The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-14


law recognising slavery To exist south Of any line
could be adopted The Missouri line was not hall
as favorable to the South as non intervention,
which threw open the whole of the Territories.
The question then was, what can be dones He
would suggest to take up the bill now on the table
relating 10 fugitive slaves, and pass it. II is the
only practical grievance which we can remedy,
The act of 1898 has been rendered nugatory; and
il is the duty of Congress to pass such bill He
had understood the Senator from New York, (Mr.
SEwARD,) TO say that ii was an immoral obligation
require that the provision of the Constitution on
| this subject should be carried into effect. This
| was strange doctrine from man who has sworn to
support the Constitution. Ii either recognises in
such man two consciences, or divides the one he
has into two obligations. No man is compelled to
take the oath to support the Constitution, but no
honest man can come here and swear to support
that Constitution believing il to be immoral so to
! do.
| tor from New York, TO show that that Senator had
stated that Senators here supported the Constitu-
ton, and in so doing were governed by their fde
ity to slavery. What right, he asked, had the Sen
ator to say this to Senators with whom he asso
cated here?
Mr.. SEWARD said that Mr. jefferson had de-
cared that the true allies OF slavery were the north
ern Democracy. He attacked no mamie attrib-
uted improper motives to no one.
Mr.. CASS asked if the Senator used the language
in the Jeffersonian spirit, did he not mean 1t as
a reproachs
Mr.. SEWARD said he reproached no one. He
had no desire to have alteration with any one.
He had used the language to convey the impression
that the northern Democrats had been the most ar
dent friends of slavery and that his party had
been more devoted and attached 10 the principles
| of freedom than the other.
MIR. DAWSON said he desired to ask the Sena-
| tor from New York whether he meant TO say that
| his sentiments the sentiments of the Wing
party and, if 50, does he claim to belong TO the
| great Wing party of the United States II the
Senator does, then he (NIr D. did not He would
ask the Senator If he meant to place the great con-
sentative party--thc Wing party--under his ban
| ner and with his sentiments emblazoned on that
banner If SO, he did not wish to march under
| that banner.
| Mr. SEWARD said that he an American cit
zen, and acted Independently. He held his private
| opinions and sentiments. He had acted always
| with the Wing party, and thought that the Wing
party more favorable to the principles of free
dom than the other.
| Mr. CASS said that he had few remarks more
to make, but the hour for taking up the special
order had arrived, he would move to postpone this
| subject till tomorrow.
Mr. CALHOUN said that he would regret that
the remarks of the Senator should GO out without
| word in explanation from him. He regretted his
health would not permit him to enter the subject
at large but he forced to economic his strength
| and his words. The Senator could not have heard
his speech with more regret than he had heard the
Senator to-day. The Senator's course had always
been to deal in palliatives. 1t might well be at
tempted to treat with success a cancer about tc
strike into the vitals to attempt to settle thii
slavery SUBJECT Win patCned-up compromises
| GUARANTEES were necessary; and guarantees could
only be made by amendments to the Constitution
If the Union be dissolved, the Senator from Michi
gan will have contributed his full share in the pro-
ceeding, for he (Mr. CALHOUN had already shown
that the present ENHANCEMENT of affairs was pro-
duced by the last Presidential contest.
Mr. c. then defended his remarks about Wash
ington being an illusrious southerner, because an
attempt had been made 10 wrest him from them
Mr. CASS read some portions of the speech of the
Senator from South Carolina, as being the portions
wherein he thought the impression was conveyed
that the admission of California was to be test
question, and that If she admitted, then the
South would know what they had TO expect, anc
would act accordingly This looked like extrem,
measures would follow the admission of California
Mr.. CALHOUN replied, and said such inter
probation could be placed on the language of hi
speech.
Mr.. FOOTE said the Senator from South Caro-
lima had been pleased to say that he was surprised
at the Interpretation placed on his speech by hin
(Mr. F.) The same Interpretation had beer
placed on it by all the papers at the North, and
with few exceptions, by the members OF bott
houses of Congress from the South The Senate
had made new issue for the South, and that with
| out any consultation with the southern members
| The Senator proposed new issue-an amendmen
of the Consttution-which was not known to tn
people of Mississippi He had never heard of j
till the Senator made his prepared speech. Tn
moose had been placed around his neck whel
, asleep. No consultation had been had with south
i ern men about this new issue. The Senator ha
) been in the Senate for several sessions, but ha
i | never submitted this new issue before. Hence
, was that he had desired, so far he con
cerned, that the country should know that thi
4 new issue was not necessary 10 the settlement o
the question.
The Senator was opposed 10 the compromise com
mittee. This another fact Of Importance. tn
meeting of the Nashville cow nton is but little NOR
than two months off If no settlement OF this mat
ter took place, and the new issue went before tina
convention with all the influence Of the Senate
| from he Nuaa red N IA,
| what that convention might result in.
Mr.. CALHOUN said he consulted with on
. about his speeches; he made them himself Tn
Senator complained that he had hot been con
suited.
Mr. FoOTE said that he had not complained
not being consulted about the speech, but with re
n gard TO the new issue.
Mr.. CALHOUN was explaining the error of III
: Senator'S Interpretation Of his speech, when
Mr.. FO0TE said that illustration Of ho'
the Senator'S speech was understood abroad, ther
had been a meeting called there, and IL r,
s solved that the charge made year ago by Ii
i Senator from Missouri, (Mr. BESTos,) again
:, the Senator from South Carolina, had been mad
q manifest by that speech
Mr.. CALHOUN inquired il the report Of h
= speech received at st. Louis was not telegraph
report II so, he repudiated all Geographic report
He was not opposed to the compromise committe
Mr.. FOOTE said the Senator had voted again
, the committee yesterday, and had repeatedly AZ
J. viscd him against the motion.
. Mr.. CALHOUN said that he opposed TO il
y this time, but he had never said he would oppose
finally.
/ The Senator said that all the Senators agre.
y with him, except some two OF three.
~ Mr.. FOOTE said that twenty-five voted again
p him yesterday, but there were some two or thru
Z with whom he never expected TO agree.
n Mr.. CALHOUN said the Senator consulted wi
y almost every one The Senator terms
! intimacy with every one and even with those wi
y advocated doctrines which, il carried out, won
y result in cutting their threats.
- Mr. FOOTE said he good terms wi
ie every body.
q Mr.. CALHOUN was understood 10 say that
would not hold terms Of social intercourse with an
% who, like the Senator from New York, held hin
self above the Constitution. He might be induced
Pc shake hands with him, IL that person offered
so hand first
% Mr.. DAVIS, Of Mississippi said that the spec
Dh Of the Senator from South Carolina had not occu
u red 60 him az il had % others. Ho in favor
:, such constitutional guaranty as would enable Il
" South 10 protect itself
The motion was renewed 10 postpone this subje
~ till To- morrow
"a Mr.. DAYTON said that he was opposed 10 u
~ mode Of accommodating business There val
~ ous propositions now before the Senate, and
Wv Of them gentlemen had taken occasion 10 addre
ne the senate He had obtained the floor upon I
Nv fugitive slave bill two months ago, and had held
sin hut b.I n.sA t...f~