The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-28

bidding senator to do anything which may tend 10 over
throw The government the Union. Sir, do not blame
the senator from Mississippi for the part he play ed any
OF these movements In my opinion he acted well--he
did what was right There was nothing that he
SAID or did which IN the least degree initiated
against his duty senator. The duties OF a SEN
atoT not confined 10 the business or interests
OF this government He is sent here merely carry
ON and support this government Here the States rep
resented IN their sovereign capacity senator stands
here sort of ambassador supcrintend and carry out
an agency, Qhe general govefnment) which his State
has IN common with other States established by
pact (tbe consluton) for very limited purposes Under
these circumstances, my view OF his duty is, that no,
but, should II be perverted violated by Others he
bound 10 inform his prlncpaihe State he represents
OF the wrong done to her. He bound TO do he
should make il his duty TO inquire and inform his prnc
pal whether the integrity OF the violated constitution
be restored. he bound TO do if, in his opinion,
the other parties this conslonal compact will not OBJ
serve it. and is better that his principal should renounce
it, and separate from the other parties, he would be
rean to his duty II he did not counsel separation.
That Is my view OF the matter consoidatlonst like
the senator from Mississippi may, admit, take very
different view OF his duty He may suppose the States
mol to be sovereign but sort OF inferior corporations,
and Their senators TO be mere agents OF the federal gov
ernmenIesponsble morally and legally, only to its
honty In this view II might be morally and legally
wfong after being sworn TO support the constitution
act for the overthrow of the government it establishes
But ! am no consoidaonist. My State is sovereign,
TO whom alone owe allegiance. ! am her agent, and
responsible 10 her, and bound to inform her and 10
sci her in all matters affecting her interests or honor rel
alive to this grand agency of hers which belongs 10 her
"v w tine ohe5 Sae e Sufh s my
My bosom is unwTung-my tongue is unparalyzed.
Others may do as they please but. for me, will defend
the interest and honor of the State represent and
sci her 10 defend them in any way that deem best cal
calaled TO project them
Mr.. President, will say more. The senator from
prove But the Senate, fear, is tired OF it must
be of him THANKFUL TO the Senate for the indulgence il
has afforded me, yield the floor to the senator from
Mr.. FOOTE. The senator from Texas is kind enough
TO allow TO make few remarks by way OF personal
explanation, and will take advantage OF his courtesy,
promising that shall detan the Senate but few minutes
must say that the honorable senator from South Caro-
lima dies quite hard, but die he must in this controversy
sona controversies here and about to remark upon
them at length, but for the inerposon of the
Chair ! shall not refer 10 his conduct touching this
rather delicate point further than to say that have had
controversies here which should have been glad
TO have avoided. | may percbance have a lew others,
here and elsewhere Lille has been with marked with
obstacles and Indictment 10 energetic action and have
delighted i'll struggling TO overcome the and in yield
ing far 10 the other to be ready 10 do any duty that
time and circumstances might devolve upon me. am
not think, particularly in the habit OF assaulting any
mans feelings unnecessarily and without provocaton
Those who assault mine will always meet such Iequal
as may consider appropriate, with this special under,
standing, always, that he who takes offence at what
may deem my duty to say will always, demanding
it, receive such satisfaction as il may be IN my power 10
afford.
The gentleman says that there several respectable
members of the other House who with him in The
opinion that my attack on Mr.. Calhoun on this floor had
the effect of hurtying him out OF existence commend
to the gentleman The legal maxim, Cat Tibet d,te
credendum est Ii these gentlemen are doctors or men
OF experience IN such matters, II they capable OF de-.
Gliding such question as the one propounded, which
must say involves variety of delicate and difficult
considerations connected with the animal rame-he be-
ing called man-lhey fairly entitled to settle The ques-
lion, and shall not complain OF their decision but be-
lieve that Mr.. Cahoun's regular physician here, DR..
Hall, Ia very eminent man, would decide the question
exactly otherwse-for he told me time before the
lamenled decease Of this ustrous parsonage that the
disease under which Mr. Calhoun was laboring must in
evaby consgn him 10 the tomb IN a short period OF
time 1 have no painful or unpleasant feeling OF any
kind in reference TO this matter My conscience is abso
lu,ey clear in regard to it, Whatever opinion other gen.
temen may entertain, their opinion Will not prove IN the
least degree offensive TO me. unless my intention or
tives should be assaed and the honorable to
whom am responding has admitted that no design
is entertained of assailing my motives. performed at
that time plain but highly important public duty, under
sage and patriotic counsels. have regretted the
performance of that duty, but every day has gwen me
fresh evidence OF a nature satisfy thoroughly that
my both jud,cous and necessary. The only
unfortunate circumstance connected with was, that ii
had TO be performed by one OF less weight oil character
perhaps than so grave an occasoRtequired.
The gentleman from South Carolina says that the late
senator IRON Missouri Mr.. Bentonl expressed the opn
ION to him that my conduct towards Mr.. Calhoun was
unkihd and liberal Well, sir, the relations between
myself and that gentleman such as to compelme
man setting up the least claim TO magnanmi,y to decline
saving one word of unkndness dIsrespect IN relation
to him. He shall have the full beneht OF an entlre ek-
emplion this occasion from all cayll and criticism. II
MI Benton expressed Inc opinion 10 lne gen
teman at a private interview when was not present,
that my conduct in his opinion had been extremely uD.
kind and that he Mr. Benton would not have practised
any such conduct under any circumstances Wen, SIR
am quite willing to leave 1t to the American public and
to the friends and fellow citizens OF the illuslrous Caro-
nian, decide whether the Individual who enlisted IN
the defence of MIR Cahoun's character after his death
when all the Senate understood him TO be most unkindy
assaed 10 be presumed to have entertained sentiments
OF greater unkndness TO him whilst living than dd thai
assaant himself have not word more 10 say on lhls
point Let il go for what It is worth ,
The gentleman says that ought TO be the last man 10
call into question his friendship for Mr. Calhoun, since
he and concured in supporting the distinguish bed SEN
from Michigan Tor the presidency IN ls4s, aud concur
red likewise certain other measures mentioned by nm
did say that account OF the gentemans support o
the senator from Michigan for the presidency and on ac
count of his support OF Mr. Folks administration, bad
taken for granted he desired TO obtain the seat then
occupied in this body by Mr.. Calhoun. The grave sug
gestlon which | made yet remains unanswered. ihe
Tumor which suggested as being OF general prevalence
remains vet undeDied. | would ask the gentleman
whether he did mol express TO several persons mere nus
desire tha, Mr. Calhoun should resign and run tor the
presidency, inmatng that he was entitled TO succeed
Mr Calhoun in this body ask him further, if be did
not from time time repeatedly express his strong anx
iety TO take the place OF MIR Calhoun in this body II
he can declare with his hand upon his heart mat tbese
things are untrue, shall not another word upon the
subject and shall presume that the gentleman has sui
fered injustice from the tongue OF rumor:
Mr.. RHETT. Does the senator from Mississippi
refer TO the resignation of Mr.. Calhoun, and does he
say that | counselled Mr. Calhoun TO resign at tha
time
Mr. FOOTE. | ask the gentleman whether he did
moi express desire that Mr. Calhoun should resign, a
first, and partly eas, with view of committing the
rDment send who supposed to concur ~
the sentmehts expressed by the senator this occasion
II IA aIn