The North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1834-1850, 1850-06-05

alone will contend, with compromise, there will b.
hopes and fresh vigor forgeneral acquiescence, no
the application of the Viii satisfaction; and the whole
mot Provso to all the country will enjoy more
naming territory whilst thethe blessings of domestic
other party provoked andpeace concord, and reconc
chasrincd by obtaining notation.
concessions whatever, may
be urged and animated to-
extreme and greater lengths
than have been yet manifes-
ted. a '' '.F
Whilst the Presidents plan is confined to single
measure. leaving the governments of Utah and New
Mexico unprovided for, and the boundary between
Texas and New Mexico unsettled, another. and one
OF the most irritating questions, is left by him, with
out any recommendation any provision, to harass
and exasperate the country. .
He fails to recommend any plan for the settlement
of the important and vexatious subject of fugitive
slaves. He proposes no plan of settlement Of the
agitating questions. will repeat, let him who can
stand up here and tell the country, and satisfy his
own conscience-when the whole country is calling
ont for peace, peace, peace when it is mplorng its
rulers above and its rulers below bring once more
to this agtaed and distracted people broad and
scheme Of healing, and to settle all
these questions which agtate this afflicted people
let any man who can not in the public press, but in
the Senate of the United States stand nr and show
that the plan which is proposed by executive author
ity is such is demanded by the necessities of
the case and the condition of the country. should
be glad to hear that man. Ay, MIR. President, wish
l had the mental power commensurate with my fer
questlons-commensurate to urge upon you and up
the country forbearance, consultations the surrender
of extreme opinions, the avoidance of attempting i'm
possibilities.
Sir, know there is floating idea in the southern
mind, such as have heard before, of the necessi
ty Of equilibrium of power between the two sec.
tions of the Union-of balancing authority. How
da,cr Ia rnh 4c
might be. we all know it is utterly impracticable.
We all know that the rapid growth and unparalleled
progress of the northern portion of this country is
such that it is impossible for the South to keep pace
with it; and unless the order of all republics shall
be reversed, and the majority shall be governed by
the minority, the equilibrium is unattainabe. But
sir, because there is not and cannot be, and in the
Of things it is impossible that there should be-
this equilibrium of power between the two sections
of this country, does it therefore follow that the
southern portion is in any danger with respect to that
great institution which exists there, and is cherished
with much so1ictude1 l think not; believe
not. All apprehensions of danger founded on
fragrant abuses of power; and the possibility of
such abuses would prevent all investment of power
since no human power is free from the danger Of
ance Of southern rights, connected with that pecu
institution? In the first place, there is that of
TRUTH that sense of justice, which appertans to
lightened man, to Christian man. In the next place,
there is the constitution of the United States, with
the oath which all take to abide by that constitutions
Next there is necessity for the concurrence of both
branches of Congress before any act of legislation
inficting wrong upon that southern portion Of the
country could take place. Then there the veto of
the President of the United States, applicable to any
unconstitutional Legislation which might take place
in reference to that institution. Last Of all with re-
gard to peaceful and civil remedies, there is the Su-
preme Court Of the United States, ready pronounce
the annulment of any unconstitutional law which
might unconstitutionally impair such right; and
there is also sense of responsibility the part of
senators and representatives to their constituents {;
but last, though trust in God the occasion for its
exercise will never arise, there is that right of resort
and TO make forcible resistance when oppres-
sion and tyranny become insupportable.
Nor is this great interest of the South, this ins-
tuition of slavery the only to be affected by the
fact that it is in minority Is it peculiar to that in
terest? No, sir. How is it with the fishing inter-
both greatly in the minority. How is it with the
manufacturing interests In the minority. How is
it with the commercial interest? In the minority.
In short, without continuing the enumeration, every
interest in this country is in the minority, except that
great and a-pervading interest of agriculture, which
extends from end of the country to the other.
We must be reconcled to the condition which is in
evitable.
l conclude by repeating that here are five wounds
which, by the committee of compromise, are propos-
ed to be closed. Sir, know what may be said.
know it will be said that agitators will, after
the passage of all these measures, continue to agi-
tate; that the two extremes will still cry out for their
respective favorite measures; that the Wilmot Pro-
viso, although territorial governments will be estab
lished, will be pressed, to be added by supplement.
tary act or to be incorporated in the constitutions
which these Territories may establish. ] know i,
may be urged-indeed, have heard it stated this
floor" Pass all your measures, and we will cry out
for repeal" know something, think, of the ma
ture of man. know something of the nature of my
own countrymen. l speak, also, with the authority
and with the aid of history. At the time of the
memorable Missouri compromise, as at this-and
have been unable to determine in my own mind
whether solicude and anxiety existed then thar
now-the whole country was in an uproar, on tn,
one side, for the admission of Missouri, and, on th
other, for her exclusion Every Legislative body
throughout the country-I believe there were TWEEN
ty-four then-had denounced or approved the meas
ure of the admission of Missouri. The measure wa
finally carried by small majority only six in tn
House of Representatives, where the great struggle
where the long-continued exe.tion-was carries
on. And what were the consequences tran
QUILTING consequences-which ensued throughou
this distracted country! The act was everywher
the man who would have dared to interrupt the uni
versal, and deep-felt, and all-pervading harmon
which prevailed throughout the country, in conse
quence of that adjustment, would have stood rebuk
ed, and repudiaed, and reproached by the indignat
voice of his countrymen. And venture to say,
this measure of compromise goes to the country wit
all the high sanctions which it may caHy-sanction
of both houses of Congress-, and of the Executive
and of the great body of the American peopie-to
country bleeding at every pore-to country implo
ing us to settle their difficulties, and give mo,
peace and happiness to them-I venture TO say thu
the agitation will be at an end, though few ma
croak and halloo as they please. There are a fe,
miserable men who live upon agitation men wt
are never satisfied until they can place themselves