The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-25

sonosnv that ma has been opposed 20 the discussion
/ or the suhect He has. il - true been utterly and
unaterably opposed 70 any discussions with the ADOLF
lonists They have right TO come here, and he was,
and IT, FOR shutting the door in their face but no never
Stunned discussion when the subject came LARRY up,
/ nor would he 40 long the Senator's constituents,
and Others continue to agiale tho subject 10 proof o.
which, he referred the Senator 10 tho course he adopted
in relation the Pfesdents Message some years since
on the circulation Of incendiay publications through
the mail So Ear from avoiding discussion. he raised
| special committee on that portion OF the Message made
full report adverse the Presidents views, accom-
panied by bill, which gave rise 10 much discussion
! So, now acting on the principle he had present.
ed these resolutions the antagonist OF the Vermont
resolutions. He touched these misapprehensons oil
the Senator to his course, the fully as there
appeared to be fixed determination Of late, both IN
and Of this Chamber TO mistake his course on this
/ as well as other occasions.
But this is the only instance OF the mlsstatcment
Of his course by the Senator He has msapprehended
il much In relation TO tho subject Immediately under
discussion Assuming enormously, as he had shown,
that his position had been that Congress has no right to
apate dicuss this subject however presented,
ses him (Mr CO. Of challenging debate the present
occasion, and says that he Mr d. would have remain
ed silent had been for his challenge. The Sena-
tor greatly mistakes IN surprising he had made any
such challenge, and he thought Il would puzzle hun TO
state when and in what terms il given tits true, he
stated that the political creed Of the Senator and those
who thought with him. in reference to the origin and
structure OF our Government, far from aordng any
constitutional protection against the assaults of the abo
| itioniss, had reused their fanaca spirit into action,
and he had, the time, called the party gene
rally who entertained il, show, " he mis-
take as to the effect OF their creed, what protection il
afforded II the Senator has construed this into cha
opge discuss these resolutions, he must say he has
most signay failed TO meet It, lie has wholly Stunned
| the point which il given. He has not even at
tempted 10 show that the view which he and his party
take Of the Constitution afford the least protection
against the dangers which seriously the
country and its institutions, His silence he had right
consider conclusive proof Of the truth Of his asse-
on and the Senator ought not TO be surprised NJ after
this ac confession he should turn to those who enter
tanned the opposite constitutional views, and call on
them exclusively rally tho his hour OF
danger The Senator was so conscious Of his weak
this point, that instead Of attempting to point
out remedy, when his political theory afforded none,
he took the opposite course deny that there any
danger to be repealed He told US, grayely that the
abolitionists dsunionists that they had no
ambitious objects no corrupt purpose; that they repu-
dated all interference with the States that they only
aimed 10 abolish slavery IN the Territories and IN this
District where there than 1000 slaves
and that they claimed right but TO beg you grant
them the innocent and harmless boon they crayed (of
cutting lhroats and burning our houses) and that
these beggars but handful, Of whom large por-
ton females Such is the picture which he gives
OF this small band Of innocents, and the harmless
lives that them and this in the face of the
constant uniform, and open avowe that their object
the total abolition ofslavery in the States, well in
this District and the Territories AID that they consider
the abolition in the latter but the first step to abolish
| it in the former.
| But he had received letter that very morning
| from one of the fraternity Of high standing and
authority, which gave very different account of
this small corps Of humble beggars. He says that
they count 500 societies, averaging 100 individuals
each, and growing at the rate of one society
day Here, then, we have $50 900 persons regular
ly organized, with copious revenue, and an extern
sve and powerful press, Ga large portion of whom
are the Senator's constituents who are waging
regular war on the institutions of the Southern and
Western Staes-instilutions that involve not less
than 5000 5000 of property, and the prosperity
and safety To- an entire section of this Union in
violation of the most solemnly plighted faith, and
subversion of the fundamental principles of the
Constitution; and yet the Senator see neither
harm nor danger in all this. When see one of
his enlightened understanding and usually correct
sentiments thus thinking and feeling, what must be
the tone of those with whom he is daily associated
which could so blind his understanding and blunt
his moral percepionl
He next tells us that the abolitionists can do no
HARM that cir publications cannot circulate in the
| siaveholding States, and can do no mischief in the
non-slaveholdng States; that the evil exists here,
where too much excitement exists and that if we
would keep perfectly cool and patient and here our
selves and constituents called robbers and murderers
and our rights and property and lives attacked,
without moving hand or tongue, and all would be
Senator for his sober and correct judgment and feet
ngS on most subjects, he could not but be surprised
AT the language which he has held on the present
occasion Is his judgment SO perverted that he can
see no danger 10 the Constitution and Union for
which he processes and he doubted not sincerely TO
have so much regard, in the thousands of publica-
lions and lectures which are daily issued and deliver
ed holding up in the blacklist coors the character
and institutions of nearly one half of the Union
exciting towards them the deepest feelings of abhor-
/ renee, TO be returned their part, with dceSta-
ton not less deep2 Is the universal spread of this
deep, mutual adherence compatible with the exist
ence of the Union If not, is il not time to arrest
it, and of course, TO deliberate on the means of doing
| it Are the Senator's reason and feelings SO far
warped that he either cannot apprehend the panest
| consequences, or, experimenting, is indifferent to
| them 7
/ But we are next told, for the hundredh time, that
1 these mere abstract propositions, and not de-
manded by the occasion on which account, with
various other reasons that he assigns he cannot vote
!, for them.
II was, he would suppose, perfectly needless for
the Senator TO assign any reason for voting against
| these resolutions, or any other measure having the
same object in view, after what he had told us of
the Abolitionsts and the purity and harmleSsness of
their OBJECTS nor is it at all surprising thathe should
think that there necessity for their introduce
/ ton. But those who regard the subject in differ
1 ent light who see danger where the Senator sees
nothing to apprehend, and crime where he beholdS
\ innocence will come 10 a very different conclusion
| They will think il high time that this body should
define its position; should declare lis opinion as to
those unprovoked assaults of one portion of the
/ Union the other and take the stand il intends to
maintain in resistance to Them and that the OPP
1 poste course, TO remain SILENT or tamper with
the disease is neither becoming its dignity nor its
| duty.
! As to what the Senator has thought proper 10 say
about the secret mischief lurking under these resolu-
tons about notification and his (Mr. Cs) bitter ex-
perence in relation 10 it, he understands his object
TO be- TO distract and draw off attention from the real
NfAfr at nNAh a Il