The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-08

moi Gen. Taylor is opposed 10 IL and toH vsto IN The
event Of its PASSAGE and sihr not its junior sdo,
is IN fauor Of the Wnmot Prouiso7 When the organ
answers these queries the public will be able to deter
mine how much OF sincerity and honesty there is in i'd
present advocacy OF southern rights. and its present
charges against the democratic party
mr.. Ueb.tsrs spe.ch.--mr. Caihoun's RsmarLs.
Yesterdays debate was one OF the most interesting
which we have ever heard in the Senate of the United
States.
Mr. Walker, OF Wisconsin, not having finished his
speech Wednesday, entitled to the floor yester
day but with grace which does him great credit, he
waived his privilege in favor OF Mr. Webster, who had
previously requested 10 address the Senate that day
AT IL o'clock almost as soon as the Senate assembled
the senator from Massachusetts, to address the most
crowded audience have on the floor and in
the galleries of the chamber He spoke for more than
three hours
We were not present for several minutes after he COM
menced but the first positions which he argued after
entered the Senate, and for time afterwards
decidedly opposed to slavery and the southern aspect
OF the question, that despared of anything concia
tory or anything compromising. anything calculated to
settle this dangerous and agitating question, from
his lips We are bound however, to state that
we had done Mr.. Webster great injustice, and that
the last part Of his speech amply redeemed what
thought the errors of the first. Praise from this
quarter comes SO rarely upon the senator from Mas.
sachuses, that we almost hesitate to utter it upon
the present occasion. We presume that he will SET little
value upon anything which may fall from our pen but we
feel bound to state frankly Impressions Of his speech
We had expected very little from Mr.. Webster We
Jou ho ~
out and lay his tribute upon the altar of his country
But must say that his whole speech very able,
and the last part OF il marked with great nepdity
rankness, and beraity. We trust in Heaven that he
has not spoken in vain We cannot but entertain the
fervsnt hope that Mr. Webster will essentially contribute
to the adjustment Of this distraciing controversy He
contended that Congress bound, with the consent Of
Texas establish four slave States south of the line Of
36s degrees He declared his conviction that Nature
herself had passed irrepeaable laws, which would for
bid the settlement Of slaves in California and New Mex
leo and therefore he would not consent to do act
which was derogaory and insulting to the South, in in
cooperating the Wilmot Proviso with any government
which might be org anized for these Territories He
reprobaed with great force the OF the abolition
lists of the North, whose fanatcism had couneracted
their own designs loosen the bonds of slavery in The
South He freely admitted that the North had carried
out her constitutional obligations TO restore fugitive
slaves and pledged himself to cooperate in the imme
date passage OF new and more efficient law for this
purpose He expressed his willingness recognise the
right OF Texas up certain boundary, 1--WE believe "a
degrees and to make ample compensation to her for the
territory north OF that line which she might renqush
to be annexed TO New Mexico In subsequent repyt to
Mr. Calhoun, he did not commit himself about California,
ressrvng himself, when that question up, to take
such course about her constitution, boundary, and
admission into the Union. as his best judgment might
dictate His speech nterspersed with various sug
gesons, expressed in simple but eloquent language,
upon the various topics which connected with this
subject He confessed frankly and emphatically the
which Virginia had shown in reinqushng
her claim to the Northwestern Territory He declared
himself wiling il she the South would desire it, TO
appropriate the proceeds Of these lands (Which he esma
ted at millions of dollars, indeed, almost anything
ese assist Kidding the southern States OF the free people
OF color He pronounced beautiful eulognm the value
OF the Union He denied that there could be peaceabe
secession and spoke in measured terms Of his oppo
son TO the Nashville Convention, il should assemble
for the purpose OF dissolving the Union.
When Mr.. Webster concluded his speech, Mr.. Calhoun
rose and with strength OF voice which did not ex
pect, and in very animated TERMS anmadverted upon
several points OF Mr.. WIS speech. He set him right
about the history and objects Of the acquisition OF Louis
ana Florida and Texas and he also corrected Of
Mr. Webstes remarks upon the celebrated ordinance Of
ST. He compimented him upon the liberal propositions
he had made for the adjustment Of the question: and de-
clared his devoted love to the Union Of our country Mr.
Cs remarks delivered in the best spirit, and with
his usual condensation and clearness Of manner.
We recommend our readers, however, to read the
speeches OF these eminent senators for themselves
These speeches will correct any OF the inaccuracies
which we may have made in the composition OF this
rapid sketch. and they will extend our comments
far beyond the limits to which we have confined our
selves. Our general impression from the whole is,
that il the senator's and representatives from both
sections OF the country would set in 10 the
notation Of this important question in the spirit which
Mr. Webster breathes, shall il at no distant day
adjusted by concilia,oy compromise the present alarm