The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-17

I ! Lt,
he was not willing to vote for any enactment
extending slavery. He was opposed TO all legisla-
ton by Congress on the subject, and such was the
doctrine Of the southern address.
He then examined the subject ofthe right ofthe peo
pieint the Territories 10 act for themselves agues
lions relating to their government, and maintained
that Congress had no authority whatever over the
subject of slavery in those Territories He believed
that the right TO hold slaves in those Territories was
secured by the Constitution, and required legsla
uon by Congress to protect it. He considered that
the right being constitutional one, the territorial
Legislature would have power over it in any way,
and that all attempts to deprive the slave holder
OF that right to violate it by any means, would
be redressed by the judiciary He believed that
without any such Legislative tment, the terri
torial legislature would be obliged, by consttu-
tiona obligation upon them, to afford TO all kinds
oil property such protection and security was
needed He denied that Congress had the power
to limit or deny that the territorial legislature
should give this protection.
The people Of the South will go there with their
property; they have the constitutional right to do
so, and the legislature Of the Territory will have
no power to interfere with them if it does then the
courts will set aside their proceedings and nulfy
| them az. unconstitutional As an evidence of what
was considered republican doctrine in times gone
~, he read from letter written by the late John
Quincy Adams, during the Presidential election Of
1924, TO John Taylor, of Caroline, showing that he,
Mr. Adams, was sound on the slavery question. In
1923, General Smythe, Of Wythe county, had at
tackled Mr.. Adams on account of his votes upon the
question OF territorial governments in Louisiana
| Mr.. Adams defended himself and showed by his
votes in the Senate that he believed Congress had
no right to egisate for the Territory of louisiana
even to establish governments; and that he had
fused to vote for all acts establishing governments
there. The letter published in the Richmond
Enquirer, and was welcomed by the venerable cdi-
tor OF that paper at the time He read also an ex-
tract from that letter of Mr.. Adams denying the
exercise by Congress of powers analogous to what
was contemplated to be exercised at the present
| time.
| This considered at that time as sound repub-
lican doctrine by Statesr right men. Then it was
denied that Congress had any power over these
Territories in the way Of government; now it is
proposed that Congress should not only exercise
those powers, but it should be the fountain from
which the territorial legislatures were to derive
their powers Congress was now called upon to
were denied to itself The Constitution was con-
sldered as the paramount law; now it is proposed
that 1t shall be strengthened and propped up
by Legislative enactment, He was opposed to it
all He had an abiding faith in the constitu-
tional rights of the South, and desired no legisla-
ton by Congress to sustain them. He was sorry
that he differed from many of his friends But he
mad no lear as 70 the consequences to himself He
felt sure that his efforts to effect happy settlement
would be appreciated at home. He had been as
sured Of this yesterday by distinguished citizen
of his State, who assured him that the sentiments
uttered by him were those of a large majority of
the people of Mississippi. A large meeting had
been held in Jefferson county, in that State, and
res olutions were adopted unanimously in favor of
settling the whole subject by one general measure.
He expected to be attacked by ultras, but he dis
regarded them, whether they came from the North
or South. He expected TO be replied to by the Sen
ator from Alabama, but he knew that the control
versy would be courteous and decorous. He held
in his hand the resolutions of Mr.. Calhoun submit
ted to the Senate in February, 1847; he agreed with
them then, and he agreed with them now. They
sustained his present position. But he did not.
agree with certain letter which appeared lately in
the Union, under the auspices of distinguished
member Of the other House, he alluded to the letter
OF Mr. Wigiall. He did not approve of that formal
and emphatic declaration in that letter. that it
! the duty OF the Nashville convention, shortly to
meet, to propose four five amendments to the
Constitution as sine qua non in the settlement of
the questions-now disturbing the country.
The PRESIDING OFFICER said the Senator was
taking range of debate which was not in order
All remarks must be confined to the bill and the
amendment proposed to it.
Mr. FOOTE said that his want of familiarity
with parliamentary rules often led him to trans
gress them when such was not his intention. He
however had said all that he desired to say this
point [Laughter.l He would now say that he
had firm belief that the Compromise bill would be
ratified by majority of both houses of Congress,
and would receive the approval Of the American
people, because it a measure which, if passed,
would be means Of drawing all sections Of this
country together once more in the bonds of Free
dpa, never again, he hoped, 10 be separated.
Mr.. CLEMENS said that the Senator from Mis-
sissippi had declared, as his opinion, that this bill
will pass both Houses of Congress and be ratified
here before He hoped that be might be allowed to
express his opinion the subject, and that was
that this bill cannot pass the Senate without the
! most material amendments. II is now enduring
lingering existence only by the sufferance of its
| enemies.
Mr.. FOOTE asked leave to explain. He had
never said that the bill should not be materially
! amended
Mr.. CLEMENS said that the Senator had not
perhaps expressed himself opposed to amending
the bill, but 1t was strange that no amendment
whatever met with the Senator'S favor approval.
| MIR. FOOTE asked the Senator to permit him TO
explain. He had not said that he would against
the amendment of his colleague; he had said that
he left that to be decided by the circumstances of
the moment, and so had he been reported in the
papers.
Mr.. CLEMENS said that the Senator might be
correct; but he replies to a speech made in support
OF the amendment by the Senator from Florida,
and refuses 10 allow that Senator opportunity
explain, but relied upon his own construction, and
the construction OF reporter, of what that Sena-
tor had said. The Senator says that the doctrine
advanced by the Senator from Florida is calculated
10 be injurious TO the South. The Senator from
Florida supported an amendment which mild
when taken with one passed by the House Of Rep
resentatiyes. Strange the Senator from Mississippi
had not discovered that such an amendment was
injurious TO the rights of the South, when much
stronger one passed the House of Representatives
in January, ls47, attached TO the Oregon bill, and
received the support Of every southern man in that
body at the time Mr.. G. read the amendment
IL prohibited the local Legislature from interfering
with the property, of Whatsoever nature, brought
into II by any person removing 10 or living in said
Territory.
Mr.. FOoTE said that he had differed with the
policy which introduced that amendment, and al
ways considered il indiscreet measure for the
South.
MIR. CLEMENS said that the amendment, how
ever, received the support Of every southern man
at that time in the House He considered IL some
what strange TO hear the Senator from Mississippi
citing the opinions Of John Quincy Adams as TO the
doctrine Of southern rights. lie wished 10 say no
thing disrespectful Of Mr.. Adams but he remem-
bered that he had once said that he would like TO
sec the day OF universal emancipation, even IL the
South was in seas Of blood. IL was strange to hear
the Senator from Mississippi defending this Ad-
ministrahon, and the Senator from Kentucky de-
| nouncing it, Politics, il said, made strange
bed-feows. Some time ago he (Mr. CO. and the
Senator from Mississippi were working together in
the same traces, and he found then that the Sena-
tor was 80 fiery that II the greatest diff
Guilty 10 keep up with him. tI.aughter.1 Now,
they were as lar apart az the poles.