Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-03-19
MR.. CALHOUNS POSITION -vARIOUsLY
UNDERSTOOD
In. SENATE, Thursday, March 18th, 10:

UNDERSTOOD.
In SENATE, Thursday, March 18th, 1850
Mr.. CAss continued his remarks, which were inter-
ruped on Wednesday, by the explanations between
Messrs. CALHOUN, FooTE and CAss, published in our
paper of Saturday.
After advocating the right of California to admission
State, Mr.. CAss made the following reference TO
Mr.. Calhoun's suggestion Of an amendment TO the Con-
stitution:
regret sir that the Senator from South Carolina is
present, as desired 10 extend my remarks further
than | shall now do. / have already said that the
speech of that honorable Senator inevitably leads US to
the conclusion that upon the admission of California de-
ponds the dissolution of the Union. He likewise con-
tended that amendment to the constitution was in
dspensable, and his remarks yesterday seemed to
connect the fate OF the country with the accomplish
ment OF this object
Mr. Downs. The Senator from Michigan states that
the Senator from South Carolina remarked in his speech
that this amendment was indispensable. Now, | may
have misunderstood his words but certainly think he
only said that it was desirable.
Mr. CASs. do not desire to exchange words upon
this point and have not the slightest disposition to pro-
from Louisiana, will read the Senator's own words
Mr. Cass here read the part of Mr.. CA1Ho1,Ns
speech in which, after suggesting new provision of
the Constitution, which will protect the South" he
says:
IF the question is not now settled. it is uncertain
whether it hereafter be and We as the repre-
sentatives OF the States of this Unon regarded as GO
vernments, should come to a distinct understanding as
to our respective views in order to ascertain whether the
great questions at issue can be settled Ifyou
who represent the stronger portion cannot agree to
tie them on the broad principle of justice and duty, say
So and let the States both represent agree sepa
rate and part in peace L have not another word to
say, Mr. President If these remarks do not Justify the
conclusion l have drawn from them do not know
what can"
Mr.. Downs. Do understand the Senator as saving
that he understood the Senator from South Carolina as
asserting that the amendment should be made now!
Mr.. CAss The Senatorfr from South Carolina, in the
explanation he US, said he did not require to be
done now, but that it indispensable that should be
done. Am not right2
Mr.. FooTE. The Senator from South Carolina said,
believe, that it would be Indispensable ultimately
That, think, was the word he used.
Mr.. BUTLER. | know it may be expected that
should be able to indicate what the precise opinions
OF my colleague; but have in reality no more know
ledge of his views than or may be in the possession of
any SENATOR but did understand him distinctly 10 say
so far as can infer from othersources, believe it is
his nionthat when the Northern States shall have
acquired such predominatng influence in the councils
Of the nation that there shall be security for the
South against their abuse Of power than there should
be inserted in the constitution some provision by which
the minority shall have in their power TO avoid beco-
ming despised and degraded minority Sir that is
his idea And will say in this connection, and I en-
dorse his view to this extent that do not see that we
have any security in the forbearance of northern ma
Jorty. am free to say that do not feel security from
that source; because when | hear gentleman say
that he holds to part of the constitution and dsre-
CARDS another according to his conscience and others
in and say that they will break it down SO far as
they understand its provisions what security have we
orthe preservation OF rights unless we have some
thing to rely upon by way of veto?
My colleague has not intimated that the Union NAV
not continue tor many years to come. But what sort
OF Union is it by which are bound together when
the elements OF strife introduced here every day.
He has always adhered to the Union and he wishes to
restore to it the elements Of its prosperity by producing
harmony and Cancellation; and they are attained by the
North doing justice and conceding TO the South an
equal right in the acquired territory by implying with
the requsons OF the constitution in relation to the
delivery OF fugitive slaves, and by ceasng the agitation
OF the slave question: and by providing for the nser-
ton OF some provision in the constitution which will
give to the South some security that her rights will be
respected
Mr. Downs With the permission of the honorable
Senator, will state that believe he was not under.
stood without going infinitely into the views expressed
by the senator from South Carona-that believe he
not understood by southern members of this body
generally in the in which the honorable senator
from Michigan understood him. certainly did not so
understand him. and am not aware that any southern
| senator did.
| MIR. FooTE, understand now from the explanation
that has been given by the colleague OF the honorable
senator from South Carolina that it is the opinion of
| both these gentlemen that amendment to the con-
stituton indispensable. Does Ex-senator from Loui-
siana doubt that such is their opinion?
Mr. Downs / did not so understand the gentleman.
| Mr. FooTE. The senator from South Carolina said
there should be such provision in the constitution
as would amount to veto power in favor Of the mino
Mr. CAss Gentlemen will remember that my time
is very limited.
Mr. Downs. L trust the senator will allow me to
finish the sentence that have commenced. Without
going into minute analysis of the speech of the hon
orable senator from South Carolina l say now that
did not put tile construction upon which put by the
honorable senator from Michigan, and believe that
southern senators generally did not,
Mr.. BoRLAND. AS one southern senator will say
that did not.
Mr.. Downs. know of none that did
Mr.. RUsK. Will the honorable Senator from Michi-
gan allow me simply to say that l hope the Senator
from Louisiana will not make construction or assume
to speak for the entire South9 We are all here do
not choose that the Senator shall make construction
for me that l can do for myself do not choose to
enter upon that matter now. have not investigated
the subject. But hope the Senator will not assume
to speak for the whole South.
MIR. Downs do not intend to speak for any BODY
but myself; but SO TAR as know or have heard the
view that haye stated is that taken by the whole
South.
Mr. FooTE. l hope the Senator from Michigan will
permit me add single word. know that the con
structon which placed upon the honorable Senator's
remark is the construction that was given to it by
nearly all the southern members Of this body. could
give their names it necessary. have said 90 BEFORE
and my word is not to be disputed by anybody
Mr.. Downs. did not dispute the assertion of the
honorable Senator but have right to speak for my
self have not conversed with the Senator from Tex
as, nor with any other Senator in regard to it. do
not make it business to do so; but hear what Sena-
ssay me; and now say again that the Senator
from Mississippi up to this time, the first Senator who
has put the construction that's contended for upon
the speech OF the distinguished Senator from South Ca
rolina. Ispeak of whist | know. 1t is true may be
mistaken but do not coincide in that construction
and believe there are many from the South who do
| not.
| Mr.. CAss May l be permitted to say that must re-
quest Senators longer to interrupt me? hope |
snail be allowed to go on, my time is short and
will finish what have to say in very few minutes
am generally quite accommodating but upon this &C.
cason must insist that there be no interruptions
After Mr.. CAss had further proceeded in his regular
remarks. the following debate took place
Mr.; DAVIS, OF Mississippi understand that the ho-
nolabe senator from Michigan expressed wish to ask
me question.
Mr.. CAss. Yes, sir; yes, sir. I wished to ask the
honorable senator from Mississippi if he would vote for