The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-08-05

Mr.. PRissDsSr: should scarcely undertake
to assign 10 the Senate u reason for prOlOnging
this debate, especially after the elaborate and
lucid exposition Of the bill now before Us which
has been given by the Senator from Vermont;
feel compelled, however, from various consider
ations, with which will not trouble the Senate
TO state in very few words, il that be possible,
what my objections are 10 the passage Of the
bill; and, It may be, 10 offer some few observa-
lions in reply to such propositions as have been
announced at various times during this debate,
by Senators on the other side Of the Chamber
have listened with great eagerness, since the
commencement Of this discussion, toeyerything
that has teen said, with the most sincere and
unfeigned desire 10 make myself acquainted with
at least the primary elements and principles
which enter into the composition Of the bill
And think may say, without exposing myself
10 the charge Ofegotism, that feel as little the
influences which have been spoken Of by the
Senator from Vermont as II Is desirable that any
gentleman, acting In the capacity Of a legisla-
tor, should feel. do not participate, however
may advertise, gentlemen, in the belief which
has been so constantly expressed during this
discussion that this is a subject which Is likely
TO produce that terrible and momentous excite
ment that is spoken Of. believe II this princi.
pie were discussed solemnly, and, so TO speak
abstractedly from those extraneous circumstan.
ces too frequently adverted TO here, that we
should be much more likely 10 arrive at a salts.
factory conclusion to ourselves, and at more sat.
| isfactory results, hope, TO those who are to
como after u.s. have no beliefth the passage
Of law, such as Is now before the Senate, viii
produce disruption Of the bonds that hold IN /
Union together. have no belief that the pas
sage OF the law so much deprecated by some
gentlemen on this side by the name, IL YOU
please, Of the 'Wilmot Proviso,' could, by any
possibility whatever, induce the Southern por-
ton Of the Union, which we are told Is so much
excited on the subject, TO tear themselves asun-
der from the constitutional compact by which
we are all held together. Sir, u entertained
an opinion Of this Kind, should scarcely think
a seat on this floor worth possessing for single
day. l do not think the technical term spoks en-
Of by the Senator from Vermont, the 'Wilmoi
Proviso,' can Of itself exercise that influence
upon statesmen Of exalted intellect Of the South
which has been intimated by gentlemen who
have participated in this debate What Ia this
terrible Wilmot Proviso that has been erected
here and elsewhere into such q raw head and
bloody bones, TO use a very expressive phrase OF
the nurseryl VIVA, Is III Why, sit, there arr
about me Senators who know very well TO whom
the paternity Of the Wv ilmot Proviso, as IL has
bean recently baptised, belonged. They know
thai the same, gentleman who drafted the Decla-
ration Of Independence which is hungup In oul
halls and placed In our Libraries, and regarded
with the same reverence rs our bible--for Il has
bcccme gospel Of freedom all over the word
as weii - IN this country--drafted also thai
which 5 called the Wilmot Proviso,' composing
- Il did section Of the Ordinance Of l7e7, ana
~ had tksi drafted both was Jefferson's
fSsn some strange misnomers In re-
s,ne strange confusion Of nomsu-
y coontrv, a. In this case, when q