The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-16

minority of one-ffth or more, if firm, and sus-
tanned by the people at home, can stop the
wheels of the Government Ii it is ascertained
that no proper settlement can be gotten OF the
Territorial question, il would be in the power OF
the Southern members to defeat all the approprI-
alton bills, and bring the Government to dead
halt. Perhaps il might be well 10 give such cup
to Northern gentlemen; for well remember that
when the civil and diplomatic appropriation OH
under consideration, with me aniehanienl
from the Senate, known as Walker ., whch
would have settled the question of slavery IN the
territories, a number of Northern gentlemen re-
solved 10 defeat that bill and all other business by
constantly calling for the yeas and nays, IT they
did not succeed in striking out that amendment
| recoIlect perfectly, that while ] was pressing
PENNSYLVANIA member to vote against striking out
that amendment, which was the pending motion,
a member OF high standing from Massachusetts
said to me, ''You need not give yourself any
trouble about this matter; if we do not succeed
in changing it, we shall prevent its adoption by
having the yeas and nays on motions to adjourn,
and calls of the House, till the end of the ses-
sion." From similar declarations made to me
by number OF Northern gentlemen, Invent
through the House, had no doubt but that, as
he said, enough had agreed to have enabled them
TO effect their purpose, if the motion to change
the character Of the amendment had failed. 1t is
not long since, too, that another citizen OF Massa-
chusetts Mr. JOAN DAvIs) defeated the two
million bill then pending in the Senate, by speak
ing till the end of the session. As Northern gen
tlemen have therefore been accustomed to this
mode of resistance to such measures as they do
not like, take il that they would hardly COM
plain of this kind of retaliation.
tell gentlemen that, if we cannot in advance get a
fair settlement OF this question, should be pleased
to the civil and diplomatic bill, the army and
navy bill, and all other appropriations, fail. We
should thereby make every officer and every ex-
pectant of public money directly interested in hay
1N,,n 10 Lotsa
to have thistemporary inconvenience for year or
two, than that we should see bloody revolution,
or something worse. | hold it to be the duty of
every Southern representative to stay here and
prevent, till the close of official term, the pas
sage of any measures that might tend to force our
people to unjust submission. In the mean time,
the Southern States could, in convention, take
such steps as might be necessary to assert
their right to share in the public territory. If
this lnterregnum were to continue long, 1t might
drive both sections to make provisional govern
ments, to become permanent ones IN the end.
But ii is advised, in certain portions of the
Northern press, that the members from that sec
ton ought to expel such as interrupt their pro-
ceedings Let them Try the experiment. l tell
gentlemen, that this is slaveholding territory.
We do not intend to leave it. If they think they
can remove US it is proper case for trial. In
the present temper of the public mind, it is pro-
bable that collision of the kind here might cleo
trify the country, as did the little skirmish at Lex
ngton the colonies in their then excited state.
Such struggle, whoever might prove the vctors
III II, would not leave here quorum to do busi-
ness. Gentlemen may call this heason-high trea-
son--the highest treason ever known. But their
words are idle, We shall defeat their movement
against us. But even if | thought otherwise,
| would still resist Sooner than submit to what
they propose, would rather see the South like
Poland, under the iron heel of the conqueror.
would rather that she should find the fate of Hun
gary.
Ii was but the other day, and under our own
eyes, that the gallant Hungarians asserted their
independence Though in the midst of, and
struggling against these two immense empires,
that could bring more than million Of armed
men into the field, they were successful at first in
beating down the power Of Austria. 1t was not
until some of her sons became traitors that Hun
pressed to death by the long columns and gigantic
strength of Russia. If necessary, let such be
our fate. .a..M. .H.
". Better be
Where the extngushed Spartans still are free,
In their proud charnal of Thermopylae."
Rather let the future traveller, as he passes over
blackened and desert waste, at least exclaim,
''Here lived and died noble as the sun
ever shone upon If we were to wait until
your measures were contaminated and your coil
like that of great serpent, was completely
around us, then we might be crushed. Seeing
the danger, we have the wisdom and the courage
to meet the attack now, while we have the power
to resist We must prove victors in this struggle.
If we repel the wave of aggression now, we shall
have peace. The Aboltionists defeated before the
country on the main issue, will not have power to
modest us. "
have, sir, frankly spoken my opinions on this
great question, with no purpose to menace, but
only to warn. Gentlemen of the North ought
themselves to see that, while submission to what
they propose would be ruinous to us, it would not
in the end be beneficial to their section. Seeing,
then, the issue in all its bearings, it is for them
decide. They hold in their hands the destiny of
the existing Government. Should circumstances
divide us, wish that you may prosper. From
all my knowledge of the elements Of your society,
! have doubts. That we shall, under the favor of
Providence, in all events, take of ourselves,
have no fears In conclusion, have to say, do
us justice and we continue to stand with you
attempt to trample on US, and we part company.