The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-13

ance to the whole country that no opposition
can ever be successfully presented to any part
Of the plan of adjustment, either now or here
E after, and in any quarter OF the Union
D Mr. President | have not brought forward
this resolution as a mere party man, or for the
furtherance of mere party ends. Firmly and in
hexbly devoted as have been since the open.
ing days OF manhood to the great principles OF
what is known the democratic creed Of the
country, aud DESTROYS on all fitting occasions to
give hearty and unequiyocal support to the
same, should scorn myself could consent to
blend the interest OF any party with the move
ment which have thought proper to originate
for the attainment of different and far higher
purposes. Nor do !, sir, look to party alone for
the support of this resolution. Indeed, in the
spirit of sincerity becoming grave an occasion,
must acknowledge that should hold il to be
quite unsafe to rely alone upon party votes for
the adoption Of such measure rs is necessary
to restore complete quiet to the public mind |
will 90 further, Mr.. President, and acknowledge
that do not recognise either Of the great ma
tional parties Of the country in their present
state and condition, as entirely reliable for the
faithful maintenance Of the compromise in all its
parts. Free-soilism in the North and secession
in the South yet undeniably exertng an in
ilnence more or less mischievous in both the old
party org mutations; and events have occurred
reaently, calculated to excite great alarm in the
public mind in regar to the future action of
both the parties referred to- touching the faithful
execution of the scheme of compromise | had
hoped, before ! reached thi. city, to find both
the Wing and the Democratic party prepared to
repudiate all further connexion with faction and
with wretched devices.
My mind had chershd the confident hope that
at least the members of the Democratic party in
10
termination TO hold no alliance with any body of
men pledged to resist the laws or to keep alive
agitation upon the subject of domestic slavery !:
and yet trust that course may be adopted
by those gentlemen in Congress in whom
have heretofore coniided, and with whom have
! delighted to cooperate on great national occa-
sions, more in unison with the ancient dignity of
the Democratic faith, and less offensive to my
own sen'e of propriety than certain proceedings
| which have of late gained somewhat distress
| ing Dotorey. For my own part Mr. President
| am resolved to hold no political fellowship
with any association of men, by whatever name
designated, whose opinions do not harmonic
perfectly with the opinions of that noble body
of lovers of the Uuion whom have the honor,
for the present, alone to represent on this floor
What my worthy constituents think on this
whole subject is so clearly and strongly set
State convention, that shall ask leave to read
them in hearing of the Senate.
Here follow the Mississippi resolutions
which we have already published,
These resolutions, Mr. President, as all pres
ent know, were adopted by an overwhelming
majority of the body in which they were origi.
nated--there being, in fact, only three voices
raised in the convention in opposition to them
No., 4 IL.
pie of Mississippi have formerly and deliberately
declared that whilst they do not entirely ap-
prove" the acts referred to in the first of the
resolutions just read, yet they will abide by the
whole series of the acts as a permanent adjust |
ment of the sectional controversy" which has
been so long pending. You will observe, sir,
also that our convention has declared turtle in |
the sixth resolution that the people of Missis- |
sipp p" in the recent elections, have been gov |
erned by an abiding confidence that the said adj
justment measures of Congress would be en- |
forced in good faith in every section Of the land !" |
Such, sir, is the attitude of the people of Mis- |
sissippi, and they have thought proper thus to |
make public avowal of their opinions and ex.
pectations. They have adjudged the measures
of compromise worthy of their approval, and
they have determined to stand by them firmly |
and faithfully. They have not attempted to
and wishes in any respect whatsoever They
have right to expect equal frankness and fl
deity to be exercised by their iellow-citizens in
any other portions of the conederacy. Through
me they request at this moment from the sena
toral representatives of the co. States Of the
Union here assembled, n declaration of the
willingness OF those under whose authority they
act firmly and faithfully to stand by and
maintain the plan of adjustment in all it's parts
Will honorable senator's speak out boldly and
explicitly on this important subject or will
they, by remaining silent, permit themselves and
their constituents to be misunderstood among
those whose earnest wish it is to recprocate
friendly sentiments with them, and to conlide
fully in them as just men, and as patriots!
Let no member of the Senate, Mr.. President,
from the South say that our Northern brethren
need no additional assurance from us of our
determination to acquiesce in and support the
compromise. Events have occurred as all
truthful men will confess, calculated TO awaken
more or less of doubt rs TO the position likely
to be assumed ultimately by the Southern
States of the Union. Let no senator from the
North, either, declare that the people of the
South have no right to demand from their Eel.
low-citizens of that section of the confederacy
such an assurance as that embodied in the reso-
luton under consideration. Every intelligent
man in America knows the fact, that the mum.
Der of active politicians in the Northern States
is by no means inconsidersble, who stand
pledged to agitate for the modification or repeal
of the Fugitive slave law, as it is called There
are men now in Congressman who are some
times, as rumor asserts, permitted TO come into
party cauouses, too-who are not only CON-
mitted to future agitation in opposition to this
law, but who are known to have soiemnly de-
clared their opinion to be that it is wholly I'M
constitutional in all its material provisions.
Besides, Mr.. President, it is fact we'll recol-
lected by US all, and one which has been the
source of much complaint anu apprehension in
the South, that only a small number of the
members of this body, representing the free
States Of the North, were actually present at the
passage of this law, so that their votes could be
recorded in its favor
am perfectly aware that several Of the gen
tlemen referred TO were only accidentally alb
sent, and perhaps all of them had some reason
for not being present, other than an unwilling.