Speech of Mr. Wade. 4 neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in ‘such Territories, except in punishment for ‘ crime whereof the party has been duly con- 4 victed.” Mr. WADE. Mr. President, these resolutions bring up at once before the Senate two distinct and opposite systems of labor and civilization. The resolutions which are proposed by the Democratic portion of the Senate declare in favor of that one of those two systems which, in my judgment, is subversive of the melioration and progress of human society on this continent. The public mind, North, South, East, and West, is intensely engaged in making its choice between that system and the scheme of civilization which is asserted by the resolutions submitted by the Republican side of the Chamber. I cannot, therefore, exaggerate the importance of this debate. It is a very extraordinary thing, Mr. President, that the loudest complaints of mal-ad ministration of this Government, and the noisiest alarms of imminent danger to the country, come from those who, for a very considerable period, have had possession of its vast revenues, control of its mighty power, influence of its agents and clients, equally at the capital and in every nook and corner of the laud, and so have formed and directed its policy, without encountering any effective resistance or opposition. The Republican party has been always, as it is now, absolutely powerless to impress its principles on the administration of the Government. It stands by and looks on, wondering at the progress of Democratic administration ; and wondering, most of all, at hearing those who have conducted it entireThe Senate resumed the consideration of the following resolutions, submitted by Mr. Brown on the 18th of January: “ That the Territories are the 4 common property of all the States, and that 4 it is the privilege of the citizens of all the 4 States to ge into the Territories with every 4 kind or description of property recognised by 4 the Constitution of the United States, and 4 held under the laws of any of the States ; apd 4 that it is the constitutional duty of the law- 4 making power, wherever lodged, or by whom- 4 soever exercised, whether by the Congress or 4 the Territorial Legislature, to enact such laws 4 as may be found necessary for the adequate 4 and sufficient protection of such property. “ Resolved, Ihat the Committee on Territo- 4 ries be instructed to insert, in any bill they 4 may report for the organization of new Ter- 4 ritories, a clause declaring it to be the duty * of the Territorial Legislature to enact ade- 4 quate and sufficient laws for the protection of 4 all kinds of property, as above described, with- 4 in the limits of the Territory ; and that, upon 4 its failure or refusal to do so, it is the admitted 4 duty ®f Congress to interpose and pass such 4 laws.” The pending question was on the amendment offered by Mr. Wilkinson, to strike out all after the word “resolved,” where it first occurs, and insert: 44 That the Territories are the common prop- 4 erty of the people of the United States; that 4 Congress has full power and authority to pass 4 all laws necessary and proper for the Govern- 4 ment of such Territories; and that, in the 4 exercise of such power, it is the duty of Gon- 4 gress so to legislate in relation to slavery 4 therein that the interests of free labor may be 4 encouraged and protected in such Territories. ‘4 Resolved, That the Committee on Territo- ly in their own way now threatening to pull dow^i the pillars of the Union, and involve them all, with themselves, in a common ruin. = In the name of God, Mr. President, what does all this mean? There is but one explanation n mey of facts so strange and anomalous ; and that 4 may report for the organization of new Terri- [ explanation is, that you still want to continue 4 tories, a clause declaring that there shall be the administration, when you have found out 4 ties be instructed to insert, in any bill th
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