished by great industry and +indefatigable exertion in favor of his constituents, and it was much +regretted by those who knew the youthful senator, that he chose the +short term, so that his term of office expired in March, 1851. In the +Constitutional Convention in California, Col. Fremont had taken a very +decided part against slavery, and in Congress his course had been so +unpartisan that he lost the support of his party, and a reelection was +out of the question. His subsequent history is known to every man. He +was nominated in 1856 by the Republican party as its candidate for the +Presidency, and polled a tremendous vote. The enthusiasm in his favor +in the East and the Northwest, was intense, and in the opinion of +many, nothing but the intervention of a third candidate--Mr. +Fillmore--prevented his election. + +Mr. Fremont, _as a politician_, is little known to the country, for he +has had little to do with politics, and is uncorrupted. He is, +however, known to favor, first of all things, a Pacific railroad, is +opposed to lawless filibusterism, and thoroughly in favor of the +supremacy of free labor over slave labor. He unhesitatingly indorsed +the Philadelphia platform, and can always be relied on to oppose the +schemes of the slavery-propagandists. + +As _a man_, Col. Fremont is known to the country to be fearless, +brave, devoted to fulfilling all his duties, and ready to brave the +frowns of millions, if necessary, in redeeming a pledge. Such a man +can be _trusted_, whether in or out of office. + +THE END. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Presidential Candidates:, by D. W. 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