The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-11

The public repose and welded with great effect against
ous enlargement OF the Union itself Be sides honor
able senators need not to be reminded that declarations
are constantly made by the enemies of the Union, in diff
erent Siaes OF the South that great danger of
tempts being successfully made at some future period
by our fellow citizens OF the North, to apply the Will
mo! m plovso 70 our vacant Territories and 10 overthrow,
by congressional egsaon the system of slavery the
District OF Columbia have no such apprehension N.Y.
sell, and know very well that the time has fore yer
passed when either OF the referred could
ceive the sanction either OF this body of the House of
Representatives. But until formal declaration shall be
made, IN some such mode that now proposed OF de.
termination 10 refrain from these acts OF aggression for
mery so seriously menaced it is asonabe to expect
all uneasness on these points entirely to cease
have now, Mr.. President, stated few of the most
prominent reasons which induced to offer this resoln
present. by declaring the high qualification which shall
ieel at us obtaining the general support OF te members
o. this body shall say nothing more, unless the
some special defence OF it necessary
Mr. BUTLER | do, not propose to say much upon
this subject at this time; but wil say that when heard
OF this resolution heard OF il with surprise. II is
mode OF proceeding scarcely known, believe in any
legislative body that aware Of TO introduce at a
subsequent session OF the Legislature resolutions confirm
ing what suppose must be regarded as statutes upon
the statute book Il is an post faeto mode of
ing your acts and for what purpose II the legislation
referred to BY the honorable senator from Mississippi
Mr. FooTE] be wicked you restore purity it by
legislation OF this kind II be wise is it not super
erogaory and unnecessary 10 introduce resolution of
this character and purpose?
For what purpose then is the resolution introduced
have no right TO arraKn the gentlemans motives who
inrodacedit. nor do What may have been his object.
have no right 10 dispute for he has avowed it, But
what Will be the effect have right to speak Of Now,
II the gentleman had had opportunity search out
and introduce any one motion upon any subject more
definitely than upon any other he could not have been
more successful in introducing to open former dis
cussons and let loose upon this land the waters of ag
taton protest against this mode Of proceeding unu
sua. unnecessary, and as intended in my opnionno,
nj n lam NJ
that kind-but whose tendency will be 10 widen the
breaches which already exist, and TO feelings
which might perhaps have eubsded under the influence
OF time, or better understanding among ourselves who
are interested in this controversy.
But understand the senator from Mississippi MIR
FoorE TO introduce this resolution with view 10 give
the of compromise an authority which they do
not by the act of legislation conducted certainly
with all the forms which the constitution required Can
Of auhorty-any other influence by vote of this Sen
ale that they would not have had without it Can he
reconcile me 10 the measures to which he has referred
this resolution by his the vote of his friends
he knows the opinion entertain OF these asures and
the manner in which they were introduced into and
passed through this body denounced them then, and
precedent in The political history of this country under
the influence OF which this Union, welded by despotic
majority will survive the constitution. believed ihen
as do now, that they passed in violation OF all the
principles usages and guarantees calculated protect
section OF this Union against the other And does be sup
pose that the South is 10 have security by the assurances
kind be proposes Does he expect that who have here
iofoe denounced these measures will consent now to put
upon them the seal OF approbaon and 10 kiss the rod Of
oppression, regard far relates 10 the opera
OF these upon the weaker section OF this
Union cannot, with drudIcal devotion, worship a, the
foot Of tree whose fruits firmly believe will prove bit
ter and banefu TO me and TO my posierty.
Now, II there is any thing that has been settled by
the past history OF this country-of have no
right to speak in any but coDjeciural way upon this
is this that the constitution OF the United
States be amended. | think il can be pro-
claimed that constitution having been in operation
more than sixty years has no, been and can be
amended; and why As soon as we meet with any diff
fculty in the administration oil the government any
new and untred danger arises what is the expedent TO
supply that great principle provided for in the expansi-
by OF the constitution OF the United States by IFS
ame ndmenti Why you resort 10 compromise or TO an
enlargement by constru OF OF the provisions
of The constitution To suit whom Who will dictate
character in s operation will !, be The minority
those whose interests have suffered whose interests
are in danger No, sir Whenever the constitution has
TO be patched up BY compromises or to be changed by
constructions, depend upon II. it will be done BY
the minority All expedenis of that kind will proceed
from the majority, who have the temptation OF interest
TO consult in giving that character TO the institutions oil
the country
am unwilling to 90 further into h. debate a, this
tme except TO protest against this mode OF attempting 10
influence what may be perhaps the deliberations OF an
other assembly in my State. | in hopes that
would have been allowed to deliberate upon mat
tiers fairly and under auspices favorable TO the protection
political existence will be doomed Unless
expediens OF this kind be submitted 10 by those
who represent that section OF the country. Will the
honorabls snaior tell me that institutions not in
danger. when in breath he says that the biowsof
tho free so agitation in the North are already beating
upon the base OF our constitution Does he expect to
give security by having vote upon measures that
have heretofore denounced, and continue 10 denounce.
and upon which will make foreia'hers made
upon the "aen and sedi,on laws" as long as be-
leve they have been framed in spirit unfendy to the
rig ia of those w hOm reprpsPntp
II the discussion had not been opened here by another
woald not have opened my mouth upon this subject
during this session OF Congress ! have uttered these
few sentences to let the gentleman know my position,
and let the gentleman know, Also the opinions which,
if am not mistaken, entertained by more than my
self Ii may be that by ppans offered to the union the
gentleman may hush for the moment the tumu and op
position OF those who would have made war upon
1t il had no, been patched up and patched upbnt not
bound together and made stronger-by compromise and
compromise. And from whom do they come Ever
from the stronger portion
Sir believe the southern people doomed people,
II we are not united II proceedings like these are
allowed 10 90 forth, ! believe a doomed people.
God knows there 10 not upon earth as lar as can
speak that would go through hostility, anarchy, blood,
and violence in this age OF reason intelligence, and wis
DOM 10 effect any reform, 1t Is alien 70 the genius oil
our institutions and the common law OF England TO effect
any reform by violence and civil But II the south.
ern people and their southern representatives are not
more united, cannot answer for consequences.
n these measures--inendcd suppose. to be in some
re. .pect improved by this endorsement-are innscay
wrong or niroscay wise, cannot perceive any good
that Is to be derved from the adoption of this resolution
II does look 10 very much as II the gentleman from
the example of Lycurgus, who made laws and then had
enloned upon the people that they should never be
changed
Nit FOoTE, OF Mi.sssippi. Until after his return.