Zachariah Chandler: An Outline Sketch of His Life and Public Services
History
Zachariah Chandler: An Outline Sketch of His Life and Public Services
Chandler, Zachariah, 1813-1879; United States -- Politics and government
We intend to make our opponents stand by this clause: "The citizens
of each State shall be entitled to the privileges of all the
States." But how is this at present on the Missouri? The citizens
of Massachusetts, of New Jersey, of Pennsylvania or of Michigan,
if they but presume to enter Kansas, are sent back with a guard or
murdered in cold blood, while the citizens of the South are aided
on their way to plant in that beautiful territory the accursed
blight of slavery. We will make them stand by the constitution in
all its parts, or, by the Eternal, we will have a different state
of things here. The oak shall bear other fruit than acorns if the
constitution be not upheld.
Here is another clause of that instrument: "Congress shall make no
law abridging the freedom of speech or the press." How is it in
Kansas to-day regarding this? If any man shall dare to deny the
right to hold slaves in that territory he is imprisoned for a term
of five years.
Our opponents must also stand by this clause of the constitution:
"A well-regulated militia being necessary of a free state, the
right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
That clause of the constitution is trampled under foot, and the
Democratic platform in sustaining Pierce's administration virtually
sustains and endorses the disgraceful outrage.
Here is another clause: "No person shall be deprived of life,
liberty or property without due process of law." The whole history
of the Kansas matter shows how shamefully this clause has been
rejected by those who uphold the administration.
There are but two candidates for the Presidency and but two
platforms. The issue--the only issue--is: Shall slavery be
national? Shall it be under our protection, or shall it be under
the protection of the slave States only? The whole question of
platforms is in that. It is the only question.... The policy of
this government for twenty-five years has been pro-slavery. The
first act toward breaking that policy was the election of Banks
as Speaker last winter. It was the first of what I hope will be a
series of victories.
A few years ago there was great commotion in the land. We were told
"the Union is in danger." "What shall be done?" That was the first
question. What was the answer of the men in power? "Use the utmost
power of the government; the Union must be saved." Armed men went
through the streets of Boston. Troops were ordered there in great
numbers. Ships of war were sent to Massachusetts Bay. What was the
terrible danger of the Union? There was a Negro lost! A slave had
run away! A poor African had escaped from his master and--lo, the
Union was in danger! "Use all the power of the government; the laws
must be enforced." Other troops were ordered there. The militia
were called out. They surrounded the jail. A sloop of war was sent.
Burns was borne back to his master and the Union was saved!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account