The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-20
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH or Mr. mewlLLrE,
on MIssIssIppI

On The Presidents message commanding The eoastitu-
tioa Of Cailornta delivered m the House of Repre-
sentatfpes Mar1h 4, 1850.
Mr. McWILLlE said:
Mr. CHAIRMAN: / do moi rise for the purpose OF reply
ing TO those who have preceded me in this debae nor
il my Intention 10 make party speech may not even re-
fer to the two great national parties which have heretofore
divided this country A question paramount TO a con-
alterations OF party should now occupy our thoughts
The germanency g. our Tree Institutions % = .e saose sst
now address you thai the Union is in danger ! look
around me, and no point OF safety On the one
nearly all the northern States being arayed against
the South on the slavery question: The other, see
the South State after State. assuming the attitude OF re-
sistaRce and defiance Sir, know the past oil my coun-
try and deprecate the present. but 10 me- al least
shadows clouds, and darkness rest upon the future
know what that future Is TO be, but do know tnai
It's complexion in greai degree - to DC laken rom
the action OF the present Congress. believe that
our deliberations in national point OF view, are more
important than those OF any deiberave assembly that
has taken place since the adoption OF ne ioTm o.
government under which we now live. The Union
OF these States is the subject OF our discussions SIR
| know not how TO approach II; ITS magnitude and
Importance overwhelm me. Even when sustained by the
promptings OF duty and OF patriotism, would not dare
to enter upon this discussion not that know thai
the genius OF my country liberal as the God worship
only requires my best endeayors when sanched by the
best affections Of my heart Yes, sir my country has my
heart love it'll love it all-Norh and South, East
and West love it, because it contains the graves Of
nv ancestors and is the home OF my wife and my chill
dren; love it, because in il have common history,
common inheritance, common glory, common liberty,
and common hope. love it, because It was founded IN
the toll and suffering and blood OF the revolution love
Il because our fathers in their wisdom joined US in po-
lfcal Union trust, hope, pray, that neither the
ambition of the few nor the madness OF the many may
ever be able to sunder these States which God had
seemed 10 have joined together II IS Tor you, my
brethren OF the Northyes, will yet call you brethren
il is for you determine what are to De our future Tela
lions The agitation from you; you are the ac-
tors and upon you the responsibility The South
asks but equality and usceshe can never lake less
Sir have said that the Union is an danger For proof
r. 4 koxnn his hal
that have been made. the impediments to organization
that have occurred and the whole action OF the House.
must point every mind 10 the dangers that threaten
But Mr. Chairman il not only here that see this
agitation and excitement has entered the social circle
and is breaking down all those kindy ieeings whlc
ought 10 exist between members of the confsderacy
Ii IS impossible, from the very constitution OF our natures
that we can love those who make II business 10 reve
and traduce u.s. And you know that Is the constant
than pirates In your public press IN your puohc assem-
bes and churches, institutions are the theme oi con-
slant denuaciaon They are spoken o. as S aona a
the States was dependant the union OF the churches
we have in some OF them actual practical dissolution
We have the Methodist Church North, and the Method
s Church South The division has taken place IN
The Missionary Baptist Church-and y Is with dncuity
that the OF the PRESBYTERIAN Church is retained
Are not these facts porentous Ought they not TO warn
us of danger The thai have made chu ch
North and church South viii, not arrested, make
confederacy North and conederaey Sonth-Se causes
discord will separate the States
But II is not only here the halls OF legislation In
the social circle and in ihe churches, thai dmcuy e8
ists but even the election OF our present Chief ags
trae IL an elemeno political power and 50 great was
the hosy of the two sections oil the Union thai ne nsd
10 be supported al the North as The antisavey cand
date and at the South the pro-savery candidate In
other words so great the hostility OF the sections
that the people had be deceived, that POLITICIANS might
be enabled 20 induce them 10 act iosether S IN con-
sequence of this hostility OF the North and South m the
las presidential election there was expression oil the
popular WILL on the most important and vital question
that has agsted this nation In Other words me
peope by their sufrages, expressed no oPinon They
lost the control OF their government; and TINS If the
reason why the whole executive department OF our gov
eminent now stands dumb n the presence o. ,se po"s, e
alarm every patriois But in addition 10 all this, you
have been told by the member from North carolina MI
CLSGnAsl that no further Legislation s 70 pe naa IN
support of government unless these ataons be stayed;
and that otherwise, here and now, this government
shall perish. This come from the wing side
Of the House. which claims TO be ine conselya'
i've: and from the whig and conservative State
O. North Carolina. | am no aarmist appeal
10 no mans Fears but do appeal TO the good sense
and patriotism Of this House and this nailon warn
them thai this Union is in danger; and tell them thai
the South prepared 10 present the alternative OF
domestic tranquility, equality, and justice, or separation
Sir. the time has come when every man VINO loves ,ne
or IL necessary, perish for IT. Yes, sr the time has
come when the nation expects every man 10 DO ms duy
The time has when thoughts OF PATRIOTISM and
such thoughts alone,
"A,ons our hearts responding strings shouldrun,
Norie a tone there yibrae but the one
Yes sir, the man who on an occasion like the present
could think OF himself his prospects, would desert nt
fag OF his country the hour OF battle, would sell his
countrys liberty for a consideration. Every man who
has given has attention TO tins question, mu
now be satisfied that il has reached point al which de-
Law in its adjustment must be accompanied with the great
est danger Its progress onward, and the nation even
now trembles beneath its tread. The tine was wher
this agitation was confined 10 lew fanatics; but nov
~. nj nof ral uar and
ional a9graDdizement, utterly incompatible with IN,
existence Of the Union Then il was but speek upon
our pohtical horzon"a little cloud, not bigger thar
a mans hand but Il has grown and spread, unil
now Il covers near ali the sky. The lghtnIngs 1asf
amid i,s tempes,uous fods--ihe ihunders roll aionl
It's mighty base-and the temple OF our pnlon and ou
liberties Is shaken by the upward heaFings OF vol
canc fire. The nation is alarmed the star Of our desn
nv 4 being darkened, and the glorious light OF liberty
and Of hone 10 paling upon path, fear forever Yes
SIR the danger is most imminent; already tne ins'ru
ments OF revolution al work Nearly, y not quhe
all the southern States, by conventions OF the people
by their legislatures have declared their liked and unaieT
able purpose OF resistance. IN the event OF fuher AZ
gression and southern convention already prepane
40 meet at Nashville June next; while IN the nohef
States the legislatures OF all OF them are passing ih
most offensive and aggressive resolunons nsuuSu'i ~
their senators in the other end of tins Capto ana re
guessing their representatives this Hoor, TO execut
these resolves; while al the same tune tue aeoon -
cetes and conventions al the Northibe sappes ana o
pers in this array against the Soalhare urging oisuno
upon the people, and denouncing gorious constiu
ton sas league with death and covenant Win neil
Sir madness rules the hour and the S0uh 10 appear
ance will be left with alternative but dlsunson or IN
Conditional submission II this alternative ~ forced upci
1..t. ard da4tFa stpFf