Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-01-10

to do as they pleased when they became a State.
!et the instruction was designed and deemed suffi-
clent to compel me to resign my and give place
TO ireesoer, for there could have been expecta
tlon OF their electing whig. They knew my infex
Idle opposition to the principle asserted in the in
structlon at the time that they knew that the
right OF instruction the settled doctrine of both
parties in my State, which could repudiate
with safety. Knowing that this combination of
wings and freesoiers fattered themselves that they
had succeeded in party trick which would drive me
from the Senate and give place to freesoiler who
would come here and carry out abolition doctrines,
confess that they would have succeeded in their plot
had been certain that all the measures of the Com
promise could have passed without my vote and in
opposition to the vote of aboitionst in my place.
Notwithstanding these instructions, wrote the bills
and reported them from the Committee on Territories
without the prohibitions, in order that the record
might show what my opinions were but lest the
trick might fail, treeso senator offered amend
ment in the precise language of my instructions.
knew that the amendment could not prevail, even if
my colleague and myself recorded the vote of our State
in its favor. But if resigned my place to aboli
zionist, it almost certain that the bills would fail
on their passage. After consulting with my colleague
and with many senators friendly to the bills came
to The conclusion that duty required that should
tain my seat. l was prepared to fight and defy abo-
itionsm in all its forms, but was not willing to
pudiate the settled doctrine of my State in regard TO
the right of instruction. Before the vote was taken,
l made speech reviewing my course on the slavery
question and defining my position. denounced the
doctrine of the amendment, declared my unalterabe
OppoSuon 10 IL, ana gave nOuce Lndl any Vote WHICH
might be recorded in my name seemngy In It's favor
would be the vote of those who the instructions,
and not my own. Under this protest, l recorded
vote for this and one or two other amendments en-
bracing the prlnc Pile, and then renewed my pro-
test against them, and gave notice that should not
hold myself responsible for them. lmmed lately on
my return home to my constituents and in that same
Chicago speech to which have referred, renewed
my protest against those votes, and repeated the no.
tice that excited and Infatuated meeting that they
their votes and not mine. l will detan the
Senate moment while l read passage from that
speech. Speaking of the territorial bills, say:
"These measures predicated the great fun
damen al principle that every people ought to posses
the right of forming and regulating their own inter-
nal concerns and domestic institutions in their own
way. 1t supposed that those OF our fellow citl
zens who emigrated to the shores Of the Pacific and
to other Territories capable of sef-gov-
eminent their ne ghbors and kindred whom they
left behind them and there reason tor belIev-
ing that they have lost any of their intelligence or
patriotism by the wayside while crossing the isthmus
the plains. It also believed that after their
arrival in the country, when they had become tanii-
liar with its topography. climate productions, and
resources, and had connected their destiny with 1t,
they were fully as competent Judge for themselves
what kind of laws and institutions were best adapted
to their condition and interests we were who new
er saw the country and knew very little about 1t.
To question their potency to do ;hS was to deny
their capacity for selgovernment. 1t they have the
requisite intelligence and honesty to be Intrusted
with the enactment of laws for the government of
white men, know OF no reason why tney SnOulu
not be deemed competent to legsl for the negro.
If they sufficiently enlightened to make laws for
the protection OF life liberty and property, OF morals
and education-to determine the relation OF husband
and wife, of parent and child not aware that
requires any higher degree of civilization to regu-
late the affairs OF master and servant These things
all confded by the constitution to each State to
decide for itself, and know OF no reason why the
principle should not be extended TO the Terri TO-
ries. My votes and acts have been in accordance
with these views in all cases, except the instances
in which voted under your instructions. Those
were your votes and not mine entered my protest
against them at the ime-before and gfter they Were
recorded-AND SHALL NEVER HOLD MYSELF RESPONSE
THEM
This speech was Immediately printed, and crcula-
ted all over the State. l at the same time travelled
a good portion of the State and made many
speeches of the tenor, the last of which was
made in the capitol Of State. a few weeks af-
forwards, the Legislature assembled and one of thei.
first acts to repeal the resolutions OF instructions
TO which have referred and to pass resolutions APP
proving Of the of my colleague and myself on
the compromise measures, by vote OF three or four
to From that day Illinois has stood firm and
unwavering in support OF the compromise measures
and of all the compromises Of the constitution.
Now, Mr.. President. have done with these ex-
plantations, and trust forever. 1t have said any
thing which savors of egotism, know the Senate
will pardon me, and at the time sympathize in
the necessity which has imposed 1t upon me- If
had omitted all that personal to myself, my de-
fence would have been incomplete and unsatisfactory.
who connected with me. In view of all the
facts, submit the question whether the charge in
situation that was at any time favorable to the Will
mot provso was and is not grossly ungenerous and
unjust l am willing to be held responsible for all
my acts; but wish to be judged by my acts and not
by malicious misrepresentation of them. l do not
claim to be infaibe. / may have committed many
errors, and doubtless have but when am convinced
of them, l will acknowledge them like and
promptly correct them l wish to avoid respon-
sibility. 1 do not belong that school of poll
ticians.
In taking leave of this subject, wish state that
have determined never to make another speech up
the slavery question and will now add the hope
that the necessity for it will never exist. am hear
ty tired of the controversy, and know the country
is disguised with it, In regard 10 the resolutions Of
the senator from Mississippi, will be pardoned for
saying that much doubt the wisdom and expedency
of their introduction. The whole country is acqui-
escing in the compromise measures-everywhere,
North and South. Nobody proposes to repeal or dis
turb them. True, everybody not for them origi-
nay would they be were it open and ORR
gina question But since they have been adopted and
time has been given for little cool reflection, every
settlement of an imp roftabe controversy. So long
opponents do not agtate for repeal modifca-
ton, why should we agitate for any purpose! We
claim that the Compromise is a final settlement Is
final settlement open to discussion, and agitation
and controversy, by its friends? What manner of
settlement is that which does settle the difficulty
and quiet the dispute Are not the friends of the
Compromise becoming the agitators, and will not the
country hold US responsible for that which con-
denim and denounce the abolitionsts and ree-soil
ers These matters worthy of our consideration.