The southern press., 1851-12-20

everybody else to his propositions, upon the
! ground that the Procrustean bed, whether
shorter or longer, is the only true measure
for the country. | shall put another proposition
TO the gentleman, and shall expect him to an.
swer that too. .....4. |.. -.
Mr.. FOOTE. will answer as many as the
gentleman chooses to put to me, if he will only
allow me an opportunity OF answering them
fully Some gentlemen never answer any ques-
tons put to them, but | challenge the pro-
pounding of questions from any adversary.
Mr.. BUTLER The honorable senator in
his speech referred to the resolutions of the
Mississippi convention. ] wish to ask him a
question, and do not wish disqnisition in
reply | observe that the Mississippi conven-
vention have resolved that there is no other
remedy for the abuse Of the Constitution, but
revolutionary resistance; that theie is no right
| i'm any one of the members Of the confederacy
to resist the government and form new govern.
ment except they incur the penalties Of treason
and rebellion against the federal Constitution.
| The gentleman has chosen to denounce, in no
measured language, the State of South Caro-
4 lima. Now, think he will find himself in a
dilemma from which he cannot escape, if he
answer the question ] now PROFOUND. The
Mississp convention has said that for an inter-
ference with slavery in the Senate-interferenc
with the commerce in slaves between States
the abolition of slavery within the District of
Columbia-'he repeal Of the fugitive slave
law-the abolition of slavery in the territories,
would constitute ground for the dissolution OF
their come ction with the federal government
and that for these causes which they have as.
signed, they would dissolve by revolutionary re-
sstance their connection with this government.
Now the gentleman must be placed in this situa-
ton: Suppose Mississippi, for any OF these
causes, or all of their, should determine upon
quitting this Union, or assume position in
which her connection could no longer be con-
tinued, ard the gentleman was called upon to
take sides with Mississippi or the federal gov
ernment,. which would he yrefer?
Mr.. FOOTE. | shall reply in due season if
the gentleman will give me an opportunity, but
in the first place, must tell him that | consider
it insulting to the State which represent here,
which has always proved true TO the Constitu-
4 ton, to put her in any Ich predcament as that
described. Never will the State of Mississippi,
in my opinion, be in such position as to call
OF any of her sons to make war upon the fed
erai government; and when she shall do so, !
shall del berat the question, ana decide accord.
ing to my sense Of propriety. ! acknowledge
my respect my profound respect, for what |
deem the supreme law of the land, and those
who do not, in my opinion are traitors, wher-
ever fourd. ~. .,".
Mr. BUTLER. Well, then, the gentleman, in
a contest between Mississippi and the fedora
! government, would consider himself traitor If
he were to fight against the federal banner.
Mr. FOOTE The gentleman may make his
own commentary; | shall state my views in full
hereafter
Mr. BUTLER. Mississippi here meant some
thing or she meant nothing. If these causes
were app nded to the genteman's resolution, !
presume he would 60 for them or against them
What is the supreme law of the land of which
he speaks! ] say the settled doctrine of Virgil
MIA, North Carolina, South Carolina, and be
lieve of Georgia and Alabama, would be, that
this is confedeFacy of sovereign States, and
not a consolidated government, which has the
exclusive right to decide upon the duty of its
members. ] know there are questions of perplex.
iiy, and the gentleman might take time to consid.
er; but know where my allegiance will be in
contest Of that kird. would not stop TO chop
logic on the construction OF papers when my
hearth and fireside are invaded and ! am called
upon to defend them. Ifmy blood is 10 be spill,
in contest between my State and the federal gov.
ernment I would not take time TO deliberate
a. the gentleman says he would, where nv
allegiance was due. The impulse of my heart
aud the dictates Of judgment long and delib
erately formed, would mark out my path of
duty.
! Another Of the topics upon which the senator
from Mississippi dwelt. lie said he would never
consent TO have the Constitution Of the United
States amended he said he wanted no amend.
ment TO the Constitution of Washington. Why.
4 sir, the Constitution itself, with the wisdom
that characterized its original organization, pro.
vides for amendments. My deliberate opinion
.l,.t. l. Il.
the exigen les ard progressive development of
this county, we would have been happy con-
federation Of republics, under nnion having sat.
isfactory guarantees for the rights and interests
of all but, instead of amending il according 10
the origional provision of the Constitution, we
have got TO n time when IL is declared that il
shall never be amended And would say TO
the gentleman frankly, that can see no oc "a
sion why he should wish it amended. He has
not said that he j. in favor of n consolidated
government, but he has maintained that this
government and the Constitution, in all the diff.
ticulties which may be involved, may be oy,r.
come by comprehensive compromises of the
majority; and if the gentleman chooses always
to act with the minority, he has no occasion for
amendments.
Mr. FOOTE. Does the gentleman undertake
TO charge me with having said ut any time, that
the Constitution Of the United States could, IT,
my opinion, be put down by compromises?
Mr. BUTLER. No, sir
Mr. FOOrE. That il the way the gentle
mans remarks will be understood. stated the
other day, that one or two reasons why | sup.
ported the compromise was, that il was not only
constitutional in itself, but that none of the con.
stitutional lawyers of this body had attempted
to make an elaborate argument to this when
they were challenged TO attempt it,
| Mr. BUTLER. say that as long a. the ma
| jority can make these compromises or give con.
structions to the Constitution, it will be amended,
and the gentleman is emphatirally a majority
man. ] did not say that the gentleman would
agree to what he regarded rs palpabe violation
of the Constitution, but | said the tendency Of
this mode Of treating the Constitution was to
have these excresceuces in the form Of conipro.
misses to give it validity which il would not
otherwise have. think we ought 10 meet the
crisis and provide remedy.
The gentleman says that have proposed no
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