The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-24
TIE r 8
SPEECH OF
Hon. r. N. r. HUNTER. az va.

lorna into the Union, the ESTABLISHMENT
of Territorial Governments for Utah and
New Mexico, and making proposals ia
Texas for the settlement Of her northern
and western boundaries- ae
Mr.. HUNTER said: have never in
by life risen to speak with more reluctance
ban do at this time know that the
Senate is weary Of this debate. know that
he country is anxious that we should come
0 some decision upon these questions Fol
me, would have been willing at any time
o forego, and would be willing now q
prego, the privilege IF speaking, i byso do
ny we could come to test question on the
ill. But, sir, knowing that to be impracti-
able, and feeling that / shall have to incur
ONE responsibility, perhaps deep respon-
ibiity, in the vote which shall give,
rust the Senate will pardon me for desiring
n opportunity to present vindication of my
ctions to my constituents.
Sir, this bill cores before us under high
nd imposing sanctions. Its author is the
distinguished Senator from Kentucky, (Mr
cLAY.) 1t is endorsed by a majority Of
thirteen Senators, who have been selected
Or the special consideration of these ques-
ions. We are exhorted to support it by
considerations no less sacred than those Of
mon and peace. We are told that if we
ass it we shall heal the bleeding wounds Of
he country, that we shall restore peace and
armony to distracted and divided peo-
lie. And, sir, if believed, as the friends
f the bill believe, that it would have that
feet, | should regard it with very different
ceilings than those which now entertain in
citation to it. Peace! sir; peace perma-
ent, honorable to every section Of this Con-
ederacy! There is nothing, there is scarce
any thing that ] would not sacrifice to
tain such an object as that. But i have
tudied this bill attentively, and / have reach
the conclusion that it will not attain the
nds that lis friends seem to hope from its
assage. believe, sir, that if we pass this
i'll we shall send not peace but the sword
prough this land Of ours that we shall not
lut but open the gates Of the temple Of war.
nd when speak of the sword and of war,
speak not Of physical but Of moral force,
nd with reference to the agitation which is
isturbing and dividing and distracting the
nd believe that it will tend to these re-
Its, because it seems to me that it is be-
inning at the wrong end, and that we are
.versing the process which it is proper to
lrsue in order to quiet the agitation and
title the differences of the country. | be-
eve that this bill proposes the surrender o.
ght and political power on the part Of the
outh, and that, viii not say its intention,
ut it's end and effect will be to make the
eak weaker and the strong stronger Of the
70 contending elements in our system. ]
not think we can ever obtain peace, unless
e so distribute the srength of those antago-
site interests that they shall have the power
defend their rights, and power enough to
axe it more dangerous than profitable to
tack each other. Whenever a manifest
i'd dangerous invasion of right is made on
e part Of one or ths other, there ought to
power enough in those who are attacked
make it dangerous and disagreeable to the
sailant Now, if / were called upon to
wise measure calculated to obtain peace
id settle the agitation of the country,
would pursue a course which should
eenghten the weak, and which, in such q
ntest, would weaken the strong. Above
would not take from the weak any por-
bn Of that political power which the Constr
ton designed that they should enjoy; but,
the contrary, | would do all which the
Dnstitution afforded me the means of doing,
give to every section of this Confederacy
e power to defend their rights. A system
surrender by the weak can never give
ace. The strong may surrender with inn
nifty, because the precedent can never
crate with effect against them, as they
We always strength enough to prevent its
petition whenever it may be necessary to
SO but experience shows that the weak
yer surrender without beginning the race
hich ends in the prostration Of all their
terests and the sacrifice of their rights. II
weak surrender rights to-day, it becomes
most impossible for them to resist when
other demand is made upon them to-mor-
w because on tomorrow there will be
only the same physical force which drives
EN- before it to-day, but, in addition to
at, there will be the moral force of the pre-
dent which they thems Ives have estab-
he'd. The weak never can surrender
hit with impunity in contests with the
ong and / believe that, whoever reckons
on producing peace and settling agitation
any such system as this, is destined to be
tirely and cruelty disappointed.
Sir, we are not without some warnings
some teachings in relation to this matter
i'm actual experience, and whoever will
TX at our past history will find that the sur
nder which the South makes to-day, and
itch to-day is considered by her sons a.
extreme Of concession, and amounting
most to submission, will be considered a,
extreme and unreasonable demand j
.de by her few years hence. Why, sir,
I've we not seen this in our past history
bu, Mr.. President, will recollect the his
III of the Missouri Compromise you
ow that in many portions Of the South i
$ regarded as the extreme Of concession
amounting almost to submission yor
pw that it was regarded as the last incl
L IL al - 1879