The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-07

breviiy IS commentary upon It's import and intent II
purpots 10 have been passed by both branches oil the
legislature, and in the of the people OF South Caro-
lima, and comes here under the seal of the State Il is
my duty to say that 1t is not the expression OF transient
popular excitement but evnces the deep convection OF
people who think that their rights dangerously threat
ened, and will be put in peril by the action OF Congress-
winch is me common agent and should De the common
guardian oil all the parties to the federal compact
South Carolina VIII not seek or desire an occasion Tor
the application of her resolution She will do no olen
sive TO bring about such painful emergency. Bu
should she be forced the threatened issue, and
required to take attitude OF resistance to the unjust
and aggressive policy OF blind and se-sustaning
lory, 1t would be treason IN as her representative
to suppose that she would not make her words good,
subject hers TO all the hazards of trial and this she
will not be alone; Virginia has already spoken language
too solemn and deliberate to be mistaken, and which
made the Impressive by the language OF friend
who sits me-. Mr.. HUNTER When States make such
pledges, through their representatives. they impose upon
themselves obligation TO maintain them. The people
OF South Carolina entertain profound respect for Vlr
gna, and many OF her people cherish hereditary attach
ment 10 her SOIL history, and Institutions. South Caro-
lima will stand BY her the last, and sustain her
whatever position she may think proper to assumes and
will do SO in the motto OF my State which language
son-'..4inia opjusque semper parati." Well has it
become thar usrous Commonwealth to be the first in
proclaimng her own and the rights of her southern con-
federates. Well has she been called mother of States
Look at those that have sprung IRON her bounty With
the uncalculang generosity OF parent, she submitted
to condItions to of these Territories coded by
her peculiarly favorable at that time TO her slave
holding brethren Can it be that, like cockatrice, any
portion of these States, the people OF these States
would avail themselves of these conditions, and the
power acquired uade them, sting the bosom that gave
them life Virginia may have TO submit TO ingratilude,
and may not be able to avoid wanton insult but she
not submit to deliberate wrong and wllful aggression
Her history would rebuke and her resolutions would
reproach her No. sir, that illustrious Commonwealth
has been, like Judah, the lions whelp in this confede
acy; and she cannot crouch like ssacha, and become
the ass between burdens.
Mr. President, Virginia and South Carolina not the
only States that will speak on this momcnous subject
| A he wi
guage OF the same deliberate imports and IT, IN the face OF
such warning, our northern brethren-for will call
them so-sha turn deaf to it, and shall to
consumnae their acts OF injustice and
by odous and discriminating legslaion assailing the
equality Of the States and violating sacred contracts the
blame will be their heads Such act will evince
criminal temery hardly to find parallel in the history
of any people. They may assume TO act upon the suppo
son OF division, and because they know cherish
attachment to the Union, by many consecraed as
socations of common history. They calculate upon
success by sporting with our affection. | once saw a
youth struck by his neighbor and relative; and when
he was reproached for not resenting IL, he replied
that he had always learned through his parents
that they were bound together by the ties OF friend
ship and consequently and that ne did not wish
10 be the first to disturb them. Well, Sir, the sub
mission only provoked additional assault Our non
saveholdlng countrymen may think that we will sub
NIT like the amabe youth, instead OF consulting the
impulses and wise suggestions of sef-respect. And
sir there is substitute for such sentiment. Once
and degeneracy must follow. These States have been
bound together by the ties OF patriotism and traterna
consangunty. The federal constitution was the work
of WISE practical, and patriotic statesmen and the guar
anty they relied upon for its maintenance and perpeuity
the good faith in which it originated Those from
the sayeholing States were then the guardians OF
southern rights and the respecers OF southern feeling
| They such Hancock, Adams Roger Sher
man, and DIR. Franklin. Little could they have thought
that people who have become song and powerful under
the operation of the federal compact would it
engine OF oppression But sir, fear that their gene
rous calculations destined to be disappointed. And,
sir, will not draw contrast between themselves and
".
ceilfu philanthrophy conducting the dangerous agita
tons upon the slave question will not draw the par
TO all, and 1t Is not necessary to write their names
on the picture All the fears OF dlsunlon may be
banished, and harmony restored by the North con
suting and acting upon the great maxlms OF mode
ration and justice Let them stay the hand OF aggres
sve violence; let them stay the spirit of injustice; let
them no longer encourage the wild fanaclsm of an
irresponsible multitude The South will act in deen-
sve cooperation but will not intentionally agltate,
for the purposes of faction and dlscord, with view to
cannot go into California and New Mexico, unless the
laws lett in force by Mexico shall be repealed and yet
they insist upon supeaidlns to any act That may De
brought forward for the government OF these Territories
proviso for the exclusion OF slavery; not as they say,
that it is necessary but because they wish now to esab
sh the doctrine to exclude southern shareholders from
an equal participation in the fruits OF future conquest
This doctrine, Mr. President addresses itself to- and Is
revolving to, natural sensibty, and in violation of the
compacs and compromises OF the constitution 1t Is
nothing more less than saying that the South may
be compelled under Its Obligations to the federal com
pact, make its contributions OF and money to car
~ the war, but shall be denied the rights OF equals IN
the enjoyment of the conquest
1t is not restriction, sir as some have SAID, and as
of our Georgia friends have SAID, SIR; but 1t IS
a proscriptve policy, to prevent which the South
should be prepared this time to make every sacrlhce
If we submit il now, it is submission which Will re-
duce from position OF equality to what we believe
to be one of degradation have made threat shall
make threat Ihave such disposition but If South
Carolina shall be placed in such situation there can be
no doubt but that she will enforce that resolution am
bound say that if this position Is forced upon her,
she will stand by Virginia. she will stand by herself SIR
This may be avoided and God grant, Mr. President that
statesmen and patriots may be raised up from the non
savehoding States, who may have the courage to do
justice and who will consult the dictates oil wisdom and
prudence.
The resolutions were then ordered to be printed
! Mr. DAVIS of Mississippi presented the petition OF
Alexander Montgomery, captain and assistant quarter
master in the army asking to be allowed commission
disbursements made during the operations OF the army
in Mexico; which referred to the Committee on
Military Affairs.
| Mr. YULEE presented the petition of Allen G. John
son. volunteer officer the Seminole war, asking the
payment of a balance due him the settlement OF MS
accounts which referred to the Committee on Mllt-
tary Affairs
MIR RUSK presented the memorial of Christian Sharps,
asking that an improvement invented by HIM IN the con-
sructon of the rifle may be adopted in the military ser
vice. and that he may be authorized to furnish the same
for the use of the United States which was referred to
the Committee on Military Affairs.
| Mr. DODGE of Iowa presented the memorial OF tne
General Assembly of that State, asking that an appro
priaon be made for improving the Skunk ryer IN Iowa
which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands
/ Mr. ID. also presented resolution passed oy thc
legislature of that State, favor OF an Appropriation iof
improving the Des Mones and Rock River rapids, IN he