The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-10-18
.f.., .s EXTRACTS FROM
Gen. D0Wns's Compromise Speech,
DELIVERED NEAR TRINITY,
On the 7th Of june, 1851.

speeches OF MSSSES. DOWHS anu SOuIt
in full, that our readers might judge
for themselves, but we find that the
speech of the latter gentleman is 81
widely circulated throughout our parish
as to render its publication entirely
useless. Mr.. Downs's speech, too, is st
lengthy as to preclude the idea of pub
aishing it in one paper, except to the
exclusion of all other matter, and to
divide it into two or three weekly parts,
as we would have to do, would take
from it that interest which it deserves
we have therefore concluded to make
such extracts as we deem most import
ant, endeavoring at the same time to
preserve the connection as closely as
possible.
After making few preliminary re-
marks, Gen, Downs proceeded to the
consideration of the Compromise, in
which he remarked:
promise approved by two Governors
and the Legislature of my own State,
and by others who have since made
objection to it. and was in accordance
with the expressed opinions of all the
southern States which had adopted re-
solutions on the subject for it contained
nothing which they seriously objected
to: but it was approved and coucurred
in by majority of the southern men,
bers in both Houses of Congress, and
resisted by a majority of the northern
members and all the free -soilers. The
same may be said of the Texas Adjust
ment or Pierce's bill. taken as separ-
ate measure, and against which such
serious objections have been made in
certain quarters. Maryland, Kentucky,
Tennessee aud Texas were unanimous
for it in the House, and also in the
Senate, except one member from Ten
nessee. A majority from Virginia,
North Carolina, Georgia and Missouri,
in the House, were for the bill-South |
Carolina and Mississippi were alone, of
ali the southern States, unanimous
against it in the House.
We are not, however, left to infer |
ences alone, from their previous actions,
aud from The actions of their respective |
delegations, 10 ascertain the approval
or aequiescence in the Compromise of
all the southern States. except South
Carolina. We have it from themselves,
in most cases. expr 'ssly since its adop-
ton. Mr.. Rhett admitted, in his late
Charleston speech, that every southern
State which had expressed any opinion
ca the subject, had decided in favor of
acquiescence, and against the secession
In South Carolina, and that
the same decision of the other States
was to be inferred from their not an
swering the call made on them by their
Legislature last winter. If any opinion,
then, can be settled by actions and by
declarations, il has been definitely de-
cided by an overwhelming majority of
the people, the delegations in Congress
and the Legislatures of the southern
States, that the series of Compromise
measures adopted by Congress in 1850,
ought to be accepted and acquiesced
in; and if carried out in good faith on
the part of the North, we will not COM
plain, but that we shall strictly insist
upon this.
S We have every reason to believe,
oo, that the great masses at the North, ;
Is at the South, are satisfied with the
and will faithfully exe-
,ute it; but, unfortunately, there, as
here, as set of men dissatisfied and
attempting 70 keep up agitation and
sxciteEneaf. We must leave the agita-
oFs Mt Ghe North to be dealt with and T.
'ontrslled by the masses and authorities |
here, IS | told them last fall in New 9
Iofk. This think they are doing, and !
VIII eonsinae to do effectually, if we in 9
be Soath eammit no act to disturb the /
'nesaaE state of things, and thereby
rive encouragement to their opponents :
here. i
Agitation i'm the South is now con- G
Ihsd, it may with propriety be said, to s
'eaEh Carolina, for what we hear Of it Q
U sease ether soathern States is only t
he swelling waves from the distant
teEm raging in her borders. 7
THIS is a strange and dangerous t
soSONA1Ae ~ aO4uiOS lt0 utuuUSt at.
sntiou 6f every patriot and friend of L
ae Union. Il is new phase in our 4
isteEys Il is the approach of one of c
hose crises or trials of the strength \
nd durability of our institutions, of d
Ihicb we have had many; through all u
which, by the guidance and benef- e
snoe of that kind Providence which
lied ever Us and gave us success in 81
ar Grst greatlsfrnggle, we have, FORTH "
atelE, shas far, during most event y
j period of the worlds history, of more Il
an sixty yeats, passed in safety
Many Of the trussf, the purest and Ep
ost experienced members of Congress E.al
em the South, of. both Political parties, OF
q in eoRsultation on this subject in a
Tgshington, during the winter of ls4S Iit
149. Butithe ties of party were then Eci
o strong and the pressure Of encroach- X
snts not hard snongh to permit the "
liits 10 be gathered from it that were "a
atioipatsd ID resulted in an address th
2 u part ef the meeting setting forth 81
9 complaints of the South, and advi- th