Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-05-25


mighty that he will vouchsafe its qualification Let me be
loaded with denunciaon, derison, contempt and even In
fanny and yet does TO me that shall DO able TO en-
dule it all without murur, provided that shall be at The
same time admitted by my adversaries that my happy
country and its free institutions have beer rescued IN part by
my poor exerons the overthrow with which they are boh
threatened by by ferce sr lana
csn, by unempered zea and, may be, IN part Also p
selfish and unscrupulous ambition for local ascendency and
influence. aware, sir that il has been predicted that the
which pursuing will not be approved by my own
constituents If my friends feel any apprehension on this
point, beseech them to be of good cheer II my enemies
are anticipating the dcreJ which they suppose is about to
fall upon from being deprived Of the cheering countenance
and support of those patriotic eemen who have made me all
that public man. and who have generously placed
me upon theatre of action where might mingle my ener-
gies liberal rivalry with those eminent patriots and sages
and heroes of the republic whom see around me- Tor the pro-
motion OF the generahappness and the OF our
national glory them that they will be doomed to
utter disappointment do not the least degree doubt that
my conduct here will stand approved by those TO whom
chiefly responsible but if it be my fate to incur con-
demnao where have hoped for approval shall never re-
gret for instant what doing and feel author
lied close this hasy and irregular speech with prediction
that the indications apparent every where in favor Of
the plan of settlement before will continue to multiply
upon our vision until the acclamatons Of twenty millions OF
people shall be heard to break forth upon the consummaon
of that scheme of peace Of concaon, and OF compromise
which is to mark the year 1850 the most happy and most
glorious in our national annals
Mr. CLEMENS. AS the Senator from Mississippi (Mr.
FO0TE)
that this compromise scheme will pass and,
moreover that is receive the and cordial approval
of the American peope-as have heard this
made here before-as have often in the public
press hope that also may be allowed express opinion
upon the subject. tell the Senator that, Notwithstanding
his seeming confidence, wholly impossible for this bill to
pass without material amendment 1t IS lingering through
wretched existence by the mere suerance OF Its enemies
We could have stranged at lis bhthree OF US could
have killed it yesterday-we lay il the table to day.
Mr.. FOOTE. If the Senator will allow me, will ex-
plain that did wish be understood being opposed to
amendments but exactly the contrary in favor of vari
amendments the bill and the that objected to
the vote of the Senator from Florida in favor of laying upon
the table yesterday that he seemed to me to be abong
to preclude all amendment
Mr.. CLEMENS. I know the Senator has repeatedly
announced his willingness to the bill amended as to
make it acceptable but it happens that we never
propose amendment which is acceptable to him.
When bis colleague Mr.. DAyIs) offers amendment not
half strong proposed little than three years
ago another BILL and which then the full appreciation
of the entire South the Senator finds out that s hdeous
usurpaton unheard Of beore-a weakening OF
the just of the South and little short OF treason TO her
interests.
Mr.. FOOTE. Will my friend allow me to say that
cautiously avoided saying a word in relation to that amend
men On the contrary, said distinctly yesterday, that
though did not deem the amendment of colleague at all
necessary, yet that might possibly vote for in spirit OF
c compromisc. &".....
Mr.. CLEMENS. The honorable Senator will pardon
for saying that although he did not say the amendment
affirmative amendment of that character would be hdeous
usupaou of power and he did say that 1t was something
and unheard Of before In reply to the Senator from
Florida (Mr YULEE he repeatedly declared that he did not
ask for any affirmative declaration the part of Congress-
that the lights property should be protected in the ero
res is impossible, that in this matter can be mista
ken. Now it happens that stronger amendment than
the upon your table has, previous occasion,
passed the House of Representatives 1t happens that
in the Oregon territorial bill, proviso inserted far
stronger than propose On the 10th OF January,
s47 the following povso attached TO the Oregon bill
the other House, rather the bill passed the House on
that day. "s, ~.
'Prouided That provisions of such laws of any
hereafter passed the Legislative Assembly said Territory
shall be construed restrict citizens of any OF the
United States, of any Territory thereof from emgrang
with their property and residing said Territory and hold
ing and possessing their property therein and fully particpat
ing in oil the benefits advantages privileges and mmuntes
thereof Territory of the United States aud all laws
parts of laws which shall prevent the full enjoyment of such
rights are hereby declared null and yoid.'' ~,
And now, sir, when offer a similar amendment though
in mder form, it is promptly denounced at least the
speeches sustaining denounced, the strongest TERMS
and that too, by Southern Senator. Wor STILL the SEN
aio will have that the Senator from Florida (M YuLEE
uerance to sentiments which he has again and again
repudel He arragns brother Senator and insists upon
him for opinions he does not hold He chooses to rely
upon his recollection and the loose report of the Re-
public, utterly dscadiag the authorized report in the nte
gence and the public declarations of the Senator from Flo
rda mace here to-day in the face of the Senate Is this the
manifestation Of any thing like friendly spirit either for the
amendment its advocates Sir was more than asonsh
ed hearhe Senator from Mississippi that he regard
ed as odous and monsrous to ask afmance of our
rights by Congress II is what done by every Southern
three years ago. for have no doubt that every one
of them voted for and sustained it. What them has brought
this change about How does happen that dare
demand what was then freely conceded
Mr.. FOOTE. Will the gentleman allow me to say that
was not In Congress at the period to which he aludng
and now advise him that approved Of the provso
that he has just read thought the time of its ntroduc-
on, and do yet Think that the gentleman who brought
forward did not exhibit in doing his accustomed dscre
tion feared then all the embarrassment which has sub.e
queny grown out of it. am Of opinion that this provso
has more or less drawn constitutional rights into ques
ton, and appears to imply the possession Of legislative pow
on the part Of the Territorial Government such believe
that they cannot ghully and constuonay exercise The
gentleman will not fail to perceive, though that This povso
Is simply restrictive upon the Territorial Government and
might perhaps, under the circumstances existing, not be
at all mischieyous in its tendency, merely prohibiting
constitutional legaton whereas the species of amendment
advocated by the Senator from Florida proposes that Congress
itself shall egisae in deemed by unconstu-
Gona for the extension of slavery into the Territories
Mr.. CLEMENS. If it ndscretion, it was one
that met the sanction of the whole South and we'll
afford to bear the share that may fall to me, when divided
among so large number.
do intend do more than allude and deny the
wild and fancifu doctrine Of the Senator relation the
inherent right of handful of squaters upon the public
lands to erect themselves into sovereignty, and form
government for themselves Neither do wish comment
upon the authority he has brought here sustain the posi-
on sounded strange to my to hear him residing the
letters Of John Quincy Adams political truths that admitted
of no denial do say any thing Of Mr. Adams
but what is respectful He has gone give account Of
his conduct before higher tribunal than this. That he
great man, will deny-a man Of deep learning, Of