Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-04

bill in pursuance Of such expression Of the opinion
of the Senate That as understand it is, the parlia
mentary course OF legislation throughout the world,
wherever parliaments exist Its not the worthy Sc
nator from Texas supposes, abstract proposition
No such thing intend them practical, sober pro-
positions to be decided upon and referred to committees,
and to be reported upon either amatively or mega
lively with view, if reported armativey, to sub
sequent action thereupon.
Mr. Downs only desire to have my protest re-
corded with the resolutions and remarks offered by the
Senator from Kentucky; have at least the right as
member of the Senate to haveit recorded in the
page with the remarks and resolutions Of the Senator
himself. ----
Mr. Clay lin his seat) Certainly, sir
Mr.. Downs. And, Mr.. President, / am not the less
inclined to have them recorded because the gentleman
seems to have been extremely anxious upon this
sion to have nothing else recorded but his own resolu
tons and his remarks, for he has protested dozen
times already that nobody should say any thing upon
the subject but himself, and can only say that if he
attempts by here, or in any other way to drive
Senators from their proper positions, to compel them
into submission 10 his behess that his long and valuable
services in public life and great fame will be of no
ssance in the effort ana sincerely trust that he will
Mr.. CLAY. The honorable gentleman from Louisia-
ma has given Interpretation to my remarks that they
were never intended to bear. The gentleman may avail
himself however fanny Interpretation he chooses to give
them.
Mr.. BERRIEN. | ask apology for the very brief
remarks about to make, and shall content myself
Wltn saying that make Lel because 16el III 10 be
duty 10 do So | was disposed, when the resolutions
were offered by the Senator from Kentucky, to allow
them to take the ordinary which is given to pro-
ceedngs OF that character; to allow them to be
panied by the opening remarks OF the Senator from
Kentucky, and then, some day which should be
signed Tor the purpose have entered upon their dis
cussion. The which has been adopted by Sena-
tors representing several OF the Southern States seems 10
me to impose upon me the duty which have risen to
perform.
Now, sir, I appreciate the patriotism which has
prompted the introduction OF these resolutionsI think
L do the spirit in which they are conceived-and am
sure, too, if understand that spirit correctly is as no.
norable to the distinguished Senator from Kentucky as
IS valuable tor the support which gives to the peace
and harmony OF the Union do not rise therefore,
Tor the purpose OF discussing these resolutions for the
subject to which they refer at this engages the
attention OF the State which, with my friend and col
league have the honor here to represent But would
not alter the declarations made by Senators from other
States have inferred from my silence with all the re-
spect have tor the Senator from Kentucky and with
the ready homage which am disposed to do to the
motives which prompted their inroducton-for single
moment have 1t conceived by my constituents that
could acquiesce in the propositions asserted in these re-
solutions rise Tor the purpose of saying that before
they can receive my concurrence there provisions
contained in them which must be substantially modified
ana mat there are important omissions which must be
supplied
have said that do not to discuss the resou-
tons, and have fulfilled my purpose in the declaration
Just made yet connected as have been in the earlier
stages OF this dlscussionI at the anterior ses-
son-wlth the question OF the validity of those laws
Which are supposed to exclude slavery from the terrific
res acquired from Mexico, may be permitted to say,
to meet the declaration OF opinion by the declaration Of
opnlon and the assertion of the readiness to maintain
that opinion by argument, that the opinion which
on this subject at an anterior PERIOD is the
opinion which, alter the most careful examination the
most anxious delberaton could bestow on the subject
now entertain, and that, with such powers as God has
gwen me, am ready to maintain them whenever the
MI. BUTLER. did notintend to make remark on
TINS SUBJECT but after the turn which the discussion has
taken is due to myself to say few words before this
tor from Kentucky. Perhaps our Northern brethren
ought to understand that all the compromises that have
been made have been by concessions acknowledged
concessions, on the part of the South When other
compromises are proposed that require concessions
on their part whilst none are exacted the other the
issue al least should be presented for their consideration
before they come to the decision of this great question
1t understand it, the Senator from Kentuckys whole
PIoposltion OF compromise is nothing more than this
mat California is already disposed Of, having formed
State constitution and that Territorial governments
shall be organized Tor Deseet and New Mexico under
winch by the operation OF laws already existing slave
holding population could not carry with them or own
slaves there What is there in the nature OF compro-
mise here, coupled as is with the proposition that by
the existing laws in the Territories, it almost certain
that shareholders cannot and have right to- go there
With their property! What is there in the nature of
compromise here am willing however, to run the
risks, and ready to give to the Territories the go
yernmens they require shall always think that IN
der constitution giving equal rights to all parties the
slayehodng people as SUCH go those Territories
and retain their property there But, we adopt this pro-
position of the Senator from Kentucky is clearly on
the basis that slavery shall not go there
l dId not understand the Senator from Mississippi
Nf' DAVIS to maintain the proposition that the South
asked OF desired law declaring that slavery should go
mere or that 1t maintained the policy even that it was
lhe duty OF Congress to pass such law We have only
ASKED and II is the only compromise to which we will
submit that Congress shall withhold the hand of vio-
Tbo
question can be settled is for gentlemen at the North TO
Withdraw all their opposition to the Territorial Govern
enls' ana not insist on their slavery prohibition The
Union is then safe enough, Why then insist on com.
promise when those already made are sufficient for the
peace OF the North and South if faithfully observed p?
hese propositions are in the name ola compromise
Wnen none IS necessary. do not and cannot attach
any blame to the Senator from Kentucky tor this effort
believe it to be an honorable effort made to calm the
agitation OF the country and to restore harmony and
preserve the Union Sir, he is part of the history OF
the Government his fame is identified with that of the
Union; and, sir the very temple OF our liberty and free
institutions has his name written almost every one of
its columns do not blame him tol this effort to pre-
serve the Union, but may be pardoned if say that it
Will not be preserved by the mere name OF COMPROMISE
Mr. CAss: ! have not risen TO say word on this
exciting opic but merely TO remark upon one fact stated
ey The Senator from kentucky He has alluded to the
state OF Michigan as mere matter of history proper
10 De referred to under the circumstances and has said
mat California has stronger claims to come into the
Union than had Michigan when she was admitted L.
here nothing IN my knowledge warrant the re-
mark. Michigan, under the fundamental law and
pledge Of the Union. had right to come in on popu-
lation OF 10000 She reached double that number and
year after year presented her claims for admission bnt
Congress refused to admit her, Where is it possible for
people to have presented stronger claim for adms-
sion! Indeed, in going back to the history Of that time
am aslonshed that any man could have resisted it
Michigan was not the first but the second State that
came IN in that way Tennessee, or what was before
known as the Southwest Territory some twenty years
preceding, came IN the same way-by her own act, or
ventons, formed her OWE constitution and came here
by her own act,
The resolutions were then made the special order OF
day for Tuesday next.