Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-03-02

IteeIy
cussed and especially after have had opportunity of
hearing the sugges Of all those gentlemen whose opinions
are entitled respect. do not know but that the commit
may be very intelligent committee and ver capable OF
bringing forward compromise that will be satisfactory, but
cannot suppose that they wbe well qualified to act be-
oreas they would be after they had heard all the sugges
tive remarks may be made by Senators here or al least
by those who choose to offer remarks. here WIN DC us
cusson going ON upon the resolutions OF the Senator from
Kentucky here will be discussion going on upon the mo-
ton of the Senator from Missouri they will be reserved TO
the Senate while this committee will have it within its power
to report bill, which might not be reported II the COM
mee had first listened to the discussions that taking
place here if they had first consulted the opinions OF those
whose it must be supposed are entitled to respect
they had paid attention remarks made outside OF the
committee. The committee will doubtless meet and confer
together with closed DOORS and is to supposed the sub
ect be REFEREED that they viii take their own course IN
dependently Of any suggestions that are made here.
think the pointed out by the Senator rom Mssis
sippi iand say so snceey-very unfavorabe 10 the final
and honorable adjustment of this question. say, and
say seriously that the movement made by the Senator from
Kentucky is the most unfortunate movement that has been
made yet He came in too soon with his proposition Sir
must be permitted to say that there disposition prevalent
to bring in too Many other gentlemen have PROPOSE
tons for an adustmen-Ido not use the word compromise
and am willing TO listen to their suggestions / am very
unwilling, however, take any portion Of this subject and
commit it any committee As soon as the discussion
is ended will acquesce in the reference but premature
reference should consider very unfortunate course.
Mr. FOOTE. regret to differ from my friend from South
i
have very good reasons differing with him, and such
hope he will consider satisfactory Sir stated before the
resolution drawn up not in the least degree to inter
fere with the resolutions offered by other gentlemen and not
in the least interfere with the Of debate in this cham
Der. did not expec-and / that my honorable
friend from South Carolina hardly expectedha the subject
could be acted upon by the committee soon as within the
next four days should hope. however, that report would
be made by Saturday next for help Heaven, if
thing be done before Saturday, during the next week occur
will take place Of nature to which will not do more
than allude believe, sir that during this week these ques-
tons be compromised, compromise will be prac
cable. have good reasons sir, for what state know
the facts. have looked into the matter have conversed
with members of both Houses of Congress state upon
nv honor that unless do something during the present
week. entertain othe least doubt that this subject viii leave
our jurisdiction, and leave it forever
Sir, am aarmist; but am in the h,bit Of declaring
myself freely, perhaps, than my friend rom South Ca
olna know that express in this statement the opinion
of large portion of the members OF both Houses of Con-
gress did not originate this movement entirely of my
volon but did after serious CONSULTATION with
Of the wsest and abet either Houe of Congress
Of the sages of this republic Is it supposed that wish
interfere with the Senator from Texas-h. Senator from
Massachusetts, whom of desire most earnestly to
hear. Is j. supposed that wish to interfere and prevent
them from addressing the Senate this question: or to pre-
the honorable Senator from South Carolina, whose
speech hope hear read in the Senate Thursday
But if raise this committee and if it be composed,
hope will bealways excluding myself for feel desire
to be member of it, the conary feel dcitedy to
being upont OF the abest and most discreet and most pat
rioc this body those thirteen membels of the
mttee thus organized will deem it their duty, have doubt
to be present when important debate like this going
nay will be doubtless in accordance with their incna
ton to Re present.
Mr.. BERRIEN. Will the honorable Senator allow the
resolution to be read for the purpose OF enabling the better
to understand his remarks
Mr.. FOOTE. Certainly. -.
The Secretary then read the resolution to appoint and in
s'ruct select committee as follows:
To refer to select committee of six members from the
North and six members from the South and member to
be Y them chosen with to exert themselves tor
the purpose of maturing scheme Of compromise for the adj
usment all the pending questions growing out OF the ns
tuition of slavery, and to report by bill or otherwise.
Mr.. FOOTE. Is my friend satisfied Now, this is my
view of the subject Iperecy with the Senator from
South Carolina that the resolutions the Senator from Ken
lucky being OF the character they are, most noppo
tuney presented to and have much decided inn
preston in regard to the debate that has occurred sort of
debate that think almost inevitable coming the
solutions did from such high quarter. Sir every day that
we have sat notwithstanding call i-agating the
question Of slavery in this hail. have placed the Union in
still greater peril It is possible my opinion, to dissolve
this Union by agitation within the halls Of Congress. am
unwilling therefore, that this debate should progress under
existing circumstances. If have practical plan of
adjustment presented, if can have prospective
plan presented that simple fact, in my judgment, will tend
to calm the excitement that prevails here and elsewhere
throughout the Union and when scheme judicous in
its character shall be presented and adopted he and
carried into the House of Representatives, cannot doubt
will there be ratified and that will tend to put end for
the controversy which seriously endanges this
Union believe the remedy which have referred is the
only remedy for sir if continue discuss these abstract
resolutions all the week, will find at the end of the
week that we have done nothing except to increase still
the excitement which prevails in this body, and to
engender in still greater degree the spirit of hostility
which is existing in both Houses Of Congress.
In my opinion, would find it wholly impossible the
end OF the week 10 obtain adjustment of the prevailing
difficulties Believing this to be the case, and being sincere
lover of the Union-havng especial confidence my
Judgment but very great confidence in the judgment Of those
with whom have consulted and for whom entertain very
high respect feel bound to persevere in the motion that
have made If it be voted down, let gentlemen take the
sponsibiy Sir here in the Senate, when public discus
sion is going upon exciting question: when honorable
Senators feel authorized 10 declam fercey either side in
such necessarily to awaken feelings of charac
ter endangeng the safety of the republic is unreasonable
to expect that spirit of compromise will spring up in
midst but sir, send thirteen Of the discreet members
OF this body into private room, there to confer with each
other calmly and cooy in the absence of all excitement in
the absence of every Of rritaton and it will result
believe in their agreeing upon plan of compromise that
will settle this question forever
Honorable Senators may dispose of this motion they
please the responsibility Of its rejection if they reject it,
will rest with them. decidedly disposed press the
motion, though cannot argue it forcbly as would
have been glad TO do.
Mr.. BUTLER. have no wish to protract this debate
think the Senate will bear witness that have shown
disposition to introduce into discussions any element Of
inhammaory nature have long since come 10 the
cuscn that has evil tendency, and am still less inclined
do it be approaching crisis OF solemn
and portentous character for it be otherwise than
highly unfavorabe deliberate and final settlement of the
question. II at distance could afford to indulge
hat in the temper Of the times but think the time is
past when defamation, inammatory defamation especially