The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-13
EDITED BIT
TH0m mAs RITCHIE.
From shs New ous.n. couhsr, Dec. 50.

From the New Orleans Courier, Dec. 80.
speech ef ths aoa Pierre souis,
A The srsss democratic mss meeting a The S. Lsuis Bs
room, as city sf Ns~ Orleans Saturday svsni"g, No
FELLOW CITIZENS: | come NOT to court your applause,
10 ask your pardon 10 enlreat your judgment 10 my
favor for any opinion may have uttered or vote may
memorable debate which occupied nearly the whole time
OF the late session OF Congress. The opinions then
uttered, the votes then gave, gre before the country II
they have failed TO meet your appreciation, DO mol know
thai ought 10 deprecae your censure by appealing 10
your magnanmiiy and forgiveness, as am determined
10 stand or fall by them [Great appause Ifeel con-
scious that have but done what your interests your
dignity, your honor required oil me and shall not
degrade myself and sup caie your indulgence by disa.
yowa OF the part have acted or disclaimer OF the mo-
yes which impeed me 10 It's adoption. come not here
as an humble suppant pleading pardon for past sns and
rendering acquescence IN opinions and submission to
wrongs which my heart repudiaes and my mind revolts
against come as freeman in the midst OF freemen,
% speak out my sentiments despite the pTeudices or op
position they may excite. and fearless Of all the
The great contest which had 20 fearully sgitsed the
country these twelve mon,hs is said % have been
adjusted By the recently passed by Congress
LET examine the truth q ihis E,s;,s9son But TO 40
Let us recall 10 mind what occurred but lew months
ago, during the last presidential campaign Il was then
wood ne. be safe IN q The election Of General
Cass and that General Taylor alone GOULD protect us IN
the full enjoyment Of share IN the acquisitions OF
Mexican v
the iont vaior and sacrifices OF the North and South.
Two thirds Of the cost would fall upon the South, and
therefore was then warmly contended BY all parties
that we should take that the rights OF the South
This new territory should be fully secured In this
test both parties struggled warmly Tor the supremacy in
avowals Of devotion the rights OF the South; and when
the contest determined the principles upon which the
South stood were definitely settled.
II was at this time, when public opinion was unani-
nous this State in regard to the rights OF the South to
participation in the benefits OF the Mexican acquisi-
TONS that was honored with the Office of senator Of
this State Then there no doubts or divisions in
the South A bold front was then presented, and sin.
Efforts and sacrifices The South then had hesa
10 declaring tina. she would stand by her constitutional
rights, her honor, and her dignity. [Cheers.] Under
career in the late session Of Congress. doubling but
that was faithfully carrying out the views OF my con-
suents The two great Questions which speedily came
up before Congress for settlement the territorial
and iugitive-save bills. To solve all the difficulties
growing out OF them scheme OF compromise was pro-
posed.
was actually necessary for to ask for participation in
the acquisitions of the Mexican and for the execu-
don Of the constitutional provision IN regard to reclaim
ing fugitive slaves. We bad TO petition Tor our rights
osue for the protection OF interests guaranteed BY the
constitution! How have these matters been seitled Ii
said that the plan Of Their adjustment = 50 wise and
This Compromise. as i il styled branches out into five
distinct measures. They are-frs the admission OF CAL
uU, msns ior T,sh and New Mexico; third, The fSstve
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 successful war-a war
The great demert Of which consisted in the fact that 1t
was conducted with singular ability and energy by a
democratic admins,ra,ona war opposed by the fanatics
Of the North most nefarlous and unjust And yet,
fellow -cizens, when that war had terminated in adding
hnacs claimed The lions share Of the spos and, what
is worse, they succeeded in maintaining that claim.
Without regarding the greet sacrces and noble exerons
OF the South on the many which rendered that
war so gorous let us contemplate the share of pecunary
.acrfces which 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 hve millions to our own ciizensmaking
ALL which the people Of the Union have to pay IN the
next ten years, on account of the Mexican war; ninety
mlons. Out OF this, according 10 the ratio OF taxation
by the tariff adopted by the general government, the
South will have to pay two-thircs sixty millions
and, 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 pockets, oil our means, does not safe
might congratulate ourselves II we only called
on TO pay two-thirds-tbe whole amount, or double.
,hree, tour, hundred fold of the expenses Of this
wI should counsel submission. rather ihan endanger
The integrity OF this Union, the harmony oil our people,
the peace OF the country. would say, submit, sub.
init, II such abnegation does not involve also the sur
lender OF your rights freemen, Of your honor as men,
and Of your equality in this contederacy OF soveregns
Will counsel you 70 submit TO that last ndignyi MOI
neverl Loud cheers.
Under this 20 called Compromise, California, with
boundaries extended one hundred and nifty
thousand square miles OF territory, not oneenth OF which
had ever been seen BY her Inhabitants, was admitted
into The Union with The Wilmot Proviso imboded in her
constitution. On what grounds were these erroneous
peensons bassds To answer this question, let us con-
suit the frepds not the opponents, OF the Compromise
II was with the North California sided II was to the de-
mands Of that section her people hearkened and was
by their permission and that she was brought into
the Union, because OF the clause in her constitution i'm
bodying the Wlmot Provso True, the South had freely
her 10 defay the expenses OF the warhad
made every sacrifice which hightoned patriotism or
honor could suggest 10 aid In the acquisition OF this
territory Yet she excluded from all its broad extent
and debarred Of all its benefits ees
In vain did we OF the South ask for protection
against or some limitation of those enormous prcien-
nons. We were voted down. Not satisfied with excu.
ag US IRON Calona they proceeded 70 shut US Out o.
Utah and New Mexico BY territorial organization
which, did not expressly exclude slavery, BY placing
The whole matter under the supervision and control of
majority oil Congress- actually threw al the mercy o
our enemies IL was vain we demanded your rights;
Congress would not project them. You were asking
only an equal share in the Territories acquired, and
instead Of listening 10 you, giving you an inch they
proceeded TO deprive The South OF $4,000 acres, cut OF
IRON the Stale Of Texas to make more freeso territory
and then compel you pay Sioooo,ooo for the sacrifice
Shall we speak Of the fugitive slave bill Here some
person from the vast crowd. which appeared TO be
deeply excited made some exclamation, and the cry o
"Turn him oul," "Turn him out" was Hised, and exc
euled in extraordinary short me We are told that this
ugveslave bill ample compensation Tor the spo
haons made by the Compromise Let not the South be
darnw -. Ii oswh all Ia