The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-30
THE SOUTHERN PRESS.
To the People Of Tennessee.

present you in the Senate Of the United
States being about to close, feel it to be
no less my duty than my privilege, briefly
to submit for your deliberate consideration
the course l have deemed it my duty to
pursue in the discharge of those high and
responsible duties. The strong, and | may
add violent opposition which was made to
my election, and the circumstances attending
it, afforded the strongest guarantee that any
error of Judgment committed by me in the
discharge of my official duties would be
most promptly and etfectually exposed to the
public gaze. 1t is scarcely to be expected
that should, in the many important and re-
sponsible votes which have been required
to give, all of which are now on record, sub
lect to your impartial and rigid examination,
be exempt from error in every instance
They are before the public for their scrutiny
and decision.
| entered the Senate at the first session OF
Congress held during Mr.. Folks admins
tration, in which session it will be remem-
bered the rolicy Of the Government was
changed from tho Wing to the Democratic
creed. The recommendation of the Presl-
dent, in his annual message, to change the
tariff from specific to adralorem duties, and
to abandon its protective + atures, thereby
leaving it as the trainers Of the Constitution
intended it to be-exclusvely a revenue
measure, met my entire and hearty concur
renee, and received my hearty support, and
have the qualification to believe that | con-
tributed my full share in the passage OF the
tariff act Of 1916.
Pending this session, the war comm enced
between the Republic of Mexico and the
United States; and presume it is scarcely
necessary for me to say that | gave my
Jealous support, not only to the act recog-
nzing the existence of the war, but also to
every measure necessary to its vi gorous and
successful prosecution. This was closed by
a treaty of peace, which also received my
support, and which was generally approved
by you, that is unnecessary for Inc to dwell
longer on those events.
therefor. proceed to the consideration OF
the several measures passed at the first ses-
sion of this Congress. AS these measures
were most fully and ably discussed by Sena-
tor Soule, Of Louisiana, shall give such
extracts from his speech as may be ncces-
sary to full understanding Of the questions
involved. Mr.. Soule said:
g 1t was then first discovered by US Of the
South, that it was actually necessary for US
to ask for participation in the acquisitions
Of the Mexican wdr, and for the consttu-
tional provision in regard to retaining fug-
tive slaves. We had to petition for our
rights,-to sue for the protection of interests
guaranteed by the Constitution How have
these matters been settled 1t is said that
the plan Of their ad justment is so wise and
complete, that to hesitate before submission
is treason. This Compromise, as it is styled,
branches out into FIVE distinct measures.
They are-First, the admission Of Califor
MIA; Second, the formation Of Territorial
Governments for Utah and New Mexico
Third, the Fugitive slave bill; Fourth, the
abolition Of the slave trade in the District OF
Columbia and Fifth, the determination Of
the boundary Of Texas.
Let US glance at these several measures
We were just emerging from success
full war,-a war, the great Lemert of which |
consisted in the fact that it was conducted !
with singular ability and energy by Dem
ocratic adminlstration,--a war opposed BY
the fanatics Of the North as most nefarious
and unjust. And yet, fellow citizens, when
that war had terminated in adding vastly 10
the territory and wealth Of the Union, these
fanatics claimel the lions share of the spoils;
and what is worse, they succeeded to main
tanning that claim ! Without regarding the
great sacrifices and noble exertions Of the
South on the many battle-6elds which rem
dered that war so glorious, let US contem-
plate the share Of pecuniary sacrifices which
we are called on to make in that behalf. -
The cost OF the war was seventy millions Of
dollars. We bound ourselves in the treaty
to pay Mexico fifteen millions, and five mil
lions to our own citizens making in all,
which the people Of the Union have to pay
in the next ten years, on account OF the
Mexican war, ninety millions. Out Of this,
according to the ratio Of taxation by the ia
riff adopted by the General Government,
the South will have to pay two-thirds, or sixty
millions. To mercantile community the
statement of these facts and figures ought
not to be without their just weight
But, fellow citizens, their demands stop
not here. The exhaustion of our pockets,
Of our means, does not satisfy the ambition
Of our oppressors if it ended here, we might
congratulate ourselves. If we were only
called on to pay -thrds,-the whole
amount, or double, three, four, or hundred
fold of the expenses Of this war, l should
counsel submission, rather than endanger
the integrity Of this Union, the harmony Of
our people, or the peace of the country. |
would say, submit, submit, if such abnega-
ton does not involve also the surrender Of
your right as freemen, Of your honor as
men, and of your equality in this confedera-
cy Of sovereigns. Will counsel you to sub
mt to that last indIgnity ? No! never .
cloud cheers.)
U nder this so-called compromise, CHI
fornla, with boundaries extended over IN.
hundred ami h!ty three thousand square miles
ct territory, not one tetth Of which had ever
been seen by he: nh bta is, was admitted