The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-10

s0 sPEEcH OF MR. BUEL, tH
t 4NoF MICHIGAN, N4
In defence Of s Constitution and The Unios, al public
dinner g,vsn TO h,m BY his fsiioW citizens al Dsron
Nou ~, 1885,
Fellow CITIZENS: II should be silent on this occa.
sion, Tail 10 respond 10 the sentiment which you have
Just received with such tukeas OF appreciation. | feel
that should disobey The FIST prompings Of grateful
heart. 10 those with whom have been poluraly as
.ociated, and who. in times past. have often given me
their generous support, owe deep debt OF gratitude
which can forget Bat owe them something
more, owe an upfaliering devotion to the principles
they have advocated during that trying period which Is
testing the stability Of the repubic,
To enjoy the confidence I'll one's party is source OF
.alsacon. But there times and occasions when
The voice OF party is h measure hushed and ancient
political landmarks Tor lose their importance in
he all-absorbng thought Of the public safety lind
myself surrounded now not merely by those who have
hitherto been my political friends and associates per-
ceve something more, which gives character to the oc
casion Among those who participate IN y, recognise
many who have left behind them ihe lines which have
hitherto sepafaed Us, and cannot but perceive that in
their estimation there Is something new and extraordi-
nary the Stale o PUBLIC affairs, which calls Tor new
and extraordinary action You are assembled, therefore,
my friends, choose believe not to honor the humble
Individual who addresses you, but the principles which
you in common with him are advocating think am
not mistaken when j say that You are assembled 10
honor the noble feelings which inspire us, and to cult-
spirit Of national patriotism in opposition to that
spirit o. seetional,sm which last seyeng the bonds OF
Unon Parties must exist, as they ever have EXISTED
in all republics. But when our country rs IN danger
when there exists very general and painful apprehen-
oa fer is latare M safety y shof ehe measures org
he Union, Atre ought 10 be but ONE PARTY, AND THAT
PARTY OURSELVES, ONE AND IEsEPARABLE.
The circumstances oil this OCCASION such as trust
will justify the illusions have made myself, as we'll
as those may feel constrained 10 make the continual
lion OF my remarks. cannot fail to recognise in them
compliment g myself iar which desire oa 70 Of
@ss and transmit to others precious testimonial
your appreciation ,han that by which you have seen
connect my name and my service in Congress with
that struggle lor the Union which enros amongst its
defenders the wses, patriots and statesmen Of the
But you will trust. permit me to look beyond all per.
soua compliments involved in present festivities for
The purpose oil submitting observations upon those
opcs which have Of late fearfuy agitated and still
aga,e the public mind There il no man 10 this repub
lie the value OF whose position compared with that Of
preserving the Union does not sink into utter
sgnihcance. The times call for something than
su is unequal to the emergency which dares not meet
eny and boldly the dangers that surround us, be the
PERSONAL consequences what they may N
have but recently returned to mnge again with my
constituency alter absence OF hearty year During that
siod have passed through the most exciting and
scenes that have any session OF Congress
the organization OF the government. The country
has enjoyed unexampled degree OF prosperity have
lived under the happIesl and freest government the
lace OF the globe in the full enjoyment OF all the blessings
elyl and religious liberty The minister OF the gospel,
he professional man OF every kind the mechanic. The
merchant and farmer, have been free to prosecute their
respective pursuits, and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Our hresdes have been undIsurbed by the unweicome
sound OF Yet in the midst Of all this prosperity, the
naoa has been profoundly agitaed Congress has for
Has long months debated and thousands OF our fellow
advocated dissolution OF that Union under
whose blessings we have been steadily advancing a de
ree Of prosperity and renoan never before attained by
any nation FL se
The signs Of approaching evil were manifested on the
fn assembling OF the present Congress. In the short
pace Of month a dark cloud gathered over the fair
capitol Of our country Il was removed for season.
ul has now returned; and there il still hangs. mere
long, unless DISPERSED to hur IFS bolts of wrath and
weep away the fabric Of Union. 'Disunion," and
na other word .disscluuon:. which, as an eloquent
Va word Of our language" became familiar and hack.
ed On the 18th day OF December, il being less than
o we ks alter the commencement OF The session. those
most violent cappng Of hands, they fell from The lips
distinguished representative from The South. The
gene WIS y Is ,Iae one o. passion & and exeement; but
ives joined in the applause who had hitherto been dis
nguIsbed for cooness deliberston, and patriotic de.
1otion TO the Union few months rolled but af.
airs, instead Of growing better, became worse The
rant minds OF the SeDae-men who had their
ary and forty years service in the balls OF Congress-
Dw began 10 trembe before tie signs OF tue times In
be strong language Of Mr. Webster s'hs Imprisoned
rnds seemed % havs been let loose"
Such was the state Of things in which 1 found myself
! nvolved soon alter the assembling Of Congress /
bought IL well became 10 pause, and turn for season
fom the usual excitemens OF business and party, and
consider II there were not some means by which. we
nud forever put 10 rest agitation so serious and
asrming in its nature and consequences Extremists
pon one side claimed everything for the North, and
ents upon the other everything for The South 1t
rden therefore, that there could be settlement, with
I m, some mufuui concession Such was the state Of
ahgs when, IN the spirit oil Cancellation and lofty pa
notsm, Mr. Clay brought forward his compromise reso
slons They related chiefly 10 the settlement OF the
uan boundary, the establishment OF territorial govern
aents for Utah and New Mexico the admission OF Cali
Sna, the abolition OF the slave trade n the District OF
sumba and the surrender Of fugitive slaves The
Aalon upon the latter subject was in these words:
R,soiped, That cgscfuai provisions ought to be
ae by law, according 10 fhs rsgremHts Of the tg1ifis
% or the restitution and delivery persons bound
wee labor In any sate who may escape into any other
oae or Territory In the Union"
These resolutions weie referredto the compromise com.
M~ss consisting OF an equal representation from the
sogeat parties. and from both sections Of the Union,
a'g MIR. Clay for chairman The committee re-
WED series OF compromise bills, usually called the
@npromise sys,em, or peace measures" These con-
1n Of the so-eaied omnibus BILL" which provided
Fetfng the Texas boundary, establishing territorial
n',rnmenis over New Mexico and u ab and for adj
'ans California entire a State; bill for ab,l.
Sng the slave trade in the District Of Columbia ana
providing for the ehectua surrender of fugitive
= Fes The g omnibns bill" was frat considered and
hsvera months OF exciting and angry discussion was
Heated The friends OF the Upion not Vet despaifinc
beng able 10 effect some adjustment between the
dn and South, now rallied in support OF each compro-
se bill or measure by itself will not detan YOU with
laled history OF these bills IN the Senate and The va
amendments offered or adopted, and the further cx
separate adoption BY the senate Of each measure.
lheee rou A., fbc "A f,c