The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-01-09

ed therefore adhere usage and custom. As long
shall extend 10 the other members the courtesy Of print.
ing resolutions OF this kind But, Mr. President shall
also vote for il for very different reason want the
people OF the southern States the progress OF opn-
ion at the North want them hear the language used
by northern States in reference TO southern institutions
want them 10 understand thar northern States have
said that this unworthy copartnershlp and that the
North has been tainted By the coniederacy do not
want. sir to impose straws impedment in the way Of
the knowledge OF these opinions BY the South. will
upon collateral issues OF this kind oppose the print
ing Of the resolutions wish these demonstrations to
go forth in exactly the language in which they send them
here, and shall not avoid them in any form in which
\ MIR. PHELPS. believe that the Senate will bear me
witness. that for the Ten years during which have had
the honor OF seat in this body; ! have uniformly
have met II here upon one Or two occasions, when the
matter was called up but believe have met 1t IN q
spirit OF Cancellation; have met II IN manner indca.
ting my adherence TO the spirit OF harmony; and sir
shall approach the subject with any other feelings
With respect 10 these resolutions, have onya wori
q two to say that tins subject has mot only attracted
arrested the attention OF the world at large II is sub
jec upon which any people and people at lib
ery to express their opinions il great question q
moral acon-a great question of political action hold
II therefore to DC right sir, that all PERSONS at all times,
should be at liberty to express their opinions upon IT,
The State OF Vermont should have liberty express her
opinions The senator from Florida is at liberty TO ex
press his opinions 1t is the great absorbing question
of the day" has been called; and of course every
pOrtlOn oil tnS liberty lis opinions
upon il may here remark that whan the Legislature Of
my own State expressed their sentiments in these
uons they did not expect that any peculiar Importance
would be attached 10 themtha they would receive the
concurrence and sanction Of the Senate. They did not
think of IT, As have remarked | have avoided all ir
tatng discussion upon this subject OF slavery depecate
upon both sides regret much that this subject cannot
be disposed OF by the South and the North spirit OF
concialion, harmony, and good feeling, wish now it
was settled, and settled forever
It is in this way, and this only that the subject
can be disposed Of Irritation, provocaon, offensive
language do mischief and mischief only / am dis
posed to meet as great absorbing question: which, in
the discharge OF my duties, called upon every hour
TO meet Now, sir, meet this subject. and how do
meet i'll As respects this question, SO lar as il is sub
jec OF egsationhis question Of slavery IN relation 10
the territories, and relation the Dsrct-it pure
question of policy, TO be settled by in our discre
ton If we think this institution IS not calculated
: hs y Il as a this
trict-it Is Duty wise legislators, TO put
hands upon the statute book, and to blot il out. II
is great question OF policy TO be settled by US, and
not one Of feelings OF mutual criminaiion; it is
great question TO be discussed in calm and dspas.
sionate manner. | do not like this agitation have
avoided il have studously kept myself out Of the way
of it. for the that discussion has been con
Quoted, let me say, in the best manner.
Now, with regard 10 these resolutions what they
They the expression OF the sentiment OF the people
OF my State As such they offered here, and for
nothing more We ask that they be received, the
preston OF the opinion OF any other Stale has been
ceyed BY us. We ask nothing more than that which
has been accorded by courtesy every expes
sion of opinion upon similar subjects coming from
eregn State
But gentlemen viii excuse me IL add, after what has
been said thai these resolutions express the opinions OF
the civilized world They the sentiments, say, OF
the civilized world upoa this subect and instead OF be
IN. made the subject of reproach here, they should be
treated the sentiments OF the civilized world-as the
sentiRents of the age in which we live.
What are these resolutions Do they ask for inter
ference the domestic concerns Of any OF the Saiesl
No, sir They call upon Congress 10 do lis duty where
i has the power They propose not to medde with the
internal policy OF any state but they call upon u.s. where
which called, believe, by the universal senti
men of the civilized world with the exception Of those
portions OF where the peculiar institution prevails.
Having said thus mucs think il my duty TO say that no
manno man-is TO othcons iniermeddling
with the affairs of our sister States than leave
then with their institutions leave them 10 manage their
institutions 10 their way win not lift finger TO
disturb them in the regulation OF their own concerns
But sir, on this great question, when il is approved
the one hand, and when is disapproved the other
and when the question is raised whether this institution
shall be coextensve with our Professionalism the
question is raised whether shall be extended the world
over, II our power covers the world-then shall follow
the dictates Of my own Judgment and OF my
science, and say, where IL exists, let II be but
where does not exist, LET II not be carried. Such
Mr. BERRIEN cannot acquiesce in the views en-.
tersined by my friend from South Carolina, Mr. Bur-
LER, and desire TO suggest TO him and to the Senate
the view in which this subject presented 10 my mind
quite disposed 10 adhere TO the usage OF The Senate
the respect which paid to the communications OF the
sovereign States oil THIS Union, addressed 10 ths body
But that is the character OF the resolutions which
have been presented by the senator from Vermont VI
UPBAMl do not oppose, myself, the printing OF these
resolutions because OF the peculiar sentiments which are
entertained and expressed by the legislature OF Vermont
They Free so FAR any objection OF mine s concerned
entertain and express their sentmens the
ured language which they have used this
be tempted 10 into this discussion by The broad
declaration OF the senator who has Just taken his seat
some what qualified, indeed, by his concluding remarks
tnat the opinions expressed by the legislature OF Vermont
and reiterated by him, the opinions OF the civilized
world that we, therefore, among whom these instiiu
which is recognised by the senator from Vermont
Meth can accord perfectly with my friend from South
Carolina, tMr. BUTLER,l in The views expressed by
him. cannot be tempted 10 enier into the discussion OF
this question upon these collateral issues; but found
my objection TO the printing OF this paper upon the
ground that II is one with which the Senate OF
1 the United States has nothing TO do. II is not
addressed TO the Senate OF the United States. The
senator from Vermont discusses the question, what
ed the Congress Of the United States 10 do Sir by
this resolution they have asked nothing OF the Congress
oil the United States; and these gentlemen have taken
from their pockets private instructions addressed To then
senator's and 10 their associates in the other House,
aud have laid them upon the table Of the Senate They
were not called upon by the resolutions eommun
cate them to the Senate Ii OF supererogauon
an act which they required 10 perform And
we, sr to look Into the private instructions OF Vermont
her senator's, and publish them 10 the American people
For one, cannot consent TO do IT,
Again, an not influenced BY the considerations al.
dressed by my friend from South CaroInathe desire
OF the North upon this subject Sir, tina, feeling is per-
fpctly understood. far eyDress by the acts