The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-24


I'm CONTINUATION
Mr. FOOTE having addressed the Senate as published
on Saturday last, and before having given way 10 an adj
Mr. HUN TER said; the senator from Missssippi will
allow will stale that my lection does moi accord
precisely with his The hrst suggestion came from lbe
honorable senator IRON Michigan, MIR CAssl who
spoke 10 me on that subject and said he was apprehen
sve that there might be collision between the State OF
south Csroi.na and u. general government and he
thought something ought to be dore to prevent IT, He
suggested mat the appointment Of commissioner here
ofore had produced very saulary effect and might do
again. concurTed with him that verythnx ought 10
be done which could be done prevent that difficulty
The senator from Mississippi concurred in that opinion
and expressed wish tnat the State of Virginia should
send commissioner Tor the purpose of preventing that
collision had sou,e conference with friends in Vr-
gina on that subject, and il concluded that it was
premature TO act at that me as the convention had
been called and might not be convened. and if convened
might be done under such auspices to prevent hasly
and precipiiae action The details OF the conversation
which had with the senator from Missssippi do moi
pretend to recolleci; do remember whether the con
yersa,on between us commenced with him or myself
lie is certainly right in his recollection that we had more
Than one conversation on the subject
Mr.. FOOTE l heard before of any previous
interview between the senator from Michigan and the
senator from Virginia.
MIR. HUNTER Justice 10 my friend from South Caro-
lima, [Mr. BUTLER with whom am very intimate re-
quires to say that he made any suggestion in
relation to that subject.
Mr. FOOTE. And was especially cautious not TO
have any interview with him on the subject The first
bic senator from Virginia spoke to me in the manner
have already described. had conversation with the
honorable senator from Michigan the subject told
him that there could be doubt of the proprety OF
the act and mingled my counsels with his for the pur-
pose OF bring tabout had several conferences after
wards of very agreeable character with the honorable
senator from Virginia this subject Just before left
here, at the last session At first single comm ssioner
spoken OF in accordance with the old example but
with regard TO the selection OF the person.
the propreiy OF having two commissioners instead OF
and was agreed 10 at once BY the honorable sena
Tor from Michigan. went Immediately 10 the lodgings
OF the senator from Virginia, ana informed him OF the
change he gavei hs approval ! went further, and
undertook 10 suggest that, nasmuch as Maryland and
Virginia had happily united in bringing about the estab
lshmen OF this Union rather had tax the ncpient
steps towards establishing ii, and inasmuch as these
States alike in another important respect that
time each having in session. within lis limits, not only
the ordinary legislative body. buta convention called for
ne purpose OF Iemodying the organic law, my friend
from Michigan should be also called upon address let
to distinguished gentlemen, then at Annapolis, in
Maryland, to induce that State TO cooperate with
Virginia in this noble and patriotic task.
These letters were written, have already described
TO Governor Lowe
In order give the whole history of this thing properly
(hoping not to exhaust the patience of the Senate will
call attention. for moment TO the original letter, written
the State OF Virginia. in the year 1892 will read
first paragraph from the Richmond Enquirer OF Decem-
Der l3th 1882 and then the extract which introduces
Besides these the whole militia OF South Carolina is to
be reorganized and prepared tor actonthe be
classified from sixteen OF age upwardrhe governor
necessary accoutrements, &c. &c. Who say :his
phrensied spirit, Thus far. and iurther' Who Gan
say what the nexi month week may bring onhl Vio
lence on the part OF her citizens, civil and blood
fobesr 10 u, an he pnenee To %heh ,he ah i ened
viii she stand alooa VIII she wait ti the bursts.
and war perhaps sweeps acro, tie fields o South Caro-
lima Can herself between the conendins
parties and contribute whatever OF moral force she may
exert to save this blessed Union from nulcaton, as well
as the rights OF the States from the tariff
These reflections have bsen suggested TO by the
OF yesterday and by letter we have received from OF
ablest the country We ask his pardon for lay
ing from 1t before the legislature kt,png his
sieny ourselves The members of The Legislature viii
weigh them for what they worth From the high char
Of their author from the deep importance Of the sub
Jeci from the momen,ous crisis which approach
ing, respectfully think them entiled TO serious aen
,on But the press is open and without meaning in the
slightest degree TO urge our own crude suggestions upon
the public, invite the true and able of the land to
lay their reflections before their counuymen. N6o' The
day, and woW's The hour"
"The impending crisis a fearful one. What 1, be
the result The question before me day aud night As
Iybds II the general government succeed is there not
fear that State rights will be la danger, and that
nodf On the other hand II South Carolina succeed
either in the PROJECT Of qualification or 10 hn Of secession
the Union is virtually dissolved and shall follow the
fate Of the other republics that have the eyenuu
na proceed she has begun the shock be and
our Institutions be demolished in the conflict There
is scarcely time, thu, Congress perfectly well
disposed, to setle such question between and the
hs OF February ana II there were, II is not In human
nature that the Whole protective system enormous rs
in It's application, should be insantsneousy abandoned
And his and his alone would satisfy the South Carolina
pocians Under these circumstance Il has occurred TO
that Virginia might nterpose most efcac sously and
add leaf wreath which sdorns her
let. Suppose the legislature should appoint committee
OF iour five Of the eminent citizens proceed
South Carolina and 10 entea her convention and her egs
laure 10 recall her late steps and at all events 10 delay her
fnsl TIL another TRIAL is made reduce taria
Possibly the would be certain II Virginia
should call upon North Carolina, Georgia. and Alabama
appoint similar committees 10 meet hers at Columbia, and
JOIN in the good work La NIL political fermentsons
rime, If positive almost TO lead
Suppose Virginia, should address Congress in Of
those orcbie nppeals she well knows how make and
nrgs an Immediate commencement as well ms great re-
duc,on OF the tRnH, stating all the considerations
which require IT, and should the time address the
stale OF South Carolina sister, suffering under the
came system and her OF regard Virginia, to
the other southern Safes the integrity the Union and
IN isc 70 the cause OF free through the world
10 delay her action and ny procure modification OF
the tsriH, &c.
Would not the result be favorable Al any rate s
there such probability Of to Justify the attempt
Events are pressing so rapidly upon another
hardly know what the hour viii produce Of
time is 10 be lost
"Tbe times are poftentous; and satisfied | am hat If
hangs by thread The President will wisdon
nrmoess, and integrity effect but still, without zeal
Gus aid itom real friends, he be able carry
us through unsca cathsd"
The second extract from The letter OF Mr. Cass was
next read, as follows:
Extraordinary conunctures in national affairs demand
errsordinary ,ios, aud extraordinary means
Our country In OF those oonlunciures No man
look AT the true feeling South Carolina with
out the most gloomy ioebodngs. great meJory OF her
people seem determined 10 secede from the Union " -
oi business TO investigate OF this state
oi ieclnp or the consequences which flow from II
am only dealing with facts with position as
and the best remedy ppIied
Auh n we'll | do ph