The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-20
DEFERRED DEBATE.
IN SENATE.-MoyDAy, Dec. Is, 1851

DEFERRED DEBATE.
! IN SENATE-MoSDAy, Dec. Is, 1851.
| THE COMPROMISE MEASURES.
| The Senate proceeded to the tonsidera' ion Of
the following resolution
"a resolution declaring the measures Of ad ust
went to be definite settlement of the questions
growing out Of the system of domestic slavery
BE IL rcsoired, That the series Of measures EN-
braced in the acts entitled Gan act proposing to
the State OF Texas the establishment of her north
| ern and western boundaries the REIMBURSEMENT
| by the said State of all territory claimed by her
exterior to said boundaries, and of all her claims
upon the United States, and to establish a terrific
rial government for New Mexico" approved Sep
! TENDER ., 1870; IAN act for the admission of the
State OF California into the Union" approved
September 9, 1850; San act T. establish terri
torial government for Utah, aplfoved September
9, 1850 "An act to amend and supplementary to
the act entitled AN act respecting fugitives from
justice, and persons escaping from the service of
| their Masters" approved February ~, 1881
| approved September Isl 1850 "An act to sup
press the slave trade the District of Columbia,
approved September 20, lS50-commonly known
as the "Compromise Acts ARE, in the judgment
of this body, eptited to be recognised defn-
tive adjustment and settlement of the dstracting
questions growing out of the system Of domestic
| slavery, and such that such measures should
be acquesced IN and respected by all good cit-
! Zens."
Mr. BUTLER. Mr.. President, am very sor.
~ that this debate has been suspended, because
what | would have said last Week would have
been said in a very few words, aud distinc ty in
| reference to the topic before me. To resume
and continue the debate now will not obviate
the incidental injuStce to myself and others,
| occasioned by so long a suspension. | went
into the debate Last Mond y morning unexpect.
eddy; that is to say, spoke from information
acquired only the day before. had not seen
any of the notices in thu newspapers Of the
honorable Senator'S resolution. had not learned
that they hid been proposed in the Democratic
caucus. Although, ia some measure, ] might
have spoken from information thus acquired, nv
remarks were made rnainlv from views which
took of the subject whilst hearing the honorable
Senator from Mississippi. s.
While denounced his proposition as mode
| OF ratification Of the compromise TO which had
been opposed, said not one single word, made
not single alusion to his own State or to him
self, except, perhaps of political character, and
that rather by implication than by any distinct
expression. lie was pleased to say ! had come
into the debate inops cOncili. | came into il,
however, with nothing like militia prGcogitGtd
| soon learned that was contendng with one
| who was conducting his movements with the
concert and skill of political tactcians. But
even regarding hi n as an organ, combining him
self 10 the views ard purposes Of himself ana
others, ! might have felt little inclination or De
sire TO continue and widen the debate. When.
however, the gentleman enlarged the scope and
aim Of his remarks and gave them such direc.
ton that they could not escape me and others
and when he made illusions under a degree OF
excitement and passion for which ] was not pre-.
pared, had no alternative left but TO make a re.
joiDder. They are illusions and remarks which
cannot escape myself in connection with the
measures he has brought up for ratification, rs q
representative Of the State Of South Carolina
lie knows, as well as any man upon this floor,
how painful il is 10 me TO have anything like an
occasion TO participate in debite Of this kind
There are incidents in our lives which he knows
very well make this painful 10 me. | must
however, discharge my duty, and hope shall
DO 20 in snch a manner that, whilst ] may show
to the gentleman that he who lives in glass
house should not throw stones" | NAV also en-.
deavor 10 yindica'e myself from some Of III
illusions and remarks which were intended e
reach me. When saw the gentleman, with 80
much deiberation, draw from his culver arrows
that had been laid ASIDE for a contest for which
was not prepared, confess that then looked
with surprise ~ well rs concern upon the course
which the debate was likely To take.
" the gentleman had satisfied himself will
simply avowing that nc intended TO put the seal
Of appreciation upon the compromise measures
might not have had cause 10 complain so much
II he had coniented himself with being entirely
silent as regards the effect which his resolution
would have upon those who opRcsed il, nigh
not, perhaps, have been altogether satisfied, bu
|, would not haze taken material exceptions
But he went much further, and not only be-
slowed applause and commendation upon IN,
cherished compromise measures, but turned
round and fired on the camp Of his former
comrades. Ny duty to that camp, deserted a.
il has heen, requires me TO vindicate its history
: and the conduct of those who are connected
: with IT, Under The cover Of the proposition
now before the Senate, there seems to be 4
double aim--to make n new platform for the
security Of some, and TO expose others who are
not willing 10 be forced from their original DO
: siton and this, too, in manner unprecedented
in the legislative history of this country, or any
other. It is a mode Of ratification Of what is
regarded as popular measure by certain politi
cians--of course, not so much for their own
advantage, as for the good of the phole country
mot to give up to party what is meant for man.
kind. may take a different view of the matter
+ Instead Of quetih1 agitation, and restoring har,
mony, this proceeding will SOW the seeds OF
discord among those who have a common inter.
est TO defend the rights of the States, especially
the Southern States, which are alone in danger,
and which must be doomed If their true friends
suffer party organizations TO divide and destroy
them. This measure is TO be an ark for the elect
Of the land to be saved from the great deuge