The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1849-07-28
THE TEXAS SENATORS ON THE TER
RITORIAL QUESTION.

on the 24th ult. and addressed the people at
length on the public questions Of the day
Both had refused TO sign the Southern Adj
dress; and one-Gen. Houston-had voted for
the Oregon bill, which contains a recognition
Of the ordinance Of 1887 relating to Slavery
Both defended their votes and enlarged Gpop
the ground for justification
Gen. Rusk spoke first, and most fully. After
reviewing the general, political and party top
les, he came to the slave question, and replied
to the charge that in<efusing to sign the South
ern Address he had deserted the South, or fail
ed in his duty as a thorough and true South
ern man. He had never wavered in his allegi-
ance, as TO admit, as others had done, that
slavery is an evil. But he would sooner have
forfeited his seat in Congress than sign the
Address. He wished to cast no reflections
on those who did sign t,nor on the distin-
guished writer, Mr.. Calhoun, but he would
not be any mans follower, or pin his faith on
any mans sleeve against his own Judgment -
, lie objected TO the time Of the Address, and to
its assumption Of the imminent importance of
the crisis. II what it stated on that subject
were tue, Gen Rusk says that the men who
q signed it would be dishonored if they do not
fight; and yet did any one believe such a
. time, had arrived? He would sign no such
e { dangerous absurdity.' Besides, the address
8 proposed nothing but to be prepared to de-
fepd the rights of the South, which was too
n inds inite and might be understood 70 mean
9 Dlsuuion and War. lie would agree to moth
ing OF the kind. There we're passages in the
Address which declared in substance that un-
I less the North ceased its course of aggression
the slaves would assume tho place of the
whites, and the whites become degraded like
slaves. He did not believe any such thing
g and would not sign it.
Gen. Rusk dwelt on the subject Of Disun-
= ion. 1t was said that disunion was not in.
tended. Gen Rusk says it should not be init
mated. threatening was bad policy. lie
would not turn his back upon the North, which
contained some true frionds-and he i~nstanced
Mr.. Dallas, Of Pennsylvonia. lie spoke warmly
on the blessings Of the Union, and declared
that should it be broken, there was no hope 0
reconstructing any government so good.
Gen. Houston followed Gen. Rusk, in
= more direct and imprisoned harangue-as
sailing his personal opponents, and Adopting
at the tone of Col. Benton towards Mr.. Calhoun
IS as a great mischief maker. He defended hi
ut vote for Oregon as one given in good faith
GO for the sake ofthe people who had gone wher
n the United States owed them protection. The,
70 demanded heritage and bithright; and in res
ponding TO them, he had observed the Mis-
souri, Compromise on the 800 30. There HI
planted his foot, and he would not yield nj
= inch further. lie said he did not fear thu
- Wilmot Proviso. The day had never yet beer
when il could have become n law. II II were
ever passed, he looked to the President to ar
VI rest il with a veto. But If even the Presiden
should approve it, he would have tried Lawful
Nc aud constitutional means to arrest it; ant
;" and then, talk OF Committees Of Vigilance am
Sq6ty! He said Mr.. Calhoun had made char
yes against WIIs Dut WIZ OulhuuH bOOl
- known more Than once to kill of his friends
u while he was never yet known to kill al
enemy. He (Mr. Houston) would abide, a
"s all hazards, the Missouri Compromise. TIL
70 North and the South were both pledged I
as abide by it. If evet he (Mr H. had aban
" doned the South it was when he voted wit
~ the Senator for annexation, and thereby cul
II failing slave territory by becoming a party t
an the compact which fixed 500 80 as the limi
Gu ofsIave territory. He reviewed Mr.. Calhoun
histofy-commented, with much severity, upol
m his whole political course; his support Of Nul
!" LITIGATION; his opposition to Gen. jackson; hi
" conduct towards Texas; his opposition to tn
- Mexican war, and his disunidn motives in tn
ng Southern Address. Gen, Houston said thu
he refused to sign the A ddress, because it wa
~ put forth us an appeal to the South. 1t wa
IS sectional, and therefore fanatieal. 1t was no
Gu addressed to the people of the Union. ]
ne was calculated to e%ndanger the preservatio
lr- OF the Union. We (said Mr.. H. must pre-
serve the Union. We must not consent !
elf see it severed. lie could not, would not, con
ii sent to it; and ii Texas wanted Senator 8
he to act, she must send another in his stead :
He would not lend voice or hand TO impai
on the fair fabric. The Union never could out
IN, live his hopes.
he Mr.. Houston concluded with a iesting ALA
no sion to his own former reputation. He sal
,as ~ once. had a bad name, and then nobod
wanted 10 rob him Of it-that since he ha
Of. reformed, and won something Of a good nam
,,s there we're a good many adversaries who wei
ia. striving to take it away.
rat the Speeches we nave conuenseu rom
inf report in the Texas thiarshalD Republican
/. the 29th ult. The Editor disseuis from ii
/" position OF both Senators, and thinks the
81 have departed from the democratic faith, an
do not truly represent The South.