Page:The History of Slavery and the Slave Trade.djvu/638

 in this age of the world, are not to be determined by mere abstract or speculative opinions. There is no want of heavy books in the world, which treat of political science; but you need not go to them to ascertain the rights of men — # either individuals or in communities; if you do, you will lose yourself groping in a labyrinth, and where no man can follow you. If there are rights of sovereignty, there may be wrongs of sovereignty; and this truth should be held in everlasting remembrance. And this is the case with regard to California. We have rights, and we have duties; and if the former are sacred, the latter should be sacred also. One of these duties we have neglected to perform; and we are told by gentlemen who have spoken here, that when a state wishes admission into the Union, she should come to the door of congress and knock for admission. California has thus come and knocked; but no door is open to her, and she is to be told, "go back and wait till we are ready." There is but one door through which you can enter, and that door we keep shut. You must pass through a territorial government; but that government we have neglected to give you, and we are probably as far from establishing it as ever. And such is the paternal regard we manifest toward one hundred thousand American citizens, who are upholding the flag of our country on the distant shores of the Pacific.





 The platforms, slavery agitation repudiated by both parties. — Mr. Pierce's Inaugural and Message denounce agitation. — Session of 1853-4: — the storm bursts forth. — Proposition to repeal the Missouri Compromise. — Kansas-Nebraska bill. — Mr. Douglas' defense of the bill — Mr. Chase's reply — Remarks of Houston, Cass, Seward, and others. — Passage.of the bill in the house. — Passed by senate, and approved. — The territories organized.

democratic convention to nominate candidates for the presidency and vice-presidency was held in Baltimore, June 1, 1852. Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire, received the nomination on the 49th ballot. The whig convention met in the same city on the 16th of June, and nominated General Scott on the 53d ballot. Upon the subject of slavery, the platforms of the two conventions agree. The democratic convention declared:

"That congress has no power under the constitution to interfere with or control the domestic institutions of the several states, and that such states are the sole and proper judges of every thing appertaining to their own affairs, not prohibited by the constitution; that all efforts of the abolitionists, or others, made to induce congress to interfere with questions of slavery, or to take incipient steps in relation thereto, are calculated to lead to the most alarming