The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-06-07

them from their mad design made effort postpone
the meeting OF the Nashville convention until Congress
should have adjourned without adjusting the questions ~
controversy This did partly al the instance OF two die
tnguished citizens OF Mississippi, delegates TO the Nash
vile convention who addressed me on this subject BY tel
egraph. For this purpose, summoned various southern
senators 10 convene room OF the Capitol and when
they had together, proposed 10 them 10 unite win
me in recommendation that the session OF the conyen
ton should be postponed above described majority
OF those present against the proposition and had
to relinquish it, My mind was full OF soicude, and
addressed letters TO Judge Shakey and other gen
emen in Mississippi, warning them in the most solemn
manner of the movements which were in all likelihood
10 be essayel in the Nashville convention and urging
them TO be specially upon their guard against GER
tain intriguing politicians whom | expected 10 attend
the convention from South Carolina. limitations had
been given from time 10 time that the plan OF the
conspirators was TO demand through the Nashville
convention amendments OF the federal constitution OF
nature 10 be refused, upon the denial OF which
formal ordinance OF secession was to be adopted,
either by southern Congress or second Nash
willie convention 1t began be rumored also that the
line Of The Missouri Compromise would be likewise de-
manded by the convention, which was known 10 every
man OF in Congress equally certain not to be
adopted. but the refusal to adopt which would ii
hoped impart additional pausibty TO the project of
cession beg that II may not be forgotten that Mr. Cal
houns speech OF the 4h OF March had then been dey
cred, and my protest against the most Objectionable por
ton of II been formally entered This was nearly two
months before my letter OF April 10 Mr.. Barksdale. That
speech, among other things, had set up the demand OF
constitutional amendments in accordance with the plan OF
dsunlon then conJecuret to be IN progress saw plainly
that if this part of the speech should be suffered 10 pass
without objection from southern senator's especially from
those representing our own State, presumption might
that this reqnsitIon OF constitutional amendments
had been part of our October plan resolved to lose
no time in correcting an error so serious The conTo-
versy between Mr.. Calhoun and myself IS before the
American people. | shall not dwell upon it But |
beg leave simply TO call the attention OF the people OF
Mississippi 10 certain portions Of that extraordinary dia
logue which occurred between Mr. Calhoun and myself
when, coming into the Senate, he found me Directing
to his speech
,,At- I
not afraid to say the truth any quesuonthat, AS
things stand, the southern States cannot with safety
remain in the Union When this question may be settled,
when shall constitutional undcr standing.
question Of lime but, as things now stand appeal to the
senator from Mississippi II he thinks that the South
main In the Union upon terms OF equality.
Mr.. FoorE We cannot, unless the pending questions
settled and honoaby settled, Within ten days time
"Mr CALHOUN. Does the senator think the South
main in the Union upon terms OF equally, without
cfc guarantee that shall enjoy her rights unmoleed
m nn sne may s @o%t ANY
Mr. CALHOUN. Yes; there we disagree entirely"
All must see, at once, that was then con,endng for
our October PLATFORM "he Union as At u.s." whilst Mr.
Calhoun was struggling Tor lis overthrow. This was
nearly two months before my April letter TO Mr. Banks
dale lie then defended and justified my course. | am
precisely where when he thus defended me and
now he denounces me as a "fraitor." | then thanked
him Tor his vindcauon OF me- | am now quite patient
under his censures
Since the writing of tina. April letter the Nashville con-
venon has assembled and acted The author of the adj
dress which emana,ed from II Mr. Rhet) has avowed
that he went TO Nashville with dsunon purposes in his
heart which had been cherished for twenty years I'm
mediate secession has been ayowed 10 be The object OF
the Nashville convention IN South Carolina and several
other States. second Nashville convention has been
| held which has convoked southern congress, with
penary powers for the express purpose OF declaring the
Union al an end. Our legislature has been called
together BY Governor Quitman and counseed 10 aban
don the October platform, and TO Cooperate with the
governor and his coniedeates in carrying into execution
his darling scheme OF prompt and peaceabe secession,
JOINT or separate The governor has recommended 10
1 lAJlsl Ihn lara
sum OF money for the prosecution of a upon the
government OF The United States He has sent to the
legislature special message recommending new mill
tay organization, and the immediate imposition OF most
oppressive tax in order TO deray the anticipated expenses
| OF a civil war; in which he expected doubtless TO
Qure fresh aures upon baefelds marked with all the
horrors oi internal strife. Stale convention has been
provided for which is expected to send delegates 10 the
southern congress already described All this has been
done, too Notwithstanding since our October convention
was held, territorial governments have been established
in Utah and New Mexico, without any restriction in
gard TO slavery fugitive law has been enacted
OF most stringent character, but which every honest
man will confess has been IN general most faithfully
| enforced The boundary line between New Mexico
and Texas has been settled peaceably and without that
expense OF civil blood at time seriously appre
hended whereby the rapid settlement OF Texas has been
provided for and her ultimate and early Subdivision into
four additional slave States secured. solemn legisla
i've provision has been adopted securing the future
admission OF the Territories OF Utah and New Mexico
into the Union slave States, If the people thereof
shall favor the introduction OF slavery within their
limits And yet secession continues 10 be urged upon
the people OF the State by individuals soemnly appointed
to deliver lectures and addresses OF hppaut and
lively character as the and the ultimate reedg The
Qultman platform is still steadily maintained by himself
and his most trusted disciples IN all It's hohc amplitude
Meanwhile almost every southern State has declared in
the most solemn and imposing manner, against secession
aud against southern Congress. Every statesman OF
note and OF established reputation Tor ability both North
and South OF Mason Dixon's line. whether belonging
10 the wing democratic party, is in favor OF aou
escing at once in the plan OF adjustment, aid restoring
the country once more 10 quiet and concord. Almost
every democratic paper OF respectable character in the
whole Souh-Sith the Union in Washington city, the
Richmond Enquirer, Virginia, &c, &c.-has declared
against further agitation IN opposition TO the scheme Of
adjustment; and yet is the language OF resistance still
heard in midst, and the destruction OF the Union
boldly asserted 10 be indispensable to the safety OF The
South And the Mssissppian, whilst realizing INTO what
that paper pleased 10 call The democratic party such
well. known and worthy wings as George Pondexter
John l. Guon and others undertakes to read out OF
that party, together with such General John D.
Freeman and nearly all the democrats IN Mississippi
who struggled gans this doctrine OF secession when
Il was urged among us first by Governor Quitman and
his present allies nearly twenty years agol And II il
confidently expected thus to begue the intelligent demo-
Gratis IN this State, and 10 succeed IN separating them for
from the whole democratic family besides where.
ever located, throughout the broad Union. Whenever
all this shall be accomplished shall be willing to
knowledge myself TO be unfaithfu TO the October plat
form, unfaitbiu to the democratic cause, ORATOR 10
the South, anything else that my very ad-
versares may choose to call me.
H. s. FooTE
JACKSON, May IS 1851.