The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-11
CONGRESSIONAL.
DEFERRED DEBATE.
MONDAY, DECEMBER s, 1851.
SENATE

SENATE.
THE COMPROMISE RESOLUTION.
The Senate resumed the discussion OF the special order
OF the day. being the resolution Submitted BY Mr. FooTE,
OF Mississippi, in relation to the compromise measures
resolution droarln2 the measures OF sent to be
defnirve settlement OF the questions growing out of the
system Of domestic slavery,
Be rssopsd That the series of measures embraced In
ths establishment of her northern and
the REIMBURSEMENT by the said State OF all territory claimed
upon the United States. and establish territorial gov.
emment for New Mexico, approved September 8. lS50
the Unon approved September g. 1867 .An act to es.
tablish territorial Utah." approved Sep
ss ss, saisa AN M s.s! pp;sms9ny %
and persons escaping from the service OF their masters
s5d IAN 10 .appre.. the slave trade in Ss Dis Is.
nc Of ooiamba ,t approved sePember TO- lsooeommon
Of this body entitled 10 be recognsedas dehniive adjust
msnt and settlement OF the disracng questions grow ing
OF the system OF domestic slavery, and that
all good citizens.
Mr.. FOOTE. of Mississippi When made up my
mind to introduce the resolution now under considera
tion, did not expect TO say anything in explanation OF
ii. The phraseology in which it is couched is neither
mysterious nor equivoca, and therefore had cherished
he hope that it's immediate adoption by this body would
take place, without any extended discussion upon the
delicate questions involved therein. trust still, most
this resolution either here esew here and that the two
houses Of Congress- by uniting promptly and cordially in
the solemn declaration which has been twice made
by the President OF the United Sateshat he considers
the series OF measures recognised constituting the plan
OF adjustment s'as final settlement in principle and
substance, OF the dangerous and exciting subjects which
they embraced"-w do their part in securing early
restoration Of the rendy and raerna relations formerly
existing between the different sections OF this confederacy
and thus aid as far as in their power to do so in the
suppression OF dangerous and unseemy agitation the
former progress OF which undoubtedly placed the insti-
utons OF The country in extreme peril and involved the
republic itself in less of dscredi In departing
frnm, n mt ring tn Qnd
the Senate very briefly at the present time, my object is
simply to prevent any misunderstanding touching my
motives, and counteracting certain misrepresena.
tons in regard thereto, which discover already have
been made.
Mr. President cannot believe that there many in
dviduas in this body who are prepared to declare their
dsapproval OF the conduct Of the President in twice delbe
ratsly and formally araying all the influence OF eminent
station and high character in favor OF scheme Of pac
cation and settlement which had previously received the
approval Of the two houses of Congress. and 10 which
be had also impaired his own official sanction, but to
which he was al the time aware that opposition OF
Ious and imposing character had been presented in diff
feent forms, and in opposite sections Of the republic
What right in itself and worthy of appreciation in
the President will be equally proper on the part of Con-
gress and prepared to show that still stronger
exist for such action as is proposed by this esolu
tion than could be supposed egmatey 10 influence the
mind OF the Executive. The legislation OF Congress
upon the questions involved in The series Of
referred to in the resolution was unfortunately in its
progress surrounded BY circumstances OF nature cacu
lated 10 awaken less OF doubt in regard the
therein and movements have subsequently occurred,
not necessary here TO be specified which have called
into existence in the minds OF the friends OF the Union
grave apprehensions as TO the intention OF those
who were originally opposed TO the measures of COM
promise TO defeat, or at least seriously obstruci the
faithful execution OF the same and hereafter.
The number of those thus opposed 10 these
IL must be acknowledged, was in the beginning by
means contemplate. and that number. fear, has
not much diminished OF late as many over san.
ruine persons imagine. X is undeniable that armed
opposition TO certain portion OF these measures has
occurred in than one instance in particular vci-
nases, easy TO be mentioned and II II equally Ger.
tain that substantial resistance TO other portions OF this
plan OF settlement, has been quite as extensively coniem-
plated elsewhere. Sectional iealouses which have ex.
is,ed for many past, are not yet as fully as
suaged ell true patriots desire they should be- Fac
politicians have been ndus:riousy al work in va
nous States OF the confederacy TO iname the popular
mind Of the country and TO give perpeuity 10 that un.
fortunate misunderstanding which has so long continued
between good north and south OF a certain geo.
graphical line Great and perseveng efforts have been
political agiaors TO array public feeling against the act
for the restoration OF fugves from service and scenes
have occurred under such deplorable nsgaon OF too
ocious and bloody character TO be more than alluded
10 such occasion az the present Movements equal
y d.plorable in my judgment. have occurred IN several
OF the sou,hern States OF the Union the tendency OF
which has been 10 a considerable extent, to establish
relations OF permanent hostility between the people
Of the North and OF the South Belonging TO that
class OF politicians who have uniformly looked 10
,be measures of adjustment az constituting uniedly an
equitable scheme of settlement, ] have entertained
confident hope that they would ultimately receive
fair appreciation such nj the hands OF my coun.
uymen, whether resident north or south OF Mason
and Dixons line and rejoice in believing that the
people Of the Union. apart from the selfish poll.
icians who have been ardenily struggled TO de-
ude thsm every day growing better and better salts
fed with these measures. Still there is something Tor
Congress DO order to reconcile thoroughly the
sectional feelings which long course OF industrious
agitation has engendered Coming, as we do, INTO the
halls of national legislation from all parts OF the Union,
be Otherwise than prepared frankly 10 report
Ihnn hltr nj ann
spectve constituents and hope that we have II IN our
power by reciprocal explanations and BY joint action OF
the kind contemplated by the resolution under consdera
ton, 10 restore at that ffaternal understanding
among the different sections of the Union, without which
10 impossible that the government itself be main.
ainsd and the permanent happiness OF the nation Sc
cured do not expect. Mr President, this resolution to
be unanimously adopted, either this house or in the
House OF Representatives. know tina, there are gentle
committed, both houses TO OF permanent
opposition 10 our scheme of settlement and IL il but
reasonable 10 expect that these persons will, both by
and speeches. present such opposition 10 any such
resolution the one before as they may suppose to
be necessary TO the maintenance OF their local popularity,
or the attainment OF other objects OF less reputable
character What do expect most confidently is. that
this resolution or of similar import will be supported
by 80 large number Of both houses of Congress to
give the whole country that opposition
be successfully presented 10 any part OF the plan
OF adjustment either now hereafter, and in any quar-
Ter OF the Union
Mr. President, ! have not brought forward this reso.
luton as party man, or for the furtbersnce o
been since the opening days Of manhood to the great
principles Of what is known the democratic creed o
the country, and desrons all fitting occasions TO give
hearty and uneq0vocal support TO the same should