Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-12-21

Men resign life rather than submit to tina, which robs life Of
its value appeal to the friends Of the Union may well
ayos myself be Of them In the Canvass, f6roneh
which | passed last summer, bore in my hand ,bs,
banner which the gentleman from Virginia SIr McDo~.
ELI described in that eloquent speech BY which wo
were all so much moved the last session I hora ,h
great banner in triumph. spoke of the Union uraos
upon the generous people who gathered about me AMI
heard me- orbeaancc insisted that we should trust 10 ,
forms of the government for protection until ound ,h
insufficient barriers vindicated the people Of the Norher
States and did hesitate declare that il was INV hl;f
the unjust legislation in regard TO the government Inc Ter
rtores of the United States which had been threatened ana
against which they indignant would never be con-
summarized Now then, gentlemen, appeal TO you; ! call
on you for forbeaarce and solemny declare Won ,b
rests with you To the government from the pers which
surround ii. Upon will rest the responsibility Of ei
this great question The people Of these States the cy"
world and the God Of the Universe, will hold YOU ,sno;
Bile Tor the consequences 1t is in your power to r,nr
harmony 10 systemic the government from III
dangers upon which is driving and you do wih
n single sacrifice. The Winot Proyiso il is ssJ r
those who claim TO represent that measure on this oor
Wlmot Proyso, which seeks exclude the citizen. 81 M
slveholdng States rom California and New Mexco-h
single principle TO recommend it, Ii rests neither ~"
generosity, nor justice constitutional law; and il ~
doctrine which would be tolerated for singh
Of the civilized world. @1f' part
Mr. SCHENCh here interpcsod 10 give his views OF h
Mllot Proyso discalmng that for it, and asserting
applied TO the Territories Of the United States
Mr. billiard resumed his remarks and said. wh,t Viz,
gina generously gave was subjected the ordinance Of 7
sa not no" STOP 10 speak oi that ordinances its author
~ was questioned by some OF the bcst of that day but
let II pass The attempt 10 settle the Wino proyiso now
the basis of the ordinance OF lS7 is vain effort Tho
lmot rovlso is selfish scheme which proposes TO seize
upon ana appropriate the entire territory acquired from Next
CO. by the common exertion and treasure and what
is more the common blood the people OF this whole conn
try or the Oeneht OF the nsayeholdng portion of this
conederacy The people OF the Southern States who bore
their iu share OF the Of the whether you regard
the outlay Of money the still precious expenditure of
human life 10 be denied any anticipation in The fruits OF
Them IN IN
not despse thenl they did You admit that there already
exists an insuperabe barrier against the introduction of sa
very INTO hose territories and YET You insist upon excluding
by bringing the authority of this governmental govern
nen which ought TO protect the rights of all It's citizens
alike 10 provide for its exclusion By positive legislation II
persist in this course gentlemen you take the re-
sponsiby OF all the consequences which grow of IT,
\ gentleman from North Carolina before me- mr.
CLSGMAN one OF the most conservative who occupies seat
this floor has clearly stated in his recent letter. the SET
lied purpose of the whole Southern people in regard this
measures and ne added that people had been known 10
prosper long after submitting unjust and degrading en-
croachment their rights We do intend furnish
another ILLUSTRATION of that political truth Spare u.s.
gentlemen the necessity of choosing between submission
and degrading encroachments rights, and dis
ruption Of the ties which bind together.
Let remind you of the relations which hold this
threatening question Your policy is aggressive ours is
tnsre You seize the machinery of the government and
tlrn against us We ask to forbear and leave Us in
the enjoyment of whatever rights may possess IL III
your power save the Union; il is in your power des-
troy it, Garry out the measures with which You threaten
II.
down the elements which will heave beneath the government
which to-day displays its glorious proportions the world
The internal fires of the earth cannot be kept down by the
weight of the mountains which press hem they will flame
up Norris there strength enoughin this government 10 keep
down the feeling which the consmmaon Of the injustice
you contemplate will throughout the whole southern
country.
