The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-26

ment exceed those bear and thus will put upon III
people OF the South the necessity the painful hard ne
cessity Of dissoution-a final separation Now, sir
why do take this vewi In the first place, the meeting
OF the Nashville Convention is, upon its face, step to
wards separate and distinct organization OF the south
ern States The very movement separates them for
time, in purposes and INTENT from the great mass OF tn,
population of the country They meet there for wha
purpose' To consider to deliberate 10 debate-whati =
what course Of action shall BY mutual agreement b,
taken by the States whom this convention will
represent, what manner Of resistance. what mode q
all revolutions in all breakings up Of the ties which bnt
us together, the Grs step great difficulty II
even in social and private life It is so in the married
state Ihe nIst wanon and public outrage on ihe part q
such steps as end in total and thorough estrangemen
Well, then, suppose no measures are proposed which
suppose that any will be proposed looking to that al
an object-l fully believe that that convention in
Mississippi, which terminated its union in the call
for this Convention influenced by high and patriotic
motives, seeking TO preserve and not to destroy the
Union. II wanted anything to satisfy me OF that (be-
sides abundance OF other reasons which have,y the
The ss venerable and venara,ed Chief Justice 'I shaf.
key, most learned jnrist and patriotic gentleman,
would be sufficient for me. But when we have
aned what people design by any particular movement
may accomplish by it. Now suppose this meeting should
resolve that by common concurrence OF the States rep
resented, common laws should be passed police regala-
tons be adopted in the slave States, of the irritating
and offensive kind towards the northern portion OF the
Union such will not appear surprising if
bear in mind the fact that slaves are constantly taken
from ports by the vessels that visit them Tor the pu
pose OF commerce that, thus taken they are withheld
from US, and their seducers neither dscounenanced
at home nor restored to us Tor punishment and that a
grant wrong side naturally provokes to at
of protection and retaliation from the other But
Mr.. President, the moment these States by mutual com
pact and agreement have come to resolution to adopt
particular course OF measures upon this subject they have
left the platform OF the constitutions they are no longer
upon it, because the constitution expressly forbids
State TO enter into any compact Or with another
State without the consent OF Congress When this first
step aken the process easy and need not be traced
to final dissolution of our present Union And there
foe in the event of the meeting Of this convention, with
the slavery question in the situation have mentioned
have, repeat, gloomy apprehensons OF what may be.
and most probably will be- the result upon the destinies
Of our country Force, Mr. Presidents cannot keep the
stitutona Union | distinctly admit what was said by
the honorable senator from Massachusetts,, Mr. WEB
sTER,] that no State has right to secede from this
Union. distinctly admit that the constitution, looking
to perpetuity, makes provision directly indi.
recy for the separation OF its parts But in point oil
ac from the very nature OF our institutions, the States
cannot be kept in union by force. The majority or the
most powerful portion may conquer and reduce to sub
lection the other, but when this done the States not
in union. the constitutional connexon is not restored
1t is not the spectacle OF conquered people submitting to
superior power and no ties OF afecten-no oopera-
ton in a common government-no American union can
reasonably be hoped between the conquerors and the
conquered Believe me, sir, il the unhappy hour
should arrive when American blood is shed in contest
between the States, some desiring 10 secede, and the
others endeavong to compel them BY force OF arms to
remain in the Union-whenever that hour comes your
connexion is Immediately broken to al! beneficial pur.
poses for the happiness or prosperity OF the country
Now. Mr. President, with regard. to my, own State.
Should this Proviso be adopted and should satisfaction
not be given in the other particulars which have mem
toned will North Carolina join in resisting in any mode
the action OF this government Will she unite in
for secession, for revolution, or for reaaory egsla
tom am far, sir from undertaking TO speak upon
this subject for the South which wish he understood
nov and always dsavowing that do not feel myself
Empowered TO speak what will be the judgment and
conduct OF my State As was well said the other
day by my friend and colleague in presenting
lutons 10 the Senate, dsunion Is question which we
cannot discuss here for senatorial actions we are
sent mere % ,ne Sa.e anae, ne ION
ties which presuppose the constitution TO be entire and
in full force. We OF have delegated authority
to speak the views Of North Carolina upon any such
question that which have just stated Last year the
legislature OF my Stale passed series OF resolutions IN
which, after expressing very strong and decided terms the
felt by the people OF that State OF the wrong oil the
Wmot Proviso and other kindred they never
theless adopted resolution extracted IRON The Farewell
Address OF Washington, and imbodyng the sentiment
that not 10 look upon the Union as IN any event
be abandoned Making all the proper notifications OF
that large and comprehensive expression oil Sin any
event. il could have less Interpretation than this
that OF the events alluded TO BY the preceding eso
luons would furnish ground for the abandonment OF the
Uaion Since them this matter has been much discussed
in North Carolina; primary meetings have been held
different resolutions have been passed by those meetings.
some dscounenancing and declining 10 be represented in
the Nashville Convention; others approving the call and
resolving send delegates; and one meetng with some
what singular Inconsistency, while protesting against
government OF unlimited powers soemnly pledged itself
in advance to abide BY and support whatever the Nash
vile Convention shall determine hope, sir, that North
Carolina would not account OF the passage oil
the Wmot Provso. any measures tor The dissolution OF
the Union resistance 10 the government Myown opn-
ion is thai would furnish no sufficient ground for such
procedure say that here-1 shall say IL at home when
the proper time arrives, ii time should arrive when
it shall be necessary 10 say But this say also, that
shall feel=if such event the adoption OF the Pro-
viso should happenhs serious ndgnily has been OF
iered TO usnot, perhaps, designed will not charge
any with deliberate design TO insultbu yet indg
niy because such must be the wanon adoption OF an OBJ
lecionabe and useless after distinct notice that
Il will be considered in that light And rely upon 1t, sir
that whatever may be the result regard to any external
action of the people Of the southern States, something
satisfactory not done respecting fugitive slaves and ii
there will be left in the hearts Of people ranking
sense OF injustice and offence They will have less OF
hope the future operations OF the constitution They
will feel 10 certain extent, painful conviction that The
large majority OF the inhabitants OF the free States have
not that sympathy with their feelings and regard for their
rights that justice and moderation in the exercise OF known
powers and that abstinence from the needless exercise OF
doubtful and questionable ones which essential TO
keep the mind OF the country united; and unless our
minds unitej the forced association of reluctant
muntes who stay together not 10 obtain good from their
but to avoid the evils Of separation does not
deserve the name Of Union.
Mr. President, am sorry that have occupied the SEN
ate so long. Will endeavor TO draw the few remaining
remarks have TO make TO a speedy close. have sub
nited with entire rankness the views which entertain
believe, conscentousy believe, that there is in the
northern States OF the Union sincere attachment 10 the