The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-06
DEFERRED DEBATE.
IN SENATE, THuRsDAr, Aueusr !, 1850
REMARKs OPP Mr.. BUTLER.

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IN SENATE, THURSDAY, Aueusr !, 1850.
REMARKS OF Mr.. BUTLER.
A great deal, Mr. President, has been said about
the responsibility which have incurred in
relation to certain measures that hare been under
consideration, and of other measures that are
likely to be introduced. The occasion, and the
responsibility connected with i are wei calculated
to suggest very grave considerations. We are
dealing with the events of a fearful history Per-
init me TO say that certain results which gentle
men so much deprecate IN cords, will be hasened
by the language which has been so freely INDUCED
in by the preachers of harmony.
The Senate will bear me witness that have
not, in any remarks have thought proper TO sub
nit to the Senate, introduced into the debate, a
single element, so far as am aware, TO inAame
the public mind, or 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, understand to be, the
amendment of the senator from Mississippi, (Mr.
FooTE.) wish to say word or two upon that,
sir, and then pass to the other topics. am per-
fecty willing to vote for that amendment, with the
understanding that it will be to make future
State, or TO give authority to make future State
in California--in other words TO make Southern
boundary for California. But If il be the intention
to curtail the limits of people-to produce
State, with the understanding that the senator's
and representatives elected by the people of Caii-
fornia, or the so-caed legislature of California,
shall take their seats under the curaied limits,
do not go for it, because think we have no right
10 make any such arrangements for them. Il will
be different State from that which they are franz
ing for themselves. But, sir, for the purpose Of
harmony, harmonising, and going SO far as
can consistently with my duty to a State and
obligations to a Federal Government, for have
obligations to both, will yield to all that honor
will allow, but to oppression and injustice, to the
IL. 20 ,y;a
thing on this question. will yield, sir, so far
to say, will take new boundary--353 0--be-
cause that boundary is said to be convenient and
natCral--along mountain. Thrty-six degrees
and thirty minutes is that which has been often
indicated the line; this is arbitrary and if it be-
came a point of honor will insist on it,. This
propose thirty-fve degrees and thirty minutes, be-
cause it has eternal landmarks to Indicate it. 1t
takes off nothing valuable below
In looking to decision, will consult good faith
and the dictates of nature. But we become heated
in controversy. had been willing to that as line
Of a territory. But, sir, under no circumstances
can | go for the amendment to curta limits with
the understanding that the senators and repre-
sentatives can take their seats the representa-
tives of State that has been organized. look
to State to be organized--and to be organized
under the Constitution; and in mode known to
the Constitution. In my present situation owe
obligations to that Constitution; they impose inn
as must regard consistent with those to my
own State. My opinions and judgment may be
very different from gentlemen who have but one
government to serve.
Mr.. President, my opinions Of duty vary very
materially from those which have been expressed
by the Hon. senator from Kentucky, (Mr. Clay.)
If, sir, the Hon. senator from Kentucky, is anx-
ious for an occasion to try the strength of this
government, perhaps he may bring about the oc-
cason by measures of injustice and oppression, OF
which believe him the committed advocate. Sir,
it will never be brought about any otherwise. 1t
may be FASTENED, and if so, it will be by those
who consult the apparent strong. And will say
that, if that occasion ever shall arise for trying
the strength Of this government against a single
State, or number Of States, who may dispute its
authority, the senator and myself will be found In
very different attitudes. Sir, if understand his
proposition, and it is not the first time he has
made it here, it is that under no circumstances
under no circumstances, would hehe found to resist
the Federal Government, provided its measures
should be adopted by a mere majority, having
the sanction of his judgment that they were con.
stitutional, and the sanction of majority would
make any thing constitutional In other words
the States of this Confederacy are to have their
destnies and their rights subjected to the arbitra
ry decision of an uncontrolled, self-sustained, and
interested majority, and that makes the law for
him; and he says, sir, that he will follow the
standard Of such government to blood, and that
III any OtdLe, or the people OF any Otdte, SHOuiu
raise the standard of resistance to such measures,
he will be found ready, with his arm and voice,
to stand by that standard and minge in the blood
of civil war. The State of South Carolina Mr..
President, has been too often alluded to for one
Of her representatives to mistake the aim. do
not think that South Carolina has ever gone fur
ther, or has gone as fur as other Southern States
in the Union. The senator from Kentucky, linn
tied his remark 10 single Saie or the people of
single State My friend from Virginia, noticed
that part Of his remark, and shall not add any
thing by way Of application. But, sir, he
has said that the Wimot Proviso, that the abol-
ton Of the slave trade Of the District of Colum-
bia, or the abolition Of slavery any where, any
measure that could be adopted, connected with
this bill, that he could regard as constitutional
and he regards them all as constitutonal-should
have his support calling his aid the bayonets Of
this Confederacy to put down all measures Of re-
sistance. He advocates the doctrines Of q des-
potsm, under the disguise of name. Mr..
President, Virginia, believe North Carolina,
certainly South Carolina,-I speak for her,
Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and speak con-
dently of these States, have said in solemn egis-
lative resolves that if the Congress of the United
States shall enact the Wilmot Proviso, or any
kindred measure to insult and degrade the States
whose rights would be threatened by them, they
would resist in some form other, and will
say to the Hon. senator, that he II ght find
something more than pleasing the gallery neces-
sary to sustain him IN such a conflict. The GAL
lery with their endorser near ne, might not be so
potent as appearances would Indicate.
Mr.. President, believe the honorable senator
is Virginian by birth. Sir, he has, in some de-
gree, reflected honor on his mother, and has given
reputation the State with which he has been iden-
tfed-Kentucky. l award him alhxhat history
will award him, and what history may pot deny
him, but will bring to him beautiful illustration
of the feeling which child feels for the mother,
even under the temptation Of commanding duty.
When Bernadotte combining with the allied
powers to make war upon Bonaparte, he was both
a sovereign and an ally; but it was one of the
most touching incidents of history that, while he
was willing to devise measures to put down Ma
poleon Bonaparte as an enemy to Europeand the
nation Of which he was sovereign, he said, when
he approached the confines of France, he could
not press hostile foot upon the land Of his natiy-
ity. Such sentiment would not control the hon
orable gentleman. l heard the honorable senator
from Kentucky say, that If Virginia, true to her
history, should undertake to maintain her resoli-
tons and resist the Wimot Proviso, and other
acts Of Injustice and oppression brought about
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