The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-03

whilst am here that duty will endeavor TO per
form. have nothing to say about disunion. II
is an alternative not to be anticipated-one TO
which could only look forward as the last resort
but il is one let me say which, under certain con-
tineencies am willing to meet; and will leave
my constituents to Judge when that contingency
shall arrive have no suggestion to make 70
them; for am not one of those who seek to con-
troll the public opinion which they pretend TO re-
present. My purpose is honestly to follow out
the wishes of my constituents, as far as they ac-
cord with the Constitution l have sworn 70 sup
port. / have nothing more to say upon that
point. What the will of that constituency is, II
is well for me to know, but not necessary for me
to announce. What the views of our constitu-
ents may be relative the conduct ofmy colleague
and myself on the bill now pending, preferred
to leave without the expression of my opinion.
regret, therefore, that my colleague should have
found 1t necessary, under any circumstances, TO
allude to the preferences of constituents; for
certainly should had alluded to that in rela-
ton to him. Notwithstanding the democratic pa
pers OF the State-every one of them that have
seen-come to me with marked expressions of
their disapprobation of the bill, chose not to
bring the matter before the Senate. Notwith-
standing my whole correspondence is full OF dis
appreciation of the measure, chose not to bring
it before the Senate. Notwithstanding my col
league on a former occasion introduced here reso-
lutons of the Legislature of Mississippi most
Mr. FooTE, Gin his seat) AS separate
measure.
Mr.. DAVIS. My colleague says so; then
must read the resolutions:
'Resotutions of the Legislature Of Mississippi, ap-
proved March 6, 1850.
"ReSOlped, That the policy heretofore pursued
by the Government of the United States, in re-
gard to said territory, Preference was had to the
territories acquired from Mexico in refusing to
provide territorial government therefor, has been
and is eminenty calculated to promote, and is
about to effect, indirectly, the cherished object
of the abolitionists, which cannot be accomplished
by direct legislation without plain and palpable
violation Of the Constitution of the United States.
"Resolped, That the admission of California
into the Union sovereign State, with its pres
en Constitution, the result of the aforesaid false
and unjust policy on the part of the Government
Of the United Suites, would be an act of fraud
and oppression on the rights Of the people of the
slavehoding States; and it is the sense OF this
Legislature that our Senators and Representatives
should, to the extent of their ability, resist it by
all honorable and constitutional means.''
So spoke the Leg islature who are considered
peculiarly the constituency of Senators.
Mr.. FOOTE. Will my colleague allow me to
explain?
Mr.. DAVIS. Most certainly.
Mr.. FOOTE. / will detain the Senate but
moment. My colleague speaks of his disregard
of newspapers. Now, it is well known that am
quite as indifferent to newspaper denunciation as
any other man, and that in my public course
have profted no more from the revement Of
editors than from their commentator. Indeed,
elected to the Senate with every newspaper
IN the State against me, or neutral, save one. But
if it were matter Of any importance, could par
ticuarize more than two-thirds of the Democratic
press Of Mississippi who have not taken any hos
n r
silent, while some are warmly and fully sustain
ing my course. Almost every Wing paper in the
State, it is true, does sustain me upon this ques-
ton, which hold to be far above party. More
or less warmly | acknowledge the qualification
which derive from this fact, and conceive it to
be not at all discreditable to me- nor will my col
league, who, at his first election, received Wing
as well as Democratic votes in our Legislature
Inclined as | am rather to think that the newspa-
pers of the country generally not very salts
factory representatives Of the public sentiment,
yet | suppose that, on question like this, Wing
and Democratic papers may be considered as
equally good authority, and to be equally relied
upon as the opponents Of the public opinion ofany
State. While am not at war with any of them,
and shall seek no controversy with them, still
shall exercise my own judgment freely and indie
pendently, holding myself responsible alone to
able appreciation of my acts do not at all doubt
Mr.. DAVIS. | have no controversy with
newspapers or about them.
Mr.. FOOTE. A word, if my colleague pleases
in regard to the resolutions.
Mr.. DAVIS. Oh, certainly.
Mr.. FOOTE. These resolutions were adopted
by the State Of Mississippi while proposition
was pending to admit California as separate
measure, and before even the committee was
formed who reported this plan of adjustment
And it in the very spirit Of those instructions,
and with a view of carrying them out fully and
faithfully, that | offered a motion to raise the
Committee of Thirteen, with view, in part, to
preventing the separate admission of California,
which, but for this same committee, would have
been admitted, in my Judgment, some time since.
| am resolved, when return to my own home, to
explain my own course In conneXion with these
circumstances-to state my motives of action, and
to establish by irrefutable proof the fidelity and
discretion which have marked my conduct And
shall be prepared to meet any opposition which
may present itself on this question. My colleague,
| know, puts n different Interpretation on those
resolutions of instruction. He conceives that they
apply to state of things not existing at the time
Of their adoption; that is his opinion. He speaks
also OF the letters he receives. Well, it is prob
able those letters written to him by those who
know his feelings on this subject, and his hos
tilty to this plan, and have therefore written to
him such letters as they judge will be pleasing to
him. Now, have quite as large a correspond
ence as any man now in Washington, believe.
L
ent for me to write, and | receive many more let
tiers than do write.
receive many letters from Mississippi, having
correspondents in almost every county; and have
not received more than four or five letters disap
proving the plan of adjustment. This state of
things only proves that his correspondents think
differently from mine, and that the great question
batween us, in regard to the state Of popular SEN
iment, is only to be decided fairly when we shall
both get home. Allow me to say that among my
correspondents in the State of Mississippi is the
president of the late Nashville Convention,
the president also of the Convention of Missis-
sippi held at Jackson, out OF whose proceedings
grew the Nashville Convention, and the chief
Justice of the high court of errors and appeals of
the State of Mississippi. That distinguished
gentleman has written me letter, extracts from
which | have published, declaring that he APP
proves my whole course in conneXion with the
present measure, and that he does not doubt my
being fully sustained in the State. believe that
nine-tenths Of our constituents cordially approve
this scheme ofsettlement. My colleague, know,
thinks otherwise, and it is quite proper subject
for an honest difference of opinion. We shall
both ascertain the truth upon this head in good
season.
Mr.. DAVIS. should be very sorry to lose my
cOIleo ono but | nm ready IN transfer this contro-