The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1850-02-22

anu upon tnlS 0dTtH, 10 CIOSou, anu ClO-
sed, if my wishes prevail. forever.
But, sir, it is impossible for US to be
blind to the facts which are daily transpi
ring before us. II is impossible for us
not to perceive that party spirit aud fu-
ture elevation mix more or less in all our
affairs. in all our deliberations. At mo.
ment, sir, when the White House is itself
in danger of cnnAagration. instead of all
hands uniting to extinguish the flames,
we are contending about who shall be its
next occupant, When dreadful Gre.
vase has occurred. which threatens in.
undation and destruction to all around it,
we are contes'ing and disputing about
the profits Of the estate which is threaten.
ed with total submersion.
Mr. President it is passion, passion
party, party-and intemperance. that is
all l dread in the adjustment ofthe great
questions which unhappily at this time
divide our distracted country. Sir, at
this moment, we have in the legislative
b ,dies of this Capitol, and in the States,
twenty-odd furnaces in full blast in ma
king heat, and passion and intemperance,
and diffusing them throughout the whole
extent of this broad land. Two months
ago, sir, all was calm in comparison with
the present moment. All nowis uprOar,
confusion menace to the existence Of the
Union and to the happiness and safety Of
this people. implore senators-l en-
treat them by all they expect hereafter,
and by all that is dear to them here be-
Iow-to repress the ardor of these pas.
sions-to look at their country at this cri-
ss--Lo listen to the voice ofreasou, not
as it shall be attempted to be uttered by
me. sir, for am not so presumptunus as
to indulge the hope that anything | can
say shall deserve the attention have de-
sired; but to listen to- their own reason,
their njudgment their own good sense
in determining what is best to be done
for our country in the actual posture in
which we find it. Sir, to this great OBJ
| iect have my efforts been directed during
this whole session. | have cut myself off
from all The usual enjoyment of social life.
have confined myself almost exclusive
ly, with very few exceptions, to my own
chamber; and from the beginning of this
session up to this time, my thoughts have
been anxiously directed to the Object OF
finding some plan. of proposing some
mode of accommodation, which should
once more restore the blessings of con
cord, harmony and peace to this great
country. | am not vain enough to sup
pose, sir. that have been successful ii
the accomplishment of this object Blu
have pres ented a scheme; and allow me
TO say to honorable senators that if they
find in that plan anything which is defec
tive, if they find in it anything which il
worthy Of acceptance, but is susceptible
Of Improvement by amendment, it seem
TO me that the true aud patriotic course
tor them to pursue is, not to denounce il
but to improve it; not to reject withou
examination. any project of accommoda
tion. having for it's object the restoration
: of harmony in this country, but to look a
it. and see if it be susceptible of altera
r tion or improvement. so as to accompis
: the object which indulge the hope
common to all and every one of us, to re
: store peace, and quiet, and harmony, an
9 happiness to their country.
!, Sir, when | came to consider this SUI
v ject, there we're two or three general pu
g poses which seemed 10 me most desir'
BILE, if possible, to accomplish. The on
Q was to settle all the coutroverted que
tions arising out of the subject of SLAYER
8 and it seemed to me to DO doing very Ii
II tie if we settled one question and lie
| other destructive questions unadjuste
9 1t seemed to me to be doing but little
we stopped one leak only in the ship
n State, and left other leaks capable of pr
duc,ng danger. if not destruction to Il
J. vessel therefore turned my attentiC
to every subject connected with the i
70 stitution Of slavery, and out of which co
trovered questions have sprung, to Sc
d, if it we're possible or practicable to a
t, commodate and adjust the whole oftheI
10 Another principal object which attra
Q ted my attention was to endeavor to iran
Of such scheme of accommodation as tn
- neither of the two classes of States in
r which our country is unhappily divid,
a should make sacrifice of any great prl
Of cipIe, believe. sir. that the series
as resolutions which | have had the hon
u, of presenting to the Senate, accompli
ID that object
Ir, Another purpose, sir, which had
| view was this: | was aware of the diff
w ences of opinion prevailing beI ween the
NJ two classes nf States. was aware Il
to while portion of the Union was pushi
matters, as it seemed to me, to a dams
ss rous extremity, another portion was pu:
of ing them 10 an opposite, but perhaps
ny a no less dangerous extremity. 1t {
,r- peared to me then, that if any arrane
ot ment, any satisfactory adjustment, cot
i'm be made of the cOntroverted questir
es between the two classes of the Stat
e- that adjustment, that arrangement cot
VS. nnly be successful and effectual by I
We acting from both parties some concessi
ON not of princi ple-not of principle at all
w but Of feeling. of opinion in relation
of the matters in controversy between the
by SIR. believe that the resolutions VIII
mt [ have prepared, fulfil that object.
ne believe. sir. that you will find upon 4
Ia careful, rational. and attentive exami
,te tion of them which | think they deser
l that by them. neither party makes {