The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-27
SPEECH OF MIR. BADGER.
OF NORTH CAROLINA,
ON THE COMPROMISE BILL.

hsn inc territorial governments OF oregon, New Mexico
Mr.. BADGER said am very sorry that my honora.
bic friend who reported this bill Mr. CLAYTON felt him
self compelled by of dutv under The
of which know he always scs here and elsewhere
press the through the Senate and to
far as depended on his action and influence, M ample
and thorough investigation of the subject all its bearings
What is the character Of the 1t proposal
settle most difficult and anxiousIy considered subject
upon plan entirely noveOne heretofore proposed by
one and, far known, thought of by one Ii is
measure of immense importance, relating rs it does to
subject itself of vast concern and complicated by many
incidental difficulties. Now, does me, that when
the gentlemen composing the committee, after the various
dverses of opinion among themselves which were stated
by my friend from Delaware Mr.. CLAYroN at last hit
upon and concluded to present. compromise,
before unknown and due the import
of the occasonthe high solemn and lasting
at stake-and, in an eminent degree, due this body
ITSELF that instead of being introduced us with sgnf-
notification that il be pressed through
haste $50
Mr.. CLAYTON, lin his seat.) Nothing of the kind.
Mr.. BADGER. will show there was, though perhaps it
intended. was about say, whom interrupted
by the SENATOR that in these circumstances of such
announcement being made to the Senate should have
been Informed that the committee unable upon
thing ese, and aching from the best motives had though
proper present and unhead of plan of pacfcaon
this momentous question that they desired haste
that the contrary they invoked from every member of
the Senate the fullest scrutny that they only wished
and hoped but demanded due themselves the Senate
ana me apPcaton on the part OF every mem
Der of the body of his best understanding this subject
and full deep, thorough and searching investigation Of
the plan presented in all its parts and bearings full
should be afforded enable Senators both to reflect
and debate and that far from the usual order of the
Senate being reversed and this question pressed upon
weary and exhausted Senae-motons to adjourn after a
continued sitting OF and eight hours resisted and the
yeas and nays demandedno opportunity for deberaon
and discussion would he withheld.
My honorable friend from Delaware Mr.. CLAYroN]
says that intention announced press this
through in haste. II by that he that such
used he is undoubtedly But, in point of fact
how stands the matter My friend announced that he
ntInnn tha Sona
1t first called up if recolect Alright Saturday after
noon and, after long and aborious session. my honora
ble friend resisted motion for adjournment and the
yeas and nays, voted against It, The Monday after
spent the consideration of the BILL and precisely the
result took place. My honorable friend in charge of the
BILL to whom its friends naturally looked for the
they ought pursue upon motions for adjournment still
declined adjourn. Yes, after session of full
hours nearly eight may add, when my honorable friend
from Kentucky Mr. UNDERwooD to address the Senate
himself member of the committee when many Senators
were exhausted, and some Frustrated and when even
with constitution of ron and youth besides my side
felt some respite to be necessary motion to adjourn
carried upon the yeas and against the of my
friend from Delaware The proceeding was, my opinion,
unfortunaevery unforunate-though attribute nothing
of improperly of intention to the gentleman those who
acted with him.
Mr.. CLAYTON 1t is very extraordinary that the gentle
does recoect that when the Senator from Mary
land, Mr. JoHNsoN who was exhausted and unwel de-
sired the Senate to adjourn in opposition the wishes
Of the friends Of the BILL expressed desire that the motion
might succeed, and gave my support That the gentle
man calls hot hasle."
MIR. BADGER. Unfortunately, the honorable gentleman
confounds two different know that the gentleman
assened the motion to ad oum last evening" for the
commodation of my friend from Maryland but how
it when my friend from Kentucky, Mr. UNDERwoop
cho supposed be opposed to the bill desired adjourn
ment for has accommodations 1t this that
referred Allow me, Fir, to add what about to say
when interrupted by the honorable gentlemen, that regard
his peculiarly unfortunate with regard such
bill this The great end and object of the bill, avowed
by the gentleman and the committee is to pacify the public
mind settle this agntng subject and to restore harmony
Al Hou OpIxy h,, Va,
change the opinion, settle the dsoonens of free
America by the force of law On of this
kind, it is all important that the moral influence which
accompanies measure, should be extensive possible
its operation and, therefore, think there should have
been shown disposition to cut off any gentleman from
discussion of the question: by pressing here until the
physical energies Of the Senate should be broken down.
and the members be compelled by exhaustion TO submit
This is the long session. and the Senate have refused to fix
any day for its termination and, therefore, there
excuse in judgment, for the which has been
pursued The session, is true has been very long
and the weather is very hot and exhausting. | am as
anxious as any gentleman to return to my home and my
Children but why this great and important
should be hurried through the Senate IT, indeed
the Senate had passed the resolution from the House, and
the House had adopted its amendment fixing the final day
of adjournment for the 3lst should have stood very
different condition In that case / should myself have
given silent vote, or should at most have made very
brief statement of the grounds upon which have formed
opinion adverse to the passage Of the bill But under
present circumstances, with unlimited before us,
feel justified in presenting my views fully and at large
shall undertake to show that this compromise measure
which my honorable friend has reported and recommends
involves total and absolute surrender the part Of the
SOUTH of whatever rights feelings interest may have
in the subject without any advantage being gained thereby
to us, or to the country
Mr. President, the first day of June, this present
year of salvaton thousand eight hundred and forty
eight, speech delivered by honorable member of
the other House, representing district in my State
which find in pamphlet published in this city and
titled "Speech of Hon. A. w. Venable Of North Carolina
the House of Representa- June S4S" and headed
Slavery in the Territores."' In this speech some
the Senate will see they have immediate connexon with
the subject under consideration The passage will be found
lon important subjects like be precise the 7th page,
The foot of the left hand column and in these words
"a distinguished Senator of my State, Mr..
BADGER a gentleman of high attachments and extended
reputation, in recent speech on the Oregon blu admitted
the right of Congress TO egsate for the exclusion on
slavery in The Territories, but placed the south the
principle of expedency and the of justice of the
federal egsauIe."
Now, those who curious in such matters may be
somewhat interesting learn that this Speech distributed
in North Carolina about the middle of this month"; and de-
vered stated face the first day of june refer
is made the passage which have read,
marks submitted by in the Senate upon the second day
Of the month Of June. My first impression that
the leman incorrect IN his chronology but before
committing myself on this point, thought would follow
the example commended to by the Senator from Nllsss-
sippi, Mr. FoorE several times this session, and have
the dictionary ascertain what this word chro
nology" found that was mistaken in my first
toD for the definition Of chronology" is satisfied by
ranging events according to the proper and therefore
the gentleman guilty of no violation of chronology when
he represented himself referring the FIRST of June to what
what said the second both days being IN the
year Some persons reading this reference IN the speech
to my remarks and finding, from the proceedings and de-
had NOT