The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-27

"ii ~, uepiVe eihei OF lhem OF the agreeable
amt Du SIT, ~ tne democratic party truly conseTvas
1--WE, think the platform upon which il now stands is
wiae enough broad enough, to embrace the whole Union
II " Is ho am not member OF H. know that have
been aIaigncd for having been too atitudinous in nv
ieelngs but must confess that my country seems not
100 large 10 love, to cherish, and support Then sir if
me oolect OF The party is and preserve
what we believe the true constitutional principles of The
government, whoever loves and supports that
slrcuy Is my fellow. l know how the constitution was
formed. II was by concessions made BY the several
States or by grants OF certain powers that were to remain
IN the federal government but these functions
were 10 be exercised by il or The benefit Of the whole
90 ia ihe federal government has rights, but further
ihe States were free, sovereign and independent until
these concessions were made. The federal government
remain Tor the benefit Of the several States The States
IN he fu enjoyment OF the powers reserved, inde-
pendent within their sphere and subject TO control
IRON the federal government These my opinions,
and believe they agree with the democratic faith Incl
dentaly various subjects have arisen this body since
nave been member OF it, and upon all these have
corded my opinions know they have been variance
on some occasions, with my party rather the party
with which act--l will not call il mine; belong 10 it,
As scme Of them have been incidentally advered to- feel
bound to take up more time in explanatory remarks
N regard to my course than should Otherwise have any
disposition TO do.
! One thing must be permitted to saw On this Com
promise, which appears be again brought into this
body and the several measures OF which have produced
divisions n the democratic party acted to be sure, with
the malorty but because gentlemen OF the poli-
cal party differed with me am not their censor nor
have any right TO judge them beyond the of my
own power or 10 impute to them motives unworthy of
senators. have never done this, and claim exemption
only from charges OF this character
had hoped that the agitation this question fast
dying away; and it might ere this have been forgotten
had i not been for the introduction Of this unfortunate
resolution which has renewed all the agitation of former
times, and produced elimination and recrimnaton. and
scenes not less violent their character than those
hblted upon the adoption of the Compromise itself Ii is
unfortunate; and If in the inception of resolution OF
this kind such are the fruits and if such they
green Tree, what must they be in dryl apprehend
that no earthly good grow out OF the adoption o the
resolution. The usurpaton of the peoples rights will be
manifest II modification is to take place in the demo
cratc platform, let It take place in convention OF the
delegates OF the people sent there for political purpose
no, for the purpose Of legislation but tor the formation
the party is to be regulated in ts action That is where
wish 10 see such action take place. But further than
this | am not prepared To- go. am not disposed TO sci
myself up here 10 dictate what the peculiar political
faith OF my constituents shall be, unite saying
what The faith and opinion OF the whole party hroug hout
The United States shall be. But willing 10 vote in
the passage OF laws that shall extend throughout
whole Union, and the iDtractons of which shall incur
penalues am not competent to perform the former
tasks nor do think they designed for to do
AS the State 10 which belong has been alluded to
in this body in relation 10 the compromise measures,
will de'an the Senate while utter few words that
subject. The Compromise, sir, the work of able,
patriotic, and renowned statesmen. Some of them are
no longern this body. IL is with regret Mr. President
that witness The absence OF one who bore important
and conspicuous part in the accomplishment of that
Compromise. | alude TO the venerable senator from
Kentucky thlr CLAY,l who is detained from this cham
Der by sickness, with which he is deeply afflicted
trust he will again resume his place in the Senate. The
wisdom OF his counsels the bliancy OF his genius the
strength OF his WILL and the patriotism Of his heart,
never shone brighter than during their manifestation in
this body in the achievement OF that Compromise. But
my Stale has been afralgDcd by portion OF this UDon
aud OF the democratic party, too, Tor making dispos
southern interests and that felt. 1t was not that she
disposed 10 abdee impair any of the rights OF the
South Texas, no doubt, had right to dispose OF IL
Did not Georgia dispose OF her territory the federal
enough
States OF Alabama and Mississippi And have any
complaints been made against her for ], And had
Texas who into this Union free and ndepend-
ent as Georgia did, right 10 dispose OF her domain to
the federal government? She did H. sir and have this
TO remark, that bad been any obstacle to the compro
mise OF the anng interests of this country and their
recoHcilement, would have been willing that every foot
OF the territory which she claimed should become lake
Of re and bnsone rather than should have thrown
an impeachment in the way OF the peace and harmony Of
the Union.
voted also for the admission of California I did il
upon the acknowledged and ayowed principle OF the
South " Let alone; let the people regulate their
nlcipal and domestic institutions; let them alone" And
put il 10 the candor Of honorable senator's from the
South, matter how ardent their feelings may have
BEEN whether, ii California had made application for
admission into the Union, with constitution declaring
that slavery should exist, they would not have dsre-
garded all the irfeg usrtles which may have been
nec,ed with IT, and readily have voted for her admission
as slave State! The same rule which would induce me
il in another did it, What advantage would have
resulted from delay Was there any hope for change
OF her inslitutionsi Was there any probability OF II ,
No She and whatever reproacbes attached
10 The gave, derive my consolation from the gem
eral prosperity and happiness OF my country.
AlIusion has also been made, believe, to the
vote ! gave on the organization Of the Oregon
Territory, containing the Wilmot proviso. Upon
that subject, Mr.. President feel myself fully
sustained voted for the Missouri compromise line.
Upon the admission or organization OF Oregon that
Mssouri-compromse line repudiaed by the South,
and the only clearly southern senator that voted
for that admission voted in harmony with the Mis-
itra hos hato nuud
and in this Senate II will be remembered what my
declarations and sentiments To sustain myself upon
that, | will bring forward portion of speech which
made AT that time. Ii was by the distinguished
senator from South Carolina, longer earth, Mr..
Calhoun1 During the debate IN relation to the terrific
rial government OF Oregon, he SAID
"Aer arduons struggle OF moro than year on the
question whether Missouri should come into the Union,
with or without restrictions prohibiting slavery, comPto
but IL done under which made nowe
gaory the stisr IL IS true u was moved by one OF
her dsngu shed citizens, tMr CLAY but IL IL equally SO
that IL carried 10y the almost united vote OF the North
against the almost united of the South and was Thus
imposed tho latter by superior mbers, in opposition 10
her efforts, The South has given her sane.
on to ~ sss~u'rd TO the power II asserted She was
voted down. and has simply scquieced in arrangement
she could semp do Without disturbing the peace
md harmony of the Untonto which she has ever been
adverse Acting this prime pie. she permitted the Ter
Tory OF Iowa be formed and the State TO be sdnited
into the Unon under the compromise, without objection
and that quoted by the senator from New York to
provo her surrender Of the she claims for Congress
Although no State in the Union and assemblies bad
become adverse to this yet it appears that u was lake
for granted that il unwecome 10 the South, and
therefore il was repuda'ed. But IN gong on further; TO