Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-03-18
SUBSTANCE OF THE REMARKS OF
MIR. CALHOUN.
WASHINGTON, March 4.

WASHINGTON, March a.
After the presentation OF a few petitions IN
favor of cheap postage, and the memorial OF
the Convention of inventors. the Senate proceed
ed to the consideration of Mr.. Clay's resolutions,
and Mr.. Mason read Mr.. Calhoun1s speech,
The Speaker commenced by stating it as the
opinion of Mr.. Calhoun from the first, that the
agitation of the slavery question would, 1t not
prevented by some timely and effective
measure, end in d%isunion. Entertaining these
views he had endeavored, without success; TO
urge the tW great parties to prevent SO great a
disaster. Now that the agitation had so increas-
ed it could not be disguised that the Union was
in danger, and the question was how could it be
preserved. Mr.. c. then entered upon a history
. the origin and progress ofthe slavery excite
ment, and an examination of allthe aspects and
bearings. He did not believe that either Mr..
Claws compromise on the plan ofthe Admins
~stration could save the Union. The only way
10 save it was by adopting measures TO salts
fy the South SO that they might remain with us
consistently with their honor and safety.
After arguing that California should be remain
ded back to her territorial condition, he conclud-
ec his speech as follows:
Having now shown what cannot save the u
Mon, l return to the question with which I com-
menced. How can the Union be saved? There
is but one way by which it can with any GER
tainty, and that is, by a full and final settlement
on the principle of justice, Of all the questions
at issue between the two sections. The South
asks for Justice, simple justice, and less she
ought not to take. She has no compromise to Of
fer, but the Constitution and no concession or
surrender to make. She has already surrender
ed so much that she has little left to surrender.
Such a settlement would go to the root OF the
evil, and remove all cause of discomfort. BY
satisfying the South; she could remain honora-
bly, and safely in the Union, and thereby res
tore the harmony and f~raternal feelings between
the sections, which existed anterior to The Mis-
souri, agitation. Nothing else can, with any
certainty, finally and forever settle the question
ut issue, terminate agitation, and save the u
Mon.
But can this be DONE. Yes, easily not by
the weaker party, for it can of itself do nothing
not even protect ilself-but by the stronger
The North has only 10 will it to accomplish it
to do Justice by conceding to the South an equal
RICH in the acquired Territory; and TO do herd
ty by causing the stipulatlons relative to fugl"
tive slaves to be faithfully fullilled-to cease
the agitation Of the slave question, and TO pro-
vide for the insertion ola provision iii the Con-
s%titution, By all amendment, which will restore
10 the South in substance the power she possessed
of protecting herself, before the equilibrium be-
tween the action of this Government was oes-
troved. There will be no difficulty in devising
such a provision. One that will protect the South,
and which. at the same time, will improve and
strengthen the Government, instead OF impair
ing and weakening it.
Rnt will the North agree to this? 1t is FL!
her to answer this question. But | will say,
she cannot refuse, if she has halt the love OF the
Union. which she Processes to have, or without
Justly exposing herself to the charge that her
love of power and ACKNOWLEDGMENT is far greater
than her love of the Union. At all events, the
responsibility Of saving the Union rests on the
North, and not the South. The South cannot
save il by any act OF hers, and the North may
ave it without any sacrifice whatever, unless
to do Justice, and to perform her duties nndef
the Constitution, should be regarded by her as a
sacrifice.
It is time. Senators, that there should be an O.
pen and manly avowal on all sides, as 10 whal
Is intended 10 be done. If the question is not
now settled, it is uncertain whether il ever can
hereafter be and we, as the representatives Of
the States of this Union, regarded as Govern.
snents.. should come to a distinct understanding
rs to our respective views, in order to ascertain
whether the great questions al issue can be set
tied or not. II you who represent the stronger
portion. cannot agree 10 settle them on the broae
principle of Justice and duty, say SO: and lie
the States we both represent agree 10 separate
and part in peace. If you are unwilling We
should part ia peace tell us so, and we shall
know what to do, when you reduce the quesllol
TO submission or resistance. II you remain 81
lent. YOU will compel lbs TO infer what you in
tend. In that cas-, California will become thu
lest question. If you admit her, 'lnder all th'
difficulties that oppose her admission, you com
pel us to infer that YOU intend to exclude Ii
from the whole of the acquired Territories, Will
the intention of destroying irretrieFatly the eq1i
librium between the two sections. We would
be bliud not TO perceive i'll that case, that you
real objects are power and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT; alt
infatuated not 10 act accordingly.
have now Senators, done my duty IN eX
pressing my opinions folly, freely, and candlLly
on this solemn occasion. Ia doing so, hav'
been governed bv the motives which have gov
erned me in all The stages of the agitatIons o
the slavery question since It's commencement
have exeEtetl myself, during the whole period,
to arrest it, with the intention OF saving the U
mon, if it could be done ; and it it could not, t.
save the section where it has pleased Providence
to cast my LOT, and which | sincerely believe ha
Justice and the Constitution on its side. Having
faithfully done my duty to the best ct my ablll
~, both to the Union and my section, through
out this agitation, | shall have the consolation
let what will come, that I am free from all re
sponsibility. :.
After the speech was read, MIR. Webster sal,
that he was glad 10 see the Senator from Seutl
Carolina in his place again. and hoped that h
had many public duties yet to perform. he rose
10 ask the floor on that question.
1t was then agreed that Mr.. Webster shoult
have the floor on Tuesday next.
SENATE.
MARCH S.
Mr.. Foote rose to give notice that OH Thurs
day next, after the speech'of the Senator from
Massachusetts; he would call up his resolution
for naminga select committee of thirteen, Il
consider all the propositions before the Senate Ii
regard to Territories and slavery, and report
plan of ad ustment if practicable. -.