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

offor this resolution, and will conclude what
have to say for the present, by declaring tbs
high qualification which | shall feel at its OBJ
tanning the general support OF the members o
this body. ! shall say nothing more, unless til.
resolution should be attac ked in such manner
as to make some special defence of ii necessary
MIR. BUTLER. do not propose to say muci
upon this subject at this time; but | will sa,
that when heard of this resolution, | heard
it with surprise. II is a mode of proceeding
scarcely known, believe, in any Legislative bo
dy that am aware of, to introduce. at subse
quent session of the legislature, resolutions
confirming what suppose must be regarded as
statutes upon the statute-book ID is an "a
post Jacto mode Of reviewing your acts; anc
for what purpose! III the legislation referred
to by the honorable senator from Mississippi
Mr.. FoorE be wicked, can you restore purity
TO it by legislation of this kind 2 If it be wise
u II not superogatory and unnecessary to in.
troduce resolution Of this character and pur.
pose!
For what purpose, then is the resolution in.
PRODUCED? have no right to arraign the gen.
tlemans motives, nor do |. What may have
been his object, have no right to dispute for
he has avowed it. But what will be tho effect
have right TO speak Of Now, if the gentle
man had had nm opportunity TO search out and
Introduce any one motion upon any one subec,
more definitely than upon any other he could
not have been more successful in Introducing
one TO open former discussions, and let loose
upon this land the waters of agitation. | pro-
test against this mode of proceeding as unusual
unnecessary. and as intended in my opinion
no,I will not say intended for Il shall not use
any language of that kind--but whose tenden-
cy will be to WIDEN the breaches that already
exist, and to arouse feeling which might perhaps
have subsidized under the influence of time, or a
better understanding among ourselves, who are
interested in this controversy
But understand the senator from MISSISSIPPI
pi Mr. FooTE to introduce this resolution
with view to give the measures of compro-
mise an authority which they do not possess by
the act of legislation, conducted certainly with
all the forms which the Constitution required.
Can he expect to do so Can he give them any
increase OF authorty--any other influence by a
vote OF this Senate that t ely would not have
had without it Can he reconcile me to the
measures to which he has referred in this reso-
luton by his vote or the vote of his friends (?
He knows the opinion entertain of these mea-
sures, and the manner in which & ey were in.
troduced into and passed through tn body.
denounced them then, and denounced them
because believed they would make a prece-
dent in the political history of this country, I'M
der the influence of which this Union, welded
by despotc majority, will survive the Consti-
luton. believed then, as do now, that they
were passed in violation of all the principles,
usages, and guarantees calculated to protect one
section OF this Union against the other And
does he suppose that the South is to have Sc
curlty by the assurances that he may hold out
IN movement and by n vote of the kind he
proposes! Does he expect that |, who have
heretofore denounced these measures will con
sent now to put upon them the seal of approba-
ton, and to kiss the rod of oppression, as re-
gard it, so far as it relates TO the operation Of
these measures upon the weaker section of this
Union | cannot with druidicaI devotion, wor-
ship at the foot of tree whose fruits firmly
believe will prove bitter and baneful to me and
to my posteri.y
Now, If there is any one thing that has been
settled by the past history of this country-of
course have no right to speak in any but
,onJectural way upon this subject-t is this
that the Constitution of the United States can
never be amended. ! think it can be pro-
claimed that constitution having been in oper-
iuon more than sixty years, has not been and
never can be amended; and why? AS soon as
we meet with any difficulty in the adminisra
lon OF the government, or any new and untried !
LANCER arises, what is the expedient to supply
hat great principle provided for in the expan |
'ibility OF the Constitution of The United States
BY its amendment? Why, you resort to com. |
promise, or to an enlargement, by construction.
If some of the provisions of the Constitution.
TO suit whom! Who will dictate compromises
If this kind, to give to the Consultation this |
'haracter in its operation Will it be the mi |
lorty-those whose interests have suffered. or /
whose interests are in danger? No, sir When |
'vcr the Constitution has to be patched up by |
or to be changed by constructions, |
depend upon it, it will never be done by the
minority. All expedents of that kind will pro.
iced from the majority, who have the temptation
II interest to consult in giving that character TO
he institutions of the country.
am unwilling to 90 further into this debate
1t Thu time, except TO protest gainst this mode
If attempting to influence what may be perhaps
he deliberations of another assembly in my
'wn State. ! was in hopes that we would have
,een allowed to deliberate upon our matters
airly, and under auspices favorable to the pro.
ectlon of those whose rights, in my opinion.
ave been vlolated--whose political existence
will be doomed unless expedients of this kind
re to be submitted TO by those who represent
hat section OF the country. Will the honora.
lie senator tell mo that our institutions are not
n danger, when in one breath he says that the
'illows of the frce.soil agitation in the North
re already beating upon the base of our Consti-
ution! Does he expect TO give me security by
aving vote upon measures that have hereto
ore denounced, and continue to denounce, and
pom which will make war, as our forefathers
made war upon the alien and sedition laws"
$ long rs believe they have been framed in
spirit untriendly to the rights of those whom |
epresent!
II the discussion had not been opened here
y another, would not have opened my mouth
pom this subject during this session of Con.
ress. ! have uttered these few sentences 10
et the gentlemen know, also, the opinions which,
am not mistaken, are entertained by more
han myself II may be that, by pmans offered
o the Union, the gentleman may hush for the
1oment the tumult and opposition of those who
ever would have made war upon il, it had not
cen patched up and patched up--bat not bound
ogether and made stronger-by compromise
nd compromise. And from whom do they
ONE! Ever from the stronger portion.
Sir, | believe the Southern people are n
oomed people, If we are not moro united I'll