The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-14

sincerity but am conildenl mat there are olneis
in and around this Capitol who prefer the ten mil
lions, and think they are right and my TREND
wrong. &c
appeal to my friend, and with the best OF feel
ings ask him, had you not better take the ten nlll
lions than 10 march your troops IN order TO take
forcible possession of the country Tor IL you 40
a conflict of arms will ensue; and although the
Texas standard would be tocked to by the Hot
spurs of the South and you might calamity sus-
tain yourselves for a battle or two, still you could
but remember that you were lighting against your
brothers, for you Would DC orethreh on the right
and on the left That reflection would prompt the
Government and Texas, after fighting short time,
20 appoint commissioners who, In all human prob
ability would decide the conflict 10y giving you the
ten millions. Why not accept of il now, and save
your own State and country from the unnatural
struggle? hope you will do 80.
My dear sir, II IT Is your country, what power
in the Government of the United States has night
10 say il is not yours? Is there some power that
decide? Some gentlemen seem 70 think that
the Judiciary would be the proper tribunal to de-
eide the question. But you say they may decide
against you, and that you will hight Tor your
rights Very good; that is matter Tor Texas 10
decide; but l hope she will wait for the decision
and not commence civil war IN advance OF de-
cision of the question. / desire my friends again,
who are SO anxious upon the score OF crowdlng
slave labor TO go back 10 the map and see what a
vast and mighty country the slave States possess.
We can go very well for hundred pr two hun
dred years, if you do not rush blindly and madly
into civil war without sufficient cause. should
prefer TO trust disunion may be attempted and
union OF THIS Danu OF Drotilers
petual; that these States will continue together.
believe they will do it, believe that all the man
ifestations have in relation to II show that such
will be the case
This idea of States flying off like sparks is not
10 be seriously entertained fer a moment My
belief is, that shall continue TO be united peo-
pie, and that shall become more harmonious
and united than we have hitherto been. do not
yield the point for moment. l declare that no
State has light TO secede. Ever since have been
in public life have been opposed to that doctrine
believe the only right that the States have III the
of oppression by the General Government, 10
the right of revolution. Talk about State sove
reignty! What is it, According to our theory of
government, it is simply the power over the life
and the liberty of its citizens; every other dlstin
gushing attribute of sovereignty was voluntarily
surrendered by the States to the General Govern
Inent. What makes sovereign state! Unques-
tionably the power to declare war, make peace,
make treaties, receive and send foreign ambassa-
doris, the power to create navy, raise and keep
standing army. Have the States any such power
as this No; the States are independent OF the Go
vernment upon all questions regulating the social
intercourse of their citizens SUCH as deciding the
rights of property and the power to collect taxes
for their own internal regulations. know that those
who differ with me, and those who belong to the ultra
State rights school, will call this the old Federal doc
trne. / was dubbed Federalis because decided
that the doctrines containedin the Hon Daniel Web
ster's great speech upon Foots resolution in 1880
were correct; General Jackson declared that Gene
raj Haynes multiplying speech ought TO be printed
satin and hung up by the Declaration OF Amer
lean Independence Shortly after, when Mr.. Cal
houn and his friends went rather far with their
beautiful theory, General jackson sprang from
the saddle of General Hayne TO the saddle Of Dan
iel Webster and issued his celebrated proclama-
ton | have borne the name of Federaiist more or
less since that time have no fears OF names,
and If the doctrine contained in Daniel Wcbster'5
great speech and General Andrew Jackson's pro-
camation constitute Federast, am one, and
glory in the name, because consider the doctrines
contained in the proclamation and the speech TO be
old fashioned Washington Repubcanism.
Sir, have no idea OF the secession of any of the
States of this Union-they have such power.
Suppose Delaware any other OF the smaller States
should secede. apprehend 1t would not be so fatal
to this Government; but suppose the State of Louis
lana should attempt secede that would be of much
greater consequence, and would most likely whip
her back If South Carolina or Georgia should with
draw from the Union of the States; if they should
feel obliged, after the threats that they have held
out, TO separate themselves from the rest of the
States-and have my fcars that they may commit
come overt act OF that kind would never vote a
dollar to send men or money 10 bring them back,
because ! am convinced that ii would be the best
course not to do so; satisfied that time would con-
vince them Of their error. would let them stay
until they petition to be allowed to come back
and then would put them under bonds to remain
in the Union.
/ have made these remarks in a very desultory
manner. feel satisfied that have good adj
ministration out and out; feel that the Govern
Inent Is going to be administered on the right plat
form. / believe that the President has demon
strated everybody that the whole message il
conciatory, and sound republican doctrine, anc
it is the duty Of the Congress of the United States
follow tho recommendations which he gives
What more is wanted? IS this sufficient cause fol
again getting up debate Of any length! Let vi
go TO voting, ana bring in California, and prepare
governments for New Mexico and tab; or il We
DO no: accomplish all this, let US do what can,
and leave the rest for another session Ii will be
something gained If we get rid Of some of these
psple1ing questions.
MIR. Chairman, from the evidences that have
Of what is doing in the other wing Of the Capitol,
Ipredict that the far famed omnibus bill, recently
defeated in the Senate of the United States, will
yet pass; and although it will pass in separate bills
Case, Footc, and others. In my judgment the
country owes them heavy debt Of gratitude. Mr..
Chairman the committee will bear witness that
j have, by plain statement of facts cndeayored
TO demonstrate TO the committee, that the Texas
boundary question, and the slave question, con-
nected with our Territorial acquisitions, matter
how decided, would not be sufficient cause 10
Justify disunion and civil war. | have tried 10
show, in another part Of my speech that il will be
decided right. IL IL due TO myself to cay that the
arguments that have advanced but a rehash
Of my home opinions expressed in the canvass OF
lS4S and 1919. have held back my honest con.
yictions, several gentlemen upon this floor can
attest at the instance OF my personal friends both
Wings and Democrats, who differed with me az 10
the propnety Of their uttcranCe upon the floor OF
Congress. / would have continued that course but
for the fact that now believe that the issue is dis
union or union. ! determined to strike for the
Union. II have erred, il Is an error Of the head
and not Of the heart. / will detain the committee
no longer.