The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-16
Speech Of Hen. ]. ]. nsaae Of MlssissIppi,
ON THE COMPROMISE MEASURES.
CONTINUED

| 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 err
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 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 a full knowledge of the position which that
party occupied. and as an humble member Of it,
taking part in it's action, that this charge is not
true that what is called the State Rights party
the Democratic State lights party in Mississ-
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
usurpation of power by the government against
the rights of the States-l 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 it cannot be
shown by any authoritative declaration in writ
ing of the party. It may be true that there were
some certain individuals in the State of Alisss-
sippi who took such position it may be there
were some presses in the State that took such
a position.
| But, sir, is the position of great party,
amounting to one-half 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 authorta-
tive declarations, sent out in writing; and say
this charge cannot be fixed upon any party or
ganizaton there by nysuch authoritative acts,
or authoritative declarations, at any of it's meet
ings, 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
| 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 best
way to obtain security for the future, was to
demonstrate against these wrongs, and ask
guarantees against future aggressons. 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 we're
such remedies as were reasonable, and such as,
if the Southern States had co-operated in asking
| from the North, am sure they would have been
granted by the North. Our position may be
illustrated by what have seen or read in the
play; | believe it ID written in the play of King
Richard ILL.,, when that monarch was usurpng
his way to the throne by the murder of all who
stood between him and the object of his ambi
ton. At the time, perhaps, of the mysterious
death of Clarence and Edward, when there was
great tumult among the people, two citizens
being in conversation about the strange events
which were passing around them, and the dam
gers that encompassed them and the State, one
said to the other:
"When clouds are seen, wise men put on their
coaks;
When great leaves fall, then winter is at hand
When the sun ets,who doth not look for nght3
So stood the State Rights men of Mississippi
towards what they considered the usurping pow
or Of the federal government in the enactment
OF these measures of compromise. There was
tumult and excitement among the people. They
cOmmuned with each other upon the strange
events which were passing here, and the dangers
which threatened them, as they saw one and an
other of their trusted men fall from them to the
other side. They saw the clouds in the sky,
and they thought that it was time to wrap their
cloaks bout them, and to prepare for the coming
storm. They saw the great leaves fall from the
tree of liberty, and they knew that the " winter
Of their discomfort" was near at hand. They
saw the sun of their political freedom culminat.
ing from his bright meridian from which he diff
fused his equal rays upon every State in the
Union, and sinking down into that dark night of
centralism, in which and through which they
were to be ruled through all future time by the
usurping hand of federal inequality. This was
the position which they occupied. They saw
the danger, and they thought it was time to
meet it. But their remedies were all within the
Union, and under the Constitution. And, sir,
have felt it my duty to-day to place them right
upon this question before the country, being
charged-falsely charged-as they are, through
out the country, as occupying a 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, If they might do 80, for
wrongs which were done them, and guarantees,
if possible, against future aggression.
| Mr. President, it 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 to the Democratic State
Rights party in Mississippi that, as party, it
by no authoritative act ever took the position
that they demand an amendment of the Consti-
tuition. 1t was not taken by the Democratic
State Rights party in the legislature nor was it
taken by any convention, held by that party.
But, sir, will say further, because am willing
to put the question in its fairness before the
country-that for myself and large number of
the party, and they were in favor of guaran-
tees which did require amendments to the Con-
stitution. And, sir, have yet to learn how it
is that the Union is to be destroyed by sautary
amendments to the nstitution-amendment
provided for by the Constitution ITSELF and sug.
gested as proper by the father of his country,