The southern press., 1851-12-09

eSY- We call public attention to the follow
ing exposition of Mr.. FooTE's position, as made
by himself some few weeks since, before coming
North. We take il from the Montgomery CAL
abama) Journal, print friendly to him and the
Constitutional Union" platform.
SENATOR FooTE.-At the request of many
Union men of both parties, Senator Foote, the
gallant champion of the compromise in Missis-
sippi, who arrived in town on Thursday, on his
way TO Washington, consented to address the
Union men OF this State at the Representatives
Hall, which was rendered for the purpose. The
large assemblage was organized by calling the
old veteran Union Democrat, Col. Rose, of
Coosa, to the Chair.
Gov. Foo:e spoke at some length, and made
full review and expose Of the causes and reasons
which induced the issues of the late canvass
He showed that the spirit of the convention
which issued the Southern address was for the
preservation of the Union, and further, that the
Nashville convention was called for no disunion
purposes, but to unite the Sonth on a platform
that womld resist the congressional usurpation
OF interference in the institutions of territories
or, in other words, the Wilmo Proviso-but
that, unfortunately, it was prevented from its
original design, and fell into the hands of tai.
to use it for revolutionary purposes Ito dissolve
the republic, and establish other forms for the
qualification Of personal ambition.
He also showed that the object Of Mr.. Rhett
and oth,rs, as. avowed by them, was disunion
per Sc. For this purpose they opposed the pas
sage of the compromise, and desired the non
execution of the Fugitive, slave BILL In this con-
nection, he showed that the Fugitive-save bill
was carried out in, good faith as far as any
statute law in the land and that the secessionists
lamented its execution by the Executive, and
denounced his call on Congress for military aid
an Infringement of State rights. Mr.. Foote,
in this connection, gave The Executive full credit
for its patriotic desire to execute the laws, and
declared that no administration, since the founda-
ton Of the government, had exhibited such fl
deity in the discharge of its constitutional du-
ties with patriotic eye TO the well being of the
whole country. The compromise was repu-
diation of the Wilmot Proviso, and defest of
the Buffalo platform, and gain for the South.
Slavery exists and is acknowledged in Utah and
New Mexico, and the lii!e of $3.50 would have
put the proviso on all that territory. The Texas
100000 boundary bill was also gain to the
South, by enabling Texas 10 pay her debts
which obstruct emigration, and forwarded the
progress of several slave States for admission
in the Union. 1t was the desire of the people
of Texas, and their right and wish was final in
the matter.
The law in respect to the slave trade in the
District Of Columbia was but reaffirmation Of
the old law of Maryland, which has always been
N existence in tie District. The compromise,
as whole, was gain and advantage to the |
Soutf ard the object of the leaders of those
who opposed it, was deliberate treason. They
were hostile to repubicanism, and desired revo-
luton, which would bring about new forms, and
place themselves in power at the sacrifice of the
dearest interests of the people In this connec-
ton, his invectiye was terrible. He warned the |
Union men not to have any connection or po. |
lltical association with these men that they had
as many forms as Proteus-that their object
was revolution, and for it they would now be
good prolessed Democrats, and would acquiesce
in the compromise to gain strength and power to |
accomplish their object He further stated that
the Union men of all parties in Mississippi and
Georgia, had abandoned old party affinities and
had united in the patriotic object Of common de-
fence aga INST the common enemy. These had
not abandoned their designs, but were seeking
TO make the Democratic party their cats paw in
schemes OF dsunion and treason. He specially, |
and with MUCH force and eloquence, warled the |
Democratic Union men against their wiles, and
their attempt TO gain influence under the name
OF Democracy.
The speech was powerful as a review Of the
issues, and at times intensely forcible and elo-
quent in defence of our beloved Union.