The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-06
Mr.. Calhoun's speech.

The " Washington Correspondent OF the Baltimore
american gives a more elaborate report of the
speech Of Mr.. Calhoun, at the meeting of the
Southern members OF the Two Houses He said:
The resolutions of the gentleman from Virginia
(Alr. Bayley) are good, and, considering he length
of time which he has had TO prepare them, do him
great credit, but they are not perfect They are
defective in several particulars am, therefore
less unwilling TO agree 10 the motion OF the gentle
man from Georgia (Mr. Stephens.) Another con-
sideraton strongly impels 10 the same course.
am thoroughly impressed with the necessity OF
harmonious and united action, both on our part and
on the part of the Southern community.
| am opposed, however, TO too great delay, and
consequently would prefer that the committee
should report 10 a meeting 10 be held on the 10Th,
instead Oithe 18th OF January. The Legislatures
Of several OF the southern States now in SEES
sion, and il would be well that our address should
reach them in time TO be acted on by them before
their adjournment.
consider the address Indispensable. Whatey-
ct action is taken must proceed from the slave
holding States. II the Constitution be violated
and their rights encroaehed upon, It is for them
10 determine the mode and measure of redress -
We can only suggest and advise. We are on the
theatre of actOn-ihe Witnesses OF IN. alarming
entertainments which have been going on upon
the rights ofthe slayeholding part ofthe cOnfedera-
cy-we see them plainly, We feel them deeply;
tucy are Idpiu duu dihiilB, lot WHO believes tLdt
propositions which have, within a few days past
commanded the support OF mslOrity of the Low
er House of Congress, would even three years ago
have been tolerated by any respectable portion Of
either House.
We are ia the midst OF events scarcely Of less
Importance than those OF our revolutionary era.
The question Is, are we 10 hold our position in this
cOnfederacy upon the ground OF equals, or are we
10 content ourselves with the condition OF Cooni-
al dependence.
Sir, IL will De worse than colonial dependence;
for who would not prefer 10 be taxed aud governed
without pTeience OF representation, than, under
the forms OF representation, a. he frievOusly OPP
pressed by measures over which We have no con
tIO, and against which our TemOnstrances are un-
availing Il is undeniabe that The encToachmenls
upon our rights have been rapid and alarming
They must be met
conceive that no Southern man can entertain
for moment, the idea OF tame submission.
The action Of The South should be- united, temper.
rate but decded--ouI positions must he TAX en de-
libeTaiey, but held at every hazard. We wage
no war of aggression. We ash only for the con
siirnliOn aud union aud government Of our fathers.
We ask OF our Northen brethren To leave ns those
rights aud privileges which our fathers held, aud
without securing which for their children, all
know they would not have entered this Union
These We must maintain,
IL appears 10 1ne proper that we, who are here
on the theatre of seton, should address our con-
accurately portray the progress Of usuTpsliOn sud
aggression, windy exhibit the dangers which
threaten, and leave II ia Their hands TO mark out
the proper line OF action. What that should be
il needless here 10 ,'nr r.. Whatever II is, il
should be temperate, mild and decided.
Having expressed these views, Ihaye to say that
make no objection to the motion OF the gentl,.-
man from Georgia (Alr. Stephens) 10 refer the
whole matter TO a select commute, TO consider
mainrely and report TO future meeting, bat
would rather prefer an earlier day tor that meeting
Than the 18th of January. | am, above all, for
union, harmony and decision on the part OF the
South
Mr. Pendleton's remarks (which were made
some time previously 10 MIR. Calhoun's) was also
understood TO have been very sensible and etiec-
tive. He expressed his general acquiescence IN
the resolutions Of his colleague (Mr. Bayley.l tie
did not so well. however, like the expression in
them, measures OF redress" That seemed 10
contemplate that the South should wait until the
wrongs had been consummated, and then under
take 10 redress them. lie preferred rather meas
ures of "notice and precaution.' lie was willing
at once 10 lay down line, and let their Northern
brethren know that they must not transcend il.
He subsequently, however, acquiesced ia the pro-
position OF Mr. Stephens.
The substance of Mr.. Foote' remarks was, am
informed, that he was ready for instant anous ae-
ton and was willing at once 10 vote the Tesolu-
lions submitted by Mr.. Bayley.
The only point OF difference between the
members in the discussion, was as to whether
this was proper time for any action. Some
held that the South should waituntI the meas
uIes lately threatened should become laws-that
they ought first resort TO all constitutional means
of opposition to defeat those measures. IL all
these should be unavailing, then the time for
separate action on the part of the South would
have arlsen.
Others held on the contrary, that action now,
in the form of notice and pTecaution. was advl-
sable. 1t would be well, they said, TO lay down
the line beyond which they should conceive II
wrong TO submit to the aggressions of the ma
iority, in order thus to warn their Northern
brethren against any aggression beyond that
line. IL afterwards they resolved TO make that
aggression, the responsibility Of the consequen.
ces would be theirs. The South, in that case,
would have done everything in their power TO
avert any serious dlscord.
All sides, however, held that when the prop
or time should arrive, if it had not already
arrived, the South must take finn and decided
measures to maintain its constitutional rights.