Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-03-04

at last; for believe would not be aggard in the ex-
erce OF all the necessary means, whenever the contin
gency shall arise OF resisting or OF redessng any fla
grant violation either OF the rights the honor Of the
South At the same time, must say, that. in the State
| OF which am public servant here. have given no
countenance-no encouragement at least-to of
tne extreme measures proposed in the South have
not countenanced the assembling of the Southern Con-
venton among my friends in Tennessee. have, the
other hand, rather encouraged the reposing OF liberal
CONFIDENCE IN the North for the settling not only of this
but OF all other great questions of national and domes
tic policy upon an equitable and liberal basis, the
best mode OF REFRESHING any hostile sentiments the
part OF the North against the institutions of the South
or OF the South against the North on any ground what
ever IT, therefore, any good should result from the
proposed Southern Conventon-and l trust that good
may result from it, if it is heidi shall be entitled
any credit for it; and it, the other hand evil should
spring from it, though may be sufferer with every
other citizen of the Union, shall not be responsible
| for it.
But am not altogether free from apprehension s to
the consequences to the peace and harmony Of this
country, those who bold the majority power should
in the settlement of these dstractng questions exercise
| it stringeny and arbitrarily. | may have INDUCED in
sentiments and opinions in relation to the good sense,
the JUSTICE and the patriotism of Northern gentlemen far
too generous and contidng but shall not surrender
those opinions until see the most decided manifestations
| OF contrary spirit.
| with Northern gentlemen, in viewing the demonstra
tons in the South of spirit of determined resistance
to the avowed policy of the North upon the subject of
| slavery i'll the light of mere bravado-of gasconade
| have heard, in my private intercourse with Northern
gentlemen, the suggestion that most all of these ex
reme resolves at the South, these extreme demonsra
tons, may be fairly imputed to party, to the mpulsve
passions, and to the irregular ambition Of political
plrans, and that it would be dscredtabe and pusillan
nous in the North to yield title of what they have
considered their true policy upon this subject under
such circumstances desire to tell these gentlemen in
all candor that think they mistaken. have watch
ed the whole movement TOR years, and think have
seen considerable accession of strength those who
favor extreme measures OF resistance and redress among
leading men in many of the States of the South not to
say In all who are not active participants in the party
strife OF the day have SEEM too in some of the South
States, leading of both parties cooperating in
the same cause. Every day hear of some gentleman
OF intellect and influence to whom it would be unfair
to npue motives OF personal party aggrandzement
committing himself to these violent resolves Isit then
the part OF wisdom to say that consideration due to
these movements? For, though it may be that the
great body of the farming and planting interests epose
in quiet on their farms and plantations undsturbed by
the storm which RACES around them, yet when leading
and sober-minded citizens, after another yield to
how soon may whole population be brought rally
In support OF the most violent and dangerous schemes?
But, suppose to be true, alleged that most or all
OF these violent demonstrations are to be ascbed to
party interests and views to the irregular wicked pas
sons; to the unbrdled ambition OF political aspirans
still are not all these the great elements OF mischief the
most potent elements OF discord dissatisfaction and
CONFUSION IN all tree Governments ard is it part OF
the duties OF wise statesman in this country give
his attention seriously to these odanger the
Republic! And when, to potency ofthese elements of
l
Government, you Superadd deep OF wrong and
injury diilnsed ulnong class, embracing
rnslve sections, popuous and powerful States,
still say tina it is part of wisdom give any ser
GUS OF grave consideration to these combined nuences
Will you still compose your minds the belief that
these demonstrations not to be regarded, because
| the causes which produced them such you do |
| not and cannot respect?
Mr. President, have heard it suggested that this con-
troversy has been provoked by the South, in their mad
passion for and conquest. Suppose it is true Is
that why this Union should be put in jeopardy
feeling OF resentment principle of retaliation?
Forbid it, every consideration connected with the inte-
rest and destiny OF this great country And let me saw
too, that the North must bear large share of the re-
sponsbty of bringing this condition of things upon
the country for was by Northern votes by Northern
support, that the brought on out of which |
these acquisitions made 1t was in good part |
by Northern support and counenance that these acqu-
sitons OF new territory were insisted and effected
Will they desert their brethren and allies of the
South, and say they will not to their relief in this
fearful exgency produced by their Joint counsel and |
united efforts!
MIR President, the main pillar upon which the Union
rests for its preservation has its foundation in the
tual confidence, the ties of reciprocal interest," and fra
terna regard between its different members and sections
These have been the essential elements oil that noble SEN
men ofloyay to the Union which has hitherto preserv-
ed it unscathed and unhurt amid all the hat have
assailedt Let this sentiment of loyalty be mate
rally impaired let this cord strong it may be, vet of
the finest and most delicate texture and strained to
the highest point OF tension, by any unoward act of
violence or rash policy be snapped-its graphing on
divisions unoosed and broken-from that moment sir
the question of the preservation of the destruction of
the Union will cease to inspire rational interest, Ift
is preserved its existence will he nominal its BLESSINGS
and advana ges mockery. How long is it since we
have seen mere handful of men-I will not call them
aconists in an offensive sense, but in the legitimate
sensen the House of Representatives, nterposng be-
tween the two great and legitimate parties of the coun-
try and preventing the organization of the House. and
delaying the whole business OF legislation for entire
month? Let such spirit that be once dif1used |
REPRESENTATIVES, he
and your Government is etlecuay paralyzed and
defeated OF its object as though this Union were,
have heard other remedies, other reiances will |
not say what, alluded to in private conversation for the
preservation of the Unon-auded to- think, upon no
great consideration But sir, this Union can never be
preserved by enforced observance of its obligations
Your army and navy are not competent to it under cir
Of peril like the present No. sir this Union
cannot be preserved by all the sacred associations
Evolutionary references derived from its early history
by regard to Obligations contracted in the most solemn
and imposing FORMS and aested by the venerated
names; nor by glory won under common banner; nor
by world wide fame; nor by all these united it, by any
act or scheme of policy deliberately planned any great
principle OF common and equal justice as between the
different sections OF the Union should be wantonly and
hagrantly violated
Mr.. President, purpose at this time say no more
upon this subject beg pardon OF the Senator from
Texas Nlr Rusk) for having trespassed long upon
his courtesy, and OF the Senate for having taxed their
patience, propose that these resolutions be laid upon
the table and that they be printed. Whether shall
move the further consideration of them at any future
time will not depend upon much as upon the ia
with which the Senate may be disposed to regard
them.
The resolutions were then sent to the Secretary's
desk, and were ordered to be printed, follows:
Whereas considerations Of tha highest interest the
whole country demand that the existing and increasing
discussions between the North and the South on the
subject OF slavery should be speedily arrested and that
the questions controversy be upon basis
which shall tend to give present quiet repress sectional
anmoslties remove as tar as possible the causes OF
future dscord, and secure the uninterrupted enjoyment
of those benefits and advantages which the Union was
intended to confer in equal upon all its men,
bers:
And whereas, it is manifest under present circum-
stances that no adjustment can be effected of the points
of difference unhapply existing between the Northern
and Southern sections of the Union connected with the
that is for and that mutual concession upon
questions of mere policy involving the violation Of
any constitutional RIGHT or principe must be the basis