The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-10

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The House being in Committee of the Whole
on the state of the Union, on the Presidents
Message, Mr.. THOMPSON said;
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: During this long-protracted
debate on the admission of California, and the
formation OF governments for our territories,
have been silent patient listener. have not
deemed il necessary to enter upon the discus
sion, for the purpose of defining my position be-
fore my constituents. have not endcavored to
control or direct public sentiment at home or
elsewhere. My constituents understand me, and
lbelieve understand them. There exists between
us a mutually of confidence, an identity of in
terests, a sympathy of feeling and a anity OF
principle, that our very instincts would lend us
to the same conclusions. They love this Union,
they desire its perpetuation, they would pour
out their blood in the defence of its flag. But
they also love their rights, they will maintain
their honor, and they will submit to any sacrifice
to uphold that Constitution which made us a
united people They will ask for nothing but
what is right, and it is worse than vain to sup
pose that they will submit to that which is
wrong. Wings and Democrats of Mississippi
will stand firmly banded together on this COM
mon platform. ...
came to this Congress deeply impressed with
the magnitude of the duties devolved upon its
members. Before | took my seat, knowing
was to act with the minority on this floor, | re-
solved to offer nothing to adjust existing difficult
ties On the majority rested the whole respon-
sibity of every proposition and every action.
No Southern member has made any proposition
on these questions which divide the North from
the South at my suggestion or with my consent.
The North, the great, the powerful, and may
add, the imperious North have now the destinies
of this country in their hands They can OPP
press, they can insult by odious and unjust dis
ordinations, they can rcyile and spew their dis.
gushing and revolving saliva upon the South,
which is too weak to control this central Gov
ernment, and growing weaker by the deserton
of her sons on account of her weakness; but
they can never degrade and humiliate that people
as long as the spirit of Washington and Henry,
Jackson and Calhoun shall animate their hearts
To the patriotism and magnaminity of this great
North l now appeal. You can preserve the
Constitution and maintain the Union You can
restore peace to troubled country, and create
anew that confidence between the members of
this confederacy which is now wcll-nigh de-
stroyed.
But, Mr. Chairman, VIC hear it asserted that
the difference between the North and the South
are fundamental and irreconcilable, and can new
err be compromised. If this be true, we had
better take immediate steps for cffeetinga peace
able separation. This Government is based on
the affections Of the people, and can never be
maintained by force. Adopt any line of policy
which impairs the rights or destroys the conf
dencc of any section of this confedcracv, and
you will ALLEVIATE the hearts of the people, and
SOW the seeds of rupture which can only be
carried out in blood.
But am not yet prepared to believe this. The
South has constitutional rights, for which alone
they contend and the whole is included in the
simple automatic truth, that her property, under
the flag of the Union, shall receive the same pro-
lection and guardianship which it affords to the
property Of all other citizens. In other words
that this, Government shall be her friend, and
not her enemy. This principle is opposed by the
North from jealousy of political power, and from,
prejudice against the institution of slavery
which they desire to overthrow. If the South
yields, she yields rights-rights secured by the
Constitution. If the North yields, she yields
prejudices. If the South yields, ii, of course
will be considered that she does so from hel
weakness. If the North yields, she can claim
and it will be awarded to her, that her course is
actuated from motive of magnanimity and n
praseworthy desire to do right, and to preserve
the union and harmony of the States. You
have the vantage ground, and it is to be seen if
you have that nobeness Of spirit which should
actuate patriots in the present trying crisis.
But am met with a grave charge upon the
South: that her statesmen have always eXerted
controlling influence over the policy of the
Government. This is a serious charge, if it had
any meaning But, suppose we admit it's truth
is it not evidence that Southern policy has been
most acceptable to the whole people The great
founders and leaders of the two parties which
have divided this country, Jefferson and Hamil-
ton, the ore was Southern, the other North
ern man; both men Of great talent, and both
patriots but the Southern statesman became
the favorite Of the people, North and South
and simply because his principles commended
themselves to the appreciation and hearts of the
masses Of the people every where, and, there.
fore, received their support and sanction. From
that day to thishe has been, and continues to be
an honored leader in both sections.
But this charge is only a part Of that systematic
effort which has been carried on for years to ex.
cite the prejudices Of the North against the
South 1t has no reason in it. And here must
take occasion to warn the Democrats of another
object for this charge: 1t is n part of the old
Federal tactics to break down your party, and
Drlng Won uDQer eQCral HlSrule.
| think | have a right, Mr.. Chairman, on this
occasion, to make an appeal to the Democratic
party. have no claim on the Wing party: there
has always been opposition and contention be-
tween us, BECAUSE after the stratest sect, have
been Democrat; and, as some of our opponents
prefer the phrase, have been a progressive De
mocrat. have always believed it to be the
only national party-somctimcs doing wrong
but ever aiming at the right. say, have a
right to mingle my voice in your councils; and
in doing so, must premise, with statement OF
my firm belief, that once finally destroy and
thoroughly disunitc that party, and from that
day this Union is in imminent peril; the oppos-
ing force to the wild fanaticism of the North
will be removed, and the complete triumph of
faction will be followed by inevitable and blast
ing evils to our country. 1t has long been
charged at the South that all parties of the North
were alike in their virulent opposition to South
crn rights. Heretofore we could point to the
record to disprove these assertions, and the peo-
pie have taken the evidence One by one, we
have seen those noble spirits who refused to
bow to the unreasonable prciudices Of section.
and manfully advocated the Constitution as il