The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-09

been dlsapproyed here as they have been. The
President of the United States had twice repeated
their substance, aud what was right for him to do
was equally so for Congress. But 1t was evident
that the number OF opponents 10 the compromise
was not so much diminished as some sanguine
men have heretofore thought. Ayowed opposl-
ton TO one OF these measures had been made IN
more than a single instance. Sectional jeaousles
have not been so far assuaged as all patriots must
desire Movements equally deplorable, too, have
been made in the South, the tendency Of which
was TO establish relations OF permanent hostility
between the North and South. lie (Mr. F.
trusted that these measures will receive a fair
consideration both from North and South; the
people of both sections, he reJoiced to believe,
were daily becoming more and more friendly, and
II was 10 be hoped that, by reciprocal explanation
and mutual action here, we can restore proper
feeling between them. He did not expect that
the resolution would be unanimously adopted, as
gentlemen in both branches were committed
against it, but he did expect that this, or
something like 1t, would be adopted IN both
branches with such unanimity as 10 give assur-
ance 10 the whole country. lie did not look alone
to party for such u RESULT was unsafe to rely
alone party votes, and he did not recognize
either of the two great parties as entirely
reliable 10 maintain the compromise. Free
sollism in the North and secuonallsm In the
South-he did not use the terms by way of re-
proach-were both injuring the old party organi-
cations, and arrayed against those measures. He
was Democrat, and trusted that every Democrat
now prepared to repudate all further con-
nection with faction, and unanimously resolve to
hold no alliance with men pledged TO keep alive
| the agitation of domestic slavery. For himself,
he would have no connection with any one whose
| opinions did not harmonic with that noble body
whom he represented. Mr. +. here read resolu-
tons passed by convention in Mlssiss ippi. He
| had come from home expecting to be sustained III
this matter. When the question came up at the
! last session, many members were absent, and did
not vote, although they had agreed to support the
| bill The fact that they were absent was urged
against the bill, and he wished that they might
now have an opportunity to record their votes
In regard to some of It's provisions, 1t had been
said that the Wmot Provlso would be applied
but he had no such apprehension.
| Mr.. BUTLER replied at some length. He said
that he had heard of this resolution with surprise
| To him it seemed a very unusual mode of pro-
cedure TO undertake thus to re-atfirm statute
which has already been passed II such course
is wise, is 1t not also at least superogatory and
unnecessary? Why introduce 1t herei He would
| not arraign the motives of the mover-but what il
the effect Of the resolution? The honorable senator
could not have taken course TO more elfectually
reopen the slavery question, and again let loose
the waters of agitation. Mr.. B. then alluded to
his own course In regard to tie Compromise at
| the last session. IL had then denounced these
measures, which would make the Union survive
the Constitution under the dictum of despotic
majority. Did the Senator expect him now to
put his Mr.. b. s. seal of appreciation on those
measures-kiss the rod raised to smite him He
could not worship with devotion at the foot of a
tree whose fruits were destructive to himself and
his posterity. Resort to compromise seemed to
be the only remedy for all new difficulties which
spring up, so long majority could patch up
and change the Constitution. He (Mr. b }
wished to go no further now than to protest
against this mode of procedure Is this resolution
a security, when, the senator himself admits,
Freesollsm and opposition to the laws still exist
at the North If this discussion had not been
thus brought up, he (Mr. B.. would not have
opened his mouth on this subject. If this course
is pursued, the South is doomed, and he could not
answer for the consequences if the people there
were not more united.
Some remarks, not distinctly heard here passed
between Messrs. BUTLER and FooTE, in relation
to the latter making laws like Lycurgus-not to
be changed-which created considerable laughter
Mr.. FooTE subsequently rejoined, when
Mr. RHET'T took the floor, and moved an adj
ijournment, which was carried, and, at Is minutes
past 3 clock,
The Senate adjourned.