The North-Carolinian. [volume] (Fayetteville [N.C.]) 1839-1861, 1850-08-17

tetnperately, and hope we shall do 1t.
Ieel at liberty to speak for the State OF
Virginia only so far as believe that un-
stand what she designs to do. To that ex-
tent am bound to speak believe, Sir,
IN my best and settled judgment, that
when law shall be passed by the Congress
OF the United States, and become the law
OF the land, which shall by its act exclude
the people of the State from taking their
slaves into territory south of the Missouri
Compromise line. Virginia will do what
has been'declared in her resolutions already
hot threatening resistance-she will take
such measures, by her own sovereignty. as
iE her judgment will be best calculated to
preserve the Union, it can be preserv-
ed, and it not, to preserve her own safety
and her own welfare out of the Union.
Mr. President, after the loss of the bill,
l really intended to say nothing about it.
The senator from Kentucky insists that it
was bill to give peace and tranquility to
,he country. l am satisfied that he thought
SO; that that was his design and object j
and that that would be the first and great
est wish of his heart. But, sir, | am quite
satisfied that if it had passed, and if peace
had been z iven to the country, 1T would
have been a peace purchased by the sur
render of the independence of all the
southern States-a peace purchased by the
surrender on the part of all the southern
States of their right to equality with the
other States of this Union. may have
been wrong in that Judgment; it was the
best that could pass upon it; aud that
we all acted upon the best judgment we
could bring to bear upon it, l have no
doubt-none in the world. l should have
been highly gratihed had it been in my
power to have contributed to its passage,
but found it impossible and impractical;
BILE. :.t
Perhaps, sir, what have said.has been:
a little in advance of the occasion. for l
rose merely to reply to SO much of the re-.
marks of the senator from. Kentucky asl
implicated what believe not to be the true
theory of our government, and what BEL
lieve to be dangerous one. While was
up, desired to present to the Senate the
materials had collected to show how the
vote of the Missouri Compromise line of
56 deg. so min. stood ia 1848, and having
performed that duty, l will not further
trespass on the time of the Senate.
Mr. BUTLER. A great deal, Mr. Pre-
sident, has been said about the RESPONSE
bility which senators have incurred in re-
lation to certain measures that have been
under consideration, and of other measures
that are likely to be introduced. The oc
casion and the responsibility connected
with it are well calculated to suggest very
grave considerations. We are dealing
with the events of fearful history. Per-
nit me to say that certain results which
gentlemen So much deprecate IN eUords
will be hastened by the language which
has been SO freely INDUCED id: by the
preachers of harmony.
The Senate will bear me witness that |
have not, in any remarks | have thought
proper to submit to the Senate, introduced
into the debate a single element, SO far as
/ am aware, to inilame the public mind; OF
the senate. have made up my mind as
to measures, and am willing to look results
in the face. The particular subject before
the senate at this time l understand to be
the amendment Of the senator from Missis-
sippi, Mr. Foote. wish to say a word
or two upon that, sir, and then pass to the
other topics. l ann perfectly willing to
vote for that amendment, with the under:
standing that it will be to make a future
State, or to give authority to make a future
State in CaIifornla--in other words to make
a southern boundary for California. But
if it be the intention to curtail the limits of
a people-to produce a State, with the un-
that the senators and repre-
sentatives elected by the people of Califor
MIA, or the so-called les islature Of Caliior
MIA, shall take their seats under the cur
tailed lmits-I do not go for it, because
think we have no right to make any such |
arrangements for them. 1t will be diff
ferent State from that which they are franz
ing for themselves. But, sir, for the pur
pose of harmony, harmonizing, and going
so far as can consistently with my duty
to State and obligations to federal gov
have obligations to both
| will yield to all that honor will allow;
but to oppression and inj ustlce, to the pre-
tenders of arrogant diota,ion, vii! yield
nothing on this question. l. will yield.
sir, so far as 10 say, | will take new
deg. so mn.-because that
is said to be convenient and ma
tural-aiong a mountain. Thirty six deg.
and thirty min. is that which has been OIL
ten indicated as the line: this is arbitrary. |
and if it bec6me point of honor Will ~
sist on it. This proposes 35 deg. and 50
min. because it has eternal landmarks to /
indicate it. 1t takes of nothing valuable |
below. -...'
In locking to decision, will consult
good faith and the dictates of nature. But
we become heated i'll controversy. l had
been willing to that as line of territory. |
But, sir, under no circumstances can go
for the amendment to curtail limits, with
The understanding that the senators and
can take their seats as the |
Of a State that has been or
yanized. look to State to be organized,