The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-03-10

solutions in the House, to that effect, was of:
tered at my suggestion. said to friend
there Mr.. Burt, Let us not be disturbcrs
OF this Union. AS abhorrcnt to my feelings
as is that compromise line, let it be adhered
to in good faith and if the other portions of
the Union are willing to stand by it, let us
not refuse to stand by it. 1t has kept peace
tor some time, and in the circumstances, per-
haps it would be better to kept peace as it
Is" But, sir, it was voted down by an over
whclming majority. 1t was renewed by a
gentleman from a nOn-slaveholding State,
and again voted down by an overwhelming
majority.
Well, l sec my way in the constitution.
cannot i'll the compromise. A compromise
is but an act of Congress. 1t may be over
ruled at any time. 1t gives us no security.
But the constitution is stable. 1t is rock.
On it can stand. Ii is principle on
non-slavcholding States. 1t is firm ground
on which they can better stand in opposi-
ton to fanaticism, than on the shifting sands
OF compromise.
Let Us be done Will: compromise. Let
us go back and stand upon the constitution
Well, sir, what if the decision of this bo
dy deny to us this high constitutional right,
which in my opinion is as clear as any in
the instrument itsclf-.thc more defined and
stable, indeed, because dcduced from the en-
tire body of the instrument, and the nature
| of the subject to which it relates? What
then? That is a question which | will not
undertake to decide. 1t is question for our
constituents slavcholding States. A
solemn and great question, Mr.. President.
And if the decision should be adverse at this
| time, trust and do believe that they will
take under solemn consideration what they
ought to do. give no advice. 1t would
be hazardous and dangerous for me to do so.
But L may speak as an individual member
of that section of the Union. There drew
my first breath. There are all my hopes.
| am planter-a cotton planter. am a
southern man and slavcholder-a kind
and a mcrciful one, trust-and none the
worse for being stakeholder. say, for
one, | would rather meet any extremity on
earth than give up one inch of our equality
one inch ofwhat belongs to us as members
of this great republic What! acknow.
lodged inferiority The surrender of life is
nothing to sinking down into acknowledged
inferiority!
have examined this subject largely
widely. [ think see the futuc if we do
not stand up now; and in my humble OPT
Mon, the condition of Ireland is merciful
and happy-the condition of Hindostan is
peace and happiness-the condition of ia
maica is prosperous and happy, to what the
southern States will be if now they yicld
Mr.. President, desire that the resolu
tons which now send to the table be read.
The resolutions were read as follows I
Rcsolrsd, That the territories of the Uni
ted States belong to the several States COM
posing this Union, and are held by them as
their joint and common property.
Resoloed, That Congress, as the Joint
agent and representative of the States of this
Union, has no right to make any law, or do
any act whatever, that shall directly, or by
its effects, make any discrimination between
the States of this Union, by which any of
them shall be deprived of its full and equal
right in any territory ofthe United States, ac-
quired OF to be acquired.
Resoleed, That the enactment Of any law
which should directly, or by its effects, de-
prive the citizens of any of the States of this
Union from emigrating with their property
into any of the territories of the United States,
will make such discrimination, and, would,
therefore, be violation of the constitution,
and the rights fthc States from which such
citizens emigrated, and in derogation OF that
perfect equality which belongs to them as
members Of this Union, and would tend di-
rectly to subvert the Union itself
Resolved, That, as. fundamental princi-
pie in our political creed, that a people in
forming constitution have the uncondition-
al right to form and adopt the government
which they may think best calculated to Sc
cure their liberty, prosperity. and happiness;
and that in conformity thereto, no other con-
dition is imposed by the Federal Constitution:
on State in order to be admitted into the.
Union, except that its Constitution shall be
strictly republican: and that the imposition
ofany other by Congress would not only be
inviolation Of the Constitution, but in direct
conflict with the principle on which our po.
litical system rests. IS :ss IS y $$ss,,fs
move that the resolutions beprinted. Fl
shall move that they be staIssn up
morrow; and ! do trust that the Senate viii
give them early attention, and an earl5 vote
upon the subject.
Here the homo orable ssenat o. resumed bis
G
Mi. Benton then rose sis and Isl
strssident We have some HnsinessJt to trans