The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-09

compromise proposition OF the Senate committee Il will
be recoected that the meeting held irrespective OF
pary and that il unanimously approved the compromise.
HON. CAVE JoHNsoN's SPEECH.
At the Ratification Meeting at Ciarksvaie Tennessee,
the 25Ht May
We have received an abstract OF Mr. Johnsons speech,
which Will be found below Other distinguished gentle.
% me- Henry Allen Major Wallace, and
but we have not been able 10 make out an abstract OF
them.
After returning thanks TO the people for the honor done
him by selecting him to preside over meeting OF the
citizens composed OF both great political parties, and
upon subject so deeply interesting TO all he said that
they had been called together to consider the proPey Of
approving series OF bills and resolutions recently intro
duced IN the Senate OF the United States by Mr. Clay as
the chairman OF the Committee Of Thirteen, organized by
that body for the purpose OF examining the various ques-
country on the subject Of slavery and ii any meas
could be devised to restore harmony between the
different sections OF the Union The excitement had
recently become great 10 induce wise men and pa
rots TO apprehend danger to institutions by disso-
luton OF the Union OF these States. He not among
the number who considered our institutions in such i'm
minent peril Upon former occasion and elsewhere he
had expressed an opinion, which he still entertained,
that il our President the cabinet and both houses OF
Congress should agree upon dissolution OF the Union,
abandon their POSITIONS, and return TO their respective
constituencies, the movement would end in the utter
annhlaton Of the factionss and demagogues who had
mediiaed its destruction in sending better men to fill
transmitted to from our revolutionary patriots. But,
Notwithstanding his confidence in the patriotism and
good Of hepeople and the stability Of instiIa-
lions, he heartily approved Of the meeting and its OBJ
jects Agitation had been carried to such LENGTH that
the interests OF the government and the peoples the real
soveelgns ~ our happy country would speak ont and
let their public know their wishes and WILL
Mr. johnson briefly stated the several bills and resolu
tons, and their provisions, reported by the committee,
composed Of wisest statesmen and purest patos Tor
compromise between the conflicting interests and opin
N he aud he nd IN
best calculated to restore peace and harmony
In the details OF these several measures he had no.
modified or changed He nslanced the territorial limits
claimed by California and the proposed purchase from Tex
OF that portion Of her territory claimed by New Mexico;
but thought into amnute statement Of
bis objections, he deemed them OF little Importance
when compared with the preservation OF our federal gov
eminent and the perpetuation OF the Union These
measures come recommended TO us as measures OF com
promise, OF Cancellation, and harmony He was willing
surrender his objections TO the details OF the several
measures, and them in the spirit in which they
had been presented and unite most cordially with bis tel
owcizens in urging upon Congress their adoption. Id
the adjustment OF every great and important measure IN
legislative assemblies. religious associations or con-
venons OF the people, when the opinions OF others have
be consulted to harmonious action Cancellation
and compromise must be resored towise and prudent
men driven to it. Our federal constitution itself is
but series OF compromises of the conflicting opinions
Of our patriotic ancestors These were hamonzed by the
patriotism and wisdom of our Washingtons and Frank
Inns The very question which now agitates the people
OF inns nau well deprived ue OIL
tuition under which have happily lived and enjoyed
unexamped prosperity for than half century That
question compromised by them and by It ne intend
ed to stand and was against any changes or
Thirty years ago. the madness and folly OF politicians
and fanatics again brought the question before Congress,
and patriots rembled Tor the safety OF the Union the
eloquent champion, whose name will never be forgotten
by the patriots of the country for his exeons upon that
OCCASION rescued his country from the impending danger
by compromise which has gwen peace and repose for
quarter OF century. The same agiiatng question ls
hafnr and NH
safety OF glorious Unions again we find band OF pa
os and statesmen ready TO meet the enemies OF our IN
situations at the threshold and the patriot Cass threw
himself into the breach and put TO flight factonlsts and
demagogues, by argument in behalf oil our rights that
has not been answered and is unanswerabe They have
called upon the great statesman who made the compo
mise OF 1919 TO take the lead again upon these dslractg
questions He has accepted the trust and the bills and
reso uons emphatically emanaions from his great
mind sustained and supported BY as pure patriots and as
distinguished names as are known in our country
Mr. Johnson said to the wings then present that be-
and he believed the democratic party though opposed 10
the leading heretofore advocated by thelf great
Chief ready to unite with them in preparing an ad
doDa wreath for the chape which adorns the brow Of
their ustrous statesman and eloquent champion, which
he had 50 noby won and worn 80 long he hoped there
would be united voice in this meeting, composed Of
Tennesseeans and Kentuckans and ia both the States,
behalf OF the concatory measures which had been sub
mtted to- Congress by him Recommendations from
people, identical IN interests occupying central position
The might with truth call them the backbone oil the
confederacy as il designed by Providence TO be its pro-
eciors and defendes and upon the great question OF pre-
serving the Union he knew OF no dissenting voice In
either. Whilst they remained thus united the Union was
safe Let themsay TO the patriots and statesmen now en-
gagged in the holy work of conciliatng al Washington
Well done thou good and faithful servants Let them say
10 the rational, constiulion-lovng men in the North
Bid the fanatics and demagogues oil that section be quiet
Let them say the Hotspurs OF the South, We under
stand rights know our duties; the Union must and
shall be preserved Such voice, coming from such
source would nerve the of these champions OF the
compromise. The reputation acquired by them IN
the two last for galany would make the North OF
the South long hesitate before either would come IN col
llslon with their interests or wishes.
Mr. johnson further said that for the last twenty years
bis public duties had given him opportunity OF know
ing much OF the North ofthe South and that in hi,
opinion, the great body OF the people OF the Norhnine
tenhs at easthad inclination wish TO interfere
with the interests or rights OF the southern States The
agitation OF the question OF slavery had grown out oil
their political conessthe desire pat up pu
down another by the aid of the fanatics and hence, In
the northern States the party the minority struggled fol
their votes by taking part with them or pretending "a
favor their doctrines, without considering the danger thai
might from such TO their southern brethren
/ He believed, If the time should ever come when
southern rights or properly should be in danger they
would rally around the standard OF our country and per-
form their constitutional duties The series OF
pending Congress had already attracted the atten
ton of the citizens OF the NORTH and had the happy
effect In that quarter and adopted by Congress- would
settle public opinion OF the North in opposition TO the
misguided men who had created the agitation now exist
ing almost everywhere, and might hope for peace
quiet during the present generation at least.
He spoogized for having so long detained the meeting
from the duties they had assembled to perform the sub
ject OF much interest. that il with hin
no easy matter to know when 10 quit