The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-03

IL Is 10 DC fecOnClle0 Win WHAT ne Calls his OH
ayowed cherished opinions In regard to the inn
propriety Of Congressional legislation on the
subject Of slavery, whether that Legislation
should be intended to benefit the South, or to
benefit the North" | leave il to him to explain
who could excite the laughter of the United
States Senate by mentioning his consistency.
1t is not easy to say what he means by the
principle of neutrality-suspicious. it
might be defined by reference to the Legislation
he extols, TO be the power of the majority to take
from, and grant to the minority as interest or
caprice may dictate. For example, it justified
the ngeniously named bill ".To suppress the
slave trade in the District of Columba;" but
forbade Legislation to protect slave property in
the territories, which, like the District of Co.
lumbia, were the common property OF the
States. Us gss sl '96afa M
We did not agree ia l848 in relation to the
question Of slavery in the territories. We voted
together, it is true, on the final passage of the
bill known as the "Clayton compromise" against
which he had argued and upon grounds which
never occupied assented to the proposition
Of Mr.. Calhoun, that any Mexican law abolish.
ing slavery in the territories acquired, was re-
pealed by their acquisition he said, his judg-
ment could not assent to it." had confidence
that the Supreme Court of the United States,
as then constituted, would sustain the PROPOSE
ton; he announced a different opinion. | was
willing to rely for the temporary government
proposed on the officers who would be selected
by the President Cdr. Polk he considered that
plan Of government filled with danger from what
ever point 1t was viewed. This was when emf
grafton had but ommenced--when tho charac-
ter of the population was yet to be determined.
But when,, in 1850, population of anti-slayery
raufA /.ns As.1. -x.n H.. L.
the failure of the federal government to act)
had COLLECTED on those territories-when Mr..
Fillmore occupied the Presidential chair, and all
the change of circumstances were suggestive
of the positions he had taken in l848, then--he
abandoned them. offer one example by way
of illustration: In l848--see Congressional
Globe, lst session, 3Oth Congress, page 998-
Mr.. Fooie," in relation to the territory ac-
quired from Mexico, said - A gain, he contended
that slavery could not exist without Legislative
protection But in 1850, see appendix to
Congressional Globe, 1st session, 31st Congress,
page 993, he said " Sir, would scorn to ask
or to receive aid from Congress, in support of
our equal right to enter this territory, with our
property, with our Northern brethren" This is
the grave, constitutional question upon which
he could moi change front at any dictation and
therefore incurred my displeasure | must have
been unreasonable, indeed, requiring from him
more than The feats of tumbler, if his change
was not sufficient to satisfy me-
He renevs his attempt to make capital out
of what he terms my Taylor-Cass speeches in
lS48; and says of the speech made at Ray
mond, that be will venture to say there was not
a Democrat present who was not grossly of
Tended. do not doubt his ability to venture
any assertion. He particularly refers to the
deceased Gov MeNutt then Democratic cleo
tor, as having "censured it in the strongest lam
guage, as did every Democrat present whom
'he' heard say anything on the subject" We
know that Gov. McNutt said nothing to him;
that he would on no occasion recognize him,
holding him to be an assassin of character and
aconstitutionally a liar" quote the striking
expression Of McNutt, which, when first heard
it, thought was too harsh; but which further
observation has convinced me was just
/ stated in former communication my opin-
ion of the effect Of my speeches in the Presi.
dental canvass Of l84S, as we'll as that of the
course which he pursued. What he thinks of
the effect OF my course in that canvass is of lit
tie importance to me; what he may say he
thinks, Is of less. He announces, however, that
he had long ago ia very deliberate manner
and in writing" given me his opinion. More
forth several ISLANDERS against me, and sent
him formal note calling upon him to avow or
disayow them Among them was the statement
that had labored to secure the election of Gen.
Taylor, whilst pretending TO support Gen. Cass
And, that had shown a want Of devotion TO
the Democratic cause.
To the specific matter Of this inquiry he gave
the answer 10 which ] suppose he alludes He
denied having questioned my motives, or made
any accusation against me; sid he had left nv
future vindication against what he g had hoped
would turn out to be mere Wing aspersions,7
TO be attended TO by myself; had anever ac-
cused me Of a want Of devotion TO the Demo.
cratic cause and that be "had not failed on
many occasions TO suggest certain grounds Of
allowance (too obvious to need mention) for
what might seem 10 some a rather lukewarm
support Of the Democratic candidates. Unin.
vited and dsregarded he introduced inlo his
reply speculations, ard opinions, and express.
sions Of regret and dissatisfaction at nv course
in the Presidential canvass Of IS48. Such was
the manner and the occasion Of the very delib.
crate written opinion to which he refers.
He has warned me that If keep up this
controversial warfare" with him, that nv
friends will have to deplore my want of dis
cretion." That may be so; certainly feel
BUNDLED bya controversy with one 40 regard
less Of all the obligations recognized by honor
able men; AMI had not his position been such
as 10 give force 10 his words beyond what
was due 10 us character, should probably
have left biz falsehoods 10 counteract each
other. Wer, 10 attempt 10 answer all he has
told, and all he may tell, should expect 10
have such Rte as befel plan-dealnq man
who heard that his political antagonist bad been
making false accusations against him, and went
out 10 disprSe them. His interruptions OBJ
ponent, laughing at bis occupation, said whilst
the former WIS disproying one old lie, he would
tell dozen nsw ones
have endavored, as briefly as was consistent
With The tasl Of proving negative, to expose
the more prominent Of those ISLANDERS against
me, which hare been drawn from their place If
deposit by The approach Of that session Of the
legislature 1t which he says Il was known !"
he "muss Be re elected 10 the Senate, or be de-
feated" / congratulate myself that they have
been thrownto the surface, to expire in the light,
like vermin trned up BY the early spring furrow
Of the farmet