The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-19

on this point beeeech them to be OF good cheer III
enemies anticipating the discredit which they suppose
about 10 fall upon from being deprived Of The cheer
ing countenance and support OF those patriotic eemen
who have made me all. that am public man. and
who have generously placed upon theatre OF action
where might mingle my energies in liberal rivalry
with those patriots and sages and heroes of the
republic whom see around me- for the promotion oil
the general happiness and the consummation OF our
national glory, | can assure them that they will be
doomed 10 utter disappointment do not in the least
degree doub that my conduct here will stand approved BY
those TO whom chiefly responsible but even II II
be my fate to incur condemnation where have hoped for
approval, shall never regret for an instant what am
now doing and feel authorized TO close this hasy
aud irregular speech, with prediction that the indica-
tons so apparent everywhere in favor OF the plan
OF settlement before US will continue TO multiply upon
our vision until the aecla nations OF twenty millions oil
people shall be beard break forth upon the consum
nation OF that scheme Of peace, OF oondimtion, and
OF compromise, which is to mark the year $780, as the
most happy and most glorious in our national annals
Mr.. CLEMENS. As the senator from mississippi
MIR. FooTEl has concluded his remarks with formal
and solemn announcement that this compromise scheme
will pass and moreover, that is to receive the warm and
this same announcement made here before--as have
seen il often in the public press, hope that also may
be allowed 70 express an opinion upon the subject tell
!, & Wholly imaossbIs or THIS Xiii 70 nsss ;bo"i male
rial amendment II is lingering through wretched
existence now by the mere sufeance OF its enemies We
could have sranged it al Its birththree oil us could
have killed it yesterdaywe can lay it on the table
to-day.
Mr.. F0OIE II the senator will allow me. will ex-
plain that did not wish to be understood as being op.
posed to amendments but exactly the contrary am in
favor OF various amendments 10 the bill and the reason
that objected to the Of the senator from Florida in
favor Of laying !. upon the table on Yesterday was. that
ment.
Mr. CLEMENS. 1 know the senator has repeatedly
% ms . See ns o 80 a
never propose amendment which Is acceptable TO
him. When his colleague Mr. DAvIsl offers an amend
three years ago to another b and which then the
full appreciation OF the entire South the senator nds oul
that it is hideous usurpation-somethng unheard OF
before weakening Of the Just cause OF the South and
little short OF treason TO her interests.
Mr. FOOrE. Will my friend allow me to say that
cautiously avoided saying word in relation TO that
terday, that though did not deem the amendment of my
colleague al all necessary Yet that might possibly vote
for il IN spirit OF compromise !,
Mr.. CLEMENS. The honorable senator will pardon
me for say ing that although he did not say the amend
ment itself hideous he did say that for Congress to
pass affirmative amendment OF that character would be
new and unheard Of before. In reply to the
senator from Florida, MIR. YULEE, he repeatedly de-
claed that he did not ask for any affirmative declaration
% The part Of Congress tina, the rights o. property
sir, that in this matter can be mistaken Now, il so
happens that stronger amendment than the one now
House Of Representatives. It so happens that. in the
Oregon territorial BILL provso inserted far stronger
than we now propose. On the 10Th Of January, ls47,
The following proyso attached to the Oregon bill in
other House, or rather the bill passed the House on that
day:
Provided That provisions Of such laws, Of any
", shall be construed RESTRICT citizens OF of the
United States Of any Territory thereof from emigraiing
holding and possessing sAe properly therein, and fully
in all the benefits, advantages privileges and
md all laws or parts Of laws which shall prevent the fu
enjoyment of such rights are hereby declared null and
And now, sir when we offer a similar amendment
hough in miider FORM is promptly denounced, al
east the speeches sustaining il denounced in the
and mat too y southern Ss
Florida Mr. YuLEE] gave utterance TO sentiments which
ne has again and again repudiated He araigns
brother senatoI and insists upon trying HIM Tor opinions
he does not hold He chooses to rely upon bis own rec
objection, and the loose report OF the Republic utterly
iscardng the authorized report in the Iniegencer, and
The public declarations of the from Florida made
to-day in the face OF the Senate Is this the mani
esiaton of anything like friendly spirit either for the
smendment or its advocates Sir | was more than as
onshed TO hear the senator from Mississippi announce
hat he regarded il odious and monslrous to ask
,firmance OF rights by Congress IL is what was
lone by every southern man three years ago; for have
doubt that every OF them voted for and sustained
T. What. then, has brought this change abouti How
Ices happen that we dare not now demand what was
hen freely coneededs
not in Congress at the period 10 which he is allu
ding and now advise him that never approved oil the
provso that he has Just read thought at the time OF
lis introduction and do yet think, that the gentleman
who brought il forward did not exhibit, in doing So his
discretion. feared then all the embarass-
ment which has subsequently, grown out OF IT. am OF
opinion that this provso has, more less drawn our
rights into question, and appears 10 imply
the possession OF legislative powers the part Of the
territorial government such believe that they can
not rigbally and constitutonay exercise The gentle
will not fail TO perceive. though, that this proviso
simply restrictive upon the territorial government and
might, perhaps under the circumstances existing,
not be all mlschlevous in its tendency. merely pro-
hibltng unconstitutional legislation; whereas the species
81 amendment advocated by the senator from Florida
proposes that Congress itself shall legislate in
deemed by me unconstitutional for the extension OF sa
very into the Territories
MIR. CLEMENS. III il was an indiscreton, Il was |
one that met the sanction OF the whole South and can
well afford 10 bear the share that may fall to me, when
divided among so argea number.
do not intend 10 do than aude 10 and deny the
wild and anclul doctrine OF the relation to
he inherent right" of handful OF squaiters upon the
public lands to erect themselves into sovereignty, and
orm government tor themselves. Neither do wish TO
,ommea upon the authority he has brought here 10
ain the position. IL sounded strange my 10 hear
nm reading the letters OF John Quincy Adams politi
al truths that admitted OF denial do not mean 10
,ay anything OF Mr. Adams but what is respectful He
las gone 10 give account OF his conduct before high
n nDunal than this. That he great man, one
vail denya man oil deep learning, OF many and varied
heard before that II alto
.ether safe Tor southern 10 consult him as an ora
e recollect his celebrated declaration that he would
ejolce 10 zee the day OF emancipation come, even II u
Hooded the whole south with blood He rs no Authority
me, aud II the senator chooses 10 rely upon him.
an only say that in my opinion, he has selected most
dangerous guide.
Mr. President, among the many singular Developments
With which this compromise committee and compromise
has ma IN ha Al