Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-08-24
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udsd toahs Sconveuon, anal denounced all thes

To say that would be involved IN an attempt 70 screen
knowledge of grave plot to dissolve the Union ana
do it consistently with my attachment and desoton 20 ne
Union which believe is pretty well understood had not
thought pretty well Of it. would not have occupied scar
this floor for bad good deal OF trouble 70 sc.
and onr state into the Union and am for staying in
and improving lis condition. We would almost have fought
10 get in and now in intend TO say IN. DO not
intend to be whipped in out OF the Union. we WIN 90
every thing can to preserve y, ana nothing 70 H.
But to saw that knew any thing of This imputed combma-
on is utterly false knew nothing OF it and deny the
right to charge upon sPecuaons OF this KIND IN the news
papers Whatever do and say will be over my own hand
am responsible for it my place in the Senate could
come here harboring knowledge Of design against this
Union and did not expose it. should be as cupabe as the
parties engaged in the crime
did not expect make any extended remarks when rose
but can assure the gentleman that he will never find me
doing augh to ash the character endanger the peace
of the Union however may differ with any majority as to
any general question of public policy vote on some occa
ons with the majority, and on others with the minority
When vote with the minority submit to the will OF the
majority; and when vote with the majority, always am
actuated by the same identical devotion the Union when
vote with the minority The minority, if understand the
principles of this Government is to submit to the action Of
the majority; and il the majority is in favor OF particular
measure, and respectable minority opposed to IT. although
the measure may be wrong, yet if carried by majority
cannot conceive that it is criminal cupable to submit
the maoiiy is small aud they the ordinary means pre-
scrbsd deberave assemblies and are voted down BY a
overwhelming majority should suppose it to be as much
their duty to submit though they more numerous
minority. Nor could that be considered oppressive. We
could never transact any business if waited till the mno
y yielded the opinions of the majority; and If honorable
gentlemen have thought proper to protest this occasion
against the of proceeding they have had opportu
nifty to express in the fullest within the last eight
months their opinions the have been voted
upon and adopted in this Senate Had course Of policy
been taken to preclude them from what is the right Of every
member deberative body, the right Of giving their opn
huxy
has been given opinions and when the whole country IL
filled with these opinions and when the community at large
have heard and read the various arguments upon the different
bills which have been passed. and which now under dis
cuson when the country has had all these advantages oil
reading and the representatives Of the people have had all
these opportunities Of being heard by their constituents
cannot think that when vote majority, and insist on
defnve action being taken, encroaching on the
rights of minority of individuals. And they present
protest whchis calculated reflect upon the which
take, and is dsespec in language in its pre-
misses, alacous in its deductions, or threatening IN any
degree, do not believe that bound in duty to spread
that upon the journals of the Senate when the Ieec-
tons have been broadcast the community and per-
haps fierce and threatening in their character than
those which are included in the protest.
would extend every latitude to gentlemen who are dis
pleased with any of acon but when told and
admonhed that certain laws must lead to the dissolution Of
this Union when they have been consuonay enacted and
adopted by large majority Of this Senate, hardly think it
respectful to the body Can it be intended for good Is
enlighten the public mind Is it to vndcate the of
Senators think not. Is denuncation of the measures
which have been adopted, of restoring harmony and
quiet in the place of that excitement which has been indus
tiousy fomened throughout the country Have the people
long been accustomed look here for dctaon to their
at home that there must be continual cannonaing
kept up upon the public fortress Of peace and tranquility
Have opinions been from time to time manufactured here
Have they not been scattered wide the land north and
SOUTH Have not the people been e1hored to resistance
and to have srecourse to the last alternative, and sand
their rights stand the defence with prompt and
gec action without having the true history of every
action spread before them, but distorted and coored de-
scrpon calculated to iname, without giving light to the
community If | am wrong, will stand corrected, if
Southern Senators have not been directed what pu
sue, and if they have not been called upon by their egsa
lures to act in vindicaton of their rights.
think that unconstitutional law has been passed by
this body, by Congress To be sure have not voted for
all that have been passed. bat think they passed
stuonay passed with the hope that they would be bene
fetal to the community and in all they have been
passed from considerations the most dspassonate, have
doubt it was thought they most expedent and would
have the largest general good embraced in them.
have not sought to manufacture public opinion home
have written political letter any Of my constituents
since have been Senator upon this floor. What the
consequence Are the people whom represent ignorant
Are they ulfed Do they understand their rights
Are they not satisfied with the legislation Of Congress
Have you seen complaints from that State They have
spoken in cases. because certain resolutions were
mended to them from other States some Of the agtstos
brought them forward before their debeave assemblies and
they have been induced to partial extent concur in them
but It has only been partial Whilst other States have not
been agtated, the extreme South is. Look at the whole
phase Of this question of national preservation or destruction
Look at Maryland look at Virginia, the border look
Kentucky what has been their Of conduct They
all the greatest sufferers by the deporaon.o slaves and their
escape into free territory Do you them agated by the
actual loss Of their servants No. sir but the extreme
Southern States from which, Perhaps one has scarcely ever
they become the champions the border States and
cry out for vengeance and retaliation Texas has her caam
es her servants have the Indians to flee to and escape
And that not all they have Mexico on their borders but
you hear them not talking Of dunion and threatening that
certain enactments will lead to it when they become laws
Sir, regard it my duty, not only Senator but as
good CITIZEN when laws passed that not manesy
unjust, aud when enacted by majority, submit to them
Why talk OF esong to dissolution Of the Union for the cure
OF even real evils Here the Supreme Court to resort to
one OF our safeguards the Presidents veto is another safe
guard and we have all these alternatives rather than dis
union TO that, remedy for evils am utterly opposed
unless the barriers OF the constitution are broken down. and
or States have protection Of their rights or shelter
from oppression never will yield impulses which think
unbecoing my station might feel wronged and
but whilst there constitutional source Of redress will
have recourse to that, and other until il has utterly
failed If am in small minority will do the majority the
justice to believe that they actuated by as pure principles
as am myself and think that am but paving due re-
pect their opinion and patriotism and judgment in submit
ting with Difference to their decision. But will never rise
and oppose my opinion that Of the majority beyond the
legal and constitutional which are devised and sup-
gested by experience by having the opportunity declaring
in open Senate that disapprove Of certain measures and be-
leve others better and If am voted down will submit,
wish throw rebrand the community wish not to
dictate nor give complexion to public sentiment home.