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


vote of43 yeasand Ia nays ;29 Democrats voting
for it and IA Wings. The nays were all Demo-
Gratis.
speech Of Hon. mr.. MeRae, OF Mississippi,
ON THE COMPROMISE MEASURES.
In SENATE, January 80.
The Senate resumed the consideration Of the
following resolution:
A Resolution declaring the Measures of Adjust
ment 10 be defnitiye settlement OF the ques-
TORS growing out Of domestic slavery.
BE IL resolved, That the series Of measures en-
braced in the acts entitled San act proposing to
the State Of Texas the establishment Of her north
ern and western boundaries, the REIMBURSEMENT,
by the said State, OF all territory claimed by her
exterior to said boundaries, and of all her clsims
upon the United States, and 10 establish terri
toral government for New Mexito,'' approved
September 8, 1850; san act for the admission Of
the State OF California into the Union, approved
September 8, 1850 n" An act to establish terri
toral government for Utah, approved September
9, 1850 Z" An act TO amend and supplementary
to act entitled An act respecting fgitives from
justice, and persons escaping from the service Of
their masters, approved February IL, l793,'.
approved September Is, 1850 sand " Act to sup
press the slave trade the District OF Columbia,
approved September 20, 1850, commonly known
as the compromise Acts, are, in the judgment
Of this body, a settlement in principle and sub
stances final settlement of the dangerous and ex-
citing subjects which they embrace, and ought to
be adhered to by Congress until time and expert
ence shall demonstrate the necessity of further
legislation to guard against evasion or asuse.
Mr. McRAE Mr.. President, it is with very
great dffidehce that would rise to address the
Senate upon any question: 1t is with much
greater diffidence that rise to speak upon the
resolution under consideration, and the qses-
TONS which il embraces, which ] know have
been so often and so ably discussed heretofore.
in this Chamber of the Great, by the brightest
and tallest intellects of the land would no.
speak at all upon this question, because con-
cur most fully in the remark which was made
yesterday by the honorable Senator from North
Carolina, Mr.. MAnoUm,] that the discussion of
this resolution here is unprofitable; not only
improbable to the Senate, but Improbable to
the couDtry-I would, therefore, not trespass at
all upon the attention of the Senate upon this
question, were it not that the necessity Of my
position seems to require it. And hore that
nobody has formed any high expectations of any
poor things which may have to say, because,
il they have, to my embarrassment will be added
my modification to disappoint them.
Sir, the State Of Mississippi has occupied a
peculiar position in relation to the measures of
compromise; and as this resolution, in its origin
al FORM was introduced by a Senator from Mis-
sissippi Mr.. FooTR,l my late colleague, who
was about taking his departure from the Senate
when took my seat here, and it was approved
by him in its present form, and as an now the
only Senator here from Mississippi, and as en-.
terrain views different from his with regard TO
the propriety of the introduction of the resolu-
ton, rs well as to its present FORM have felt it
to be my duty to express the views which en-
terrain upon il, as well as the views which en-.
terrain in reference TO the questions which il
embraces. Here will say, that whatever may
have been the opposition Of the people of Mis-
sissippito the measures of compromise when
they were originally before the Congress of the
United States, and before they were passed into
laws-and that opposition was at one time gen.
eral,-and whatever may have been the opposi-
ton of large portion Of the people Of Missis-
sippi, amounting to near one half their whole
number, after these measures were passed into
laws, yet now all Of all parties In Mississippi
have determined TO acquiesce in them. belong
to that party in Mississippi which was opposed
to silent acquiescence in these measures, for
the reason that believed they were wrong in
themselves; that they were unjust to the South.
But was not opposed, nor was the party with
which acted, opposed to them to The extent
which has been falsely charged upon Us, Of be.
ing in favor Of dissolution Of the Union on
account of them. That was not our position.
This question was submitted 10 the people OF
Mississippi, to be determined by direct vote Of
the people, as TO the position which the State
should occupy in her relations with the federal
government in reference TO acquiescence inthese
measures; and a majority Of the people decided
in favor Of acquiescence ! was of that party
which had been mainly instrumental in evoking
that expression Of the popular will. And after
this decision was made by the minority, felt IL
10 be my duty, and the duty Of the party with
which acted, TO yield acquiescence TO the deci.
sion made by the people. That decision did not
change my Judgment, nor the judgment Of the
PARTY with which acted, with reference to the
merits Of these measures but il changed our
action. II became our duty on great question
Of this kinda great State question, in which
two parties had been arrayed against each other
when the majority had decided, to acquiesce in
this decision The main object which we had
in view, in evoking this expression Of the popu-
lar will, was, that the position which we desired
the State 10 take should be maintained. Ano.
Their was, that IL different position was taken
IL those in favor Of scquiescence were in the
majority-that then we might go 70 that posi-
ton: and that the entire will and understand.
ing Of the State should be concentrated In that
action. This was also main reason which IN
duced us 10 evoke this expression of the popular
will on this question.
As have said, / am now for acquiescenee in
these measures; and the party in my own State,
whose sentiments ! represent here, are also 10
favor Of acquiescence. II, in the course Of my
argument, or in the remarks which shall make,
should happen TO differ with other honorable
senators in the views which take ss 10 the pro-
priety Of the introduction Of this resolution, or
ss to its merits, and the merits of the measures
of compromise, ! hope IL will not be charged
upon me that am therefore disunionst; and
that am therefore now 10 favor Of disturbing
the measures of compromise.
shall address myself first to the merits Of
the resolution upon It's face. I shall speak frat
az to the propriety of its introduction here Sec
ondy, a. TO it's objects; thirdly, as 10 it's merits
and lastly, as TO the merits Of the measures which
il embraces.