The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-11-22
From the oaachisa (La.) Register, Oct. 81,
Speech OF Gen. b, w Downs

FELLOW. CITIZENS Before enter upon the considefa-
ton OF the uestons which ii understood TO be here
discussed to-day, wish call your recollection Ger
tain historical iaes connected with the all absorbing SUP
jecs OF slavery and the rights OF the South wen eacu
lated think, 10 impress all our minds me importance
the absolute necessity, of union OF all parties IN our sec
on them. Perfectly united among ourselves. we
could ss any time have obtained aa ap ho hs;"s W
yided we have in degree failed: We have been
too much divided and our strength diminished by party
am NOT here TO denounce party, or to eliminate any
party only wish show you how we have been in. |
iured by il in this question And BY party you will find
from my remarks that 40 not use the word always IN
one subject Four times by Congress- and by the
people within the two years preceding the adoption in
1850 of the compromise measures these questions could
have been settled more favorably to the South than they
were, if we had been united The subject had 10 be met
at some time and IN some way L grew necessarily out
of the Mexican and the acquisition of territory
II first seriously taken up in the Senate in 1913
and resulted in what was called the Clayton Compromise
from the OF the chairman OF the committee which
reported II, constituted very much in the The
Committee OF Thirteen of the subsequent Congress II
extended the principle OF intervention 10 the whole OF
oo5 ne Oregon nn sna a
have since been able TO obtain. Ii not party meas
ure for was supported by both parties IN both houses
and yet defeated the House OF Representatives
by the OF eight southern wings against it. and fear
twas from party motive; but certainly the measure
was lost BY their separation from their brethren OF the
South, of both parties. regret 10 say however, that
during the same session another compromse-not so
good, true. but better than have ever since been
compromise lne-was rejected, at least considered
by two southern democratic votes in the Senate The
question might have been again settled in November OF
the year (S4S advanageousy to the South at the
presidential election, if had been united Gen Cass
the democratic candidate, supporter OF the Clayton
Compromise and he and his party made the principle OF
intervention part Of their PLATFORM and on that as
the principal issue. went before the people II Gen.
eral Cass had been sustained by The united vote
of the South, he would have been elected and his
election would have been considered an approba-
ton by the people of the United States of his Prn
sp 81 and the sesson Wo%a al
with little delay as the Texas annexation was car
red into effect Mr.. Polk elected, whose
election that issue made up and decided The Peo-
pie Of the United States appeal from such decs
ion They did not in 1900, 1892 in 1884, and
they would not have done SO in lS4S Thus third time
been peaceably and satisfactorily settled and have left
nothing to disturb the epose OF the two succeeding years
and the succeeding administrations no. not even the an
cry and dangerous OF the subsdng Storm raging
on the great ocean OF public affairs for indefinite pc
ROD disturbing the peace happiness and prosperity OF the
whole country know thai the wings of the South may
plead in extenuaon of their course tina, they voted for
southern planter and could not be supposed he would
not promote the best interest of his section But they
warned OF the danger al the time-l warned them
did many others ADLER and influential am not
sure President is always most faithful 10 his
ton; think rather the contrary is the case generally
But however that may be, and allowing that this plea
may be received in mitigation OF their FAULT IT does not
lessen the injury to change the acthe undsputed
fasInwhleh wish to recall to your consideration
the session OF ls4e after the presidential election but
before the Inauguration OF the new President. by what
called alkers amendment to the appropriation bill
II section added to the bill authorizing tby Con-
gress) the President to organize territorial govern
ments In the new territories, without going into details,
and OF course without the Wilmot proviso. II passed
the Senate easily and every body thought would pass
the House without any difficulty; and so it would have
done if the evil genius of the unfortunate administration
that then into power had then, unfortunately,
for the first time, made his appearance in the Capitol He
was not yet authorized go there officially, for his
March. We knew Mr.. Seward the abolitionis of New
York II he had come alone, should not have minded
it, We expected nothing but mischief from him. and he
would have been impotent without the aid OF the
administration but when saw Mr.. Ewing-then
known az one OF the Secretaries of the new President
enter with him on his arm the House of Represent
atves, we felt that the good old President, had been
deceived and that the South had been betrayed and
90 it turned out; for the Walker amendment, by the
the President was defeated, another compromise lost
and the first indication given that the admin.
istraiion, under the promptings oil MessIs Seward
and Ewing opposed 10 the settlement OF the question
to the satisfaction OF The South Here again compro-
mise was Lost for want OF union in the South for # we
had been united political considerations would not have
enabled Seward 10 succeed with his schemes in the
House. This was another whg fault
In December, ls49, when the first session OF the 3lst
Congress- and the first OF the President commenced
the whole country North and South, was excited
and in more dangerous situation than 1t had been pre-
viou:y 1t was necessary 10 do something, and tina,
speedily or the most serious consequences must follow
Men OF all parties united TO endeavor 10 settle the diff
Guilty, and the result in The Senate was The Committee OF
Thirteen, and the compromise bill and report that
mated from II. was you all know, on tina, committee
and concurred in the report though there several
provisions which did not meet my appreciation; but
hoped 10 have them amended and even il this no,
DONE thought best that the bill should pass and thus
stop the excitement and save The Unon-being that
Il il saved the honor and most substantial inter-
ests OF the South and saved from the Wilmot poviso
and other entertainments which had been so long
threatened with
One OF the amendments which we all from the South
were most anxious 10 secure the reduction OF the
boundaries OF California TO IS deg. 30 min, considered
good a. 80 deg 80 min from geoe raphca considerations
This amendment proposed, and at first rejected but
1850, OF the friends of the bill who had al first OPP
posed this amendment agreed 10 vote for IL If certain
southern senators, who had declared their intention OF
voting against IT, would for ii this amendment was
made. My honorable colleague MIR. Soule, Col Davis,
and Messrs. Mason Butler, and Clemens, were the
leading senators OF this Glass; and their influence would
carry II IL they would agree 10 it, The proposition was
made TO them, and they ALL except MIR Clemens, refused
10 agree 10 it, and thus the lost and the bill
admitting California ultimately passed separate
nIe without IL, alter the Compromise bill defeated
Thus, again. and for The fourth time in Congress- and the
MIN Tune IN ALL was good Compromise lost by division
among us at the South
In epery instance when this measure has been pre-
sented IN congress, voted with the majority of south
ern members and according 10 my own convictions but
no much importance have always attached 10 union
among southern members, aRd conscious was that
was n likely as other members 10 be mistaken in INV
views. that, If at any time bad found myself in mi
nory, would have cheerully yielded nv opnions 10
the majority when so much depended on IT, This j.
what do every day in all legislation, and in ali parv
considerations and why should do il in matter