The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-18


know the fact Mr.. ID. said he stated to the Sena-
tor that this matter should not be made sectional
one; that his vote for laying the resolution the
table was not intended to stifie inquiry. The Sen
ator then told him that he was only one, but the
whole North was opposed TO the inquiry
BY his Mr. D's) vote to-day, he desired to set
himself right upon the subject.
! Mr. KING said he always desired 10 have the m
formation to enable him to vote understandingly
| upon the question of the admission of California
into the Union. The question now is, is the infor-
nation sought now in the House? If So this resolu-
ton is unnecessary. He deprecated the use Of per-
sonalities in debate in the Senate.
/ Mr. CLEMENS said as TO the matter now exist
| ing between him and the Senator from Illinois, he
desired simply to state to the Senator, that when he
| undertakes TO retail private conversation, he
should be extremely cautious; difference might
happen between his memory and that of the other
party, and he would then be placed in rather an
awkward position.
| The Senator, however, was in no danger by
failing his conversations he was ready at all
times to defend by his speech and his hands any
thing he uttered. The Senator had repeated much
that had taken place, and much that had not. He
had told the Senator from Illinois that, in this mat
ter, he did not want his help; that he (Mr. CO.
the table to the South, that it might be seen that
northern Democrats, protesting friendship to the
South, were here ready to vote down resolutions of
inquiry, because they had bearing ON this ques.
Mr.. SHIELDS disclamed having any such inten-
ton when he voted to lay the resolution the
| table.
Mr.. CLEMENS said the Senator from Illinois
might disclaim what he pleased; but the fact was
on record, and could not be denied. The history
Of the past few years showed that this the fact
and northern Democrats-norths Democratic
all proved their professions Of friend
| ship towards the South were not true. The Junior
Senator from Illinois (Mr SHIELDs) had thought
proper to make remark intended to be offensive to
him, (Mr. G.. He was willing il should be 90; and
he would declare to that Senator that he always
willing and ready to maintain and defend himself.
Mr.. DODGE, of Iowa, called the Senator to order
| for personalities.
| Mr.. FOOTE interposed to express tho hope that
| the Senator from Alabama had expressed himself
| unguardedly in thus denouncing the whole north
ern Democracy. There were many there who had
he would mention Dallas, Buchanan and
Woodbury..
Mr.. BUTLER had heard what fell from the Sena-
respectful was intended.
Mr.. SHIELDS said that he was far from intending
| TO be offensive to any one. He thought the SEN
ate was no place for personalities He had merely
stated that, in voting to lay the resolution the
table, he had done without any thought Of the
subject of slavery.
Mr.. CLEMENS was glad to hear the Senator dis
claim any such intention. The Senator from Mis-
sssiPpi had intimated that the charge, that the
whole northern Democracy was false to the South,
was too sweeping. He thought differently. The
northern Democrats were worse than the northern
wings. The Wings had commenced their war
sooner, and were more open and bold than were the
Democrats. The latter were endeavoring to out
general the Wings in obtaining the votes of the
AboiItionists Every Democratic Legislature in the
free States had passed resolutions more insulting to
the South than any passed by Wing Legislatures
Mr. DODGE said the Senator was wrong. Iowa
had passed no such resolutions.
Mr.. BRIGHT disclaimed for Indiana any such
resolutions.
Mr.. CLEMENS was glad to hear that there were
some States that had not done 80.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi, appealed to the SEN
Alabama w uyao v,,,a
to pursue the subject further-to open anew the
wounds and widen the breach already existing.
he urged the Senator to confine bis remarks to the
subject connected with the resolution.
MIR. CLEMENS acquesced, and gave notice that
he would move TO lay the resolution on the table,
and would not withdraw it for any one. He made
the motion to lay the resolution on the table.
Mr. DICKINSON asked him to withdraw it,
Mr.. CLEMENS said he would for personal ex-
PLANTATION only
Mr.. DICKINSON said his object was not for a
personal explanation only, but for political one.
Mr. CLEMENS refused TO withdraw the motion.
And the question being taken the motion, it
was decided in the negative.
Mr.. DICKINSON then addressed the Senate
He thought if the Senator from Alabama desired TO
exclude from the Democratic party all those who
professed to be Democrats at the North, the task
should be left to older if not better soldiers. He
had long since seen that men at the North were
bending this system TO serve their own purposes,
but he had held himself aloof from any A,ch
schemes He had shown his friendship for the South
the Senate on this subject.
Mr.. CLEMENS asked what was the character of
the resolutions adopted by the Legislature Of New
York on this subject for years past?
Mr.. DICKINSON did not know particularly,
but it was well known that he differed on this
subject from the Legislature of his State. The
Senator declared he would rather trust northern
Wings than northern Democrats The Senator
might think 80, but he assured him that the
majority OF the people at the North were as true
to the Constitution on this point they
at the south. He had shown his devotion to the
Constitution, and his disregard Of all the fanatic
agitation OF this subject at the North, by his votes
here: He had always stood by the rights of the
South, and, If God gave him strength, always
would do so. He loved the Union, and Would stand
by it; but he believed that the best way to pre-
serve the Union was to preserve the Constitution.
This was the sentiment Of the people at the North,
no no matter what might be declared by agitators.
The Constitution was the mgis Of the Union. He
cared nothing for Union without a constitution.
Fifty men from the North, and half that number
from the South, could settle all the difficulties in
half an hour. He objected 10 this wholesale dcnun-
citation Of the North and of the northern Democrats
a body.
The people there, when the time shall come,
will prove themselves devoted TO the Constitution,
and willing 10 protect the South from unconstitu-
tional aggression. He had always done so, and, if
the question was TO be tried by arms, he would be
willing 10 draw sword in defence of the constitu
tonal rights Of the South. TApplause.l The pco-
pie of the North would not be separated from the
South; they would rally round the Constitution.
II was only the fanatics at the North and South
who kept up this agitation. The speech Of the
Senator from Alabama would make more Adolf
tonists at the North than all the combined efforts
OF Garrison, Douglass, and Abby Kelly.
The Democrats OF fifteen States will not be thrust
from the party by the Senator from Alabama.
They will rise up and tell him 10 larry at Jericho
till his beard has time TO grow. He had voted the
other day against laying this resolution the Ia
ble but, in doing so, was actuated by sectional
feelings.
Mr.. DODGE, of Iowa had voted the same wav
and without any sectional feelings.
Mr.. DOUGLAS said that he had requested a
member Of the other House TO inquire whether the
answer to the resolution had been received there.
The answer received from the Speaker was, that he
had seen nothing of IL. II there then, the answer
was still scaled
Mr.. DOWNS thought the Senator from Alabama
wrong in denouncing the whole North as being
opposed 10 the South
Mr.. CLEMENS thought il unfair TO comment
that portion Of his remarks, which he had left half
unsaid at the suggestion of the Senator from Mis-
sssippi, (Mr. DAvrs.)
Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi, agreed that II was
hardly fair He appealed TO all sides 10 let the mat
In c.. L.I