The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-20

airy ANCESTOR up, and with imposing solemDiiy OF
mauner-ake suited 10 his own high character 70 the
dignity OF the station which be holds and 10 the Intrinsic
magnitude OF the soemnly declared lhai ihe
reasonable doctrine OF secession, as The same had been
SO pompousy expounded in our hearing during The last
day or two, did not receive his SANCTION.
Mr.. MASON. Does the senator allude 10 me
Mr.; FOOrE. | did not put the word reasonable"
INTO the senator's mouth that an adjective ior The use
OF which am alone responsible. tHt 10 !.
Mr. MASON. If the senator from Mississippi under
stood me TO deny the right OF State to secede from the
Union, he misunderstood me. have ever held, and shall
ever maintain, The right OF State TO separate herself
from the Union whenever in the deliberate judgment OF
such State becomes necessary 10 do to preserve the
safety and Liberties OF her people II is right inherent
in the State, of which she cannot be deprived What
did say was, that had no sympathy, and believed the
people OF Virginia had no sympathy with those who pre-
feTred disunon.
Mr. FOOrE, did not misunderstood the senator II he
had waited Tor moment, he would have found that IN
tended TO DO him full justice. | understood hin as as
sorting the abstract right OF secession But also
derslood him protesting in the most solemn manner
against the proposition 10 secede at The present time
der existing circumstances. warmly urged in hear
ing by the senator from South Carolina, Mr.. RHETT ]
right OF Than most do. DO not think that
there Is any great practical difference between the honor
able senator from Virginia and myself upon that point
for whether the right claimed be revolutionary or cons
tutional 1t is not matter perhaps OF any very great im
poance 10 decide II both oil agree that il is not 10 be
exercised except IN case OF inolerable oppression |
snail nave occasion 10 something point
hereafter, al present il is sufficient Tor 10 knowand
rejoice ~ knowing-hai the senator from Virginia and
myself equally opposed TO any scheme Of secession
which may be at this time in progress and must equally
censure any reasonable Efforts with whomever origi-
mating and by whomever carried on, which look TO the
destruction by warke means oil that noble fabric of
stuonal freedom which has been reared in this happy
land by our veneaed ancestors and upon the permanent
maintenance Of which the hopes of the civilized world
depend. However may diher from the honorable gen.
,enan. and perchance from others, upon the mere abb
str Tip nj lp gha
clae his ana their valuable exeons in cooperating with
the friends OF the Union at this resisting the
particular scheme OF secession which has been graph
cay portrayed IN our hearing, and warmly pressed
upon consideration.
knew before that this fell spirit OF disunon bad moi
become thoroughly domes'icated in Virginia. though
especial pains have been taken OF late dtuse il in that
region and believe 1t may be said, with strict regard TO
truth that public there, OF any decided standing
has YET openly united with that school OF extremists oca
ted further SOUTH who rejoice the august teachings oil
the honorable senator from South Carolina. Sr, make
bold to assert that there has been assembled
within The territorial confines OF that noble Common
wealth which gave birth 10 Washington, Jefferson,
Madison and Marshall, public meeting that conld
listen with patience, Tor single instant OF time, 10 such
Hoisome TRADE OF iactlous defamation that 10 which
the members OF this usous body ha I've been compelled
10 accord quiet hearing during the last Two or three
days
Il seems, sir that in order TO obtain ANYTHING like
fair appreciation for what have 10 this OCCASION
will be necessary that should, The first place, obvi-
ale two personal suggestions which have been
made oil nature calculated TO prejudice the minds OF
honorable senators against IL has been asserted here
strand spirit perfectly in with that which
strikingly characterized almost the whole OF that har-
angue oil which it formed par--hat have been guilty
OF disturbing The ashes OF the usrous dead in the al
fusion which venturea 10 make few days since TO one
oil The most renowned statesmen that South Carolina has
produced, and whose recent decease depofe deeply
any OF those who make such ostentatous parade
OF their sympathy and admiration for hun. have been
gavely accused by The senator from South Carolina MIR.
KHETTl Of having assaed the sensbites OF Mr. Cal
ham his hons lyf In laVp
ated his death Yes, SIR, he charges me with having
hurried him To his grave. Well, this is quite seIi-
Gus charge. The senator should have med'taed upon
its grave import long, before he ventured TO give enunca
ton 10 IT lie has virtually charged me, before the
try with being he hearess murderer OF this lamented
parsonage ! cerHnly acted with deliberate intent upon
the occasion referred to- II guilty in aud form
stated by my (who has attempted 10 play pros
ecuor on this OCCASION with what effect leave Others
10 decide) then am wholly unworthy Of socia! respect
political sympathy, the passing notice Of hon.
orabe and generous. minded men. Sir what are the &C
tual facts OF The case!
short PLANTATION will pu, this maevole accusation
forever at rest, and transfer the contempt intended or
me 10 one who more truly deserves it. Mr.. Calhoun and
myself remained upon terms OF cordial friendship and mu
tual respect up TO the last moment OF his life My friend
from Alabama, Mr CLEMESs,l fellow. boarder and
constant associate Of Mr. Calhoun for months pre-
ceding bis decease made his business, nearly two year
since when this vile and caumnous charge first the
light, to article TO be published in the columns
OF the New York Herald in which statements were con.
tanned and evidence exhibited that left doubt
houn and myself up TO the last moment of his life. II
he died my enemy SIR have yet receive testimony in
proof OF the ac and certainly cherished for him
any feelings but those OF genuine kindness and esteem
IN my life.
Sir the scene to which the senator has alluded was
not the last one IN which Mr. Cal houn participated here
He this chamber three four days after and had
quite spirited encounter with Mr. Webster of which
account duly IN volumes OF published de-
bates Perhaps II is proper that should even 70 further
into particulars touching this delicate and painful affair
Four days after the dialogue between Mr.. Calhoun and
myself which his has thought proper so un.
graciousy 10 aude ot what purposes leave others 10
declde) that gentleman into this chamber, and so.
llced conversation with upon the very subject Of
our previous collision. His manner kind as usual
plant than that be should greatly have preferred my
itng hun at his lodgings and holding private confer.
ence with him IN relation TO the portion OF his speech
which had objected, TO my bringing up the subject with
out special notice TO him OF my intention 10 do open
Senate. My response 10 bin was, that knew him TO be
quite ndsposed that it bad visited him for the purpose
OF holding cooluy with him 10 regard the great prop
osiuon OF constitutional amendment contained in his
speech, u was more Than probable confidently be-
eyed, that we should have been involved in conrove.
sal dialogue OF somewhat excited character the effect
OF which upon bis physical health might have been quite
serious II had seemed to that 1t would be most pru-
dent considering all the circumstances TO call his aen
lion 10 the subject IN The mode adoptedtbus afordng
him lull opportunity calm and considerable
supply such explanation OF his speech he might fad
convenient 10 give conversation OF considerable
length ensued in which the honorable senator from
Michigan [Mr. CAss] will remember participating; and
he would be able 10 bear ample testimony that there was
nothing which occurred IN his hearing of nature to JUS
thy supposItion that the friendly relations which had
subssled unbrokeny Tor several years between Mr. Cal
houn and myself were in The least degree disturbed.
/ that the honorable senator w no has thought
% All cn M he