Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-03-02

all these dsacng questions would aiay excitement In the
other end OF the Capitol know this to be the opinion o
many of the best in the other House, without regard
party feelings They have assured that If could do
any thing here towards arranging these difficulties that would
not trench upon the rights and the honor Of the South
thing that would protect the character of the South in
the adoption OF plan marked with equality, with brohery
kindness-if may such term that--f any such
plan should be adopted hee and sent TO the House of Rep
must say Mr. President. that have leamedat such
the opinion Of friends of mne-that by large majority of
the people OF this country the Union is believed to be in the
imminent dangers and every body soicitous, if
possible upon any honorable pretext that may be offered to
aid in saving it from the ruin which is impending
Sir the present opportunity Is favorable one in other re-
spects. We learn that only the other day-ast Saturday,
believes large meeting held in Philadelphia, at which
fanatcsm rebuked great principles noby asserted at
which the true spirit of Amercansm displayed itself SO glo
rousy as must necessarily have established in the hearts of
ALL that love for Union which perhaps was growing very
faint in the breasts Of some portions OF the community
do think the present occasion is the most favorable the
present time the oppoune Of any that possibly be
selected, for raising this committee, and II could be raised
now and could have the advantage OF hearing all these able
speeches. they would be enabled by Saturday next to report
plan The gentleman from South Carolina may shake his
head know what say let gentlemen take the response
bty Of voting down the proposition they please be-
lieve they would report plan with which would be satisfied
and would give up hairs breadth OF the rights,
nor do any thing to compromise the honor of the South.
That committee should be composed, not Of utrass not
of pejudced men, Of fanatics but should be formed OF
the wise Of this body patriotic menmen who dare to
meet acton and put it downs who dare to risk themselves
before the country in behalf ofthe Union would risk my
life their being able to report plan which the whole Sc
would be willing to ratiy. Gentlemen do not seem to
comprehend the difference between the action of individuals
here and thirteen Senators acting in committee Each
then would feel himself sustained by twelve others In
any proposition of adjustment which might be recommended
these thirteen Of high character, weight and influence
every part of the republic would be able sustain them
selves against the efforts of all factions to put them down.
This they would feel and upon that feeling they would act
with becoming rmness and that plan, thus supported, thus
backed by high character would meet with proper respect
here and in the House Of Representatives, and throughout
the republic, and should be saved from those evils to
which, as nation, we are, in my opinion, speedily ap-
preaching
Mr.. CLEMENS. How does the Senator propose that
the committee shall be constituted
Mr.. FOOTE propose refer all questions connected
with this subject select committee of thirteen, to consist
Of six members from the South and from the Northhe
twelve to appoint the thirteenth.
Mr.. HUNTER. Who will elect cthe six Southern members
Mr.. FOOTE. The Senate, Of course.
Mr.. WALKER. In the remarks Of the Senator from
Mississippi he has expressed the belief
Mr.. FOOTE Will the Senator from Wisconsin pardon
me for moment propose that the committee shall con-
sist Of three Democrats from the North and three Wings
from the North, and equal number Of Wings and Demo-
Gratis from the South.
Mr.. WALKER. The Senator from Mississippi has
pressed his strong conviction and firm belief that if this COM
mee be raised in the he proposes they will be able
some
with which he least will be satisfied Accompanying that
remark honorable Senator the declaration which he has
made before Senate he will give hair breadth
Of the rights of the South He constues the rights OF the
South for himself and of gentlemen OF the North
consrue the rights of the North themselves and they
standing in opposition to each other 1t appears to me that
the declaration made by the honorable Senator from Missis
sppi sounds rather harshy when regarded coming from
who is proposing to be compromised Sir what does
the South claim be her rights The honorable colleague
of the Senator from Mississippi told us, upon occasion,
wha, is The least that he will be content to accept
Mr.. FOOTE Will my friend bear with me /? did hope
that the merits Of this question would not be discussed
hope the Senator from Wisconsin will not embarrass the
question by debate at this time, which will increase excite
mcnt this question desire that may be allowed to
make the experiment that have proposed.
Mr.. WALKER. / am not disposed to do any thing that
is calculated produce excitement; think have shown,
on the other hand desire to alay excitement But
going say that the other honorable Senator from
Mississippi (Mr Davs) gave his explanation the other day.
ard understood be the Missouri compromise line with
guaranty the part Congress that slave property should
projected south of that line WE'LL sir that amounts to
the establishment Of the institution of slavery south OF that
line. Now that Senator expressed the views OF the South
if that is the umaum, and if there is nothing short OF that
with which they will be satisfied, mark my words, you may
raise committee here and you may swear them on the Holy
Evangess discharge their duty to their country, to them
selves and their God and they will never bring in pro-
position which will be adopted
Mr. DAVIS of Mississippi | understand the Senator
from Wisconsin M WALKER to say that ne did not under
stand my position
Mr.. WALKER. spoke of the Senator'S position as
understood it. but believe he has explained several times
Mr. DAVIS. My position was, that under the constitu
ton of the United States every species of property held by
citizens of United States had right to into the Territory
which is the possession of the United States that
my position. then stated spirit OF compromise,
that if could agree upon the question which now ex-
lists between the North and Souhthe North insisting that
slave property could 60 into the Territories the South
insisting that it could go into all the Terories no settle
could be made between these conflicting opinions was
willing, in spirit Of compromise, to divide the territory,
waving the question which is presented between the two
sections of the United States and to say that the Missouri
compromise line be extended to the Pacific specifically recog
nsng that right which contend to exist In all the Terri
tories south Of the line $50 so and leaving to the North the
territory north Of that line with slavery prohibited That was
a distinct proposition that distinct compromise
Mr.. BADGER Gin his seat) Not to establish slavery
south of the line.
Mr.. DAVIS. No, not to establish slavery but, we
could settle this question during the present antagonism
was willing to divide the territory, not to establish slavery
any part Of it. No. sir slavery was established in
any part Of the United States by law Property in slaves is
like property in every thing else it comes from an authority
above law it precedes all law The law only recognises it.
The recognition Of the rights of the South by Congress not
establish slavery We of the South have been long willing
stake this question upon the decision of the Supreme Court
We have asked Of the North the right to carry this question
the Supreme Court That right has been denied u.s. We
stand now s have always stood, upon the cons'itu-
ton and if there be disposition to compromise we have
lived, will die, by the constitution Am understood
And this the position which the Senator from Wisconsin
thinks will defeat compromise Is it the assertion OF the
preacy of the constitution the will Of majority in Com
gress which he considers declaration defeating all PROPOSE
tons of settlement If SO, then the bond Of this Union is
already broken II has existence what 1t derives
from the constitution If he supposes that the maj y Of
this Congress shall conrue that constitutions and the rights