The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-12-24
rHIRTY-sECoND CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
TuEsDAv, December %, 1851.
SENATE.

cation from the Secretary of the Navy, transmit
ting. in compliance with the resolution OF the Sen
ate Of the l9th instant, copy OF the revised rules
and regulations the subject of corporal pun.
ishment in the navy, together with a number OF
communications from officers of the navy, CIV
ing their opinions on the subject. Ordered 10 be
printed, and referred TO the Committee on Naval
Affairs
Mr. G WIN said that he would give notice that
instead of calling up this morning the memorial
which was presented a few DAYS ago, as he had
previously intended he would postpone calling it
up till the 9th of January, at which time he hoped
gentlemen who desire to do so will be prepared to
give their views on the subject
LOUISVILLE AND PORTLAND CANAL.
Mr.. RRoDHEAD presented several petitions
praying that the United States would purchase
and make free the Louisville and Portland Canal,
LIEUTENANT GENERAL.
Mr.. CLEMENS, from the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs, reported iavorably the joint resolu-
ton creating the rank of lieutenant general, and
authorizing the President 10 confer that rank 10y
brevet for meritorious services.
ARMY RETIRED LIST.
MIR. SHIELDS gave notice of bill to increase
the efficiency of the army, by providing retired
list for disabled officers.
NAVAL DEPOT AT WEST.
MIR. MALLORY submitted the following resolu-
ton, which was agreed to-
Resolved, That the Committee on Naval Affairs
be instructed to inquire into and report on the ex.
pedeucv of establishing naval depot ut Key West,
in the State of Florida.
RE-ExAMINATIoN OF CLAIMS.
| Mr.. UNDERWOOD submitted the following re-
solution, which, after explanation, was adopted:
Resolved That the Committee the Judiciary
be instructed to inquire into the expectancy OF pro-
vidlng by law for the reinvestigation by the judi
| cial Department Of the Government OF all pay
| ments made by any of the Executive Departments
when there is ground TO apprehend fraud or mis-
! take.
COMMITTEE REPORT.
Mr.. JONES, of Iowa, submitted the following
resolution, which, after some debate, was agreed to-
Resolued That the Committee on Pensions be
authorized as heretofore, to employ clerk.
OWEN CONNOLLY.
Mr.. BELL submitted the following resolution,
which was laid OVER
Resolved, That Owen Connolly be and he is
hereby appointed a messenger to the Senate, to
take effect from and since the IL til day of March,
1851.
THE COMPROMISE MEASURES.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration
of the resolution declaring the Compromise mea-
sures defntive settlement OF the slavery question
Mr.. CLEMENS, who entitled to the floor,
yielded it to the Senator from Michigan.
Mr.. CASS expressed his obligations to the Sena-
tor from Alabama for yielding him the floor, and
said: Though | expressed to the honorable mover
of this resolution my regret at its Introduction, yet
here it s, and ! am required TO vote upon II; to
testify my satisfaction at the passage OF the Com
promise measures and my conviction that the ar
rangement just, and should be final one, no
more to be disturbed, in whole or IN part. have
before AIKEN occasion in my seat here, when prac.
teal subjects involving all these Issues were before
US, to state my views, ana L snail not now repeat
them when the course proposed proposes no legis
lativc action. am not generally In iavor OF mere
legislative declarations leading to no practical re-
suits, yet the circumstances which surround tins
proceeding give to II unusual Importance, and IT
may well rest upon its own peculiar claims The
peace of the country has been assured, trust. by
this series of measures; but reports have gone ort
more or less imposing in their character, that they
would be assailed in Congress, and some of them
repealed, or 80 modified TO destroy their eth
cheney and acceptabity.
Agitation is thus kept alive by the expectation
of change prepared to renew it's fearful work; and
in this state of things find myself face to face with
a resolution which asserts, as believe, the true
character and just inviolablty of these measures,
and seeks thereby to remove from the public mind
all apprehension that the perilous contest through
| which, by the kindness OF Providence, we have
| safely passed, will again be renewed; and should
| discharge my duty iathlessiy to my constitu
ents myself, if did not meet this proposition
with frankness, and support it with frmness.
And especially, sir am unwilling to be misun-
derstood in this grave coniuncture after the denun-
Citations we have heard for the fret time from an
| American Senator, in the American Senate, against
| the Confederation and Government of our common
country.
If such sentiments TO furnish motives to any
one for the rejection OF this proposition, they will
furnish motives to for it's support, desire, by
my voice and my vote, equally TO mark my disnp
probation of them. The words that fell from the
honorable Senator from South Carolina (Mr.
| RHETT) were to me as unwelcome as they were
unexpected They fell upon reluctant, may well
! say indignant, ears, and they went TO sorrowing
hearts. have not the most distant idea of follow
ing tie Senator in his bill of indictment against his
country, against my country, against this glorious
! Union, the most precious political gift OF God to
man since the exodus of our first parents from the
garden OF Eden.
| | will not follow hinl-the task would be too
] lrksOne-in
! the different portions of country have lost or
gained in the collection and disbursement OF reve
nue., in the disposition of the public lands even
In the amount OF pensions granted TO the poor and
time honored but time stricken relics of
lutionary struggle; not only because many of the
facts, and almost all the conclusions, erronc-
Gus, but still more because, after all the inequality
which really exists not, but which may be shadow
cd forth by the most distempered Imagination,
there remains sum of freedom and prosperity, of
enjoyment and Of blessings, such as the world
never saw before and VIII never see again, If this
Union is dissolved. That it Is the freest Govern
ment the sun ever shene upon requires no clearer
proof than ia furnished by the very denunciations
against it, uttered in this high place, in the pre-.
sence of the portrait of the Father of his Country
hallowing, not merely adjoining, these walls--and
who, in his last solemn act, warned US against sec
| tonal feelings and their consequences.
That Government has not been merely assalled
in strain of invcctve, rare even in party contests
| but the determination has been avowed, in Ian.
| guage not less clear than unqualified, to break up
| the Union by breaking the pre6tlge OF lts lnteS
rity and to reduce it 20 kind of temporary part
nership, feeble and inefficient in its operations both
at home and abroad, and equally contemplate to
its citizens and to the rest Of the world. Does
the honorable Senator believe that there s another
| government under the face of heaven where such
language and such objects can be uttered and
avowed with impunitys And does he not find il
the great principle of the right of speech, of free
speech, unshackled by conditions or limitations
unknown in its extent elsewhere through tht
world-does he not find, | cay, reiutation Of hi
own positions--that we live under deepotsm,
practical commentary, which rebuked, even while
he uttered them, his harsh denunciations.
As to the ruin confidently asserted or predict
ed. or both where is it, even sign OF it us biz
as a mans hand, like that seen by prophet NOR
truly inspired, trust, than the honorable Senate
from South CRrolina' Has the eye ofmln restet
upon more prosperous country than thiH And
such q condition is ruinous, or pregnant with ruin
where shall we find prosperity but in some new
paradise, especially created and governed by God
though even in such place sad experience ha
taught US that tree Of evil may be found, and tn
highest blessings rashy rejected in spirit of i'm
, Rpatience and discomfort?
North and South, East and West, the sun rises an
sets upon happy land, tceming with an intelii
gent people, with free and equal institutions, witt
| all tIp Of