Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1847-03-03

possibly bear what they call slavery IN one sec.
tion of the couutry-(andt it is not 80 mucn 'la'
very as an institution for the good OF both ra
cesl-men so queamish on this point, tnat tney
are ready TO strike down the higher right OF
|commnnity to govern themselves IN order to
maintain the absolute right of individuals IN
all circumstances, to govern themselves!
Mr.. President the resolutions that have
proposed present, in exact terms, these great
truths. / propose to present them 10 the Sen:
ate; propose TO have vote upon them; and l
trust there is no gentleman here who will ie.
fuse direct vote upon these propositions IL
is manly that we shall know the state Of things.
1t is due to our constituents that we should in
sst upon it; and i, as one, will insist upon u
that the sense of this body shall be taken: the
body which represents the States in their ca.
pacities as communities and the members oil
which arc to be their special guardians. II
is dueto them, sir, that there should be fair
expression of what is the sense OF this body
Upon that expt ession mnch depends. II is the
only stand which we can have. Itis the only
position which we can take, which will uphold
US with anything like MISREPRESENTATION
will give Us any chance at all to maintain an
equality in this Unien. on those great princi.
pies TO which have had reference. Overrule
these principles, and we are nothing Pre-
serve them, and we will ever be arespectable
portion Of the community.
Sir, here let me say word as 10 the COM
promise line have always considered il as
great error-highly injurious to he South be-
cause it surrendered, Tor mere temporary plir
poses, those high principles orthe Constitution
upon which think we ought to stand lam
against any compromise line. Yet l would
have been willing TO continue the compromise
line. One of the resolutions in the House, to
that effect was offered at my sugscstlan, i said
10 friend there. Mr.. Bur.1 Let us not be
disturbrrs Of this Union. AS abhorrent to my
feelings as is that compromise line, let It be ad'
hered to in good faith; and if the other portions
of the Union are willing to stand by II, let US
not refuse 10 stand by it. II has kept peace
for some time, aud in the circumstances. per.
taps it would be better to keep peace as It ~. "
But, sir, it wus voted down hy an oyerwhelm-
ing majority. TWAS renewed by gentleman
from a non.slaveholding State. and again vo-
ted by an overwhelming majority.
Well, see my way in the Constitution, 1
cannot in the compromise. A compromise IS
but an act Of Congress. 1t may be overruled
at any time. 1t gives US no security. But the
constitution is stable. 1t is rock. On II |
can stand. 1t is aprilciple on which we can
meet our friends rom the non slavehodns
States. 1t is 6nn ground, on which they
can better stand in opposition to fanaticIsm,
than on the shifting sands OF compromise.
Let us be done with compromise. Let us
20 hack and stand upon the Constitution!
Well, sir, what if the decision of this body
shall deny 10 US this high constitutional right,
which in my opinion is as clear as any in the
instrument iseli-the more defined and stable,
indeed because deduced from The entire body
Of the instrument, and the nature of the sub.
ject TO which it relates? What then That
is a question which will not undertake TO dc.
eide. It's questionior our constituents-the
suvcholdng States A solemn aud great
question, Mr.. President. And if the decision
should be adverse at this time. trust and do
believe that they will take under solemn con.
sideration what they ought to do. | give no
advice. II would be hazardous and danger.
ous for me to do So But [ may speak as an
individual member Of that section ftlIe Union.
There drew my first breath. There are all
MY hopes. / am q plantcr-a cotton planter,
am Southern man aud SHAREHOLDER
kind ahd me rciful one, / trust-and none The
worst for being stakeholder. say, for one,
I would rather meet any extremity upon earth
than give up one inch of our equnlity-one
inch Of what belongs to as as members of this
great republic! Whit! acknowledge Inferior
ity The surrender Of life is nothing 10 sinking
down into acknowledged inicriority!
| have examined this subject largely-widsly.
I think see the future if we do not stand up
now and in my humble opinion, the condition
Of Ireland is nierciful and happy-,he cond
ton o Hindoslan is peace ana happiness-the
condition Of Jamaica is prosperous and happy,
to what the Southern States will be if now
they yield.
Mr.. President, desire that the resolutions
which now send TO the table be read 3,
The resolutions were read as follows
f,osOiucd, That the territories Of the United
States belong 10 the several States composing
this Union, and are held by them as their joint
and common property.
Rssolced, 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 t1 effects,
make any discrimination between the States Of
this Union, by which any Of them shall be de-
prved of its full and equal right in any terrific
~ OF the United States, acquired or to be &C
qnired.
ReS0t1ed, That the enactment OF any law
which should directly, or by its effects, deprive
the citizens Of any of the territories Of the
States of this UnIon from emi grating with their
property into any of the territories Of the U.
States will make such discrimir alton, and,
would, therefore. he violation Of the consttn-
tion, and the rights Of the States from which
such citizens eriigrated, and in derogaiion of
that perfect eg, ality Which belongs to lheln as
members Of this Union. and would tend direct.
Iy to subvert the Union itself.
Resolccd, That, as fundamental principle
in our political creed; that a people in forming
constitution have the unconditional right 10
form and adopt the government which they
may think best calculated TO secure their liberty,
prosperity and happiness; and that in conform.
ity thereto, no other condition is imposed by
The federal constitution on State III order to
be admitted into this Union, except that its
constitution shall be strictly republican; and
that the imposition of any other by Congress
would not only be in violation of the consti,n.
ton, but in direct conflict with the principle on
which our political system rests. !.