The southern press., 1851-12-13

less to be recognised by their constituents as
being friendly to this great and essential
MEASURE Indeed, believe most of them had
previously declared their determination, either
n converse or otherwise, to support the bill.
But it is, notwithstanding, true that the circum.
,tance of their being absent when the yeas and
nays were taken on the final passage Of the bill,
has been seized upon by certain persons in the
South, hostile to the public repose, an welded
With great effect against the supporters of the
plan of compromise, and to the serious endan-
germent of the Union itself. Besides, honor
able senators need not to be reminded that
declarations are constantly made BY the enc.
mics Of the Union, in different States Of the
South, that great danger exists of attempts be-
ing successfully made, ut some future period,
by our fellow citizens of the North, to apply the
Wilmot Proviso to our vacant territories, and
to overthrow, by Congressional .lagislation. tho
system Of slavery in the District Of Columba.
have no such apprehension myself, and |
know very well that the time has forever passed
when either of the measures referred TO could
receive the sanction either of this body or Of the
House of Representatives. But until formal
declaration shall be made, in some such mode
AZ that now proposed, of determination to re-
frain from these acts Of aggression, formerly so
seriously menaced, it is unreasonable to expect
all uneasiness on these noin.s entirely 20 cease.
| have now, Mr.. President, stated few of the
most prominent reasons which induced me to
offer this resolution, and " ill conclude what
have to say for the present, by declaring the
high qualification which | shall feel ut its OBJ.
tanning the general support of the members of
this body. | shall say nothing more, unless the
resolution should be attacked in such manner
as to make some special defence Of it necessary.
Mr.. BUTLER. do not propose to say much
upon this subject at this time; but | will say
that when heard of this resolution, | heard of
it with surprise. 1t is a mode of proceeding
scarcely known, believe, in any legislative bo-
dy that am aware of, To introduce, Mt a sabse.
qlent session Of the legislature, resolutions
confirming what suppose must be regarded as
statutes upon the stetute-book. 1t is an ca
post fact0 mode of reviewing your acts: and
for what purpose? Ii the Legislation referred
to by the honorable senator from Mississippi
Mr.. FooTE be wicked can you restore purity
to it by legislation of this kind If it be wise,
is it not superogatory and unnecessary To in
troduce u resolution Of this character and pur-
pose
For what purpose, then, is the resolution in
troduced have no right to arraign the gen.
tleman's motives, nor do |. What may have
been his object, | have no right to dispute, for
he has avowed it. Bat what will be the effect,
have a right TO speak Of Now, if the gentle
man had had an opportunity to search out and
introduce any one motion upon any one subject
more definitely than upon any other, he could
not have been more successful in introducing
one TO open former dl,cussions, and let loose
upon this land the waters of agitation. | pro-
test against this mode of proceeding as unusual,
nl II Il -
no, will not say intended. for 4, shall not use
any language of that kind-but whose tenden.
cy will he to WIDEN the breaches that already
exist, and to arouse feeling which might perhaps
ave subsidized uader the influence of time, or
better understanding among ourselves, who are
interested in this controversy.
But understand the senator from Mississip.
pi Mr. FooTEl 10 introduce this resolution
with a view TO give the treasures Of compro-
nise 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 auihority-any other influence by a
vote Of this Senate that I ey would not have
mad without il ! 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 they were in
troduced into and passed through III body.
denounced them then, and / denounced them
because ! believed they would make prece.
ient in the political history Of this country. IN
Ter the influence Of which this Union, welded
by a despotic majority, will survive the Consti.
tuition. ! believed then, rs do now, that they
we're passed in violation Of all the principles.
isagcs, and guarantees calculated TO protect one
section Of this Union against the other. And
foes lie suppose that the South is 10 have Sc.
curity by the assurances that he may + old out
10 q movement and by q vote Of the kind he
proposes! Does he expect that !, who have
heretofore denounced these measures, will con
sent now t. put upon them the seal Of approba-
ton, and TO kiss the rod Of oppression, as ! re.
gard il, 40 far az il relates 10 the operation Of
these measures upon the weaker section Of this
Union cannot, with druidical devote n, wor.
ship at the foot Of tree whose fruits firmly
believe will prove bitter and banefu 10 me aud
10 my postehiy.
Now, If there is any one thing that has been
settled by the past history Of this country-Oi
course have no right TO speak in any but
conjsctural way upon this sut ject--it is this :
that the Constitution Of the United States can
never be amended. ] think il can be pro.
alton more than sixty years, bas, not been and
never can be amended: and why! As soon a.
We meet with any difficulty in the sdministra.
ton Of the government, or any new and untried
LANCER arises, what is the expedient TO supply
that great principle provided for in the expan
ability of the Constitution Of the United States
by its amendment! Why, you resort TO con.
Jromise, or 10 an enlargement, by construction.
1f some Of the provisions Of the Constitution
10 suit whom Who will dictate compromises
Of this Kind, to give 10 the G institution this
character in it, operation! VIII it be the mi.
nority-.huse whose Interests have suffered. or
whose interests are in danger! No, sir. When.
ever the Consultation has to be patched up By
compromises. or to be changed by constructions,
depend upon il, it will never be done by the
minority. All expedients Of that kind will pro.
coed from Tie majority, who have the temptation
of interest to consult in gsil. that character to
the institutions Of the cpuuiry.
an unwilling To go further into this debate
at this TIM, except 10 protest against this mode
Of attempting TO influence what may be perhaps
the deliberations Of another assembly in my