The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-26

be reported here that will save the honor of the
South and the honor of the North, that it will be
passed there.
The friends of the Union every where, and in
every section, were becoming alarmed; they saw
and felt the Union was in danger, and were all
ready TO adopt any plan which would secure its
peace and permanency. large meeting had
been held in Philadelphia, and fanaticism had been
rebuked II would receive countenance no where
by the people.
The committee could report plan by Saturday,
and plan with which he knew he would be salts
fed, although he would never surrender an inch OF
the southern rights.
MIR. CLEMENS asked who to select the six
southern members OF the committee!
MIR. FOOTE said he did not know but he sup
posed that the northern Wings and the northern
Democrats could each meet and choose three mem
bers from their number; and the southern Wings
and the southern Democrats each choose three
Mr.. CLEMENS said, if that was done, he would
vote for the committee.
| Mr.. WALKER said the Senator from Mississippi
had said that this committee would report a plan
with which he (Mr. FooTE) would be satisfied, and
that which would not require him to yield an inch
of the rights of the South. Taking this declaration
along with that of his colleague, (Mr. DAvIs) that
nothing short of the Missouri line, with abso-
lutte recognition of the right to hold slaves south of
that line, would be acceptable to him. he Mr.. W.)
feared that plan which would satisfy such, could
not prove acceptable TO the country II would be
the institution of slavery south OF that line. If this
be the ultimatum Of the Senator from Mississippi,
(Mr DAvIs,) and such should be reported by the
committee, 'he would say that 1t could never be
adopted-no matter by whom reported.
4 Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi, said that under the
4 Constitution every species OF property was equally
= protected. The South claimed the right to carry
: their slaves into any part and all OF the Terrific
(, ries. On this there was difference of opinion.
He had stated that if the North and the South could
agree this, he, in spirit Of compromise was
willing to give up half the Territory TO the North,
and reserve the other open to the South to avail
themselves, if they thought proper, of their const
q lutional rights. This was TO be done by moving
: he Missouri line to the Pacific ocean, recognising,
outh of that line, the right TO hold slaves II was
OF to establish slavery south Of that line; slavery
lould not be established any where by law. 1t
lould be regulated but not established by law. The
- outh had always been willing and disposed TO
larry this question to the Supreme Court for settle
J. llent.
He agreed with his colleague that there hope
n the formation OF the committee. Thirteen SEN
lors, in the retiracy of their room, would be more
kelly to propose and form some plan, than the
enate in open session. No man in voting for the
j. ,mmittee bound himself to vote for the plan
le prted The committee was equally divided; the
~ lance OF power would be given to one man. He
/ d not ask that this balance of power should be
D. ven to the South. He willing TO go far north,
of east, to find man into whose hands he would
ID trust the constitutional rights of the South He
m eyed there was man there with the ability and
A. power to maintain the Constitution.
L. MIR. BUTLER said that if the report of the COM
IN itee any thing satisfactory, he would hail it
D. tn delight But should it prove unsatisfactory
e, lher to the South or the North, he thought the
20 ds of the day would be aggravated. ltwould
er row impedimcnts in the way ofany future set
d, ment He thought the remarks Of the Senator
,y I'm Wisconsin Mr.. WALKER) somewhat
re bathing the spirit of defiance, and throwing
mt own the gauntlet to the South He did not think
IL Ia proper and justly
Nr. WALKER disblaimed any intention of throw
nd II defiance at any section of the country He
at mld be sorry to do so. He loved the Union and
e. sparts of the Union too we'll
he ar. BADGER said he entirely in favor of the
as position. He was at loss to conceive how any
r. oyer could result from it. To refer subjects
n en- of small import to select committee was one
to one ordinary practices under Parliamentary law,
al why should II not be done when the subject is
O. ouch vast Importance? He hoped for the greatest
be BELTS to result from it. and if the committee re-
o. pied any plan on which the committee could
lie aee he was it would prove acceptable to the
ill Safe, to Congress, and the country.
he fr. DAYTON said that the reference Of the sub
ed je to a select committee might be very good
ting, but with him il q question of time Was
he IL the proper period do so5 To force Senators
~ atis time to direct vote on the question of adopt
in the amendment moved by the Senator from
~ Nv Hampshire, to the instructions TO the commits
/ tewas forcing Senators TO commit themselves IN
a adnce upon point on which, at a subsequent pc
IN rc they might yield. By voting for his instruc-
u toof the ordnance of S7, and sending 1t to the
s. cornttee, there nothing left for the commit
a; teco do. By voting against it, Senators, who
mist be in favor of yielding at proper time were
a; CALI upon TO do what perhaps they did not feel
n justed in doing. The effect to commit Sena-
Mt torsl the Wilmot proviso in advance.
Hoelieved that no danger could result from dis
I'd cussn. The lgament which binds this Union was
he too song to be talked away.
be MI CLEMENS said il was being talked away
ct everyday; and, if they continued to talk they
had one for three weeks longer, il would not be in
IN the pser of any man to stop its destruction.
he MrDAYTON said, on that point there was n
ID Offence Of epinion
he MrF0OTE said that, elsewhere, there a
d measre pressed with the utmost perseverance, and
n with disposition 10 offend the South. The public
mindwas agitated. Ifs practical plan was only
o repoied for them, the public mind would be
. camd and freed from excitement
v Mr. DAYTON said, the motives Of the Senator
doubtless Just and patriotic but without point;
c therewas a Difference Of opinion.
e Mr. BERRIEN said, that Senators who were in
favoro the Wilmot proviso could very readily vote
: against sending { as an instruction TO the Com
D mittee; for, TO d, TO prevent any compro-
mise at all, that bcing the very question on which
compromise was 10 be framed. But the question
being an important one, he would like TO have till
tomorrow TO reflect upon il.
And then, on notion, the Senate adjourned