The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-15


more selfish spirit OF political demagogues by the excl
table and excited feelings OF wronged and nsulted peo-
hem Il .Se aassesS self saecng spirit which our
duty demands from all and from each OF with deter
mnaton, every side Of this great question. to yield
whatever may be Welded without sacrifice, not of mere
speculative opinion, but OF constitutional principle Sir,
there have been many crises in the brief history OF this
repubc-appalling dangers have often menaced us-and
we have than once stood upon be brink OF pre-
cpice from which advancing step would have pung
ed into the athomless abyss o anarchy with all its
countless horrors AT least such has been the picture
presented to us BY our political orators and essaylsts from
the rostrnm and from the press And yet the deepest
hour OF gloom, there has been found some auspl
cous moment in which the light of truth has penetrated
the clouds OF folly and passion, OF fanacsm and selfish.
ness has dsspated the mlsts of error has awakened
the smberng patriotism Of our countrymen and has re-
veaed to glorious charter, unscached amid the
tumult in all It's original strength and vgor So may il
ever be- In the darkest hoar OF our national fortune,
let US never despaoh no, sir let rs never despair For
mysef though age has somewhat checked the current OF
my blood, would still cling to this hope with all the
hopeulness OF youth. would CATCH il i might be,
some portion OF the dauness spirit Of the gallant mari
ner, tossed upon the raging bllow,
| !" All around him, one wide ocean,
/ All above him, dark sky
who still, amid the fury Of the tempest could merry
sing, or gratefully remember,
There's sweet lil,le chcub sits perch'd up aoit,
To look out good berth for poor Jack
More gravey, sir, addressing myself 10 the highest
have an abiding confidence that the God Of our fathers
will be the God OF their children that He will be
God that tie will gracously enable 10 preserve that
glorious iabric which his mercy and his goodness not
the might and strength Of ancestors enabled them to
constructs and that countless generations, enjoying the
rich heritage which they have transmitted 10 us, and
which, by his blessing. will transmit to them, will in
distant ages unite in the tribute OF gratitude to their
memories which in this our day it is our privilege to
Yet. sir. we must not forget Tin indulging this hope)
that the providence OF God is often exered through the
agency OF man and that must be mindful OF our own
duties, if we would hope for his mercy. ask of my
NJ N
the consideration of this subject in that spirit OF cQnca
ton which-can alone lead to propous result. ask
them TO remember that brethren OF common
family united by thousand social well political
ties ask them especially to remember, that in such
coac as that which menaces the spendor OF victory
would be dmmed by the unnatural character OF the strife
in which II was achieved.
| Coming to the consideration OF this question in the
spirit OF these feelings. to appropriate to ex
press my high OF the pair otic and generous mo-
lives which prompted the introduction OF these esolu-
tions by my honorable friend from Kentucky Mr. CLAY
He will allow that term, since he knows that il
is used with full OF what is which that relation
implies And if do not in referring TO him, annex TO
his name these honorary prehxes in which senatorial
courtesy is accustomed to indulge, will be because
those titles respect and admiration have been already
awarded TO him by his country and Dy the word will
be because he is already in the full enjoyment OF the rich
reward which is bestowed by he unbought homage OF the
brave and free In his native land-o all IN every cline,
where liberty has resting place or freedom yoary he
has my sincere good wishes that he may long ye ,o enjoy
covering OF humanity which he has gracefully worn,
tha his closing eyes may rest upon free happy, and
united people, with whose glory his lame Will be lndis-
solubly connected
Mr. President passing to the consideration of the sub
ject which before the Senate, desire TO in the out
set, that, abstainng from minute examination OF the
several resolutions which have been presented by the
senator from Kentucky, will be my purpose 70 abstract
iron them those principles the OF hich 1t
seems 10 will be best calculated 10 lead TO an am
icabe adjustment OF this unhappy controversy. The
senator from Kentucky presents to us series OF resou
uons which propose compromise OF this matter he
pnnd
may be with the great purpose which they
originate. lie ssys to senators, Here IS my Offering on
the altar Of my country Adopting the spirit 4 not The
thing more advantageous than this, propose II II not,
accept that which offer to you The proposal is far,
frank, and manly IL requires TO BE- met II must be met
in the same spirit in which il is rendered. What then,
SIR, is the condition in which we who are the relre.
seniatives Of the South. stand upon this occasion
4 You have acquired, in the prosecution OF the war
with Mexico, extensive territory. You baye not
merely acquired a number OF acres OF land, Tor
which you could make neediul rules and regulations
under the provisions OF the fourth section OF the third
tcle OF the constitution but you have acquired nhabi-
tants living the gny over whom, which was
exercised by Mexico has been transferred to yon You
under the TO provide government Tor these
men; for you have bound yourselves BY the treaty spu.
aon, which have become the supreme law OF the land,
TO give that protection which can be no otherwise aofa-
ed than by extending 10 them government. Now, IN
the formation OF this government and IN advance oil any
distinct proposition upon the subject what do we hear from
the legislatures OF the free States the representatives
OF those States who have chosen TO advert this subject
upon this floor You are about TO make government
for these Territories. That you owe TO the people who
have been transferred You about 10 make provision
for the disposal OF the public domain, and for The egula
ton oi the intercourse OF those who may emgrae TO a'
Territory. That you owe to your own people Ana II
is Just this point that the controversy commences
The South says you, We portion OF the Amer
lean people; have equal rights with you IN this terri
tory require that in the Tegu atoms which you make
for IL you shall do nothing which will enbafass those
righs-oihing which will prevent us IRON the ul exer
cise and enjoyment OF them.
The North says, You cannot be permitted 10 enter those
Territories unless you dyest yourselves OF certain rights
which, within the limits OF the United States you possess
This is the bone oil contention. But more particularly.
there is domestic institution prevailing IN poron OF
these States The senator from Massachusetts Mr.
WEBsrsRl will excuse me eth use the term which,
on former OCCASION subjected 70 his criticism and
il il shall be stil subject OF cayi invoke the aid OF
the senator from Mississippi (Mr. fooTE1 10 vndcae
it eymologcaly-to prove that the word sdfuo y m
tcrpeted to up TO appoint 70 establish ana thal e
relation which exists between the different classes AZ tne
South may be properly denomnated an institution sci
appointed, established by those who have the control
over it, repeat then, there is in portion OF these STATES
a domestic institution, which ! beg senators TO remark
was, at the time OF the formation OF tss constitution,
common 10 all the Siales which was nj the ume OF tne
declaration OF Independence, common 10 all The COLONIES
one which is deemed necessary TO the comfort and nap,
piness Of those by whom is retained; that they entered
into their present bond OF union with this lnsuiuiion SUD-
sistDg in It's full force il with the declared
purpose to continue i indefinitely that they were not
merely accepted and welcomed into the Union OF the
States with this institution, but urged into IL And
yet II is this institution, existing at the time that tne con-
stiiuion formed, with the avowed determination 70
continue in thai Union which was about to be formed
nich recognised and protected by various proyl-