The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-17
spsssh Of Hon. t.J. MslIas Of Iississlppl,
on THE coMPRoMisE MEASURES.
coNTINUED.l
liz SENATE, Feb. 4.

on THE coMPRoMfsE Measures.
[ooSTISuED.
liz SENATE, Feb 4.
Having concluded with the merits OF the res
olution as it stands in its present form, before
proceeding to discuss the merits OF the meas
ures which il embraces, wish to correct an en-
ror which find prevailing in the public mind
with reference to the position of the party in
Mississippi which was opposed to the measures
of compromise after their passage, and who de-
sired to express an opinion with reference to
them by way of remonstrance by way OF OBJ
tanning redress as far as possible for the
wrongs done us, and by way Of obtaining
security for the future against further wrong.
1t has been charged upon US, sir, that We
were disunion party that we were in favor
Of the dissolution of the Union, either by sep
arate secession Of Mississippi from the Union,
or by her cooperation with South Carolina
and other States on account of these measures
Of compromise Now, wish to say here upon
the floor of the Senate, calmnly and deliberately,
with full knowledge of the position which that
party occupied. and as an humble member Of il,
taking part in its action, that this charge is not
true thai what is called the State Rights party
the Democratic State Rights party in Mssiss-
ppi, comprising about four-fifths of the old Dem
ocratic party, and small portion Of intelligent
State Rights Wings, who united with us on
Jeffersonian principles, in opposition to the
usurpaton of power by the government against
the rights Of the States say that this party
did not take the position of separate secession
of the State Of Mississippi from the Union, or
with South Carolina and other States, on ac-
count of what was done, by the passage Of the
compromise measures. Itcannot be shown, sir,
by any authoritative act of the party il cannot be
shown by any authoritative declaration in writ
ing ofthe party. II may be true that there were
some certain individuals in the State of Mssis-
sippi who took such position; il may be there
were some presses in the State that took such
a position.
| But, sir, is the position Of great party
amounting to onehalf of the whole Of the peo-
pie of Mississippi, to be fixed and decided by
the expression Of the opinion and sentiments Of
few individuals, or Of single press, either in
the State or out of it, Not at all. The posi-
ton of the party must be decided by the au-
thortative acts Of the party, and their anthorta-
tive declarations, sent out in writing and say
this charge cannot be fixed upon any party or.
ganzation there by any such authoritative acts
or authoritative declarations, at any of its meet.
ngs, in convention or otherwise, or of its leaders
if | may use the term, or of any large number
of its members. Our position was this with
reference to the measures of compromise: We
believed them to be unjust to the South we
believed we had been wronged by these meas.
| ures, and we thought the best way to obtain
redress for that wrong, was to say that we be.
| lieved that the measures were unjust, and that
we had been wronged. We believed the bes,
way to obtain security for the future, was tc
demonstrate against these wrongs, and ask
guarantees against future aggressions. This
was our position, and we made no ultimatum
upon which the dissolution of the Union was
staked in the event of refusal of these de-
mands Our remedies sir, were all within the
Union and under the Constitution they wert
| such remedies as were reasonable, and such as
if the Southern States had CO. operated in askins
| from the North, am sure they would have beer
granted by the North. Our position may b,
illustrated by what ] have seen or read in tn,
play /; believe il is written in the play of Kin!
Richard ILL.,, when that monarch was usurpin!
his way to the throne by the murder of all win
stood between him and the object of his ambi
ton. AT the time, perhaps, of the mysteriou
death of Clarence and Edward, when there wa
great tumult among the people, two citizen
being in conversation about the strange event
which were passing around them, and the dan
gers that encompassed them and the State, on
said to the other:
"When clouds are seen, wise men put on thei
cloaks;
When great leaves fall. then winter is at hand
When the sun sets, who doth not look for night
So stood the State Rights men Of Mississippi
towards what they considered the usurping pow
er Of the federal government in the enactmen
Of these measures Of compromise. There wa
tumut and excitement among the people The,
communed with each other upon the strang
events which were passing here, and the danger
which threatened them, as they saw one and an
other Of their trusted men fall from them to Oh,
other side. They saw the clouds in the sky
and they thought that il was time to wrap thei
cloaks about them, and 10 prepare for the coming
storm. They saw the great leaves fall from tn,
tree Of liberty, and they knew that the " winter
Of their discomfort" was near at hand. The,
saw the sun Of their political freedom cuminai
ing from his bright meridian from which he diff
fused his equal rays upon every State in thu
Union, ard sinking down into that dark night O
ceDiralism, in which and through which they
were TO be ruled through all future time by th,
usurping hand Of federal inequality. This wa,
the pos ton which they occupied. They saw
the danger, and they thought II was time e
meet ". bul lneH remedies were all Wlthln tht
Union, and under the Constitution. And, sir
| have felt il my duty to-day 10 place them righ
upon this question before the country, being
charged-falsely charged-as they are, through
out the country, as occupying position Of dis
union on account Of the measures Of compro
mise, when they sought only, by an organization
on the part Of The Southern States, TO obtain
reasonable redress, il they might do 80, FOL
wrongs which were done them, and guarantees
IL possible, against future aggression.
! Mr.. President. IL has been said that we were
disunionists because in seeking this redress and
these guarantees, We asked or demanded an
amendment Of the federal Constitution. will
say, sir, in reference 10 the Democratic State
Rights party 10 Mississippi, that, as a party, il
by no authoritative act ever took the position
that they demand an amendment Of the Consti.
tuition. II was not taken by the Democratic
State Rights party in the Legislature, nor was il
taken by any convention, held by that party
But, sir, viii say further, because am willing
10 put the question in its fairness before the
country--that for myself aud large number Of
\ the partv 4 and fhev were in favor of ouaran