The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-16
THE UNION.

and Lea the States we both repressn, agree separate
md part Ia peacep
remarks do not justify the conclusion have drawn from
hem, do not know what can.
MI. DOWNS. DO understand the senator as saying
that he understood the senator from South Carolina
asserting that the amendment should be made nowl
MI. CASS. The senator from South Carolina, In the
explanation he gave US, said he did not require be
done now, but that i was indispensable that should be
MI, FoOTE The senator from South Carolina said,
believe that il would be Indispensable ultimately That
Mr.. BUTLER | know il may be expected that
should be able indicate what the precise opinions
Of my colleague; but have in reality no knowl-
any senator; but did understand him distinctly to say
far as infer from other believe il is his
when the northern States shall have
CURED such preomnatng influence In the councils of
the nation that there shall be security for the South
against their abuse OF power, then there should be
inserted in the constitution provision BY which the
minority shall have il in their power To avoid becoming
despised and degraded minority Sir, that is his idea
And will say in this connection, and endorse his view
TO this extent that do not see that we have any
rty in the forbearance OF northern majority am free
to say that do not feel security from that source be-
cause when / hear one gentleman say that he holds TO
part OF the constitution and disregards another
coTding to his conscience and others in and say
that they will break down so far they understand lis
provisions what security have for the preservation OF
our rights unless we have something 10 rely upon by way
OF veto
My colleague has not intmated that the Union may
not continue for many years to come But what sort Of
Union is i by which we are bound together, when the
elements OF strife introduced here every day. He
has always adhered to the Union and he wishes 10 re-
store to il the elements OF it's prosperity by producing
harmony and concation and they are attained by the
North doing justice and concedng to the South equal
right in the acquired territory, by complying with The
acquisitions OF the constitution in relation to the delivery
Of fugitive slaves. and by ceasng the agitation OF the
slave question, and by providing for the insertion of
n
South some security that her rights will be respected
MI. DOWNS. With the permission of the honorable
SENATOR will state that believe he was not understood,
without going infinitely into the views expressed BY the
senator from South Carolina-that believe he not
understood by southern members Of this body generally
in the sense in which the honorable senator from Mich
iean understood him. certainly did not understand
him. and am not that any southern senator did
Mr. FO0TE Understand now from the explanation
senator from South Carolina that the opinion Of both
these gentlemen that amendment to the constitution is
Does the senator from Louisiana doubt
that such is their op nionl
Mr. DOWNS L did not 50 understand the gentleman
Mr. FOOTE. The senator from South Carolina said
there should be such provision in the constitution as
Mr.. CASS Gentlemen will remember that my time is
MIR. DOWNS i trust the senator will allow me to
going into aminate analysis Of the speech Of the honora
Bile senator from South Carolina, say now that did
not put the construction upon which is put BY the hon
orable senator from Michigan and believe that south
ern senators generally did not
Mr.. BORLAND. AS one southern senator, Il will say
that did not.
Mr. DOWNS know Of none that did
Mr.. RUSK. Will the honorable senator from Mchi-
gan allow simply to say that hope the senator from
Louisiana will not make construction assume to
speak for the entire South We are all here. do not
choose that the senator shall make construction for me
that can do for myself do not choose to enter upon
that matter have not investigated the subject.
But hope the senator will not assume to speak for the
~ n wi d
Mr. DOWNS do not intend to speak for anybody
but myself; but, far as know or have heard, the
ooE Michigan will
permit me TO add singl word. know that the con-
structon which placed upon the honorable senator's
all the southern members Of this body could give their
Names necessary. have said so before, and my word
is not 10 be disputed by anybody
Mr.. DOWNS. did not dispute the assertion OF the
honorable senators but have rghto speak for myself
have not conversed with the senator from Texas,
with any other senator in regard to it. do not make IL
business to do So but hear what senators say 10 me
and now say again that the senator from Mississippi
up TO this time, the first senator who has put the con.
strucon that is commended for upon the speech of
the distinguished senator from South Carolina. speak
Of what know. tits true. may be mistaken but do
not coincide in that construction and believe there are
many from the South who do not.
Mr.. CASS. May be permitted TO say that must re-
quest senator's no longer TO interrupt me hope shall
be allowed 60 on asmy time is short, and will finish
what have 10 say in very minutes. am generally
lulte ocCdsOn insist
that there be no more Interruptions.
am not going TO dwell upon this point OF construc-
on God knows have not the slightest wish TO mis-
represent the opinions the objects Of the senator
have only TO say that any who reads the speech must
come TO the conclusion, that, in the opinion ONE
SENATOR the dissolution OF the Unon il not altogether
was almost inevitable. When alluded TO this subject
yesterday saying that agreeaby to the views OF the
ator from South Carolina, il the amendment OF the
'tuoR did not take place noc, sit wosd be fatal TO the
country" the honorable answered certainly il
will in the end The senator says expressly in his
speech the amendment must be made Yesterday
he explaned--and | took his explanation with the
greatest peasurethat he conceives amendment ne.
,essay be made but that he does not conceive that
necessary 10 be done nog That is all have to say in
regard 10 this matter. What then, is the avowed object
,f the senator from South Carolina He says he seeks
% establish equilibrium in this government do not
government. do not know in what way legislation Is
be exactly weighed measured with reference 10 the
garous sections interests OF the country There has
been such political expedient since the commence
nent OF this government or indeed, OF any other; and
here never be. When the government came into |
operation, there six slave and vehold
ng States The majority therefore, in this Senate
proportion then what Il Is now. There was OF course,
sectional equality and II disposition had been felt TO
,ppress the South Il could have been easily INDUCED
~ the northern statesmen OF that day at ths for II
FOUR equilibrium is not perfect, you have security
rom this conrived equipoise II the majority is |
disposed 10 disregard all constitutional checks, and OPP
'ress the minority that well be done by small
'reponderance 10 the legislature by larger The
ecurity is just what i was when the constitution
vent from the hands OF It's trainers
But what kind OF equilibrium could be established Is
very section OF this country. North, South, EAST and
Ma