The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-18

act for aboshng the slave trade in the District OF Col.
Mr. BUTLER yield the floor to the senator from IL
linois, Mr. DouGIAsl
Mr. DOUGLAS. DO not deem i very profitable now
to stop 10 inquire whether ii would have been better TO
have passed all these bills jointly or separately The
great point was 10 their passage The precise
form OF the proceeding matter OF small moment.
supported them all joint measure and when they
failed in that form, supported each separate meas.
ures had no idea OF losing the great measures which
my Judgment approved, and upon which believed the
peace and QUIET oil the country depend by petty con-
troyersy as 10 the mode in which the thing should De
done The Committee Territories hesitatcd long, and
deliberaed well. whether we should report the measure
in separate bills, combine them all in when we first
brought them before the Senate. prepared the bills Tor
California, Utah, New Mexico. and the Texan boundary
separately and laid them before the committee in that
shape with the view OF taking the Judgment OF the COM
mee whether they should be joined together or kept
separate The decision OF that point involved no prnc
pie i was purely matter of policy, we e game 70 the
aratey, and 10 unite the territorial governments oil uah
aud New Mexico with the Texan boundary in one bill
Teos aa "a Sat ssspe When @ the Committee Of Th
teen subsequently, united these two bills into one and
recommended their passage in that FORM gave them my
cordial support. could reason why should OPP
pose my own bills merely because they had been united
together My object TO settle the controversy and to
restore peace and quiet TO the country; and was willing
adopt any mode Of proceeding, and TO follow any gem
temans lead which could bring us to that desirable
result. When the omnibus was defeated, 1 fell back
upon my separate bills, which, fortunately lot the
"
gree and became the laws OF the land California, Utah,
New Mexico, the fugitive bill. and the slave trade bill
each passed the Senate separate measures In the House
the Territorial bill for New Mexico was joined TO the Tex
boundary and both passed IN one bill Thus VIII De
that neither plan has entirely succeeded No man and
party has umphed but the friends OF the Union have
achieved signal triumph over abOlltonism and dsunon
The measures were right In themselves and collectively
constituted grand scheme OF conciation and adjust
menI They were all necessary TO the attainment q The
end. The success OF portion OF them wsuld not have
accomplished the object, but all together make lar and
honorable adjustment Neither section has triumphcd
over the other The North has not surrendered 70 the
South nor has the South made any humliating conces
sons TO the North Each has maintained ils honor and
its rights, and both have met on the common ground Of
lustice and compromise. II will always be source OF
qualification and pride TO me that had an opportu.
nifty OF acting humble part in the enactment OF all
those great which have removed the causes oil
sectional discomfort, and again united US together as one
Mr. DAVIS. OF Mississippi While gentlemen are dis
putting Tor the honors OF passing these bills whether
they claim them 10 be the result of public opinion, l. tor
one do represent the public opinion that required
their passage, either jointly or separately any man
has right, however to be proud OF these measures Is
certainly the senator from Illinois, Mr. DouGLAs] They
were framed by him. and came before the Senate and
this committee which has done so much ior the Pachca
ton OF the country, and which claims 30 much honor
from the country, merely stuck them together lhe only
real work of their hands that bill Tor The abolition OF
the slave trade in the District Of Columbia. which think
effects much more than appears upon its lace 10 do
wish merely to say that far as the public opinion OF
thai community which represent has been shown, either
in public meetings. or in the public papers was opposed
to the whole body OF them. voted for one OF them
that one which the senator IRON Virginia Mr. MASON
reported-because il modified in the Senate until
thought had become effective bill for the protection
OF our rights. That the only one
Mr.. FOOTE. will occupy the attention of the Sen
ate only moment was not one oil the committee /
but, am Of those who most cordially approved
OF their labors think ihey did great deal IL true
that these bills reported from the Committee on
Territories L is equally certain. ! may say without
egoiism that the report of the Committee on Territories
based to great extent upon measures offered by
myself .
Mr. DAVIS, Tin his seat) Oh Well. we will give
Mr. FOOTE But the fact is, sir, that the labors Of
the comm tee were independent oil all that The COM
mttee formed Tor the purpose oil considering the
whole subject oil the questions growing out of slavery
They modihed they framed others anew;
and originated new system, as system, altogether
new-a new system OF general paccation-repored y,
and stood BY il with manly resolution and perseverng
energy which finally tuDphed completely ior although
these bills finally passed separately yet do not doubt
and believe that view Is concuTred IN by the puoic
mind OF the countrythat, except or the policy thus pur-
sued these measures would have passed at all
Without the general understanding which grew out oil
their previous combination, and which prevailed IN both
houses al the time, that If one of these bills passed,
all the others should pass, they never could have
been passed Therefore 1t is, say, that the labors OF
the Committee OF Thirteen were not sma--that they
were not trivial. not inconsiderabe They great
labors: they magnificent labors; such labors as
could only have been performed by patriots and men true
Now sir feel bound TO say OF what has fallen from
my coeaguethough he and myself diher as friends, as
gentlemen, and compatrios, always refer to him as
gentleman whose intentions know to be good AZ my
own and whose motives have the very highest respect
for-tha his Judgment upon this subject 10 certainly not
such as entertain lie has said that he does not repre-
sent that public sentiment which is in accordance with
this plan oil paci6cation. eel grahed that do repre-
sent that public sentiment which ~ IN accordance with
this plan ol settlement feel bound TO say, in addition
that which do say with my hand upon my hear--hat
N IN
large majority OF the people of Mississippi. and that
within three months from this time majority OF the
people OF every county OF the State will have declared their
appreciation of The labors OF this committee and the re-
suits therefrom, and that nine snhs OF all the enlightened
citizens OF Mississippi will entertain the same opinions.
such is my opinion: my colleague entertans different
one. We shall soon be among our constituents whom
will consult the subject and IL they decide against
me- shall not be again the occupant OF sent IN this
body.
Mr.. HALE. Mr.. President
The PRESIDENT. The Chair is under the necessity
TO call attention TO the question before the Senate
Mr. HALE. was about TO ask what was the ques-
ton before the Senate
| The PRESIDENT II is the final passage of the bill
for suppressng the Save trade in the District OF CO.
| lumbIa
Mr.. HALE. thought il was who had the most OF
the glory Of bringing about the Compromise, and had
a word to say on that [Laugh,er.]
Mr. DAVIS, OF Mississippi. | hope the senator win
allow me 10 say word. have heretofore declined to
state by vulgar fractions the opinion OF the State repre-
sent | do not intend to do so now. have heretofore
stated that believed represented the opinions ol my
intend TO argue with my colleague about his opinions
II well assufed that ne will find nine enths OF