The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-18

what is it! Why, sir, there are those who have
openly contended and maintained, both by their
speeches and deliberate votes, that they will
never allow any other slave State to come into
the Union. This class of politicians proclaim
their determination not only to resist the extern
sion of slavery, but to make war upon it by
every available means which the Legislation of
Congress can afford-indeed, to use the legisla-
ton OF a common Government to assault the in
terests Of part of its makers. Others again
have commended, and intend to maintain In all
the forms they can, that none of the territory
acquired from Mexico by the treaty of Guada-
lupe Hidalgo shall ever be appropriated, indivd-
ually or collectively, to slaycholding popula-
ton. Sir, whilst, in one form or the other, they
are willing to give different votes, they look as
distinctly to that end as il, in the language of
the Senator from Massachusetts, MIR. DAVIS,
they maintained, in round terms, that it was a
sine qua non, in any measure that should be pro-
posed here, that slavery should be excluded,
either by the operation OF known natural causes,
or by express statutory provision. Isuppose
they will, in different forms proceeding effect
this one end, for they have the numerical
strength to do so. aF
will put another question: Why is it that
all propositions Of compromise have come from
Southern quarters For even this OF the commit
tee, according to the admission made by the hon
orable Senator from Massachusetts,, comes from
a majority of Southern gentlemen; and all COM
promises heretofore proposed have come from
Southern gentlemen. Why is it, The answer to
that question will be significant. II is easily given.
It is, that the Northern gentlemen either find
themselves under a pressure that they cannot re-
sist or they feel perfectly Indifferent, on the
ground that they can dictate their own terms, or
have such as will be entirely agreeable to their
views. They will take what they wish, and say
we must take what we can get
put another question-and these are searching
questions, which have very obvious but humiliat-
ing answers ask, why is it that we hear almost
monopoly oflove of this Union attributed to the
North, while some gentlemen are rather free in
their imputations of design ON the part Of the
South, to dissolve it. Allegiance to the Union is
claimed on one side, and alienation from it at
tributed to the other Is it because the South has
not given as much evidence Of its love, and made
as many sacrifices to preserve the Union and
maintain it, as the North' The answer to that
will be significant. Why, sir, the constitutional
Union is one, if its spirit could be restored, for
which we would perish Tomorrow, and would
pledge my constituents; but any Union extra UNI
constitutional, made up by and for majority, is
Union which, in its practical operation, would
give protection and bestow bounties upon that
majority. Why, to suppose that the North would
be indifferent to such Union, would be to sup
pose they would be Indifferent TO their own inter-
ests. The more the Union can be used for their
purposes, the more they will have cause to love
1t. So long as 1t operates as dispenser Of favor
and emolument, it will have the common allegi-
ance Of interest to sustain it. If the North had
any inducement to arrest its partial operations,
they have no temptation to oppose its progress,
but many inducements to forward its present ten
dency. would as soon expect foolish farmer
to destroy his mich COW, while feeding on other
%, AL AZ
thing wilfully to destroy the Union.
put another question. Why is that all COM
promises heretofore have been proposed and sub
mited to by Southern men, without exception,
and when they could not approve, to acquiesce /!
tits, and say it solemnly, because the South
are disposed to preserve the Union, even at the
sacrifice Of her own interest. 1t was because she
wished to arrest agitation. And other sections
have presumed on this sentiment. They have
even sported with it, and are now experimenting
on 1t. 1t Is the experiment of temerity, but one
that has been encouraged by previous success. 1t
is the confidence of power, not its wisdom, that
seems to rule the counsels of the many. There
is point Of submission that Southern feeling can
not compromise with. have said that all COM
promises, SO far as l know, even the Missouri
Compromise, was sustained by Southern gentle
men, and III doing so they literally were sowing
the seeds Of suicidal diseases. The country re-
posed with delusive confidence under this COM
promise until an occasion arose for another, and
then its spirit and obligations were renowned
and repudlated 1t has served precedent to
give power to Congress to make extra-constitu-
honal arrangements to advance the stronger, and
to be regarded as only obligatory on the weaker
party. When new Territories were acquired, they
were not subjected to the same rule or principle;
and the South has been called on to make an un-
conditional surrender in the contest in which we
find ourselves now involved. When that occa-
sion occurred, calling for compromise to adjust
this very matter now under consideration, eight
gentlemen were selected, and among them my
distinguished colleague, Mr.. Calhoun, whom /
never saw on any occasion express such marked
anxiety as at that time. He wished to obviate
and avoid the issues which were involved, and to
settle them in spirit of honor, to settle them
without sacrifice of cardinal doctrines He saw
clearly what would come out of political agita-
ton. was, as others, called into consultation,
and upon one occasion thought we were yield
ing too much, and suggested we should take a
determined stand. He thought we were consid-
erng matters that could not be carelessy handled,
with a remark that the man was not born that
could foresee the consequences of disunion; and
at the same time he said, if the fearful issues
were forced on us, they would have to be met,
and that the South could have no reproach for re-
suits, and that duty could point to but one path.
The committee brought in measure called the
Clayton Compromise, which was carried through
the senate, anu SuDnltteu 10 IN q spirit 1Ounueu
in love for this Union.
Sir, it was unavailable to answer the ends con-
templated. 1t was not adopted, and all the ele-
ments of sectional strife have been left to do their
work Of mischief. Had the measure passed, the
Government would have retained its control over
our territorial policy, instead of giving tup to blind
chance. The measure may have been defective,
and objections to it were made, but 1t looked to
the honor of all, and may have been sufficient to
protect the rights of all. Slaves may never have
been carried to California; and if So there could
be no occasion for agitating the questions which
have become more dangerous by discussion and
the agravating influence of time. Still another
compromise was proposed and submitted to by
the Southern representatives. These are facts,
and carry with them conclusive refutation that
the Southern people have aimed to dissolve the
confederacy. They have resisted measures, and
given warnings, and still they tainted and re-
preached. Our past history contradicts these
charges. If we could have our rights tomorrow,
under the Constitution, and according TO its pro-
visions, We would acquiesce, perhaps be entirely
satisfied But they have been denied, and that
denial has brought with it the pers OF the crisis.
IL were to say the faults is in one, others per-
maps would say it was in another have refer