The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-31


self by such a course, the reader of good taste
will be at no loss to decide
Proceeding in his comments upon the Legisla-
ton of the States individually, he at last namei
Ohio.
She had black code believe IL has been so
often modified, that it is extremely difficult to un
derstand 1t at this time. But her public men are
her opponents, or some Of them. One--a Senator
on this foor-has openly said, in a resolution said
to have been proposed 10y him at a meeting Of
Free-Soilers that, under an oath 10 support the
Constitution Of the United States, he would feel
at liberty under a mental reservation, to regard
this article as null and void
MIR. Chase of Ohio rose, and, with much en-
phasis, demanded
ITO whom does the Senator allude?D
Mr.. Butler. | allude to the Senator himself,
and to resolution introduced by him in a con-
vention held in ls43
Mr.. Chase Mr.. President, | never proposed
such resolution-never voted for any such reso-
luton; ] never would propose or vote for such
resolution.
Mr.. Butler. IL is attributed to the Senator
who has just taken his seat if the accounts in the
newspapers are TO be relied upon.
Mr.. Chase. When a Senator brings a serious
charge against a fellow-Senator, he should have
some better authority than newspaper para.
graph. Sensation
Mr.. Butler. should hardly have supposed
that such remark would come from one connected
with newspapers himself Loud laughter When
an honorable Senator arises upon this floor, and
disavows anything publicly charged to him, shall
give him credit for it, and not contradict him.
can say that heretofore this opinion has been at
tributed TO both himself and one Of the Senators
from New York, Mr.. Seward They have been
thought to be estra-constitutional. They have
been thought 60 take an ecfra view of this subject
altogether
Mr.. Butler said that the fate Of the bin de-
pended upon the action of a liked majority, which
was with the North, a majority secured through
the operation of the ballot box '-
IL is nc exaggeraton when say, it has been
the ballot box which has, in some measure pro-
duced the mischiefs which some have supposed
could be removed throught. ID has been through
the ballotbox that the sections have been arrayed
against each other. MIR President, il is worse
than Pandora's box; for there was hope at the
bottom of that, but there is no hope in this You
have a majority in the North. This majority is
destined TO increase yes sir it is destined to in
crease You have high responsibility attached
to you as majority
The reply to complaint is, that majority must
govern proposition that involves in it unlimited
power-apowev 20 Sonstrue md a power to enforce
the Constitution. Well, sir, the power of ma
'iofftyexis,s fSSS " WIN he used is TO be deter
mined. Ii carries with il its power, and ought to
have associated with it its responsibilities
The destiny Of this republic depends upon this
increasing and aggressive majority Even if il
were to assign limits to itself to-day fear it
would pass them tomorrow. 1t is supposng that
sefshness will respect the prescriptions of Justice
This majority will increase under the influence
of a common interest. Minnesota Nebraska Cal
fornia Deseret and New Mexico are in polit-
ical condition to become States. They will have
to be admitted by the votes of the Southland
these votes will be given under an honorable obi
CATION to observe the compromises Of the past
but they surely should look to some security for
the future. They can have no indemnity for the
past-that has been absorbed in the elements of
their ruin it is beyond the power of revocation or
remedy we must consult the cOunsels Of prudence
to prevent further mischief.
Sir, the time for hearing the forms and pretences
of a,gument has passed. Every days proceedings
here show the temptations to further advance in
making majorities, with view of reaping the
fruits of the measures devised-either in popular
fame or chance for office This is the theatre
for demonstration, and we have many 0ctors-all
looking to the magical influence of majority, and
especially majority by looking to foreign access
sion.
The resolution introduced the other day by the
distinguished Senator from Massachusetts, is an
illustration of this aud, sir, there are other reso-
lutions to the same intent Thcyall profess great
love for coming foreigners-to INCREASE majority.
Mr.. Butler proceeded to speak in general terms
on the Territorial Question, the Mexican War,
the conduct of the American Soldiery in Mexico,
and the wonderful magnanimity of General Scott
in laying down the command in the moment of
triumph, when Mexico was under his feet lie
repuliated the doctrines announced by General
Cnss in relation to the right Of the People of
Territory to govern themselves,
Surely, when the cession was made, il was
made to those who had declared the war; and
who were ihey7 They were the People of the
different sovereign States through their represent
alive trustee-the Congress Of the United States
And, ~ n trustee, Congress took and as snch,
must hold Ii is IL resulting consequence of the
war-power, clearly conferred by the Constitution
that Congress must take care of and govern the
Territories that have been surrendered to its do
mnion-subect only 10 the limitations and con-
trolling influence Of equality and right among the
partners who achieved the conquest.
After some general remarks upon the relations
of the States, Mr. Butler closed his speech.
Mr. Chase. | do not propose now, MIR. Pres
ident, to enter into the general question which
has been presented by the bill reported from the
Judiciary Committee, but have been my self nd-
vidually referred to, in a manner which makes il
proper for me to say word or two.
Mr. Butler, Gnterposing) The statement to
which referred came from an Ohio paper
i my authority. will hand il to the gentleman
before he begins his remarks, in order that he
may know upon what based the remarks that |
made in relation 70 him.
Mr. Chase. | know no reason, Mr. President,
why a particular Senator should be singled out
upon this floor for special exhibition Of his per-
sonal opinions and views Ii may, perhaps be
thought somewhat safer to attack Senator whose
supposed positions may separate him in political
action from the two leading parties Of the country.
than other Senators who have the advantage Of
prompt and powerful party support. The Senator
from South Carolina thought proper the other day
TO bring before the Senate n letter written by
myself and now the same Senator has seen ht TO
introduce here newspaper paragraph, attributing
TO me n certain resolution.
MFR President, ! wrote the letter attributed 10
me- | wrote that letter TO the late Speaker of the
House Of Representatives Of my State. ] did not
expect its publication. II had, a phrase or two
perhaps might have been made less obnoxious TO
verbal criticism But sir, the general propositions
maintained in that letter, | would maintain in
public. as have maintained them in private |
have no sentiments for private communication
which am not ready to avow on proper occasions
everywhere My opinions Mr.. President all men
may know, and these opinions am ready to de-
fend They are not sectional opinions ] was
made to say, in the report Of some remarks which
| uttered in the Senate the other day, that the
Free Democracy-the party with which ] have
acted-was sometimes sectional in it's charac-
ter ! did not say that. Ii is not 30. hold no
views which deem sectional Nor are they sec
tional, unless the opinions Of Washington, and
Jefferson, and Madison, were sectional also; for
every position which maintain IN fortified by their
authority--by Southern authority. Not sir, that