The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent. (Port Gibson, Claiborne Co., Miss.) 1848-18??, 1850-12-27
mr.. Soule's Speech
AT THE ST. LOUIS EXCHANGED

o. the late session OF Congress. The oninions |
then uttered, the voies | then gave. are before
the public. By them am willing to stand or
iall. Greatapplause. lfeelthe eonciensness
OF having done on that occasion what your i'm
-terests, dignity and honor required. and shall
notdegiade myselfby disayowal Of nv agency
~ those matters. come not here as an hum.
bic suppliant, pleading pardon for past sins, and
rendering an aeqniescence in opinions, and a
submission to wrongs Which nv heart repudiates
and my mind resosts against come as a Free
man in the midst of srpemen, and / shall speak
out my sentiments despite the preiudices Of op
position, they may excite, and fearless of all the
consequences they may produce.
The great contest which had so earfnlly aoi
tated the country, for some time before, is said
to have been adjusted by the measures recently
passed BY Congress. Let us examine the trnth
oil this preienson. But 10 do so effectually, we
must 90 backs little farther.
Let us recall to mind what occurred but few
months ago, during tile last Presidential CAM
paign. 1t was then proclaimed BY our political
opponents that the South would not be safe. in
The events of the election Of Gen. Cass, and that
Gen. Taylor alone could protect us in the full
enjoyment OF our share in The acquisitions of
the Mexican war. These acquisitions were ob.
tanned by the joiat vaior and sacrifices of the
North and South-two-thirds of the cost would
tall upon the South. and therefore it was then
warmly coniended by all parties. that we should
take care OF the rights of the South on this new
territory should be fully secured In this con
test both parties struggled warmly for The snpre-
macy, in avowals Of deyoiions TO the rights Of
the South, and when the contest was determined
the principles upon which the South stood were
definitely settled
1t was at this Time, when public opinion was
unanimous in this State in regard to the rights
OF The South to a participation in the benefits of
the Mexican acquisitions, that | was honored
with the office OF Senator Of this State. Then
there were no doubts or divisions in the South.
A bold frent was then presented, and single
voice demanded an equal share ofthe results of
equal efforts and saIriices. The South then
had no hesitation in declaring that she would
stand by her Constitutional rights, her honor
and her dignity. Cheers. Under these im-
pressions of public opinion, commeeced nv ca:
reer in the late session of Congress, not doubling
bat that was faithfully carrying out the views
of my constituents. The two great questions
which speedily came up before Congress for set.
Element, were The Territoraial and Fugitive
out olthem scheme of compromise was proposed.
1t was then first discovered by us Of the South,
that il was actually necessary for us to ask FOR
a participation in the acquisitions Of the Mexi.
can war, and for The execution Of the coEsiitu.
tonal provision in regard TO reelaimiDg fugitive
slaves. We had to petition for our rights.-to
sue for The protection OF interests guaranteed BY
the Constitution! How have these matters been
settled? 1t is said that the plan of their ADJUST
ment is so wise and complete, that TO hesitate
before submission is treason. This Compro.
mise as it is styled, branches out into five dis
tincs measures. They are-First, The admis-
sion of California; Second. he formation of Ter.
ritorial Governments for Utah and New Mexico;
Third, the Fugitive Slave bill; Fourth. the abo
lilion Of the Slave Trade in the District Of Cos
lumbia; and, Fifth, the determination of the
Boundary of Texas.
Let US glance at these several measures:
Wewere just emerging from a successfnlwar,
Ia war. the great demerit of which consisted
in The fact that it was conducted with singular
ability and energy by Democratic Adminisira-
tion,-a war opposed by the fanatics of The North
as most nefarious and irreligious And yet, feI
lows >citzpns, when that war had terminated in
adding vastly to the territory and wealth of the
Union, these fanatics claimed the lions share Of
The spols; and what Is worse. they succeeded in |
that claim. Without regarding the
great sacrifices and noble exertions OF the South,
on the many battle fields which rendered that
war so glorious, let us contemplate the share Of
pecunarv sacrifices which we are called on to
make in that behalf. The cost Of the war was
seventy millions Of dollars. Webound ourselves
in the treaty 10 pay Mexico fifteen millions, and
five millions to our own ciizens-making in all
which The people of the Union have to pay in the
next ten wears, on account of the Mexican war,
ninety millions Out Of this, according TO the
ratio az taxation adopted by the General Govern,
ment, the South viii have 10 pay two.ihirds. or
sixty millions. And to a mercantile commune
ty the statement of these facts and figures
ought not TO be without theirju weight.
But, fellow citizens, their demands stop not
here. The exhaustion of our pockets. Of our
means, does not safe the ambition of our oppres-
sors; if itended here, we might congratulate our
selves, J. we were only called on to pay two-
whole amount. or double, three, four,
Or hundred fold Of The expenses o. This war. ]
should counsel submission, rather than endanger
The integrity Of this Union, The harmony of our
people, or the peace OF the country. | would |
say submit, submit it such abnegation does net |
involve also the surrender oil Your rights as free
men, of your honor as men, and ofyonr equality |
in his conederacy of soveregns. VIII Icoun-
.el you 10 that last indigniy? No! never.
Loud cheers.
Under this so-ealled Compromise, California. /
with boundaries extended over one hundred and
SEVENTY millions of acres, not oBe.ienth oi which /
rad ever been seen by her inhabitants. was ad-
nitted infoth Union with the WiImnt Prnvisa