The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-22
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH oF mss. BELL
OF TENNESSEE,

OF TENNESSEE.
On hs Compromise Bl deiipsredu in The Senate Juiu s.
1850.
The Senate having under consideration the bill for the
admission ot California into the Union The establishment
Of territorial governments Tor Utah and New Mexico,
and making proposals 10 Texas lor the establishment Of
her western and northern boundaries
Aud Mr.. BELL having addressed the Senate as was
published IN hls paper OF August aud TO- he continued
as follows;
Mr. PRESIDENT Upon careful consideration of the
condition OF the country this juncture and OF the in
unsc difficulties OF the deeply interesting questions now
presented or decision, l concur IN the sentiment of
The honorable senator from Michigan, [Gen. CAssl
agree with him that we have arrived a point oil time
in our history which will constitute an epoch 10 which
the fulufe historian Will REFER and from ii deduce the
causes OF QUE decline naion OF increased pros
penIy and grandeur But fear that may weary the
Sehae.
several SENATORS. "Oh, mol" go on !" "Go on p
Nh. BELL do not know that l say any thing
further worthy The attention o honorable senators but
have had desire to present some general views sug
gesied by yei not directly conhecied with the subject
which have appeared 10 me deserving attention
50 drhden however, OF presenting my opinions what
may be considered abstract or merely speculative ques
tons TO the Senate, that 1t would perhaps be we'll TO
close my remarks here.
Several SENATORS go on" $50 on!'
Mr.. BELL desired TO corroborale the sentiment ex-
pressed by the honorable senator from Michigan Mr.
CAssl on former day. he said that had arrived at
aperod IN our history that would be marked epoch
from which future historians might deduce the OF
decline or OF increased prosperity. agree with hin
am not sure that do not consider the present crisis OF
gaver interest than, from his manner, should suppose
him 10 regard It. And if could have the indulgence of
the Senate in turning over few pages OF past his
tory, every of which regard repete with val
liable instruction., and every one OF which would be
sucIent foundation Tor an elaborate speech should be
grained.
think, Mr.. President, that although some have said
that there is danger to be appehended from The
ent condition OF affairs, and others have endeavored
create panic there is danger, which ought not TO
be unheeded think that the destiny Of the republic.
for good Tor evil does depend and in slight degree,
not only upon what do now, but also what
wemay tail TO do
Sir no man who loves his country. no man who has
any just pride IN the reflection that be is American
ctlzen but must desire that these dissensions should
cease; Tor, slr, II is not mere question whether
shall preserve the Unionor that may yet prove great
boon, either 10 ourselves or to posteIy The question is,
whether these States shall continue be united accord
ing to the letter OF the covenant by which they bound
tOseher s whether they shall continue be
in heart-whether they shall continue be practically
and efficiently cooperative in carrying out the great end
Of the association. The question 49, whether mutual
trust and confidence shall continue 10 animate and
courage mutual efforts IN promoting aud multiplying COM
benefits; whether mutual hatred and distrust
shall step in TO check all progress TO distract and con-
found all JOINT endeavors for the common welfare
hne, 10 entail upon the country all the evils OF endless
dscod. This is The question. And when you present
thai to me, say once, give separation; give
dsunlon give me anything in preference to Union
sustained only by power-by constitutional and legal ties,
without confidence. Ii our future TO be OF
eternal dlscord and OF angry elimination and recrlmna
hon, give rather separation with all It's consequences
TO be at peace lei 1t be peace in reality and if
am 10 be at war; let me know IT al once, that may put
my house order and be ready meet the consequences
So, SIR If could dictate the OF Congress IN the
pending difficulties, would say, let the adjustment be
made IN the real spirit OF concession compromise, and
conciliauon. Let have that the PROM
sed harmony shall be permanent Stay this agitation
aay this burning fever that threatens 10 consume the
system Terminate this suspense, which is more 'ntol-
erable than open rupture. Il of the South have
made up minds 10 yield nothing, TO endure nobing
better spirit actua,es and prepared both
10 yield something and endure something, and yet cannot
bring northern brethren OF and
equitable arrangement, and they will continue TO and
harass and or let resolve and let them
suffer us TO manage our own affairs IN our own way.
But trust il will never come to this issue.
Sir, suppose that there member OF this body
who Is not ready TO sacrifice to concede something OF
his individual sentiments and opinions 10 AND us
meni OF these queslions-were he untrammeed BY
pledges, TO which he may his position here, and
which he may violate without dishoDo-to suppose
ha, there one here from the North the South,
who prepared to sacrifice his individual views 10
the good o his country, he Tree TO do is 10 sup
pose him utterly unworthy oil the station he holds To
suppose that there member OF this body who, upon
cold and selfish calculation OF personal advancement
would insist upon extreme issues, IS TO suppose HIM
wretch who does not deserve 10 live.
Sull, cannot be disguised that the questions TO be
decided beset with difficulties and embarrassments
every side. Whatever way turn, met BY OBJ
staces and opposing interests and influences To state
OF the prominent OF these interests and Dhu
ences may be of now, IN attempt TO compose
these dlstIactng Quesiions and If should happily
succeed efforts 10 give present quiet 10 the country,
may prove OF advantage TO those who come after
briefly TO review the causes remote and proymae,
which have precipaied the present crisis.
take the existence OF the institution OF slavery IN
number OF contiguous States of the Union composing
somewhat distinct and compact geographical group or
section, and the er,sence OF any such relation or IN
sututon equal greater number OF States, const-
tung equally distinct and separate group section,
be the primary of the existing embarrassnents
and dIssenslons But shall this TO be invet-
crate and ncufabe disease OF our system--one which
cannot be eradIcaied removed without absolute de-
srucuon Ii was born in the system IL mas grown up
with II and while the system itself lasts. for anything
we descry IN the future IT must continue to give
se to occasional paroxysms OF annoyance and disturb
aDce. The best we do will be to accommodate
The operation oil the stem this inevitable condition
of its existence as 10 Keep down inflammation.
From the nature OF this inherent element dlssension
Will be readily perceived that one OF the active
Influences TO be encountered by the statesmen Who de
ses TO preserve our system OF government the spirit
of iaDatcsm, religious and phiantbropic Another not
less active, and powerful FOR mischief is the spirit
OF party and the rivalres and osngs of personal ambi-
ton. Add to these sectional leaousies-tbe jealouses
of sectional sway and neutrality-suspicious. springing
in part from economical considerations naturally Incl.
dent TO country OF such vast extent, and OF ha
distinct productive capacity and adapation-lealouses OF
free and slave labor incident TO the distinct and different
social relations the two section-and we have before
US general outline of the causes which have produced
the present disturbances, and OF the obstacles and nu
ences which exist prevent any satisfactory adusmen
OF them
propose TO trace briefly the operation OF these ele
ments OF dscord, during a period which many OF tn
most distinguished the stage OF pobllc hf'
were conspicuous actors lpropose TO conhne myself a.
lar as possible to statement facts, leaving senators
TO make their own deductions and commentaries.
49, Il. - .Ixt arsn nd