The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-27
BY an abuse Of terms. Taereas no such right

by an abuse of terms Theresa no such right
\ When, therefore, the Senator from Mississippi
qnotes Mr.. Jefferson as good authority to In,
Senate, affirming the right Of secession, ht
meant wnat Mr. Jefferson meant-that a STATE
had right to secede, with no moral or lega
right by any authority on earth to interfere
with or modest her. He meant this, or he
meam nothing.
! The Senator from Mississippi, speaks with
competency and appreciation OF the course OF
! the President Of the United States, with respect
to the fugitive law, Sir, am sorry cannot
speak in the same strain OF commendaton.-
! WILTSHIRE deems the notification of Vermont
| OF the fugitive slave lava law which he nt1irms
to be constitutional and law Of the land-not
worthy of his NOTICE, he prevents the citizens OF
South Carolina from celebrating the battle OF
Fort Moutrie, on the groutd where the battle
was fought and won ainst British foe He
says in his message, that he has sent, in conse-
! quence of the eXigencies on our frontier, where
the Indians have been numbering our people, all
the troops he cond spare from the other parts
Of the Unan. Yet he has crowded the forts in
the bay Of Charleston with soldiers mounted
cannon, and termed .them upon our city. He
has thus, openly held forth the sword as the in
| Strument of our obedience. Sir, this is not the
| first time this course has been pursued by the
general go 'ernment. Think You that the in
suit will be forgotten or ever forgiven? This
government openly says to us:-We will gov
ern You as we please; We will plumber you by
tariffs; rob you of your terri cries; assail your
institutions; and if you attempt to escape our
power by secession, we will put you to the
sword. What is this, but asserting over US a
naked daspoti,m? Others may submit: | will
not. ! will secedr it can from this Union.
will test, for myself ana for my children, wheth
er South CaroliGa is State or an humble de-
graded province, existing only at the mercy Of
an INSCRIPTIONS and fanatcaI tyranny.
Mr. President, feel that it is high time
should closes but before do so, must say
few words of that venerable man whose seat
occupy, The last man in the Senate chamber
who ought 10 have spoken disparagingly of him,
is the Senator from Mississippi. You all re-
member, senators, that when that aged states
man came here to lay before you his last, dying
speech, he came sick and emaciated-b broken
by the storms Of State. The Senator from Vir
ginia Mr.. Mason kindly offered to read the
speech to you, he was unable to read it himself
After the reception Of That noble effort of states.
manship, what heart, beating with the pulses of
humanity, but would say Go, die honorably-
die in peace! The Senator from Mississippi
and made putatons to which he was peculiar
" sensitive; for in my opinion, he loved the
Union "not wisely, but too we'll" | was not
here, but you all saw his agitation. His frame
trembled. His strong spirit shook his frail tene
ment as he repealed The attack made upon him;
and when it was over, he went home Frustrated
quite soon to die. The Senator from Mississippi
hurried him into his grave. A few days, or
few weeks previously, that Senator sought his
counsels, and partook Of his offices of kindness ;
for, sir, he was always kind to all Should not
pity, if nothing else, have pleaded with him for
10 5bearance aud charity? Yet, after he is gore
the Senator rises up here, and not only speaks
disparagingly of him, but you all saw the bitter
ness--l will not say malignity-wth whi.h he
denounced his opinions. He has not only hur-
red him to his grave, but now digs at it, for the
urpose of exhnming, if possible, portion of
his remains, to be exposed TO dishonor. Let him
nave all the glory Of such glorious deeds.
leave him to his own thougats--his own con.
science ..,..