The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-03


the altar to be welded to one who was not the
choice of his boyhood; and describing the
thoughts which, growing out of former associ-
atoms, at that moment filled his mind, shutting
out from him tho light and the scenes which sur
rounded him, concludes his s'anza most beauti-
fully by saying, in reference TO these thoughts,
" What business had they there at such a time .
Well, after seven months of the time Of the
last Congress being spent in the agitation Of the
questions OF slavery connected with those acts
of compromise--sfter the deepest agitation, and
most intense excitement, not only IN Congress,
but throughout the whole country, in reference
to these measures; and since all the Southern
States have determined to acquiesce in them
for cooperation in Sonth Carolina is nothing
more than acquescence; and since there Is no
proposition in any other quarter of the Union
to disturb these measures by the future action
Of Congress; and when we find this resolution
here creating agitation and discussions, shutting
US out, as it were, from the light Of reconcilia-
ton which is beginning to beam in on us from
all quarters, shutting US out from the business
of practical and useful legislation demanded by
the great interests of the country, may not well
say in reference to it, if not beautifully, at least
appropriately,
Mr.. President, in my Judgment the introduc-
ton Of this resolution here--the discussion upon
it, the agitation of the slavery question in the
Senate of the United States renewed on account
Of its introduction, was wholly unexpected to
the country. | believe may say with certain.
ty, TINT it was unexpected to the people of Mis-
sssippi | was somewhat actively and extern
sively engaged in the canvass Of the State Of
Int xua faru no
convention election, in which the question Of ae-
qniescence or resistance TO these measures was
submitted 10 direct vote Of the people in the
choice Of representatives to decide upon that
question. | addressed numerous public meet
ings-perhaps fifty--some of them large meet
ings, composed of equal numbers of both parties;
met my late colleague MIR. FooTE] at three
different points in the discussion OF there ques-
tons; was present at one point where discus
sion was refused to me, upon the ground, as his
friends said, that they wished him to occupy the
whole time, that he might go over the whole
n erts Of the questions of compromise, and the
position which the States should take in refer
ence 10 them; ard will say here, on the floor
OF the Senate, that never heard at any time, nor
in any place, the slightest intination that this
agitation was again TO be renewed in the Con-
gress of the United States. Ontlre contrary, il
was great argument, and had great Influence
with the people, urged by the acqulscence party,
that if our party led, agitation would be
kept up; if theirs succeeded, it would be at an
end, and quiet would everywhere be restored to
the country
Let me go further: This convention, which
was elected to determine the position which the
State of Mississippi should take in reference to
these questions, expressed an opinion in refer
ence to what they considered to be the proper
policy of the country on this subject, and ca:
pecially as TO what should be the policy Of the
State of Mississippi. |. viii read one of the
resolutions adopted by what was called the
Union OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES the Union party
was succesful in the contest which was waged
in onr State. The seventh of series of reso-
lutions adopted by that convention was in these
words:
@That as the people Of the State of MISSISSIPPI
pi, in the opinion of this convention, desire all
further agitation of the slavery question 10
cease, and have acted upon and decided all the
foregoing questions, thereby making it the duty
OF this convention to pass no acts within the pur-
view and spirit the law under which it waB call
ed this convention deems it unnecessary to refer
to the people, for their approval or disapproval
at the balot-box, its action in the premises"
in Mississippi, who triumphed in the State, that
in the expression of their opinion in convention,
they said that in order TO arrest all further agi-
tation of the slavery question, they would not
even refer the action of the convention to the
people of the State for their ratification, as was
required by the law under which the convention
was called. Now If they did not expect the
question to be acitated again in the State Of
Mississippi; if the Union party itself took that
position, with what propreiy can it be said that
the State of Mississippi expected the agitation
to be renewed by such resolution in Congress
involving the whole merits Of the measures Of
compromised
| come next, Mr.. President, to the object Of
the resolution. 1t is really difficult for me TO
decide what the object of this resolution is.
The resolution itself merely propos,s an enun.
citation Of the opinion Of the Senate in reference
TO these questions. If adopted unanimously by
this body, II cannot have the force and vitality
Of the law. IL can give no additional sanction
10 the laws Of the Congress of the United
States which have already been passed, and are
binding on the country, and which the govern.
ment, in all IFS departments, is bound 10 see
faithfully executed. Whether the object Of the
resolution Is to quiet or produce agitation, am
unable TO say; ! know, however, what the eff.
fects Of the resolution are. It's effects are to
produce agitation and excitement, and are TO ex.
tend that agitation and excitement throughout
the country. These are the effects Of t. Why,
what said the hboltiOnisis even in the com.
mencement Of their agitation Of the slavery
question at the North7 Ihave here pamphlet,
in which find an expression of opinion made
by them with reference 10 the best mode of car.
rying out their policy-published as early as
1885, in tract issued by the New England
Anti.Sayery Society. In reference to the de.
bates which took place in Congress on the sub
ject they say:
Everything the Southern members said, only
confirmed US in the persuasion that we must
persist until zoe get The subject of sidpery fuliy
before Congress- No measure will be more
effeciual to diffuse information and. kindle
thought and f cling throughout the land. Con-
gress is as the central sun. II sends light and
warmth to the extremitics Of The system which
revolves about it."
Here will say, that from the beginning the
policy Of the Anti Slavery party was to get the