Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1852-11-27

u
ter undergoing various notifications, to all of
which | had acceded in the spirit OF cancellation
in which the resolution itself had originated, was
finally adopted by the Senate on the 9Th OF
April by the following vote to-wit:
YnAs--Mcssrs. Atchison, Badger Borlana, Bell,
Bright Casa Clay Clemens Davis Of Miss Dickinson.
Dodge OF Iowa, Downs Footc, Hunter King, Jones'
Mangum, Mason, Morton Pearce R,sk Sebastian Soulo
spruanee Sturgeon, Turney, Underwood, Whiteomb,
and lulee--30.
NAYs-AIessrs Baldwin, Benton, Bradbury, Chase,
Clarke Gorwn, Davis Of Massachusetts Dayton Dodge
OF Wisconsin, Douglas Fcleh, Greene Hale, Hamn,
Miller Norris Phelps Seward, Shields Smith, Walker,
and Webster-22.
From this statement it appears that epery
Southern Senator, except Mr.. Benton, voted for
NE resolution, and that no Northern Senator, at
all suspected of treesoiiism or abolitoaism, did
rote for Il,
1t should be borne in mind, that from the be-
ginning Of the session, up to the day of the pas
sage of the resolution for raising the Committee
OF l3, the excitement on the subject of slavery
had been constantly on the increase. Agitation
of the most extreme character, had been going on
without intermission, in both Houses Of Con
gress.
On the 18th of February, the President of the
United States, had sent in message, communca-
ting to the Senate the constitution of the State OF
California. Upon the reception of this Message,
Mr., Benton had introduced motion to refer the
same to Especial Committee, with view to the
immediate admission of California into the Union,
ms a separate measure. Those who chose 10 in-
spect the pages Of the Congressional Globle, will
find that the only opposition whieh ibis motion
Of Mr.. Benton encountered, proceeded from mysel,
and that to the course of the remarks, which |
made in opposition to it, | said; ~ hold in my
hand a resolution which intended to offer during
the day. the object of which is 10 refer this par
tieular subject together with all questions now
before Senate, connected with domestic slavery, TO
special Committee of / 3 members of the Senate
to be chosen by ballot. For one Sir I am an.
'otfttag that The different portions of this suJject
shall Be diwded," dc.
From that time forward, the most perseycrng
efforts were made by the enemies Of the South,
both in the Senate and House of Representatives
in support Of the claim of California to separate
admission MIR. Clay, to be sure had introduced
his famous Compromise Resolutions of the Goth
of January and had delivered nobly patriotic
speech in support of them but several of Mr.
Clay's propositions had been strongly objected 10
by Southern Senators, including myself, and
very heated debate had sprang up thereupon,
which am sure, had tended TO raise new impe-
dments TO settlement. On the 4th Of March, Mr..
Calhoun had caused 10 be read IN the Senate, his
well known speech upon Mr.. Clay's resolutions,
in which he had demanded an amendment of the
federal constitution, which amendment he spoke
of only in general terms, as "an amendment which
voutd restore 10 he South, IN substance, tie poso-
er she possessed Of protecting herself before The
equilibrium Jeiween The sections mas destroyed BY
the action Of Tie Government"
On the day after Mr.. Calhouns speech, a scene
occurred in the Senate, several particulars of
which shall never cease to regret though have
never yet discovered the least reason to suppose,
that the part which acted therein was at all de-
serving Of censure. | confess that the portion Of
Mr. Calhom's syeecb, in which he had demanded
an amendment Of the constitution Of the United
States, as INDISPENSABLE TO THE SETTLEMENT or
THE PENDING CUSHIONS had greatly alarmed me.
! had heard him repeatedly declare that he regar-
ded any change Of the constitution as utterly inn
possible. | well knew fromFepeated declarations
from his own lips, that he utterly despaired Of
the longer continuance Of the Union and was
looking forward TO the period, which he did not
conceive 10 be then remote, when all the States Of
the South would be compelled by prudential re-
gard for their own safety 10 withdraw from the
Union, and establish a Southern Confederacy. !
had heard this eminent man more than once de-
'lare that anticipating the occurrence Of disunion,
which | am wiling to believe, he did not intend
o aid in precipitating,) he had already matured
constitution for the new Republic, which he eX-
,ected soon 10 spring into existence, under which
constitution he predicted the Southern section Of
he Union would enjoy an amount Of prosperity
lever before realized. ! believed him 10 be per
ectly conscientious in the entertainment Of these
xtreme views, and therefore could not but feel
,reater solicitude for what might occur in the fu
ure. He knew very well, before his speech was
cad in the Senate, that | could not cooperate
With him, in the course which he had marked out
Or himself and he had been distinctly informed by
ne that the people Of Mississippi greatly prefer
ed fair and honorable settlement Of the exist
ng questions, 10 any Of those dubious adyanta-
es which resort 10 the perilous remedy Of dis
nion might seem 30 promise With a knowl
dge Of these facts, feow-citizens and with
Of the additional fact that the Nash
ille Convention was about 10 commence its ses-
on and might possibly be hurried into indis- /
rect action by the PRONUNCIATION Of such views
5 those contained in the speech Of Mr.. Calhoun,
ou viii not oonsderit at all surprising that II I
OUR sAME, | thought proper to PROTEST MOST c
RoNPTLY AGAINST THIS DEMAND or cOSsTfrU- !
IoNAL AMENDMENT Indeed | felt it TO be my
uty, on the very next day after this unfortunate
beech had been read, to enter this protest; and 7
roceeded % the Hall Of the Senate in the j
orning with more than ordinary eagerness, y
ith view 10 the performance Of this duty Of :
striotisn. shall not trouble you at present, :
ith copious extracts from what then said; but
am sure You viii cordially unite with me, in re-
srating. now, what then felt it my duty 10 de- q
are, that was quite satisfied, for the present O
th the constitution as framed by our wise b
"a patriotic fathers" | am certain that N
u do not blame me, fellow-citizens. for adj T?
ng ON that momentous occasion; Fl am for NE m
: &C.,. - =. -. -, o. fIs r,