The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-30

dainty hyperbolcal than is this last spasmodic
scurllity of the Union.
a. Mr. Clay and MIR. Barnwell.,
We referred, some days since, to the manly and
digaifed retort made by Mr. BARNwELL, of
South Carolina, in reply to the incorporate sal
lies Of Mr., CLAY. fSi9
z The contrast between the tone and temper Of
the two Senators must strike every unprejudiced
reader, and prove on which side the ultraism, as
well as the real patriotism, is to be found.
In the course of his speech Mr.. CLAY used the
following language:
| am not going to magnify the power Of Texas
am not going to magnify the power of any single
State. 1t with infinite regret, with profound
sorrow and surprise, that hear individuals in
States talking as they occasionally do. Why, it
was only the otEe err day that member, returned
from the Nashville Convention, addressed, we are
told, the people of Charleston, South Carolina
j do not know which most to admire, the gravity
ard possible consequences which may ensue from
carrying out the views of the delegate to the Nash
vile Convention, or the ridiculous scenes which
occurred during the course Of the public meeting
He was applauded most enthusiasticaly--as
learn from the public papers, and as learn also
from credible gentleman who was present at the
meeting-when he declared that, if the South did
not join herself to this standard Of rebellion, South
Carolina would herself raise it, and fight this Uni
on sngly and alone Yes, said a gentleman in
the audience, ina fit Of most patriotic enthusiasm,
"and if South Carolina does not do it, l, with my
strong arm and my long purse, will fight the Union
mysef!'
Mr.. President, have no patience for hearing
this bravado, come from what source it may. AT
the same time am not disposed to lndervalue Its
importance as one Of many cotemporaneous
events.
b Mr.. BARNWELL did not interrupt Mr.. CLAY,
but after he had concluded rose to reply, when
the following debate ensued.
Any comments of ours would only mar the
force of Mr.. BARSwELL's retort to the "Grcat
Pacifcator.'.
Mr.. BARNWELL. 1t is not my intention to
reply to the argument Of the Senator from Ken
lucky, but there were expressions used by him not
a little disrepectful to a friend whom l hold very
dear, and to the State which in part represent,
which seem to me to require some notice. believe
sir, that character does not depend upon words ;
il does not live in eulogy it is not TO be destroyed
by obloquy. 1t rest upon higher and more
stable foundation. Upon intelligence, honesty,
accompanied with the manifested
determination to exercise these high qualities in
the best mode, for the best ends. To this test
am willing to bring the character of my friend !;
one with whom my friendship, commencing almost
with the cradle, and strengthening through life,
will, doubt not, terminate only with the grave.
l do not intend to pronounce his eulogy. 1t is
well for us both that he is no unknown man nor
is he, in this assembly in the other house, with
out many who know and appreciate him. ! am
very willing to entrust the defence of his charac
ter to the Judgment Of all who know him. 1t is
true that his political opinions differ very widely
from those Of the Senator's from Kentucky. 1t
may be true that he, with many great statesmen,
may believe that the Willnot Proviso is griev-
lnce to be resisted "to the utmost extremity" by
hose whose rights it DESTROYS and whose honor It
legrades 1t is true that he may believe, and he
will not be very singular in the opinion, especially
among those who have heard and may read the able
and triumphant argument Of the distinguished
Senator from Georgia, that the admission of Cali
fornia will be the passing Of the Wilmot Proviso,
when we here in Congress give vitality to an act
totally dead, and by our legislation ex-
clude shareholders from that whole broad territory
on the Pacific and entertaining this opinion, he
may have declared that the contingency will then
have occurred, which will, in the judgement of
most of the slaveholding States, as expressed by
their resolutions, justify resistance to intole
rable aggression. If he does entertain and has ex
pressed such sentiments, he is not to be held up rs
(.
erence TO this matter, regret that you have
brought it about but it is true that this epilhet
ssdisunionist" is likely soon to have very little
terror in it in the South. Words do not make
things. Rebel was designed as very odious term
when applied by those who would have trampled
upon therghts ofour ancestors, but believe thatthe
expression became not ungratefu one to the ears
of those who resistedthem. IL wasnot the lowest
term of abuse to to call those who were conscious
that they were struggling against oppression and
let me assure geDtlemrn that the disnionist is
rapidly assuming at the South the meaning which
rebel took when it was baptized in the blood of
Warren at Bunker's Hill, and Illustrated by the
gallantry of Jaspar at Fort Moulnie.
As to the State Of South Carolina, / do not, as
/ need not, defend her by words, | have said
that the character of an individual does not live
in words or die from obloquy. Much more
strongly may this be said of a State. South Car
DINA has history for the past and q character
for the present To that history and that charac-
ter, am perfectly willing to leave her, to repel
any reproach which may be attempted to be cast
upon her Allow me TO say, in this connexion,
that whilst | listened, few days since, with a
high admiration to the eloquent elogium which the
Senator from Massachusetts, now no longer III
this place, pronounced upon his own State; whilst
freely accorded TO her the honor which he attri-
bued, il did not seem to me, sir, that he had Sc
ected the highest attribute of her character as the
subject of his eulogium He spoke of her at
tachmert to this Union as the highest subject of
his condemnation, but he had previously and very
pontedly alluded TO motives, not addressed to the
most honorable sentiments of mankind, which
might Justly render this Union very dear to her
Sir, prefer to honor Massachusetts, for the devo-
ton which in times past she has exhibited for
freedom, and which doubt not still animates her,
because believe that, in former days, she
justified the proud motto with which she en-
blazoned her escutcheon. So should any, in flu
ture time invade her rights disturb her peaceful
liberty, she would again with the sword maintain
the heritage sought and gained by il, To this cri-
terlon willingly commit my native State; by this
standard do desire that she may be ever judged
Small she may be, and weak in numbers, but 1t is
not by the extent OF territory, or the number OF
inhabitants, that a State is to be measured
Rather by the spirits of its peope--a spirit which
prepares them in the maintenance Of their liberty
to live with her or die for her. will tspeak OF
my devotion 10 South Carolina