Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-08-24


without struggle without stand against the portenous
easuea stand which should mark those eras in the
history Of nations from which calamitous events fow
Mr. BUTLER. lido feel any objection TO the tone in
which this debate conducted far arguments have been
used against innovation upon old ussges. 30 far has
respect Of proper consideration have great confidence and
respect the security be derived from and usage
There occasions, howevehey must be very grave
casons and regard this one-when these should not
give unjust sanctiiy-when confident and unheeding
majority should not claim to give additional and unDeeded
strength II Is occasion when hopeless minority should
avail itself Of all the known to parliamentary bodies to
give solemn expression of It's voice and convictions.
The Senator from Missouri spoke Of the omnous and por-
entous symptoms Of the times and he has truly characterized
them We have been here for nine months constantly
gagged in the discussion Of subject He may deprecate
the events that have occurred much he pases but
have brought about the state Of things which
lists. affairs have assumed sectional aspect, is because
they originated in deep and abiding They might have
been obvsed and when they first began to develop
themselves Can their consequences now be aveedi Who
has brought on this crisis That question should be answer.
ed fairly before blame the symptoms referred to Of
sectional organization. say that events perhaps beyond
control Of either ai Of have brought about Of
~ [ San s.s e and
much solemnity As'Ae 9
do not intend, Mr. President to trespass long upon the
attention Of the Senate but do intend to advert in tempe
rate one to some Of remarks which have been made and
Of the topics which have been discussed Now, it
regards protest. dreamed before that had associated
with such fearful incidents have been attributed to this
Why protest What is there portentous in It, Ipre-
it is allowed and recognised in the proceedings Of
every State Legislature in this Union venture to say that
there is State Legislature Commonwealth in this
Union where protest allowed, either parliamentary
courtesy constitutional right protest. sir is hut
deliberate form Of expression and how can lead to the dread
ul consequences which nave been portrayed Il but
mode of attracting attention to the nights Of complaining
minority II is much to rehuke majority to call
it to Of justice, and to caase to review fairly the
grounds which minority has acted is not veto in
ITSELF but presents the ground to pause and consider Some
of the States have attached such importance as to secure
to the smallest minority by constitutional enactment have
not had opportunity 10 examine the different constitutions
The constitution Of New Hampshire contains the following
provision siftst fyy 7tE
"And upon motion made by any member the yeas and
upon any question shall be entered upon the journals
and member of the Senate House of Representatives
shall have right motion made at the time for the pur
pose have his protest dissent with the reasons against
any vote resolve bill passed. entered the journals
Every member shall have that power. North Carolina
has similar provision. 1t is this: ,ss
sThat any member Of either house of General Assembly
shall have liberty dissent from and protest against any
resolve which he may think injurious the public any
and have the reasons Of his dissent entered on the
journals" ., Ea
told there are several other States having similar pro-
visions, and occasional resort TO them has had mis-
chevous effect On the contrary they stand bcacons Of
warning and good. cannot see how they do harm
unless majority should be afraid Of truth.
If in the States, minority may resort to protest for its
feeble protection with how much stronger does
mend itself to the consideration Of the Federal Government
that op pralng through the agency Of maorityan
ganzed maoyon the rights and interests and feelings Of
helpless and prescribed minority-a minority proclaim
ing that the constitution has lost its protecting securities
through agencies and influences unknown in the previous
history Of this country Why, sir it is all that is left to it.
As have said, do attribute this protest all Of those
grave consequences which have been attributed Oe
nor do think that it produce them It Is right which,
under some circumstances, may be well allowed It is
- kk L..
tended by courtesy We think that such courtesy might
make amends for the denial Of Justice do not know
what might be the effect of this procedure. None Of the
sequences which have been alluded to intended certain
ly the part of the protesans They have looked
the consequences considered the uleor objects which
have been spoken of and attributed of the members
Of this body nothing of the kind But this, which but
of the size of mans hand has been magned by exaggera
ton into aspect which might have assumed Buff
the protest Of minority s made to assume imposing
pec, it for that very would claim that shall ar
rest the attention Of this Government and call the attention
Of the American people to the which putting in
jeopardy this Union Sir if the proesants have done
thing more than to arrest public attention by the solemn form
which they have presented their views the effect msy be
that which they did not expect in the humble and proper
in which they thought proper 10 express themselves l.
for one, would thank Ged could make the people Of the
North realize the condition in which they have placed this
country by the reckless system Of which they have
pursued and against which have warned them in the
language of respect, and tenderness Sir If have
in vain warned them and bring them by this protest to
realize the condition Of the country is the only hope for its
salvation. Therefore, at that if it shall have
the effect attributed to IT. shall be gratifed; shall shrink
from Of the effect for il these against which
the protest is aimed
But It is easy when minority already under the ban Of
the majority, to receive their poscpve denunciations Sir
that is the fate of minorities, and know ha-
yards but did dream should incur the opposition
that we have We thought If request denied, Il
would be denied without debate and If it was conceded it
would be conceded by silent VOTE had idea debate
would arise with regard to il. For, my friend from Vr
gina sad what is this protest but combined expression Of
the views of ten genemen-a union Of what every Of
them has said this floor, time after time, and what others
also have said in still stronger language Sir there gem
enen who have used stronger and language than
any be found in this protest 1t simply bringing to-
combining the remarks which have been made separately in
distinct form. II does not contain the stronger views Of
each but the views of the ten That is all there il
in this protest Is 1t any thing Is protest of any
kind any thing than this II is but fling Of the se
parae grounds Of complaint in BILL That is all there is
in this.
WE'LL sir parts Of ii have been criticized and regarded as
dsespectu to the majority. Allow me to tell the honora-
BILE Senator from Wisconsin (Mr. WALKER) and Others that
wrote it with such view. But did not write it with
view to asss him, in any wise deprive him Of his con-
stuona rights his conscientious convictions The erap.
amen OF the protest Is this, that by series of measures
brought about in California 10y contrivance and with view
being admitted into this Union with the exclusion Of
Shareholders from it, her constitution was formed, and
that one section Of the Union have voted for her adm
sion as much for political as any other main
tam sectional superiority in the political power of the
government We have said, what has been openly avow-
ed here, that this contest is which has grown out
Of political novver the nonortv said