The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-30
In CONGRESS- OF THE U. STATES.
THURSDAY, JUNE ~, 1880.
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SENATE
The Senate having under consideration the bill Tor the
admission Of California into the Union the establshmen
making proposals 10 Texas for the settlement OF her
northern and western boundaries and the pending ques
ton beng upon the amendment offered some days ago by
MI. F6OTE said As my position in regard TO this
question very peculiar shall endeavor 70 occupy the
Missouri Conpromse, far rs il has attracted the aen-
ten Of this body within the last three years. W
now under Z i virtually what Is Inown a.
the Missouri Compromise. As design to vote for this
amendment although feel thoroughly persuaded that it
that Of Inc other house Of the national Legislature feel
bound to state for doing 90, and vndcate
my consistency as public man in regard to this branch
Willis thus vndicatng my own consistency il should
incdsnialy show that certain other gentlemen, the
aTdent advocates of the Missouri Compromise and the
emit q they may wish to be regarded. hope to be
cuse Il 10 really not my intention either 10 peperate
injustice Or 70 practise discourtesy.
Mr, Presidents during the summer OF lS47, distin-
guished Pennsylvanis statesman (Mr. Buchanan) pub
shed letter. which was read by US all at the time, and
~ me highly approved Of declaring i to be his opinion
Of the Missouri Compromise Although not holding at
the time seat in this body being in private life and oc
IN the performance Of which am now engsged) ener-
tanning profound respect for this distinguished person
sgea sentiment cherished for him BY large portion Of
ton which felt at the publication OF the letter, and
avowed my desire TO see the views contained in il APP
proved BY the whole nation. When took my seat here
in the month of December. 1S47, prepared to offer
the Missouri compromise amendment to the Oregon
bill which expected TO before for consider
aSn Y 70 early period q the e I Sd
found hare then do not design TO- use the language
Of leproach shall not utter word Of unkndness
bound TO state, directly and explicitly all the facts re-
lang TO this somewhat delicate point The condition Of
things existing when took my seat here at the period
mentioned was precisely that which am about to de-
scribe SrI urged upon distinguished southern men,
with whom was then in close alliance, and whose
dsnce and friendship was proud to enjoy including the
distinguished senator from South Carolina, longer
amongst U.s. repeatedly, the propriety Of bringing forward
ne Missouri Compromise q e early period as pract
cable ios ne settlement q the ysxsd territorial cues
il ths event # our occurring additional territory
gsnflsmsn more shan once that inasmuch a the
Missouri Compromise had the advantage. in point Of
yrseSnes, over any new plan Of adjustment which could
be devised, important to make early trial Of ii
Try But what response did receive from more than one
s e
When offered myself to introduce i as an amendment
to me Oregon BILL was told by Mr. Calhoun and others
tQox no 6oUIQeE0 man COul0 10 30
sef md the whole South in disgrace that such propo
sition brought forward at all, must originate with
northern men. Well, sir resolved not to desist from
my Efforts; and feeling not altogether competent
young member Of this body to cope with the heavy re-
sponsbility Of introducing the Missouri Compromise, in
defiance Of the opposition threatene6by southern gentle
men, resolved to about and ascertain whether might
succeed In persuadng northern democratic friend
to introduce it. had difficulty in finding suitable
person in all respects for the performance OF this task
and too who needed no cogent persuasion from my
Se, from any other person. to instgate him to the
ecuhon Of what he had already resolved to do. am
about 70 nate several incidents OF an interesting char
actsI never heretofore dvulged; and what shall state
ble evidence evidence, too. which is now present
mansion, then occupied by the lamented James K Polk
found. upon my arrival there the honorable senator
from Indiana lMr. BRleHT,l with whom was then, as
habit Of counselling freely them now, in regard
matters aectng the welfare and safety Of the republic
conversation occurred between Mr. Polk the senator
then pending, the result OF which was agreement
on the part Of my friend from Indiana to become the in
PRODUCER Of the Missouri Compromise as an amendment
The President Immediately turned 10 volume upon his
table containing the Compromise; it at copied
and the from Indiana and myself repaired instantly
TO this hail. when in short time after reachnE the Sen
which he had prepared at the earliest practicable
period Well, sir when the amendment was afterwards
actually Introduced, what reception was accorded TO il
Why. Il was discussed, and opposed. and denounced
And denounced by whom speak it with all possible
respec was denounced by the honorable senator from
South Carolina already referred to- Here is his speech
declared by him not only to be unconstitutional but
pre-sminenty dangerous--as q thing which had been
wrong in it, inception. and infinitely more Objectionable
then than it had been originally Sir, at subsequent
period Of the session, when the Missouri Compromise
was again brought before us amendment, did the
honorable senator from South Carolina for it Yes
sir; be did for il amendment to the Oregon BILL
but he then refused to vote for the BILL of the
Missouri Compromise being incorporated in it.
And, sir, let me ask now what that occasion was
the course Of the senator from Florida [Mr. YuLEEl
who ts fuhest the way, and who has the honor
the present time, believe, of being will not say the
most leading and influential supporter OF the Missouri
Compromise, but who well understood to be altogether
the most jealous advocate which il has at the present
time, either here elsewherei Sir, he voted against It
~ an amendment He expressed the strongest opposition
70 IT, and said that under circumstances could he be
induced to for it. The genilemans tone has not
htflo oeanged Of late He is the champion OF the Mis-
soeff C0mpromise nowyes, cir, its earnest advocate.
and can conceive q nothing else the face of the earth
which the wit OF man Could devise half 30 well calcula
ted - this same Compromse for terminating The distract
ing scenes through which We are passing Ha
will now refer to what was said by the honorable
senator from South Carolina, in the principal avecch
which he delivered upon the Oregon question DUR the
winter Of lS47-'4s. We will presently see what he
thought then OF the Missouri Compromise;
Anst an arduous struggle OF more than year, the
question whether Missouri should into the Union,
with without restrictions prohibiting slavery compro
mss line adopted between the North and the South