The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-09
lesy- We call public attention to the follow.

E-e7- We call public attention TO the follow
ing exposition of Mr. FooTE's position, as made
by himself some few weeks since, before coming
North. We take il from the Montgomery CAL
abama) Journal, a print friendly to him and the
" Constitutional Union" platform.
SENATOR FooTE-At the request of many
Union men of both parties, Senator Foote, the
gallant champion of the compromise in Dlissls-
sippi, who arrived in town on Thursday, on ms
way to Washington, consented to address the
Union men of this State at the Representatives
Hall, which was rendered for The purpose Inc
large assemblage was organized by calling Ihe
old veteran Union Democrat, Col. Rose, OF
Coosa, to the Chair
Gov. Foote spoke at some length, and made
full review and expose of the causes and reasons
which induced the issues Of the late canvass.
He showed that the spirit of the convention
which issued the Southern address was for the
preservation of the Union, and further, that tie
Nashville convention was called for no dlsunion
purposes, but to unite ne SOnth on platform
that womld resist the congressional usurpation
Of interference in the institutions of territories
or, in other words, the Wimo Proviso--but
that, unfortunately it was prevented from its
original design, and fell into the hands Of a tai
ented and INSCRIPTIONS faction, who endeavored
to use it for revolutionary purposes to dissolve
the republic, and establish other forms for the
qualification of personal ambition
He also showed that the object of Mr.. Rhett
and others, as avowed by them, was dlsunion
per Sc. For this purpose they opposed the pas
sage of the COMPROMISE, aud desired the non
execution of the Fugitive slave bill. In this con-
nection, he showed that the Fugltive-slave bill
was carried out in good faith as far as any
statute law in the land, and that the secesslonlsts
amented its execution by the Executive and
denounced his call on Congress for military aid
as an infringement of State rights Mr. Foote,
in this connection, gave the Executive full credit
for its patriotic desire to execute the laws, and
declared that no administration, since the founda-
ton of the government, had exhibited such fl
deity in the discharge of its constitutional du-
ties, with patriotic eye to the well being OF the
whole country. The compromise was repu-
daton of the Wi!mot Proviso, and defeat OF
the Buffalo platform, and gain for the South.
Slavery exists and is acknowledged in Utah and
New Mexico, and the line of 5000 would have
put the proviso on all that territory. The Texas
10 ,oo0,0 900 boundary bill was also gain to the
South, by enabling Texas to pay her debts
which obstruct emigration, and forwarded the
progress of several slave States for admission
in the Union 1t was the desire Of the people
of Texas, and their right and wish was final in
! the matter.
| The law in respect to the slave trade in the
District of Columbia was but reaifrmation of
the old law of Maryland, which he's always been
1 in existence in tie District The compromise,
as q whole, was a gain and advantage TO the
/ South, ard the object of the leaders of those
/ who opposed il, WAS deliberate treason. They
were hostile 10 repubeanism, and desired revO-
I luton, which would bring about new forms, and
place themselves in power at the sacrifice OF the
dearest interests of the people. In this connec-
( ton, his invective was terrible lie warned the
4 Union men not to have any connection or po-
liiie2l association with these men--t I they had
as MANY forms as ProteRs-that leir object
was revolution, and for il they would now be
4 good professed Democrats, and would scquiesce
in the CON promise 10 gain strength and power to
accomplish their object He farther stated that
Inc Union men Of al parties in Mississippi and
GeorFiH- had abandoned old party 2fhniiies and
Ind united IN the patriotic object Of common de-
fence aga rusi the common enemy These had
moi abandoned their designs, but were seeking
70 make the Democrats party their eai's-ps1 II
= schemes Of disuniol and treason. tie specially
ana with much force and CLOG 3enee, warned tht
Democratic Un5ou men against their Wiles, anC
their attempt TO gain influence under the name
q Democracy.
The speech WAS powerful IS a review Of tht
: issues, and al times intensely forsibe and elo-
gaeni in defence OF our beloved Union.