Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-03-16

nsaner but that an indication should be given now that
such amendment would be agreed to, and let then be
carried through the ordinary process.
! Mr.. FooTE. l hope the honorable Senator fro
| Illinois will allow me to occupy the floor few mo-
ments He will see that have been assailed by the
| honorable Senator from South Carolina who under
takes this morning express surprise my course in
regard to the position that has been taken by him.
But sir there is not Northern press that did not under
stand the speech the honorable Senator precisely
understood 1t. There is not Southern man III the
other House who does not understand it do. Yet
the honorable Senator is surprised that friend his
should take the liberty OF commenting upon his remarks
and thus endeavor to guard against msconstructon
which did believe would be put upon his language
For hoped, as said the time, in giving the homo
rable Senator an opportunity Of explaining this part OF
his Speech that an explanation would be given that
| would be satisfactory to the whole country. But
must say that his explanation on that occasion was not
satisfactory to me; nor the explanation which he has
now made entirely
| understood the honorable Senator as frankly
ing that in that speecf'he intended to make new issue;
and this he has done, sir, without consulting other
Southern gentlemen who equally interested in this
contest with HIMSELF and who entitled to be
suited before any such issue was made. This issue, sir,
is unknown to the State which represent; it has not
been made known 10 any part OF the South and, with
all due respect for the honorable Senator must say,
without attrbutne TO him any thing unkind, that l
think he acted ndiscreety and uniusy in making this
important movement without first having conferred with
his Southern brethren. For one, felt that moose had
been put around my neck when was asleep, without
my consent, having been antecedeny obtained to such
whom in part represent here nor myself have had the
least notice that such movement this was to be at
tempted has the honorable Senator heretofore ever
so darkly limited his intention to originate this new
grave, and most perpexlng question. And under what
circumstances is the proposition to amend the Constitu
ton now brought forward? The Senator has had nu-
merous opportunities Tor offering any amendment he
might choose to offer No is acquainted with the
constitutional mode OF proceeding in such case better
than the Senator. Has the Senator ever offered any
such amendment, or indicated any disposition to offer
security Tor the South
The Nashville Convention will assemble in about two
months and if this contest shall then be still going on
if terms OF compromise shall not then have been agreed
upon, and if this excitement shall continue to spread
| and increase in intensity in the intermediate tme-I
say under these circumstances and with the deliberate
y prepared speech OF the Senator from South Carolina
before them-a speech well matured and digested
any that has been delivered in this body in which
he introduces this new ssuewhat is likely to be the
effect of it? What would be the constitutional amend
ment proposed! We all know that the Senator has de-
MED that any compromise can be made; and he is
opposed to the raising OF committee for the purpose Of
preparing some measure OF adjustments and he must
know that in the course of the next two three months
the Nashville Convention will have the whole subject
before them for final decision far the South
cerned. Now, suppose as have said, that the present
excitement continues increasing IN intensity until that
| time suppose that the healing influences which we
have all felt and felt gratefully within the last few days.
had not been nerposed and that none but such speeches
as have emanaed from gentlemen unduly excited on
this subject should be made during the intervening pc
Rod OF two or three months; suppose plan of COM
promise to have been agreed upon, and the Nashville
Convention had met and this new issue had been sub
mitted to them-takng into consideration a. so the great
influence of the Senator from South Carolina-would
not this new issue OF constitutional amendment in all
likelihood be adopted by the Convention And, as it
isknown to be impossible TO make that amendment at
the present time, any must clearly see, and none
more so than the Senator from South Carolina himself
that The effect whether intended or not would be to
bring about dissolution OF the Union | believe it,
sir, and every man must believe it,
admit that the Senator'S motives are patriotic and
proper; but it is not becoming in him to get up here, al
ter the explanation which made the other day, and
express surprise that | should place upon his Ian
guage Interpretation OF which he says does ad
init, but which all dsnteresed persons will decide to be
the only Interpretation which can be reasonably affixed
to it, No man is devoted to the South, none more
willing to incur responsibility oil every kind for than
am; and will not admit the right OF any man to make
new issue for the people whom l represent-an issue
which conceive puts the Union in peril, whether in-
tended or not and subjects the OF the whole South
to almost certain overthrow,
With these remarks and returning my sincere thanks
to the Senator from illinois for his courtesy yield the
floor.
1 Mr. CALHouN.-I cannot permit the observations
fthe Senator from Mississippi opass without remark
The Senator in his ardor, often niers that which has
no foundation. He has Just declared solemy az il he
knew the fact, that opposed to the raising OF any
| committee
Mr. FooTE Has not the Senator told me distinctly
that he opposed to my motion Has he not urged
me not to persevere in pressing ii for adopon2 Has
ne not voted against taking it up Tor consideration p
Mr.. CALHOUN The Senator has not told the whole.
l am opposed to raising committee at the present
time. have uniformly held the language that when
the subjects had been debated and regularly gone
through, if any gentleman desired to attempt effect
compromise, would throw no impeachment in the way.
SO informed the Senator himself. | appeal TO my
colleague and to all my friends about me, if such has
not been invariably my language Now, | trust this
msconception will always hereafter be avoided.
Mr.. FooTE. | never intended to renew the contest,
and never would have renewed it with the honorable
Senator he had not, by advertng to it, drawn me into
it accidentally.
Then followed the illusions to the meeting at St.
Louis, and to Mr.. Foote's habits of intercourse with
Northern men.
Mr.. WEBSTER AT HoME.-All the Boston papers lsays
the N. Y Express) repubsh the speech OF the distin
guished Senator from Massachusetts. Their comments
thereupon are somewhat curious. The Atlas says
"As publishers of Wing journal, I'VE are expected
to express opinion in regard to it. That expecta-
ton we shall not disappoint We know well the
weight which is attached by people to the opinions
OF Mr. Webster and the influence which they exert in
New England and throughout the country. We would
not disagree with the views which distinguished
entertains-one for whom we have the most profound
respect and veneraton--if we could help it. In the
present instance we cannot agree with Mr. Webster.
His sentiments are not our sentiments. They not,
we venture 70 say the sentiments OF the Wings OF New
England"
The Courier has no commentsto offer editoriay, but
gives prominence to Washington letter which holds
the following language =
'.The speech speaks for itself To say that it comes
fully up to the tone Of Northern members OF Congress,
or that meets their expectations, would be to state
that which is not fact Indeed, unable to find
that any Northern Wing member Of Congress concurs
with Mr. Websterin the proprety of establishing
ntoral governments for New Mexico, &C.. qrithout the
'Wilmot' And it is freely said that his argument.
that is not worth while TORE what God has or
dained, would have been as good argument against
the original passage OF the ordinance of 1887 as it is
against the application Of the 'Wilmof to territorial
| government for New Mexico
The Post Loco Foco) speaks kindly, and for once
where Wing is concerned, fairly, honestly, and honor
ably We quote
{" The opinions respecting Mr.. Websters remarks
are conflicting, among his friends. For ourselves