The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-25

4
yielding my assent cannot perceive how can be re-
gadded as al all censurable on this ground.
Inc same honorable gentleman propounds 10 me what
he calls dilemma. lie says either voted for all ths
compromise or did not vote for all Of them
ana asks II did not vote for all of them why is il that
cannot pardon those who acted a similar part ? The
case Is well put, Mr. President, and answer il thus
dd pot vote for several OF the compromise measures,
ana more than forgive those that acted similar part
anu l mat ask OF them at present ls that they shall
sustain The scheme oi compromise, now that has been
adopted Tor the sake OF the public epoe and happiness
me senator says denounced General Taylor for in
terlerihg with California affairs He did not intend.
know to do me injustice; but he makes great mistake
about TINS matter. | drew up resolution OF inquiry on
hat subject in The early part OF the first session OF the
last congress. l found that my friend from Alabama
Az! eLEMENsl had drawn one for the same purpose,
whica he brought TO my attention. On comparing the
two iognd that his was the more comprehensive, and
accordingly deferred to him The resolution was pre-
ssnsd by him similar resolution had been adopted IN
f!he House OF Representatives; and how answered.
BY positive denial of the charge II the charge had
been subsian,iated should have stood up here and
denounced the administration, il would in that case
have deserved to be denounced not in the spirit OF party
but under the impulses OF genuine patriotism. But
when that charge negatived by the of the
President to the resolution OF the House. this body much
to It's honor agreed unanimously tolay own resolution
OF inquiry upon the table. Why Because believed
that the venerable gentleman who then President
OF the United States, whatever political faults he had
and however nleIio to certain other great personages
who have formerly filled that elevated place in regard to
civic qualifications he may have been, notwhsand
lng honest and truthtuhat he patriot, and that
chamber and undertaken TO question the veracy OF that
negative statement, my late colleague, Mr.. DAvIs,] il
nobody else had been willing TO perform the task, would
have inflicted such Castgation upon the 10
have rendered impossible that its reception would have
ever been forgotten. will say frankly and distinctly
now, that after saw that General Taylor had sent in his
answer never entertained the least particle OF doubt in
regard 10 his conduct in the affair. lie was whg, and
a thorough one was and am democrat inflexibc and
answering. But yet is due TO truth to say that al
ways recognised him 10 be gentleman, and knew him TO
be genuine patriot. felt the deepest gratitude 10 him
for his conduct the tented field and always found him
sociable and kind in private intercourse shall never
forget the last scene in which he participated as a
public man. The humble individual who is now
addressing the Senate CHANGED to be called upon
| to deliver the Fourth OF July Grafton in Monumental
Square, in this city. in tho year 1850. | deliver
ed it in my own poor way. II time of great per-
plexily and danger, and threw the best Union doctrine
into which could produce, heping that il might, per-
chance, have more or less influence in alayng existing
irritation. At the close of the address that noble.
hearted old man, with tears running down his furrowed
cheeks-such tears patriots alone shed-request-
ed me- through member of his cabinet to approach
him-grasped afectionately by the hand, and filled
my heart with gratitude BY thanking for that
pretending harangue. | never saw him afterwards.
That day he taken sick, and in few days
bered with the dead never hear his pronounced
without this picture Of the pas, being vvidy
presented to my memory and my sensibIliues.
But the two honorable senators from South Carolina have
united in declaration, which, IN order TO vindcae
the truth of history, must correct They both mingled
Their asserting that, IN the progress OF the pas
sage Of these OF adjustment, general deca
ration made by the northern members OF this body
that no slave State should ever again be admitted into
this Unon and they urge that California admitted
upon this express understanding With great Difference
to the recollection of the gentlemen, must say that
consider them entirely mistaken ! did not hear any
accordance with the solemn assurances oi numerous
northern senators. Actions speak louder than words
and soemnly provided, by territorial bills, for the
admission OF future slave States into this confederacy
Then must appeal 10 my friend fIom South Carolina
(Mr. BUTLERl Tor justice to those who are likely TO be
hp
,ion, and ask him 10 withdraw the accusation.
| Mr. BUTLER | cannot withdraw il MI Webster
certainly this floor, and since he has been oil the sor
responsible station, has made that declaration
| Mr. FOOlE. | think that even the fact thus men
toned does not justify the honorable senator IN the COM
prehensve charge which he has preferred Sir, beg II
TO be recoected that majority OF the northern senators
actually voted for the territorial bulls containing the pro-
vision to which have alluded.
Mr. BUTLER cannot be mistaken ~ the reference
to Mr. Webster The senator cannot but Iecolect the
fact that MIR CLAY himself said that power on earth
would induce him, by any act OF Legislation, to carry
slavery beyond its pre- sent limits did not say the whole
body OF northern said but that IN the curen, de-
bate such was the ntmailon.
Mr. FOOTE. II has been said that the fugitive slave
law is no part of the Compromise. have heard that
stated often know that the resolution introduced BY
me for the appointment OF the Committee OF Thirteen
embraced that subject well as ohers-that the reso.
luton provided for the appointment OF committee to
take into the resolutions OF the from
Kentucky MIR Clay, and The resolutions OF the sena
tor from Tennessee, tMr BrLl,l in all their amplitude
OF slavery The report OF the cOmnHee conprebended The
whole subject also and the fugitive. alave bill, IN its
present iofm is essentially the same as hat which wa'
recommended by the committee II rs perfectly idle "a
talk about the fugitive slave law not being part oil the
measures of adjustment IL is not only part OF the plan
OF settlement but II o The most vital features oil
i the whole scheme. ,
| The gentleman from South Carolina Mr. RHrTTl said
that in adopting the Compromise the democracy followed
the lead OF the wings. am not very sensitive on THIS
subject myself.
Mir BADGER. 1t was good lead, wherever it came
from.
1 Mr. FOOTE showed yesterday that was not sen
s,ye on this subject; for when my inend from North
Carolina supRested that the resolution introduced by me
should be so modified incorporate the very words OF
the Presidents message-which in truth did not at all
alter IT IN substance-wh a view TO increasing the num-
Der OF its supporters and thus enhancing s effect upon
the public sentiment OF the county, at once assened 10
the proposition But in point OF historical very the gen
teman ia entirely in error II is true that very dlstn
pushed whiy, (f he be called wing, VINO Is, ~
fact no pasty man ALL but simply Union man, the
venerable senator from Kentucky Mr. CLAY, not now
aud thus far he may be said to have had the lead is
high character hi. noble qualities OF mind and heart bls
long experience hs extended influence especially over
the feelings and action OF his particular party, (who
are indebted 10 bin for such brilliant and valuable ser
vices as no man performed for The benefit OF any party
in this country before except Jackson for the democra
cy-these circumstances did point him out as he mos
proper person TO take the lead this great movement
IL ia known SIR that the honorable senator from Mlch
gan [Mr CAssl was urged by bis democratic trends ~
this body to allow his name To be sustained or ihe cha
manshp OF the Committee OF Thirteen; but be, win
that mag nmy and dsinterestedness which belong
his character declined the prohered honor, and urgec
upon US that MIR CLAY the most suitable man "
every respect who could be selected iof he hgn pace
question. -, a.