The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-19

4
i Mr. BUTLER claim no triumph The gentleman's
own explanation shows where he considers the triumph
is Whie he insists on these compromise laws being
like unto the laws OF the Medes and Persans perfect
as not 10 be changed yet he admits there conngea-
cles on which they may be changed That is what in
ended 10 say is wise that he does choose
TO lei anybody consult the progressive improvements and
sugeesn OF lime; but he wishes TO stitch down and
that the procrus,ean bed, whether shorter longer
The only true measure for the country. shall put an
other proposition to the gentleman, and shall expect him
Mr.. FOOrE. | will answer as many as the gentle
man chooses TO put to me, il he will only allow an
opportunity OF answering them fully, Some gentlemen
enge the propoundng OF questions from any adversary
! Mr. BUTLER. The honorable senator in his speech
referred to The resolutions Of the Mississippi convention
wlsh 10 ask HIM question. and do not wish dsqui.
son in reply observe that the Mississippi convention
have resolved that there other remedy Tor abuse OF
the constitution but revolutionary resistance that there
right any of the members OF the cOnfedeacy
to resist the government and form new government
cep they incur the penalties of and rebellion
chosen TO denounce in measured language, the State
OF South Carolina Now, think he will find himself in
dilemma from which he cannot escape if he answer the
question now PROFOUND The Mississippi convention
has said that an interference with slavery in the
observation-disclosures with the of slaves between
Staes-the abolition Of slavery within the District OF Co
lumbia-he repeal OF the fugitive slave law-the abo-
lition of slavery in the Territories-woud constitute
ground for the dissolution of their connexon with the
federal government; and that for these causes, which
they have assigned, they would dissolve by revolution
ary resistance their connexion with this government
Now, the gentleman must be placed in this situation
suppose Mississippi. for any of these causes, all of
them, should determine upon quitting this Unlon
position in which her connexon could longer
be continued and the gentleman was called upon take
sides with Mississippi or fe federal government which
would he prefer?
Mr. FOOTE shall reply in due season, if The gen.
tleman will give me an opportunity but, in the first
| yyhi has alypay
true TO the constitution to put her in ony such predica
ment as that described Never will the State Of Misss
any OF her to ma Ike upon the federal govern
ment and when she shall do so, shall consider the
question and decide according to my Of proprety
acknowledge my respect-my profound respect-for
who do not, in my opinion are traitors wherever found
Mr. BUTLER Well, then. the gentleman in a con:
test between Mississippi and the federal government,
would consider himself traitor, if he were 10 fight
against the federal banner
Mr. FOOTE. The gentleman may make his own
commentary; shall state my views in full hereafter.
Mr. BUTLER. Mississippi here meant something or
she meant nothing, II these causes were appended 10
the genlIeman's resolution presume he would go for
them against them What the supreme law OF the
land OF which he speaksa say the settled doctrine OF
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and believe
oi Georgia and Alabama would be, that this IS conled
eracy OF sovereign States and not consolidated govern
ment which has the exclusive right to decide upon the
duty Of It's members know there questions OF per-
pleyity, and the gentleman might take time TO consider
that kind would not stop to chop logic on the con
sructon oil papers when my hearth and reside are IN
vaded and am called upon defend them my bloot
is 10 be split in a contest between my State and the fede
raj government would not take time 10 deliberate as the
gentleman says he would where my allegiance was due
The impulse OF my heart and the dictates OF judgment
long and deliberately formed, would mark out my path
! of duty
Another OF the topics upon which the senator from
Mississippi dwell, He said he would never consent to
have the constitution OF the United States amended he
said he wanted no amendment TO the constitution OF
Washington. Why, sir, the constitution itseli, win The
wisdom that characterized It's original organization pro-
yldes ior amendments My deliberate opinion is, that il
amendments had been made the exgences and
progressive development of this country we would have
been happy confederation Of republics under Union
having satisfactory for the rights and interests
OF ali but. instead of amending II according TO the
original prov ision OF the constitution we have now go
10 a time when il is declared that 1t shall never be
amended And | would say to the gentleman frankly
that can see no occasion why he should wish 1t amend
ed lie has not said that he is in favor oil consolidated
government but he has maintained that tins government
and the constitution in all the difficulties which may be
involved may be overcome by compromising com
promises OF the majority and II the gentleman chooses
always 10 act with the majority he has no occasion io
amendments
MIR. FOOTE Does the gentleman undertake 10 charge
me with having sad a, any iime that the constitution
OF the United States could, my opinion, be put dowr
BY compromises
u Mr. BUTLER No. sir.
Mr.. FOoTE. That is the way the genieman's remarks
will be understood. | stated the other day that one o
two reasons why supported the Compromise that
was not ONLY constitutional in ITSELF but that none OF th
constitutional lawyers of this body had attempted TO make
an elaborate argument 10 the contrary, when they wer
challenged 10 attempt II.
MIR. BUTLER say that as long as the majority caI
make these compromises give constructions 10 the con
stitution. il will not be amended and the gentleman
emphalcay a majority did not say that the gen
teman wo1d agree what he regarded as papabe vo
laon OF the constitution but said the tendency OF TIN
mode of treating the constitution TO have these ex
cescences in the form OF compromises 10 give II valid
ity which would not otherwise have. think we ough
10 meet the crisis and provide remedy.
The gentleman says that have proposed no amend
ment True have proposed but there are amend
ments which will vote for When the federal consu
tuition was under consideration in Philadelphia, II wa
proposed that no measure affecting the regulation OF com
merce or the disbursement OF the Iubc money should
pass without n vote oil two thirds; and tell the gentle
man that would now vote for such provision. " al
! amendment was proposed TO afford new guarantees tC
the saveholdng interest requiring Congress 70 gvegoV
ernments TO Territories without restrictions as to sla
very should vote for it. II were to consult The secu
r,v of this government, would vote for amendments
that would give enforceable guarantees 10 the minority
and not leave the majority TO ritter away by constfuc
ton or deform II by compromises There are many sal
utary amendments that might be proposed
r In conneyion with this sublect-and say " 10 I'M
senator more in sorrow than IN anger-l wish he had no
thought proper to alude, he did, with rather sneer
to the book OF my late distinguished colleague anu
denounce the proposition contained IN that book IN way
which evidently showed that It was under the ban ol h
censure was not prepared ior that nave no, lesc
/ Mr. Calhouns book His memory IL not committed tC
me neither are the works OF his great intellect comnteO
! to me would mol be able to take care OF Them hu
the least we could have expected oil those VINO oHen
agreed with and admired that DISTINGUISHED man was
that we should not assail him before the world ana n'
. Parliament of the nation, where the gentleman hmse
! had so many and seeming kindly associations with
,