The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-11-26
Position of Mr.. Barrien

The G orgian gives the following outline of
Mr. BERRIEN's last Speech at Savannah few
days since.
JUDGE BERElENs SpEECn.-Onc of this dis
tinguislled gentleman's greatest efforts in the
cause of the South, was made on Tuesday night
last, before, perhaps, the largest audience ever
assembled in the theatre. 1t was, in every re.
spect, masterpiece, and however much there
may exist differences of opinion as to the policy
or efficacy of the measures proposed by him, tc
procure security for the future" we cannot sc,
| how any Southern man, who listened to the
tale of Southern wrongs and Federal usurpa
ton of power to perpetrate those wrongs, as
told by our able Senator, can ever again, with
unblushng front raise his voice in extenuation
of the late acts Of Congress.
Judge Berrien commenced his speech bv say
ing that he came there as the representative of
no party, and with no partisan feelings but
that he came "a the representative Of the inter-
ests of the whole people of Georgia, whose
Senator he was. Having in the most lucid
manner traced the onward progress and con-
stantly increasing power of abolitionism, from
its incipency to its present commanding infu.
cnce in the counsels Of the nation. he ent red
upon the history Of the wrongs Of the South
as contained in the passage Of the late adjust
mcnt bills. Judge b. reaffirmed the doctrine
advanced by him in Congress, that the admis-
sion OF California with her present constitution
was a violation Of the Constitution of the Uni
ted States adding that however much it grieved
him TO find some of his friends, and especially in
this community, differing with him on the sub
ject, he would not so wrong the people of his
State or stultify himself, MS to abandon from
private feelings, a position which he called God
to witness. was he honest conviction of his
mind. lie then took up the territorial bills for
Utah and New Mexico, and proved that their
admission without the Provso, was no source
of congratuaton to the South that we had
gained nothing by it, not even the abandonment
by the North OF n principle, since the Provso
was withheld, because it was believed unneces-
sary, and Northern members stood pledged to
apply it, when it should appear necessary for
the exclusion OF slavery.
Having ably defended his vote on the Texas
boundary bill and appropriation, he turned his
attention for some time to the abolition Of the
slave trade in Tie District of Columbia BY this
measure, he ably contended that Congress had
assumed and exercised the right to abolish sla-
very itself i'll the District, since the penalty for
carrying a slave there was his manumisson-
Having reviewed all the measures of the last
Congress on the ubjcct of slavery in their res
pocblVc VI Ilc u.NeIleu 10 inc
call of the Convention in Georgia, which call he
heartily approved. lie advocated manly and
firm course in that Convention, and recon-
mcnded AS a means Of bringing our Northern
brothers to their senses, u discriminating tax on
Northern goods after they had been introduced
into the State and become the property of ccor-
gia citizens. lie also recommended, that the
Convention should on the first day of the scs
sion, enter upon their journal resolution that
whatever should be the action proposed after
due deliberation, that action should be bject
to the ratification of the people of Georgia be-
fore it should have the force and effect of law.
He was decidedly opposed to secession or
dissolution Of the Union at the present time.
Before concluding his remarks, Judge BER-
RGEN threw ,oet blanket over that portion Of
our fellow citizrns, who, whilst they are afraid
to denounce the odious adjustment as agrees
sive and unconstitutional, yet indulge in hector
ing ultimatums for the future. Judge B. re-
marked, he had no doubt they beliered they
would do MI that they promised, but he was
very fearful they deceived themseire'
Having enchanted his audience for nearly
three hours, during which time he was repent
eddy interrupted by bursts of applause, our GAL
liant Senator closed his able speech.
After the meeting nd journed, we understand
that dense crowd of true hearted Southern
men marched to his residence and gave him
nine cheers, and one over, rs an offering Of
gratitude to firmness and patriotism.