The southern press., 1851-12-25

by "a abuse OF terms. There - no such right
When, therefore, the Senator fro,a MlsslssIppl
quotes Mr. Jefferson as good authority to the
Senate, sdirming the right of secession. he
meant what Mr. Jefferson meant--that State
had right to secede, With no moral or legal
right by any authority on earth TO interfere
with or molest her. He meant this, or he
meant nothing. .
The Senator from Mississippi. speaks with
complacency and appreciation of the course of
the President Of the United States. with respect
to the fugitive law Sir, | am sorry cannot
speak in the same strain Of commendation
Whilst he deems the nulliication of Vermont
Of the fugitive slave lava law which he afiirms
to be constitutional, and a law of the land--not
worthy Of his notice, he prevents the citizens Of
South Carolina from celebrating the battle of
Fort Moultrie, on the ground where the battle
was fought and Won ainst British foe. He
says in his message, that he has sent, in conse-
quenee Of the exigencies on our frontier, where
the Indians have been numbering our people, all
the troops he could spare from the other parts
Of the Unior. Yet he has crowded the forts in
the bay Of Charleston with soldiers, mounted
cannon, and turned them upon our city He
has thus, openly held forth the sword as the in
strument of our obedience Sir, this is not the
ut5t tituc tiitS COuISc has IttU pursutu ny tnt
general government Think you that the in
suit will be forgotten or ever forgiven This
government openly says to us We will gov
ern you as We please we will plumber you by
tariffs rob you of your territories; assail your
Institutions; and if You attempt to escape our
power by secession, we will put you to the
sword What is this, but asserting over us a
!. naked despotismi Others may submit: ! will
not. ] will secede, if | can, from this Union.
will test, for myself and for my children, wheth-
or South Carolina is State or an humble de-
graded province, existing only at the mercy of
an INSCRIPTIONS and fanatical tyranny.
Mr.. President, | feel that it is high time !
should close; but before do SO, must say a
few words of that venerable man whose seat |
occupy The last man in the Senate chamber
who ought TO have spoken disparagingIy Of him,
is the Senator from Mississippi. Yon all re-
member, senator's, that when that aged states
man came here to lay before you his last, dying
speech, he came sick and emaciated- d-broken
by the storms of State The Senator from Vir.
ginia Mr.. Mason kindly offered to read the
speech to you, he was unable to read it himself
After the reception of that noble effort of stat.s
lnanship, what heart, beating with the pulses OF
humanity, but would say Go, die honorably-
die in peace! The Senator from Mississippi
rose up here, and assaled the dying statesman
and made putations to which he was peculiar
ly sensitive; for, in my opinion, he loved the
Union T" not wisely, but too WELL" | was not
here, but you all saw his agitation His frame
trembed. His strong spirit shook his frai tene-
ment as he repelled the attack made upon him
and when it was over, he went home prostratcd
quite soon to die The Senator from Mississippi
hurried him into his grave. A few days, or
few weeks previously, that Senator sought his
counsels, and partook of his offices Of kindness
for, sir, he was always kind to all. Should not
pity, if nothing else, have pleaded with him for
fo!bearance and charity? Yet, after he is gore
the Senstor rises up here, and not only speaks
disparagingly of him, but you all saw the bitter
ness--I will not say malignity-with which he
denounced his opinions. He has not only hur
ried him to his grave, but now digs at it. for tho
purpose of exhuming, if possible, portion o.
his remains, to be exposed to dishonor. Let hin
have all the glory of such glorious deeds
leave him to his own !houghts-his own con
sciaucp