Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-02-01
Twcmty-fiftll COmgress---2d Sees

Twcnty-fifth ComGress---2d Sess.
IN SENATE Tuesday, Jan. 9, 1888
MR. CALHoUN'S RESOLUTIONS.
The fifth resolution as follows, being under consoeia
ton, viz:
"kesoired That the ntermedding of any State or
States their citizens 10 abolish slavery in this DIS
trct or any Of the Territories the ground or nnoer
the preest that it is immoral SINFUL the passage OF
any act or measure Of Congress- with that vew would
be direct and dangerous attack on the institutions OF all
the slavehoding States. .
Mr. Cril,enden, of Kentucky, rose. He said TINT, if
the object of these resolutions to produce peace
and asy excitement il appeared to him That they were
not very likely TO accomplish such Ell object. More
vague and general distractions than they were could
hardly have been brought forward, and they were more
calculated 10 produce agtatiun and stir up dlscontent
md bad blood, than to do any good whatever. Such
he knew the general opinion Of Southern men,
few of whom however they assen,ed to The abstrac'
tons approved Of this method of agtating The SUBJECT
Mr. C.. was quite at loss to comprehend what good
such resolutions could effect; there nothing pac
cal in them they in the air aerial unbusiness-ke
theoretical distractions only calculated to nglae ana
10 bring the rights OF the South to trial. to bring them
up for discussion, to creac difference and dscod on
abstract questions among those who all agreed on the
one practical point viz. that the rights OF the South
must be preserved. He (Mr. c. would not say that
they were the work Of abotonsm, but of this he was
certain that such mode Of bringing the South to trial.
and putting up her rights to be disputed by drawing out
theories on which two could absolutely agree,
enneuy calculated 10 aid, and no doubt would
greatly aid, the abo,unsts. The mover of these re-.
solutions relies mainly upon two points TO carry The
Sennte with him: first, he reitera,es, over and over
again. the trte theme and of danger to the Union
and next that, if he is not followed in this movement
he urges the inevitable consequence Of The obstruction
Of the Union
Mr. c. thought it possible the gentleman might be
mistaken |. possibly might not he exactly true that
TO save The Union, it necessary 10 follow him. On
the contrary some were of opinion, and he tor one was
much inclined to be Of the view, that TO follow tho
distinguished OF these resolutions, TO pursue the
course Of irritation, agitation, and intimidation, which
he cha1ked would he the very best and surest me
thod that could be chaked out destroy this great and
happy Union. The Senator (Mr. Calhoun) is daily
md almost twenty times day. telling us that The dis.
ease is GREATS terribe-is ghtful-ls absolutely IN
durable But, if be he represents, ii the disease be
incurabla why does he come forward as physician o
heal disease which he himself declares to is past nil
heaing What possibly be The object OF the resolu.
tons the evil they propose to assauge is past all cure
What the Of bring them forward, 1t the gen.
t!eman sincere in thinking that application can be
Of any benefit disease which he paints every hour OF
the day being frghiiuy removed from oil the powers
Of remedy Is such language on The other hand only in
tended polite method of carrying by force or Terror
and alarm trembling vote in his train: Whatever
might be the object Of the gentleman it certainly appear
ed rather strange TO him Mr.. Crenden) that he should
bring forward his resolutions remedy and descant
most orcbly upon their healing, testing, curing and So
nutory powers and almost in the breath tell US that
the disease fearful far gone alarming 80 ter
rife, that his very remedy which he offers is good for
nothing
So far it appeared 10 MIR. C. that Mr. Cahouns
not calculated 10 heal to produce peace, though
such he profpssed his objects. There was again
another argument which he rested which also appear
ed Mr.. Crendsn calculated TO produce confidence in
the abolitionists and alarm in the South and all the
friends of the South; calculated, he thought if it
not exposed and avoided TO add hcky 10 the ranks OF
abotionsm and TO weaken the ranks OF The South by
forcing out many os warmest and most ardent friends
a. nh Ill al
course so plainly and openly expressed-lha there could
be no confidence in any opposition to aboli,ionlsn,
less it came from Mr. Calhoun and his party unless it
came from The State rights party And therefore. the
necessary consequence which follows is that unless the
whole country shall follow the gentleman, and range
themselves behind him in his party, there can be no pre-
servution Of the Cniun there can be no available nppo
sition to abuonism Such mode oil acting and rea'
soning upon the subject appeared 10 Mr. o. as making
a stalking horse, tool of aboitionism TO serve as
mean and instrument OF promoting personal views
and party AMBITION under the pretence OF nhnIle good
10 the country.
this he did complain of the genius and talent which
could convert danger and evil TO lis own purposes,
but he should complain Of or rather pity ALL any, who
might be led to answer this end oy 'he ar"s and ter
rors thrown out! Yes, if what the gentleman Gays be
true we must all Join his friends and party or-ihe
country is ruined; all is ruined; The Union will PERISH
aboonsm will rear lis frighllu head in horrd triumph!
There is possibility Of escaping all these dreadful
horrors but by joining him and his new friends aud
party. We may give the South our good wishes, nay,
we may be resolved stand by the South and die for
it's rights and rights, bu it will all be in van
less we Join the gentleman and his party What lie the
effect of all ths What is this but saying to the aboli.
tioniss "Go on 90 on; all is your favor do not cacu
late on any opposition but from and the State Rights
Party Such course, and such declarations may well
create just aud solid ground OF alarm to the South
What ale there friends TO the South but the gentle
man and his little party? Is il left SO weak, so helpless
90 ffiendless have friends no sympathy, sup
por,ers in the whole country but the gentleman him
self and his little State rights party Is there Ito other
banner displayed? Is there no other banner under
which its friends must arrange themselves, but the tat
tered shattered ragged rag OF the flag of this little Stale
rights party? But what's this party for which such vast
preponderance is claimed; which takes 10 itself such
elusive powers and calls for such unqualified allegiance
and submission? What lis principles VIVA, has
il dopes For the life Of him lie could not tell! If
he knew any thing Of himself and his own principles
ne was STATE rights man himself, saunch and true.
for he would not allow his own State (kentucky)
In be encroached upon foot II principle made him
one he was one Of this party; but If 10 follow the gen.
temau from South Carolina (Mr. Calhoun) all that
made ONE he was quite that he (alr. c. was not,
and would not ever lin that sense} be But, be-
cause he did not follow in the gentemans party,
he therefore. an aboitionst? This was, however, the
inference which he (Mr. c. had taken upon himself 10
draw. Like the saat in Hudibras, who might commit |
any sin with impunity, account OF his great Pety,
here, such is the virtue of political name, that who
ever enlis,s under the banner is free from all mputa
ion while all the sins that be imputed to
laid upon the shoulders those who do not fall into The