The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-01

and stand there with Washington And, sir, say that
do prefer, al any time. il il becomes necessary when
majority IN the government under doubtful constructions
OF the constitution, usurpDg powers on quesnons OF
great interest between different sections OF the unlon and
tho minority are not able TO resist them-i DO prefer
written guarantee, by way, IL necessary oil amendment
10 the constitution declaraioy OF the powers oil Con-
gTess and restrictive OF them, IN preference 10 compo
misses which forced usupations on the one hand
and submitted 10 on the Other not benefits conferred
but simply pledges against iuiure aggression. ! say
am willing TO plant myself on that position with the
Father OF his County and believe, II the people OF
the country understood this matter properly they would
entertain the same opinion. would risk mysef before
any intelligent people on that position, without having
any doubt that should be sustained on the platform
with Washington in preference 10 the platform OF
promises say further in reference 10 compromises, if
The doctrine obtains that when the government wishes 10
exercise doubtful powers. usurpng rights TO which il is
not enttedf the doctrine prevails that amendments 10
the constitution cannot be made, decara,ory restrc-
I'VE oil the powers oil Congress these subjects and
these usupaions TO be settled by compromises. this
government is no longer constitutional government; II
- q government founded upon the legislation OF Con-
gress under the sanction OF customs and precedents
made by Congress the constitutional government has
passed away, and the government remaining rests
compromises made by the unrestraned will OF The major
lily, usurpng powers 10 which the minority compelled
10 submit, not as benefits conferred, but pledges
against future aggression.
will say further upon this subject. am not now
never nave benin favor OF any amendment TO the
constitution, II the constitution itself can be strictly
administered That isprecisey what we want That is
whs, se sas,sg i party n Mississippi wish It is
and they ask more. have il declared in
luton passed by the late democratic State convention Of
the subject Of slavery and power 10 exclude il from
the Territories What guarantee which in
Mississippi wanted Simply decaralory clause saying
that Congress had no such power II we could have
obtained that II would have restored harmony between
the two sections OF the country, and settled the agitation
Of the slavery question forever And is this dsunon,
But has been charged that asked what could not be
granted, and that therefore in favor OF dsunion
That shows the false manner in which position has
been represented before the country.
1t has been further said that in Mississippi were in
favor Of dissolution OF the UaioD. | speak for Mis-
sssipp alone am not authorized to say what position
was taken in other States because, If | were to under
take to do so, might msrepresent them as Mississippi
has been msepresenled by others speaking for her when
they were not competent To- do il has been said that
represented in the Nashville convention. How did that
convention originate Why sir the whole action OF the
State Of Mississippi in reference to the slavery question
was taken upon what called the Southern Address
issued by members OF Congress here There was
meeting held on this subject until that address was
ISSUED Inc hfsl primary meetings were called after its
IN getting up that address, Some of those who now
charge us most roundly being dsunonsls because we
its direction, until we found ourselves in the Nashville
convention. The distinguish ed chief justice of State
Chef Justice Sharkey, was the individual who orgina
led that convention. He says himself that he was the
first who suggested it, Yet he not now considered
dslnlonst BUTT is said we disunioniss account
OF the positions which were taken in the Nashville
U.
DowNsl said the other day that that convention de-
.rous Of obtaining the line Of 80 deg 30 min that they
disposed to break up the Union If they did get it, All
nave TO say IN reference 10 that is, that somewhat
acquainted with the proceedings Of that body, and
such uitimatum was ever made by it, II is true sug
gesed that the line OF SO deg 80 min would be accepa
Bile 10 the southern people but made the ul-
nmatum that dissolution OF the Union TO take place
il was not obtained. 1t cannot be shown in the pro-
called q reasonable body Some of those who origi
mated it. and al first approved its action, say that
every act OF II was miserable blunder and failure
recollect that an eminent do not allude 10
him in the above remarks-who was here al former
sion OF Congress when these compromise
hrs under discussion but who is now member Of
another department OF the government said in reference
TO the meeting of the Nashville convention that he reco
lected, when the treaty concluded between England
and France at the Peace of Amiens stern old English
man and an orator, who regarded the treaty omnous
10 England said in the House of Commons that if King
William could know the terms of the treaty he would
turn his coffin and he commended iha, saying in all
its fullness to any persons who should meet Nashville
to concert measures for the overthrow OF the Union
over the bones Of Andrew Jackson. Well, sir, this
Nashville Convention elected by the legislature OF
my State went there 10 represent the sentiment OF
my State, which was al that time generally in opposi
ton TO what was considered would be the legislation
OF Congress in the enactment OF these compromise
measures Our purpose was not the dissolution OF
the Union il was TO preserve the Union by the pres
ervaton, in its purity of the constitution. That the
object OF the Nashville convention That was the OBJ
ject with which went 10 H. had the honor TO draw
up ana present 10 Inc convention the series oil RESOLUTIONS
with the exception OF one, relating to non.inercourse
between the States, which offered the part Of
mississippi They were approved by the delegation from
Missssippi The first one commenced by saying that the
objects OF The convention conciaioy that its end
and aim the preservation OF the Union, by the pres.
ervatoB, in its purity, OF the constitution. There was
not single sen timen in all of them which breathed a
spirit OF dsunion, these in the resolutions adopt
ed by the convention So conscious was that such
spirit existed IN my own mind, or in The minds OF those
with whom | co.operaied, that Sabbath day inter-
venng the proceedings Of the convention, visited. with
other delegates from other States, The Hermage-aye,
sir, visited the grave OF Andrew Jackson stood upon
the granite slab which covered it, felt no shock The
homes OF the old hero reposed quietly the dust
beneath which they slept, and thought heard his spirit.
voice whispering IN my ear, Preserve the Union, but
prsssrve ruth IL the constitution"
Mr. SEBASTIAN. With the consent of the senator
from Mississippi, viii move an adjournment
Mr.. McRAE. believe shall not be able 10 conclude
to-day; and if is the pleasure of the Senate am will.
ling 10 give way TO an adjournment
Mr.. SEBASTIAN. ! move, then, that the Senate do
now adjourn.
The motion was agreed TO, and the Senate adjourned
GALES that must he made.-we have the follow