Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-02
liz. nn,ons hf I,nt,islnhn.

This gentleman was one of the prominent
Southern supporters of the Compromise acts
His fidelity to the South has never been ques-
toned, and he may be regarded as fair re-
preventative of that portion of the Democratic
party in the Southern States who were not re-
cruited from the ranks of Mr.. Calhoun's fol-
lowers. We find in the New Orleans Picayune
the following summary of the views expressed by
Mr.. Downs, in recent speech delivered at Trim
ity, Louisiana;
The Ouachita Register of the 18th inst, cont ms
full report OF the speech of Gen. Downs at the grand
barbecue in Catahoula. In relation to party questions
he ayows himself thorough Democrat determined to
adhere to his party as long as it exists On the Compro
mise questions he has differed from some OF his friends,
but he treats that settled question in regard to
Louisiana. But, he adds, he is Union man well
as Democrat, and if driven 10 choose between them
has been done with parties in Georgia and Misss-
spp he will not hesitate to prefer the Union. In that
case, says Gen. Downs
81 could not be said to have abandoned the Demo-
cratic party, for such party will then exist-it will
have been dissolved. Take the Union men out OF it,
and give it direction anagonstic to the opinions they
hold, and would not be entitled to the name of par
ty, or It were, would so have changed its principles
as to allow all those members of it who chose to retire
without the charge OF inconsistency"
The General sums up his speech by recapituating
his position. lie claims to have shown, that when the
other members Of the delegation sought and obtained
the advice of the Legislature, and other constituted
authorities and organs OF public opinion in the State
and pledged himself in advance to follow that advice
whatever it might be; that the compromise is in accor
dance with that advice containing nothing that was OBJ
leced to, and thing the fugitive slave BILL beyond
what was expected insisted on; that the course ne
pursued on this subject the same that OF ma
orty OF the members of Congress from the Southern
States, and has been approved by g.. the Southern
States except one; that the compromise the work
of majority, like all legislation and cannot therefore,
be expected to satisfy everybody that the Southern men
might nave got more if the Southern delegations had
been more unlted that the South would have Jared
worse ii it had not passed. and that the result would,
10 all probability, have been either the imposition OF the
Wimot provso, abolition Of slavery in the District Of
Columbia and the trade between the States or civil war
and dissolution of all these; that the secession move
ment in South Carolina usurpation of all State as
we'll asnaona authority, by irresponsible clubs against
the opinion of Mr.. Calhoun and all the distinguished
of that State that Mr.. Jefferson and other fathers
of the Republic advised against such movements when
greater encroachmens had been made on State rights
than are now complained OF. He concluded with ex-
pressing abiding confidence in the people Of Louis
ana that they will not permit him TO be prescribed for
doing what he conscienously believes to be his duty
and which he thought, and still thinks was in accord
ence with their opinions and instructions, and cacula-
ted to promote their best interests.