The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-19

everybody else TO his propositions, upon the
ground that the Proerastean bed, whether
shorter or longer, is the only true measure
for the country shall put another proposition
10 the gentleman, and shall expect him TO an.
swer that too.
Mr.. FOOTE. | will answer as many as the
gentleman chooses 10 put 10 me, if he will only
allow me an opportunity of answering them
fully. Some gentlemen never answer any ques-
tons | put 10 them, but | challenge the pro-
pounding of questions from any adversary.
Mr. BUTLER. The honorable senator in
his speech referred TO the resolutions of the
Mississippi convention. ] wish to ask him a
question, and do not wish disquislion in
reply. | observe that the Mississippi conven-
ventiou have resolved that there is no other
remedy for the abuse of The Constitution. but
revolutionary resistance that there is no right
in any one of the members of the coniederaey
to resist the government and form new govern
ment, except they incur the penalties of treason
and rebellion against the federal Constitution.
The gentleman has chosen to denounce, in no
measured Language, the State of South Caro-
lima. Now, | think he will find himself in a
dilemma from which he cannot escape, if he
answer the question now PROFOUND. The
Mississ ppi convention has said that for an inter
ference with slavery in the Standardization
with the commerce in slaves between States
the abolition Of slavery within the District of
Coumbla--he repeal of the Might've slave
law---the abolition of slavery in the territories,
would constitute ground for the dissolution of
their connection with the federal government !;
and that for these causes which they have as
signed, they would dissolve by revolutionary re-
sistance their connection with this government.
Now the gentleman must be placed in this situa-
ton: Suppose Mississippi, for any of these
causes, or all of them, should determine upon
quitting this Union, or assume a position in
which her connection could no longer be con-
tinued, ard the gentleman was called upon TO
take sides with Mississippi or the federal gov
eminent, which would he refer!
Mr. FOOTE. | shall reply in due season if
the gentleman will give me an opportunity, but
in the first place, must tell him that consider
it insulting to the State which represent here,
which has always proved true to the Constitu-
ton, to put her in any slch predicament as that
described. Never will the State of Mississippi
in my opinion, be in such position as to call
on any Of her sons to make war upon the fed
eral government; and when she shall do so,
shall del berat, the question, ana decide accord
ing to my sense of propricty. | acknowledge
my respect, my profound resp ct, for what
deem the supreme law of the land, and those
who do not, in my opinion are traitors, wher.
ever found.
MIR. Blu TIER. Well, then, the gentleman, in
contest between Mississippi and the fedora
government, would consider himself traitor if
he were to fight against the federal banner
Mr.. FOOTE. The gentleman may make his
own commentary; shall state my views in full
hereafter.
Mr.. BUTLER. Mississippi here meant some
thing she meant nothing. If these causes
were app nded to the genteman's resolution,
presume he would 90 for them or against them
What is the supreme law of the land of which
he speaks ! say the settled doctrine of Virgi.
MIA, North Carolina, South Carolina, and be
lieve of Georgia and Alabama, would be, that
this is confederacy of sovereign States, and
not consolidated government, which has the
exclusive right to decide upon the duty Of its
members. know there are questions of perplex
iiy, and the gentleman might take time tn consd-
err; but know where my allegiance will be in
contest of that kind. ! would not stop to chop
logic on the construction OF papers when my
hearth and freside are invaded and am called
upon to defend them. fmy blood is TO be split
in contest between my State and the federal gov.
ernment, would not take time to deliberate,
as the gentleman says he would, where my
oboS" was Nut. no liupuiSc VI my Utift,
and the dictates of judgment long and delib-
erately formed, would mark out my path of
duty.
Another of the topics upon which the senator
from Mississippi dwelt. He said he would never
consent to have the Constitution Of the United
States amended he said he wanted no amend.
ment to the Constitution of Washington. Why,
sir, the Constitution itself, with the wisdom
that characterized its original organizations pro.
vides for amendments Ny deliberate opinion
is, that if amendments had been made TO answer
the exigenries ard progressive development of
this country, we would have been a happy con.
federation of republics, under union having sat
isfactory guarantees for the rights and interests
of all; but, instead Of amending il according TO
the origional provision of the Constitution we
have got to a time when il Is declared that it
shall never be amended. And ! would say to
the gentleman frankly, that can see no oc "a
sion why he should wish it amended He has
not said that he is in favor of a consolidated
government, but he has maintained that this
government and the Constitution, in all the diff
fculties which may be involved may be over
come by comprehensive compromises of the
majority; and if the gentleman chooses always
to act with the majority, he has no occasion for
amendments
Mr. fOOlE. Does the gentleman undertake
to charge me with having said, at any time, that
the Constitution of the United States could, ir
my opinion, be put down by compromises
Mr. BUTLER No, sir.
Mr.. FOOrE. That il the way the gentle
mans remarks will be understood. stated the
other day, that one or two reasons why | sup
ported the compromise was, that it was not only
constitutional in ITSELF but that none Of the con-
stitutional lawyers Of this body had attempted
to make an elaborate argument to this when
they were challenged to attempt it.
Mr. BUTLER. say that as long as the ma.
jority can make these compromises or give con.
sructions to the Constitution, il will be amended
and the gentleman IL emphaical!y majority
man. ! did not say that the gentleman would
agree TO what he regarded palpable violation
of the Constitution, but said the tendency of
this mode of treating the Constitution was to
have these excrescences in the form Of compro-
misses to give it validity which it would not
otherwise have. think we ought to meet the
crisis and provide a remedy.
The gentleman says that have proposed no
amendment True, have proposed none, but