The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-07-02


how long she may require my services here and when
she may need them ia different 6eld--
Mr.. fO0TE. Will the senator permit me for mo-
mentl
MIR FOOTE | have not said that my colleague con-
emplaed disunion q all The leading democratic paper
which will not speak dsrespecifully or unkindly how
ever unkndly may have been treated by them-has
Gently published editorial articles which have been re-
published IN The Charleston Mercury and our southern
papers Of certain ultra stamp with glowing commenda-
tion-whch articles, in my judgment, contain most de-
clded dlsunion sentiments have deeply regretted to
on to strange and most profound delusion regard 10
me true condition OF affairs here at the present moment
Il s IN view OF these facts that deem my duty say
to-day and TO say distinctly. that for opposed
to any such project of disunon to have been
concerted and TO say further that the State OF Mssis
spp Will never with my consent, take part in any such
and repose Of this noble republic Gentlemen who are
inducedto figure disunioniss and who consider the
adoption OF this bill justfyng to such extreme
but beg them 10 allow me, i they please. the humble
privilege Of observing my official oath, and endeavoring
TO perform my duty ss apatriot. :
Mr. DAVIS, OF MISSISSIPPI No doubt there have
been articles Of this kind in many newspapers and in
many places have not read the article to which my
colleague refers, or. il had, should not think j. my
duty to defend TO reply to it, But il should not excite
surprise if from reading the articles northern papers,
often very offensive to the South, and which are thrown
upon them at this time with especial energy, the editor
say that he is human, and Influenced by passions liable
70 be excited But cay again not here to prescribe
me terms o. secession am here to represent the peo
pie OF Mississippi at the seat OF the general government
My duty isto sustain the Union and the constitutions and
whilst am here that duty will endeavor 10 perform
have nothing TO say about disunon lis alternative
forward the last resort but it is one let me say
which, under certain contingencies am willing to meet
and viii leave my constituents to judge when that
ungency shall arrive have no suggestions to make to
them for am not Of those who seek to control the
public opinion which they pretend TO represent My pur
pose is honestly to follow out the wishes Of my const
uens, rs far they accord with the constitution have
sworn 70 support have nothing more 10 say upon that
point What the will OF that constituency is is well
Tor me 70 know but not necessary for me to announce
What the views OF our constituents may be relative to
the conduct Of my colleague and myselfon the bill now
pending, preferred 10 leave without the expression OF
my opinion Ireget therefore. that my colleague should
have found 1t necessary under any circumstances, TO al
lude to the preferences Of our constituents o certainly
should never had alluded to that in relation to him. Not
withstandng the democratic papers Of the Stateevey
expressions of their dsapprobaon OF the BILL chose not
10 bring the matter before the Senate Notwithstanding
my whole correspondence is full OF dsapprobaon OF the
measure, chose not to bring before the Senate Not
withsianding my colleague on former occasion intro
duced here resolutions OF the legislature Of Mississippi
most sternly disappearing the main feature of this
Mr. FOOTE, I'm his seat As separate measure
Mr.. DAVIS My colleague says so; then must read
the resolutions:
Resolutions Of the Legislature of Mississippi approved
March q, 1850
Resoped That the policy heretofore pursued by the gov
ernnen of the United Sates in regard said Territory,
Preference had the Territories acquired from Mex
has been and Is enineny calculated to promote and is
about TO effect indirectly the cherished object Of the abo
non without plain and palpabe violation of the consu
nen of the United States.
sovereign State. with present constitution the re
suit Of the Aforesaid false and just policy on the part Of
fraud and oppression the rights Of the people of
States and il is the OF his legislature
that senators and should the
of their ability resist by all honorable and Constitutional
means.
So spoke the legislature who considered peculiarly
Mr.. FOOrE. Will my colleague allow me to explain
Mr.. DAVIS Most certainly.
MIR. FOolE. will detan the Senate but mo-
ment My colleague speaks of his disregard OF
newspapers. Now, II is well known that am quite
as indifferent to newspaper denunclaon any other
man, and that IN my public course | have prof.
their commentator. Indeed, was elected to the SEN
ate with every newspaper in the State against me,
neutral save one But II il were matter Of any import
ance, could partlcularize than two thirds of the
democratic press OF mississippi who have akea any
hostile stand in relation 10 me- Most OF them SILENT
while some are warmly and fully sustaining my course
Almost every wing paper in the State il 10 true, does
tain upon this question, which hold be far above
party More less warmly acknowledge the gratfca
ZION which derive from this fact, and conceive ii to be
at his FIRST election, received wing well democratic
votes in our Legislature. Inclined rather think
that the newspapers OF the country generally very
satisfactory representatives OF the public sentiment yet
suppose that, on question like this wing and democratic
papers may be considered equally good authority and
70 be equally relied upon as the opponents Of the pub
lie opinion OF any State While not at war with any
OF them, and shall seek controversy with them. still
shall exercise my judgment freely and ndepe ndenty,
holding myself responsible alone the sovereign people
Of Mississippi, whose charitable appreciation Of my acts
| do not al all doubt
Mr.. DAVIS. have no controversy with newspapers,
or about them
Mr.. FoorE. A word, IL my colleague peases. In re.
gard TO the resolutions
Mr.. DAVIS. Oh, certainly
Mr.. FOOrE. These resolutions were adopted by the
State OF Mississippi while proposition pending 10
admit California as separate measure, and before
the committee formed who reported this plan OF ad
ustmen And II was 10 the very spirit OF those insiruc-
TONS and with view OF carrying them out fully and
faithfully. that offered motion to raise the Committee
OF Thirteen, with view in pa to preventing the separate
admission OF California, which, but Tor this commit
tee, 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 circumslancesto state my motives OF action and
which have marked my conduct And shall be prepared
to meet any opposition which may present itself this
question. My colleague, know, puts different in
depreciation those resolutions OF instruction He con
ceves that they apply to state OF things existing at
the time OF their adoption that y his opinion He speaks
also OF the letters he receives Well probable those
letters written TO him by those who know his feelings
therefore written to him such letters they Judge will be
pleasing to him Now, have quite as large correspond
ence any man now in Washington, believe. write
quite as many letters as at all convenient for to