Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-03-16
MR.. CALHoUN's POSITION.

Debate in the Senate, Wednesday, March 10.
The Senate took up the motion to refer Mr.. Bells
resolutions to committee of Is, and Mr.. CAss having
spoken at some length without, however, concluding
his remarks, the following explanatory discussion took
place.
Mr. CALHOUN. have few words to say in reply
to the observations OF the Senator from Michigan, and,
as it is in reference to point OF some Importance de-
sire that what say shall go out with his remarks.
regret very much that the state OF my health does not
permit to enter fully into the argument, and that
shall be under the necessity OF economsng my words as
well as my strength
Mr. President the Senator could not have heard me
with more regret make the declaration to which he has
alluded, than have heard him this morning make the
declaration which he has made. Sir the Senator and
myself have two distinct and different conceptions
TO the mode of saving this Union. His whole course
has been Of palatlves And, sir OF all courses,
that is far the worst Why, sir, you might well treat
cancer that is about striking into vital part with pal
natives as 10 treat this question with palatves. No.
sir my idea has been from the first that it disease
that would be fatal it not finally arrested; and have
acted upon that impression. If wrong, it is be-
cause the impression wrongand in order to it,
it necessary at every stage OF it to understand the real
causes and progress OF the disease, and the by
which it endangers the Union.
In my late speech, which the Senator has heard with
such profound regret-and am amazed that my mean
ing should be 80 utterly misunderstood by the honorable
Senator from Michigan-l stated simply, and in as few
words as / could, what would certainly according to
my judgment save the Union promote Cancellation,
and restore harmony and good feeling throughout all
sections OF the Union. That was the amount OF what
said. Now, ask, can the Senator believe that the
South is safe while one portion Of the community hold
entire possession of the power of the Government, to
WELD it for their own benefit in any manner they
please and while they see fit interfere between the
two sections of the Union Can any believe that
the South safe while this state of things exists No
man can say that he believes it. do not at least;
and therefore, all the wonder OF the honorable Senator
upon that point may cease. But the Senator says is
impossible to comply with the requston OF giving US
new constitutional guarantee. Well, that very decla
ration goes to show"
ken. Icertainy did not say any thing Of the kind.
Mr. CALHOUN | said in my remarks the other day
that such amendment in the constitution would be made
as would give to the South -
Mr.. CAss. The Senator will pardon me, have not
alluded to the subject of amendment to the constu
ton. Twas coming to it, however, and should have
spoken Of it before concluding my remarks. | should
prefer, therefore, that the distinguished Senator from
South Carolina should hear me before he undertakes to
reply.
nator as leading to that
Mr.. CAss hope the honorable Senator will defer
his remarks until tomorrow morning.
Mr.. CALHOUN. do not know that opportunity
will then be afforded of saying what desire to say
upon this point The Senator says that new guarantees
cannot be given by amendments to be made in the Con-
stuon. Sir, insist that that is the lega and consu
onal mode it is the mode pointed out by the Const-
tuition itself Why, whoever before heard of such sug
son? 1t shows state of feeling existing in the mind
the Senator which, in my opinion, Is consistent with u-
dciouS action.
intended to branch off here, and to show that the
distinguished Senator, if this Union is ever be dis
solved will have contributed his full share to its dssou
ton that the very entang cement we now in, orgi-
mated in the last presidential election and, think
have demonstrated, originated In violation OF the Con-
stuton and violation and disregard OF the sovereign
y of the States. Whenever the Senator chooses to 90
into discussion upon this point, am ready to meet
| him.
| Mr. President, must necessarily abbrevate what
have to say The distinguished Senator heard me with
painful feelings designate Washington as the iusroua
Southerner. Why the Senator ought to remember that
every effort has been made to take w ashngton out OF
hands but it that the morality OF the present
time is that the assaant perfectly innocent and the
assaed the only guilty party Yes, sir, it was en-
deavored to take him cut OF our hands; and to
be stgmstized dsunionss, and his messagehs fare
we'll sddressto be quoted against US, while venture
assert that the greater part OF that message directly
bears upon the assalants and not the assaed 1t
to this that reminded the Senate and the world
and rightly reminded them-that Washington was
usrous Southerner; he was not the less an iustrious
American; but must say that the whole proceeding
here for the last fifteen years has been such that it
ried and consummated as it will be, unless some de-
finite understanding arrived at, the end OF the whole
will be the holding up OF Washington as miserable
| Shareholder | do not insnuate that Washington
| should be regarded exclusively as Southern
| only say we have right to claim him an usrous
| Southener, for he was Southern man, Southern
planter. ana we 40 not Intend lnaL ne snail De
out OF our hands,
Mr. President, with these remarks, will content my
self for the present, without OBTAINING the Senate fur
Their.
wish to be misunderstood have not uttered syllable
in regard to the constitution the constitutional amend
ment suggested by the distinguished Senator from South
Carolina-not word. The honorable Senator sup
posed that had arragned him for seeking constu-
tiona amendment. Such an idea never entered my
head. And allow me to tell the Senator that that was
not the difficulty at all.
Mr. CALHOUN. What vast then
Mr. CAss. The ground upon which it was put by the
honorable Senator was, that if a guaranty were not
given the South by amendment to be made to the
constitution it would be fatal to the country.
Mr.. CALHOUN. Certainly, it would, in the end, be
fatal.
MIR CAss But the honorable Senator said it must be
done Immediately or it would be fatal to the interests OF
the country.
Mr. CALHOUN No, sir that is not the language
used
Mr.. CAss. beg the honorable Senator's pardon it
is so stated in the speech "lt the question is not now
settled says the Senator t is uncertain whether
ever be settled hereafter"
Mr.. CALHOUN. Certainly.
Mr. CAss. And one OF the processes by which it is
to be done is by amending the constitution. There
two points stated by the honorable Senator. One
was, that there must be an amendment made to the
stution-and merely mention this because it excited
surprise in my mindand the other, that the adj
mission OF California be made test question.
| Mr.. CALHOUN. Certainly
Mr.; CAsS mat II Cailornla were admitted it would
| be followed by dissolution OF the Union.
| Mr.. CALHOUN. No, sir wish the Senator would
read the remarks made in reference to that point
Mr.. CAss. l will read them, sir, with pleasure.
'If the question is not now settled, it is uncertain
whether it hereafter be; and we as the repre-
sentaves OF the States of this Union regarded as go
vernments should come to distinct understanding as
to our respective views in order ascertain whether the
great questions at issue be settled not. If you,
who represent the stronger portion agree
tie them the broad principles OF justice and duty, say
so and let the States both represent agree to sepa
rate and partin peace If you unwilling we should
part in peace tell us So and shall know what to do
when you reduce the question submission resistance
If you remain SILENT you will compel to infer what
you intend In that case, California will become the
test question"
Mr. CALHOUN. Read on; read the whole.
Mr.. CAss. | will, sir.
off you admit her, under all the difficulties that OPP
pose her admission you compel to infer that you in
tend to exclude us from the whole of the acquired