The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-05

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Law, they should not have complained, for they
had moss tha4ats equivalent III the unconsttds
tional appropriation Of California, and the sub
lection AZ the South. Swollen with the AFRO.
gance of predominating power. however, they
have risen up and said, you shall not enforce
this law. We see now this singular state Of
things While the Houth--the wronged, the
insulted party--is sinking lower and lower, the
spirit Of the North is rising every day, ana say
ing, with its accustomed potency, you shall not
enforce this law, until ut length we are now de-
liberately debating whether we shall stretch the
Union to the utmost tension Of its powers to
put down their dissatisfaction and resistance.
There is not a mathematical problem in Eu-
cid more clear than this Just in proportion AZ
you limit the sphere of the operations of the
general government according to the simple
purport Of the Constitution, ia that proportion
you strengthen the Union; and just in proper
ton as you enlarge The sphere Of the operations
of the general government by construction in
that proportion you endanger the stability of
the Union. Those who adopt the policy of en-
larging the powers of the general government
by construction, have only to go on, and they
will c0nsummate that prediction made by a dis
tinguisied statesman on this floor, If it il not
done already, that we would soon become, not
one people, but divided people, a people frown-
ing ut and hating each other You have by
this course of consolidation destroyed the bond
of peace and brotherly love that has 80 long
united us together. | do not know what other
gentlemen may say. but /, for one, can speak for
my constituency as to the effect of your legisla-
ton upon them. They look upon this Union,
in the manner in which the North carry out it's
operations, as curse rather than blessing
They deem the course OF policy which you have
pursued, in your measures of compromise and
spoliation, to be inconsistent with their honor
and Inconsistent with their rights and safety.
One word, before close, to my Democratic
friends. have been Democrats Republi-
can rather-ever since have been able to form
opinions upon public measures. AS soon as
was able to examine the Constitution Of the
United States, | came to the conclusion that
there was but one way of administering its
powers consistent with truth and honesty and
ment to the plain, simple, specified limitations
in the Constitution Sir, have been an humble
follower of that party for more than twenty
years. For thirteen years have been standing
up here in Congress, endeavoring to bring it
back to the original principles upon which it was
placed. 1t was placed there by mighty men,
The genius Of Jefferson and Madison founded
it. 1t was based, not only on principles of
policy, but on the fixed and ilnmutable princi-
pies of truth and justice. But at the last ses-
sion Of Congress they surrendered to their ene-
mics they went over in the free States to the
consolidationists, in order that together they
might spoil the South. They took the honora-
BILE senator from Kentucky as their leader The
who for twenty years has been the leader of the
great Federal or Wing party-and an ADLER
leader they have never had or ever will possess
Every step they took under such a lender to-
wards concentrating these measures of CON-
PROMISE they strengthened the Federal or consili-
dation party, and weakened themselves. Now
where are they? Where are the principles of
the Democratic party? They are gone-they
are destroyed. The Wing or Federal party is
the only party that possesses power in this
Union, and those of our Democratic friends
who thought proper to cooperate with them in
the measures Of consolidation of the last Con-
gress, must sink into their embraces or sink be-
meath their feet. There may be yet recupera-
tive power in the country, if it could be brought
forth; but have waited here watcher of the
night, and have looked long and long for the
streaks of day. Shall that bright day ever
again come, when the Democratic party, chas-
tised by its errors, and disciplined by defeat,
shall again be clothed in its ancient arnor and
fighting for their principles, and the noble faith
of the Constitution once more mount to victory
fear not. fear they are gone, gone forever;
and that this Union will soon come to an end,
under the mighty sweep of the free States,
with the consolidation principles which they
have ever advocated and enforced The wheel
is destined to roll on, crushing beneath its
weight interest after interest all faith brother
hood, and peace, until the whole fabric falls
vast pile of ruin and desolation.
Mr.. CLAY. Mr.. President came to the
Senate to-day under state of indisposition,
which would have kept me in my apartments
but for a sense, high sense Of duty connected
with one Of the most important questions
that has ever arisen, and is now pending be-
fore Congress, | came, sir, under the hope
which l still cherish, of this subject terminating
to-day; and under that hope and according to
the courteous usage fthe Senate, have arisen
to make few, hope, concluding remarks upon
the question; when, if it be the pleasure of the
Senate, trust the vote will be taken Mr. Pre-
sdent, allow me in the first place to recall the
question actually before us. A mob, an atrocons
mob, INSTRUCTED the execution of the laws of
the United States in one Of the most importan
cities ofthe Union, causing everywhere through
out this whole country feelings of surprise, re-
EIct, uuu iuuiStdliOH. olI, dlAiOuS myself 10
know what was the real state Of the facts, upon
Monday last-this day week. presented re-
solution to the Senate, calling upon the Presi-
dent to inform us what was the actual state Of
the fact connected with this singular occurrence,
and to communicate to us what measures he
had adopted in order to enforce the due execu-
ton of the laws Of the United States. and to
suggest any amendments to these laws which
he might deem necessary, In order to carry out
and perform his duties. The President has de-
livered a message accordingly, stating what was
the fact what he had done, to certain extent
at least; and recommending some alterations in
the law, in order to clothe him with more effect
ual and energetic powers to execute his duty.
Well, sir, got up, made n few remarks express
sing satisfaction with his message, and satisfac-
ton, | venture to say, that exists throughout
this entire country, with the exception Of those
utras at the North or South who are urging on,
if they can, great crisis in this country and this
Union. Everywhere, venture to say, has this
measure diffused satisfaction
Well sir q debate of the most eyfroor]narv