The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-14

passed il would at length come to this that Washington
would be sgmaiized as miserable STAKEHOLDER WASH
ngion had right TO remind the as he did IN ms rare
we'll Address. The South knew hm well ne was 'heiis-
southern planter and southern man.
Mr. cAsS wished 70 say WORD lor PC Sss,ea no, ~, %
subject OF such guaranty, OF constitutional
amendment The honorable senator had supposed that
Sueh an idea never entered his mind and the senator
wonId allow him say that that not the difficulty
al all but the ground upon which the necessity OF
Il not done now. it would be fatal TO the country
Mr.. CALHOUN, Tin his seat) Certainly it will in the
MIR. CASS. beg the senator's pardon. He says il
must be done "f the question Is not settled"
these the words used by the senator; and he then
goes TO describe The disastrous consequences which
There several points which the senator consider
ed indispensable. Some OF these are trust, prac-
cable But there were two which excited peculiar ap
prehensions in my mind; Of which required aclon
and the other forbade H. and both OF which was satisfied
would disappoint the expectation OF the honorable sena
tor The first immediate amendment OF the con-
stituton and the second demand that California should
not be admitted into the Union These, understood him.
to be test questions the amendment in fact and the
admission OF California ~ 80 many words. " In lhal
case lsays the senator) California will become the test
question: And believe that nearly every member in this
body understood the honorable senator as
that dissolution of the Union would follow the failure
Mr. CALHOUN asked The senator TO read the rest Of
the speech on that point
Mr. CASS Certainly, with great pleasure and shall
be most happy 10 find that have been mistaken.
at is time, senators that there should be open and
do"s 1.-THE he question U Z MOI oe sa
whether II ever can hereafter be- and We as the repre-
ments, should come distinct understanding as 70 our
respective views in order ncerain whether the great
sent The stronger por,io agree 10 see them
broad principle of justice and duty, and let the
VI are pnnwng
So and shall know what do, when you reduce the
You win compel infer BY acts what intend
In that California win become The test question i
you adt her under ali the difficulties that oppose her ad
mission, you compel in thaI intend TO- ex Jude
Us s ws q hs s s @
the We would be blind not 70 perceive In
that that your objects and aggrandze
ment, and infatuated hot 10 act accordingly.
Now, is there senator who does not know what all
this means There i no mistaking IT. he who runs
may read il. | here was one test question: and
saw also that in effect there was another II was not
therefore that objected the senator supposes that
objected his proposition OF amendment 10 the con,
stiluton, though, in fact he made none; He only said
an amendment must take place, without designating what
it must be. Any mere proposition Tor an amendment
entirely harmless and may be admitted and discussed
with perfect safety But the subject assumes another
aspect when the very existence of the confederation de-
ponds upon its adoption was satisfied thai Y tnat was
the sentiment Of the South The prospec. before US was
gloomy indeed. Every one knows that an amend
men Of the constitutions under almost any circumstances
is almost impractcable; and although do not say il
will never Be amended yet may safely say i viii bs
il best should be For should we iamper with
Often and change il with the changing year. no one
can predict what would ultimately assume, or how IT
might affect the destinies Of our country.
Mr.. CALHOUN was understood to remark that ne
had said that the admission OF California ought to be
considered test question and he would leave TO his
constituents and others decide whether he had asserted
that disunion would follow If it not made test
question He preferred his own words to ne INT na,eP p
pect the amendment to be made Immediately, but he
wished to have some indication given that would De
Mr. FOOTE. Ipromise not 10 occupy the attention Of
the Senate long The senators will perceive that my po
sition is rather peculiar one am certainly exposed
TO misapprehenson, in consequence u what mas iaen
from the honorable senator South Carolina, II 10
not make some explanation He undertakes to express
surprise at the course have pursued in protesting against
cerian portions of his speech the other day. when he
must know that there are but lew persons here or any
where who do understand the speech of the honorable
senator precisely understand H. member oil the
other House who did moi understand il in The way
IN fact have only declared what is the plain ntepreta
ton of the speech But the honorable senator Is sur
prsed that should take the Liberty OF guarding myself
and those associated with him in this great con,
test against that misconstruct0n OF our motives and
plans, which | did believe would arise in the pub
lie mind IL no seasonble effort were made TO guard
against il. Why. sir, hoped, as ! said at the
time, in giving the honorable senator an opporin
nifty 2 explain that ready explanation would o &c s al
his explanation not entirely satisfactory 10 me or to
others. For what do we now hear from the honora-
Bile senatori He frankly avows that he did intend to
raise an additional issue-a new ssue-wthout consult
ing other senators from the South who were equally
voved in this with himself and who were entitled
10 be conferred with before important movement was
hazarded This issue has not been openly made known
10 any portion OF the South Is any one here, besides
the honorable senator himself, able al this moment TO
make known the precise constitutional amendment at
which the honorable gentleman Is aiming; have said,
and must continue say that the honorable gentleman,
Throughout this proceeding has acted with his
toned discretion, and without intending IT, has done Sc
rous injustice to some Of his most conhdng friends m
undertaking TO make issue OF this SORT OF this vital
character without consulting them beforehand 10 speak
plainly almost felt that moose was put around my
neck whilst asleep and without having aniecedently OBJ.
tanned my consent Never did the honorable senator, on
any former OCCASION announce the necessity oil raising this
new issue; and the whole country will be found enhre
uuprepared for it, Now, sir, what would be the probable
effect OF the honorable senator's conduct in this affair." had
not nterposed In the now complained OF Inc
honorable senator has had his several years
past TO propose the amendment OF the constitution OF
which he seems solicous but he has made no such
movement nor nmaed his intention TO do so al any iu
iure time He knows well that the meeting oil the great
Nashville Convention is but little more than Two months
distant and that meanwhile this contest between The Tree
and slave OF the Unoa is waxing sul warmer ana
more warm that the excitement the uDadused ques-
tons growing out of the subject OF slavery, Is becoming
every day and intense Yet he has delioer-
a,ely undertaken 10 throw this new issue before the
country when he knows that is only calculated to In.
crease our difficulties, add to the existing irritation and
postpone utterly defeat all satisfactory settlement
Meanwhile, the honorable senator mot only engaged IN
thus obsrucng all compromise but IS heard TO denounce
The very name Of compromise He Is actively opposing,
nj this moment the raising Of the committee OF thirteen,
proposed by me.
Now be must know that IL, 10 the next two months,