You have heard Virginia speak through her legislature
Alabama has passed her resolutions in solemn fo and the
voice OF Mississippi up like the rush Of her own great
feel at liberty speak out plainly. have been
charged with being alionawth cherishing pro-
found attachment the Union, that was ready
render the rights OF the South IT, do not regret
single cxeriion which have made in behalf the Union II
now do anything towards averng impending calami
ties, shall gladly do it. But can go no further II, hay
ing refuse 10 and having you refuse to
heri you will not regard the renonstrances OF people
thoroughly reused BY the unjust with which
they threatened, my mind is made up 10 stand with
the people of that oppressed section of the Union in esis
lance "a your measures and your power You have the ma
ority but the will of majority cannot disturb the great
principles of the constitution, interpret the
stilnon In our government we are protected against the
tyranny of popular maorltythc worst OF all tyrannies-
by the provisions OF the constitution When the power of
the majority ranscends the limits of the constitution, il
ceases be law and becomes usurpation.
Before resumng my seat, desire Ia alude, II gentlemen
will allow me- what occurred in the preliminary meeting
which nominated Mr. WINTHROP for the Speakershp Cries
Of Certainly ccrtainy"-"Go on When came TO Wash
ngton, it was my purpose 10 vote for Mr. WINTHROP for
Speaker. An accomplished gentleman. admirably fitted in
every way TO preside over body like this my personal
friend could hesitate vote for him. When how ever
in the meeting which have referred resolution was
brought forward which intended the basis Of
Outstanding in regard 10 action upon the dangerous ques
ton ot which have just been speaking, and when found
that We could agree upon nothing At that time saw the DIFF
cnties my Position did not expect the resolution
pass but did hope thai free conference would follow IN
which We might come 10 some good understanding Failing
m this, withheld my vote for some days from my friend
Mr.. WISruRor and know that this felt far more by
me than could be by him. In the meanwhile having
scsed freely with several leading gentlemen from the
saveholng States in regard 10 the slavery question: found
their part better disposition towards the Southern States
hat the House ought 10 be organized and il seemed 10 me
hat il was IN every way important 10 secure Speaker
friendly TO the administration The administration ought TO
able bring its measures fairly before country, and
this il could do without Speaker and with committees
hostile 10 its policy. did doubt at when its
fairly presented la the country the people would sustain
the administration; for believe that its charac
eriZod by honesty and by ability In the hope them that
the dangerous legislation in slavery would not
pressed and that the influence othe Southern Wing
that legislation would be far greater BY associang
with than drawing oil from or Northern friends dctemin
I'd aid in the election Of our candidate for Speaker
Now gentlemen have spoken out freely what felt il to
be my duty say We look the dangers which threat
US in the face The Union must be saved Do not suffer
men, whose vocation is agate dangerous questions
drive you upon fatal measures There patriotism enough,
and thces nnness enough 10 arrest the evils which threat
repeat what have sad-t'ose of us who sr with
you Representatives from the Southern States this side
vi the chamber, can 20 no iurtner.
The people OF the State OF Alabama look this Congress
with the deepest interest They viii hail with JOY the triumph
pf patriotic and masnanimous policy but II other counses
prevail and your legislation should he SO misguided as 10 DE-
ivc them Of rights which they hold DEAR they will believe
throw off the authority OF government which has ceased 10
answer the ends for which il created.
still hope that the cloud which hangs darky above
n this moment will pass away, and that our country will go
forward in s glorious career enjoying the highest internal
prosperity and giving 10 the world the nobest example that
mas been furnished of liberty and order of strength
md tranquility
Photographed for the Baltimore American.
WASHINGTON, Dec. H.
The citizens of Georgetown will hold meeting tonight TO
consider the question of rerocesson Maryland in the
event Of Congress interfering with slavery in the District