Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-03-07

occurred, Wnlcn threatens lnun0atlOn ana
destruction to all around it, we are con-
testing and disputing about the profits Of
an estate which is threatened with total
suhmersion.
Mr. President, it is passion, passion
party party-and intemperance !; it is all
l dread in the adjustment Of the great ques-
tions which unhappily at this time divide
our distracted country. Sir. at this mo-
ment, we have in the legislative bodies Of
this Capitol, in the States, twenty odd
furnaces in full blast in emitting heat, and
passion, and intemperance, and diffusing
them throughout the whole extent Of this
broad land. Two months ago sir, all was
calm in comparison with the present mo-
ment. All now is uproar, confusion,
menace to the existence Of the Union aud
to the happiness and safety Of this people.
| implore Senators--l entreat them by all
that they expect hereafter, and by all that
is dear to them here; to repress the ardor
Of these passions-to look at their country
at this crisis-to listen TO the voice Of rea-
son--not as It shall be attempted to be ut
tered by me, for am not so presump-
tuous as to indulge the hope tha. anything
may say will avert the effect which l
have described, but to listen 10 their own
reason, their own judgement, their own
good sense, in determining upon what is
best to be done for our country in the &C.
tual posture in which we find her. Sir,
to this great object hate my efforts been
directed during this whole session. l
have cut myself off from all the usual
enjoymen.s Of social lie, l have confined
myself almost entirely, from the begin
ming Of the session 10 the present time my
thoughts have been anxiously directed to
the object Of finding some plan, Of pro-
posing some mode Of accommodation,
| which should once more restore the bles-
sings OF concord, harmony, and peace TO
this great country. l am not vain enough
| to suppose ,ha, have been succtssful in
the accomplishment Of this object, but l
have presented scheme, and allow me to
say 10 honorable Senators that, ifthes find
in that plan anything that is defective, If
they find in i. anything that is worthy of
acceptance but is susceptible Of improve
ment by amendment, it seems 10 me that
/ the true and patriotic cotirSe is not to de-
nounce it, but to improve it--not TO reject
without examination any project of accom-
moda,ion having for its object the restora-
/ tion OF harmony in this country, but 10 look
at it to see if ii be susceptible of elabora-
/ ton or imp, ovement, so as 10 accomplish
the object which indulge the hope is
colnmou 10 all and every one of us, to re-
store peace ar.d quiet and harmony and
happiness to This country.
/ Sir, when came to consider this sub
POSES which seemed TO me most desirable.
if possible, to accomplish. The one was
to settle all cont, Diverted questions arising
out of the subject Of slavery and it seem
ed TO me to be doing very little If we set
! lied one question and left c.ker destructive
Questions unadmstei. ltseemed to irc 10
DC doing but little ii we stopped one leak
only in the ship Of State and left other
leaks capable Of doing danger if not de-
struction to the vessel. therefore turned
nv attention to every subject connected
with the institution OF slavery, and out Of
which controverted questions have sprung,
10 see if it were possible or practicable to
accommodate aud adjust the whole of
them. Another principal object which al
tracted my attention was, to endeavor TO
form such scheme of accommodation as
that neither Of the two classes Of States
into which oar country is SO unhappily
divided should make any sacrifice Of any
great principle. believe, sir, the series
of resolutions which have had the honor
to present TO the Senate accom'ptishes that
object.
Sir, another purpose which had in
view was This, was aware Of the differ
ence of opinion prevailing between these
two classes Of States. was aware that
whilst one portion Of the Union was push
ing matters, as it seemed to me, 10 the
greatest extremity, another portion of the
Union was pushing them to an opposite
and perhaps not less dangerous extremity
1t appeared to me, then, that if any ar
rangement, any satisfactory adjnstmen.
could be made Of the controserted r,Ies-
tiuns between the two classes Of States
that adjustment, that arrangement could
only be successful and efectual by exact
ing from both parties some CONCESSIONS
not Of principle, not of principle at all but
Of feeling, OF opinion IN relation to mat
ters in controversy between them. Sir, |
believe the resolutions which have pre-
pared fulfil that object. l believe, sir,
that you will fnd, upon that careful, ra-
tional and attentive examination, OF them
which l think they deserve, that neither
party in some Of them make any ounces
sions at all !; in others the concessions OF
iorbearance are mutual and, in the third
place, in reference to the siaveholdine
States, there are resolutions making con-
cessions to them by opposite class OF
States. without any compensation what
ever being rendered by them to the non.
slavehold'ng States. think every one OF
these characteristics which have assign
ed, and the measures which proposed, is
susceptible OF clear and satisfactory de.
monstration BY an attentive perusal and
critical examination Of ths resolutions
themselves. Let US take up The first res,
olution.
The first resolution, Mr. President, a.
you are aware, relates to California, and il
declare, that California, with suitable lin.
o,-,bt - bo ,J,,;ft,l q. :,