The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-02

Mr. BEHRlEN The bill OF the House would not
NJ MILLER 10 MOI 'h'nf ef' az mistaken in rsa.
i immatsrial. however I state my own convictions.
nus, ~, am very sorry mai should say anything here
express my own opinion honestly and firmly
tits not to be disguised that there is fierce ana sharp
contest gong on here ana n ne country but sir strip
between the representatives OF the different States with
regard 70 the passage q laws BY Congress the minority
we have, in our short history. undergone several con
cts OF this nature but in all Of them the constitution
and the laws proved supreme.
The first conflict was ia 1894, seven years after the
adoption Of the constitution 1t arose about the consli
nationality of law OF Congress- which II was contended
aggression the rights Of the people refer 10
the OF the whskey instruction in the State OF PENN
sylvania There undoubtedly good deal Of SPIRIT,
sir, in that movement The persons engaged in Il went
so far as to hold meetings and pass rebeous resolutions
and even to provide themselves with and ammuni-
on for the purpose Of resisting the general government
Instead OF trying and determining, through the supreme
tribunal OF the country. the consttuonaty OF the act
OF Congress OF which they complained they undertook
to recfy the matter themselves by focibe resistance
This was the first conflict OF the laws and the consi-
ton with portion OF the people OF this country, who
sorted 10 resistance General Washington, in his proca-
nation OF the 25h September 1894, thus characterzes
that movement
ssAnd do moreover exhon all individuals officers and
bodies OF men, contemplate with adherence the
leading directly indirectly to those crimes which
produce this % military coercon 70 check their
men substitute their misrepresentation ia The place Of
truth and their dscon.ents IN the place Of stable
perfect n ssdo Sess o snd il an en-
gratitude fos this nestmabs blessing BE- best distinguished
BY firm exertons to maintain the constitution and the
Again, the constitution had another conflict in what
was called the Burr conspiracy, in which Mr. Jefferson
said there were two obiectsrs the conquest Of Next
second, the disseverance OF this Union taking the
Allegheny the dividing line Again the constitution
prevailed. Then came the Hartford convention, COM
planning OF aggressive laws. unconstitutional laws,
operating the eastern section Of the country Some
OF the States held conventions, passed resolutions and
sent delegates represent their sovereignty this Con-
gress for the redress of grievances But again the power
Then came our difficulties with South Carolina, known
the Qualification war" That State took offence at
certain laws passed by Congress- which she contended
rated to the advantage OF the NORTH while they were Of
great derment to the interests Of the South and she
threatened resistance to the laws BY force
In this position assumed by South Carolina, Gen. jack
son, in his message, December II, 1892, said
81 consder, them the power annul law Of the United
States assumed by one State incompatible Nth the sIi
c0nsiiuOn raarthoriscd By ITS iri ineorssnf NTH
epy prncps o. ,rhch q ods foundSd and destructive Of
Again the constitution proved itself inyincble and
General Jackson but uttered the voice Of the American
people when be sad II soemnly proclaim that the
suion and the laws are supreme and the Union 'ad's
soluble" #3# 4s
Thus ended the four first conflicts that this constitution
has had with minority either OF persons or States who
have ventured to resist its authority.
Now, sir have cited these causes not for the purpose
OF woundng the pride the patriotism OF any State in
the Union, but merelyto show that great and alarming
difficulties have existed between the government and GER
FORE and yet that there always power enough in the
government and good sense enough with the people, 10
settle them all without dissolution OF the Union. And
therefore entertain the fullest confidence that the diff
rut which ia ala0 adlstpd with
out any such dreu results as have been portrayed by
some gentlemen here and elsewhere
adjusting the question Of slavery But, before do so.
wish TO call attention TO epostion which the South has
generally maintained She has always said that non
action 10 all she asked of the Nonh-hands of-et us
alone Say nothing about slavery in the Territories, and
we are satisfied II the South still maintain this policy OF
action, the whole question is settled by adopting the
policy recommended by the President in his late message
He recommends that very policy Of non-action by Con-
gress with regard 10 forming territorial governments for
these Mexican Territories, under which alone the ques-
ton of slavery can be brought before Congress BY
adopting this pan the question Of slavery is taken out Of
Congress- and left with the people OF the Territory to be
finally prohibited or admitted by them when they come
Mr. BERRlEN. I beg leave to interrupt the senator
for moment What the people Of the South desire is,
simply that Congress refrain from egsating on the sub
o. ney 40 ho'
ments They claim that slavery should not be excluded
by any action OF Congress from Territories; but that
they may nave the privilege, equally win tne brethren
OF the North, OF emgraiing into those Territories
with their property; and then, when those Territories
shall have arrived at the particular stage necessary to
their admission into the Union, they can decide for them
selves whether slavery shall shall be admitted
MIR. MILLER. That is, know, the position OF the
from Georgia But sir, that is not the point in
dispute. There has been any difficulty with regard
to the mere organization OF territorial governments as
such; the South has disputed with because
did not organize govenmens the difficulty is that when
do organize these governments, exclude slavery.
I've proposition OF the President indicates IN my opin.
ion the only practical mode for settling this question.
Yet you reject IT, and ask Congress 10 act upon the
question OF slavery Again. the distinguished senator
from Kentucky, with that enlarged patriotism that has al
ways governed his political action. and with that bold
and selfsacr6cing spirit which has always called him
given his mind and talent settle these difficulties His
plan is like that proposed by the Presdent-non action
upon the question oil slavery He proposes action so far
to create territorial governments, but non-acon with
respect slavery You also reject this proposition OF
compromise Both these propositions OF compromise
leave the question OF slavery open for the people OF the
Territories to decides they may establish il reject IT,
cpe OF non action California here and asks admis-
sion, having deierm ned the question OF slavery in the
negative for herself and you reject her because she has
done 30.
Sir appears to me that when the South comes to look
calmly at the proposition OF the President, she will
cep as the true mode OF settling this vexed question
II she rejects IT, then the question must be settled either
people when forming State government The Presi.
dent proposes the laerby the people when they form
State constitution upon which all agree The North
has no desire OF using the Wlmot Proviso a mere
abstraction as a proposition to insult the South. They
have no such feeling as that The question with them is