The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-07
Mr. DAVIS. Of Massachusetts,, moved an adjourn
usnt which agreed to and
The Senate adjourned A

Mr. DAVIS. Of Massachusetts,. moved an adjourn
nent which was agreed to and
The Senate ADJOURNED
Several rather serious having occurred in some
remarks BY Mr.. FoorE, printed by US on Tuesday. we
lake pleasure in republishing the same corrected by
thai gentleman
In SENATE, TUESDAY, JgLY 30, 1850
Mr F00rE having offered an amendment to the Com.
promise bill, providing ior the organization Of the Terri
NT DAVIS OF Mississippi presented the following as
an amendment 10 Mr.. FOOTE'S propositions;
And all laws and usages existing in said Territory
n ,he date OF us acquisition by the United States which
deny or obstruot the right oil any citizen of United
STATE. 10 and reside in said Territory with any
species property legally held IN any q the States Of Ibis
Union, be, and are hereby, declared null aud void.
Ar. YULEE then addressed the Senate as heretofore
published, after which the following debate arose
MIR F0OrE. shall relieve the Senate at once of
any painful apprehension which may be entertained OF
being compelled 10 listen TO long speech from in
sponse TO the formal aud abored discourse which has
us drawn to close So intensely interesting has the
speech Of the senator from Florida proved the Senate
and galleries. and profound an attention has been ac
corded TO him, that should mol regard it as by any
means safe for any one so humbly gifted as myself TO
enter into contest with him upon the various topics
which have been SO ably debated by him; for the con
tras would be so striking. both in regard 10 oratorca
merits and in reference to the effects likely be produced
BY our speeches upon those who might choose to
listen 10 US, that feel certain that my sensiblites
uaton from detriment, by reinqushng, without delay
and ia the most explicit language, all rival prelensions
and acknowledging as now do most soemnly, my utter
ncapacity TO meet so potent antagonist upon the arena
OF controversial strife And yet sir there are one or two
of the remarks OF the honorable geDteman that cannot
well avoid noticing Tor a moment
The honorable gentleman has accused me of being de-
dcenl in what he is pleased call illogical sequence
deeply regret this sir, because high authority
matters OF logical concernment the honorable senator
himself must be necessarily decisive OF my own merits
ha
hended that what little character may have heretofore
acquired ogician will at become extinct never
more to be resuscltated Fad!adeen himself was not
mecess 10 poor Feamorz than has been the great To-
gcan OF the State OF Florida 10 upon this occasion
The senator from Florida charges with inconsist
ency nay more, he sus,ans the charge, to extent
by evidence. But the case is than that for
the very inconsistency charged and established had
ally been confessed by before the accusation had been
presented 1t is absolutely true, asserted by the
Tor from FLORIDA, that my mind was at one time very
great doubt upon the question whether The Next
laws prohibiting slavery annued by the treaty
Of Guadalupe Hdago or had survived the ratification of
that instruments and it is equally true that until heard
certain able arguments here, and examined the whole
subject carefully, was not able 10 free my mind from all
doubt upon this grave and complex subject and being
thus in doubt, did express myself on the occasion
ferred TO IN the precise language quoted There is them
some appearance OF inconsistency in my course, con-
TESS so lar as the point under consideration concerned
But, lnasnuch Sir Robert Peel, the abest
perhaps OF the age not only not free from the grew
sin oil Inconsistency but is known have open
ly avowed change OF opinion upon several OF the most
important questions which have in the Brit
sh Parliament, hope that no serious dscredt will fall
upon me Oh account OF my own shortcomings, as they
have been exhibited here to-day by the senator from
Florida. The honorable gentleman should recoec too,
that all men are not possessed OF his gigantic intellectual
powers; thai lew men. living dead, have been SO
bounieousy blessed by Divine Providence himself
all those qualities OF understanding which enable
once to pierce the mysteries OF the mos, complex subject
and without moments delay to form opinion which
may stand the test OF talents OF scrutiny, and OF time "
and the honorable gentleman, in consideration Of these
ihlngs should be little merciful and forbearing; more
especially as even he cannot boast OF absolute consist
ency-snce we all know that, in regard TO the Missouri
Compromise the senator from Florida has not hesitaed
recently to abandon his former aittude-he having for
meIy opposed the Compromise upon consttu ona
grounds and being its most jealous, and certainly
also ITS most potential advocate With all his logical
tuteness the honorable senator does able to
perceive how any distinction can be drawn between
sening that Congress has power to egislate for the
protection OF slavery and declaring that territorial legis
lature may have this power.
Dir. YULEE Win the honorable senator allow me to
ask hun where territorial legislature derives the power
10 eglslaie Tor the protection of slavery
Mr. FOOTE. Why, this matter has been so often ex
planned here that am quite surprised that the question
powers OF territorial government not derived from
Congress at ALL Congress has assumed authority 10
aosh territorial governments | say assumed, because
perfectly agree with the honorable senator from Niche
gan, Mr. CASH. and distinguished Virginia statesman
IN The other wing of the Capitol, [Mr BAYLYl (wilh the
latter OF whom believe this OF the matter TO have
0gnaled that, viewing the question rHtgra, II
night well be denied that the constitution has conferred
upon Congress all the power OF establishing territorial
governments The whole business OF establishing govern
hens inherently belongs 10 the people whom govern
mental authority TO be exercised But territorial gov
Eminent being in existence, and its authority as
such being admitted, Il follows, a matter OF course.
mai i possesses all legislative power for the regulation
municipal concerns, not prohibited by the constu
hon of the United States under the general authority
which all governments, whether State TERRITORIAL
N understood as possessing. Now, the power OF
egsatng adversely 10 slavery u.s. in my Judgment with
ned IRON territorial governments, whether erected by the
people OF The Territories or by Congress. BY the con-
suuhon Itself whilst the power OF giving protection 10
property OF every kind recognised by the constitution is
mol thus withheld. ThisIs my view OF the matter, and
always has been since first thoroughly examined it.
but, slr, really did not rise 10 say much have
already said. Let conclude with the expression OF
nope mat toe good people OF ri brda for whose special
eeneht Is obvoas that the honorable senator from that
state intended exclusively 10 speak this occasion, may
o as much entertained by the speech which have been
houeng Tor moment, when they shall receive II PRINT
Swe have been in listening to II. and that they may be
- much instructed by also those OF have been Q
mere are indeed any such) who have been delighted lis
enehs II when IN the course oil delivery
. Nj fULEE. II is quite irue the senator supposes,
.na what have said upon the subject of inerven
uVh was with full consideration IL is, IN my judgment,
auuly owe TO my constituents, and TO this body not TO
Express Opinions IN this critical IuDcture OF public affairs
winch have no, been considered A similar care might
70, De Improbable TO some who by its neglect in
'oFed IN too frequent Inconsistencies OF action.
90 confess that although at one time very strenuous
y opposed 70 renewing the Missouri Compromise as
ps vi adjustment, after its reputation by the North
an winng now 10 consent to it, But the senator errs
Wneh ne speaks Of me as an advocate of it. / am not
us advocate II is settlement in many resoeets on,,e
md Na.l, n.