The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1848-07-05
EXTRACT FROM
The Sueech Of Mr.. Rothhun.


from M,cbipau. once an ardent advocste Of
the Jeff.rsenian Ordinance o! l7s7, has
discovered some new light, and | understand
has recently written q letter to Tennessee,
in which he avows himself the advocate OF
slavery extension. This lie sudden, radi
cal change IN the views Of that distinguish.
ed Sens,or on that question, aud | propose
to enquire briefly into the reasons Of that
change. Mr. President, know very well
the views and feelings Of that senator in the
month Of August, ls46. | learned them
from his oxn lips. On the day that Con.
gress adjourned and a, The time ;ha, sena.
tor DAVIS, Of Massachusetts, spoke up TO
the adjournment Of the Senate on the VIII.
mot Proviso, | met the Senator at the Rail.
sosd depot IN Washington, and rode near 10
him and conversed freely with him between
tina, place and Baltimore. The Senator
appeared sone~ha, excited, spoke freely
and wi,h good deal Of energy on the sub.
iecs of the Proviso." He stated to me,
that every northern democratic Senator had
agreed 10 vote for it, and but for MIR. Davis
speech would have voted for it,. He said
repeatedly, that regretted very much that
he could not have recorded his vote for it,
before the adjournment" | expressed as
much regre, as he did. but not precisely
for the same reason. Idesired the record
7he the popular applause. He said he
never regretted any thing more than the
failure TO record the votes Of Senator's
Indeed sir. this vas the principal topic Of
conversation to Baltimore. This, Mr.. Pre-
sident, continued TO be his language oil the
way to Michigan, as understand. When
ne met sgsin at the capitol, thought dis
covered some symptoms Of that change 10
the Senators views on the subject Of the
Proviso, which bis vote and letter. so clear.
" demonstrated. Mr.. Brinkerhoof, Of o.
bio, one Of the ablcss, and 6rmest support.
ere Of the Proviso, en- honest and sincere
Democrat, | know, was q warm friend OF
the Michigan Senator, and preferred him
10 oil others as tho candidate for the Presi.
dency in ls4s. | mentioned 10 HIM my
suspicious. told him the Senator was 10
the cbrysalis state, and that in my opinion
he was preparing 10 desert, to turn traitor
to the north, 10 freedom, and 10 become q
soldier under the black banner Of Aggres.
sive Slavery. Mr.. Brinkerhoof denied,
disbelieved. and thought ! vas deing irjus.
iice 10 the Senator, invited me TO 60 with
him and call on the Senator end would be
satisfied was mistaken. expressed my
willingness to 90 with him q, any time, and
assured him of the great pleasure it would
afford me to 6nd myself mistaken on this
point.
Mr.. President, a. the suggestion Of Mr..
B. We proceeded at once 10 the room Of the
Senator. We found him somewhat bust.
ling and busy in his preparation 10 60 out.
Mr.. B. led of in some casual remarks about
the Proviso and it's prospec,s-the bus,le in.
creased little. The Senator a" thought i.
premature, better to give u tho 60 by this
session, nothing TO be gained by pressing 1t
now-sufficien. TOT the day IS the evil there.
Of" was anxious TO bring the thing TO
some point, aud for the purpose remarked
to the Senator tina, there we're important
reasons for pressing that question 10 vote
in both branches, which probably had not
occurred to him, and they we're !hese-Ihe
South had usually carried their points q.
saiust the north upon all questions; that
when necessary there had been always
found dushones, men enough in both houses
Of Congress, who would cell out and ena.
BILE them TO succeed that the same state
Of things still exis!ed-.ha, there were men
enough 10 the market 10 defeat the Pfoviso
and that it would be defeated; that we
should be betrayed as we always had been,
but tina, the defea, would be harmless, no
thing would be settled by il, the question
would remain open and the people Who hac
dishonest representatives here, whose rIgh,'
were to be bare,ed and betrayed, woult
have time to get rid Of the traitors anc
send honest men in their places, before TN
final settlement of the question, and thu
we were to be saved. The Senator repll
ed, "Oh, If i, comes 10 the vote, | am wit
YOU, you know."-"O or course you are,
was the reply, and thus We separated
This conversation was some three week
previous TO the vote taken on the Provlso.
But, Mr.. President, this is not all ha,
TO say of the Senator from Michigan at
his marvellous chaoge. About Two weei
previous to the vote which was taken {
the Pfoyiso, 1 met in the streets Of Wasl
iogton, a gentleman Of distinction from OF
Of the Slave States, now Q Senator in Coz
g'ess, who enquired Of me what lhougI
OF Gen. Cassl My reply was, very lIt,l
"Will be do as he agrees'" he asked.
answered him tina. that depended, in n
opinion, altogether upon the considerable
WE'LL" said be, A." if he should promise
vote against the Proviso upon the groul
that the South are to support him as Il
candidate for the Presidency, do you b
lieve be would do so7' tod him the
was no of doubt il; upon that considerati
be was as sure as death, and | thought
might, If be wished, throw 10 the hang
Of few northern men 10 addition. N
President, do not undertake 10 say he
that Mr.. Cass made bargain which ! ba
just referred 10 can only soy that t
gentleman who informed me of the fact,