Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-06-10

operate as repeal Of the Mexican law aboshng slavery
and give protection to the stakeholder Some other Sem
ators doubted that point The honorable Senator from
Mississippi (Mr. BRows perhaps explain the differ
emit doctrines which then held in the South on this
subject At all events the compromise acts of 1850 left
the Territory as was when annexed, and allowed the
people interdic establish slavery, they pleased
when they should form their State Constitution. That
was the doctrine of nonntervention then What is 1t in
this bill? am in favor Of the principle of nonaterven
ton such nonntervention would have given to the
South Cuba slave State should 1t ever be annexed to
the United States such nnterventon that II there
had been compact with regard the admission OF slave
States to be carved out Of Texas would have secured TO
us those slave States independent OF the compact by
which the United States bound to admit them. But
now under the of things produced under the
feeling Of dstrus and resentment getting up at the North
against the South, predictno, will not predict, be-
cause it is serious subject will state that if this
state of things shall not change essentially the time will
never come when slave State can be admitted out OF
Texas The nonntervention Of 1850 to let the Ter
ritores which into the Union slave territory be
considered slave territory until the inhabitants determine
when they form State Constitution that slavery should
be abolished and it in free territory then the
inhabitants to restrict adopt slavery at their discre
ton, when they form State Constitution But by this
bill you interpose repeal the Missouri compromise,
which would restore the territory to the condition Of slave
territory it when annexed but not content with
that further interfere to make 1T free territory You
then provide, without limitation of time numbers, that
the inhabitants shall decide in their Territorial Legsa
ture to establish prohibit slavery We suppose the
abolish it, and thus keep up perpetual struggle; while
Congress, at the same tme may be agitated again by
questions Of further Intervention Yet this is measure
Of peace to the country tits to give quiet; all agitation
is to cease under t!' III
have further answer to make to the honorable Sena
tor from Georgia, though find myself much exhausted
1t not my intention, when Irose to-day to explain the
vote should give the amendment of the Senator from
Maryland, mr. PEARCE.) to provoke debate upon the
general merits dement's of the BILL and still less had
design any thing offensive any Senator but
the Senator from Georgia has thought proper to avail him.
self of the occasion to review my course in relation to
this measure in manner which calls for more special
notice.
Several SENATORS. Let us adjourn.
Mr.. BELL. will not give way for adjournment
Mr.. CLAYTON. / hope the Senator will give way.
Mr.. BELL. cannot give way for an adjournment
now. must answer the honorable Senator. was in
quirng of honorable Senator'S the great principle
of this bill really was which they had stated to be OF
much Importance to the country but which none Of them
stated distinctly wished to how far they agreed,
whether they could be reconcled with the other
The honorable Senator from Georgia said ought know
what the principles Of the bill were; that had consul
taons with the friends Of the at divers times
that met with them, heard every thing discussed and
concurred with them. | do not know what meeting II
was to which the Senator referred and at which he sup
poses that concurred in authorizing the Senator from
North Carolina to make his statement.
Mr.. TOOMBS. said that the Southern Senators who
to make the statement which he did. did not say that
the Senator from Tennessee expressed any opinion but
he was present at that meeting.
Mr.. BELL. l invited to attend meetings Of the
friends of the Nebraska bill went with pleasure to
hear their discussions because had not made up my
mind what course should take upon the subject
but all the discussion which heard at the two meetings
which attended to the phraseology form in
which the Missouri compromise should be repealed or
made imperative, and the principle of popular soyer
eighty recognised how far it should be recognised
whether it should be recognised at all The distinguish
ed Senator from Michigan mr. CAss,) the Senator from
Mississippi Mr.. BRowN and the Senator from Indiana
mr. PETTY the principal speakers, and spoke of
what they would would not accept LIDO not like to
tell tales out Of school, but have been arraigned
think may speak of such facts may be pertinent to
my Those points, as remember, not settled
at the first meeting. attended second meeting, at
which the differences appeared to be settled The dis
cussions at the two meetings which attended did not
enighten me in the least. My mind was the ques-
ton whether there any thing in those features Of the
bill which to support or which ought to be sup
ported part in the discussion It is that
at the time thought might be forced 20 for the
measure but the phraseology of the bill was then
Indifferent to Those meetings were held If am not
mistaken within few days after the discussion opened
the Senate and when the debate between the Senator
from Illinois Mr. DoUGLAs) and the Senator from Ohio
(Ir CHAsE were having their full effect. In commenc
ing the discussion the Senator from Illinois displayed
admirable tact in pouring such fire he did upon the
Senators from Ohio (Mr CHAsR and Massachusetts,, mr.
SUMNER, and, consequence, extorting from them
response in and offensive South
ern Senators well calculated to stir the blood Of
every Southern and to duse the impression through
the country that the issue presented by the bill be-
tween the advocates of Southern rights and the ultra
Freesoiers and Abotionts of the North repeat that
never higher degree of parliamentary tact dis
played than by the Senator from Illinois upon that
sion The honorable Senator knows that happened
the inhammatory publication which he comment
ed with such severity in his opening speech before he
did, and called his attention to it. 1t of such
ture to strongly incline the feelings and sympahes of
Southern Senators to the support OF the BILL whatever
they might think Of its wisdom.
Mr. President, honorable Senator'S will perceive that
this obtrusion of any matter personal to myself is not
volunteered by me this l have generally,
heretofore, rested character humble it may be-
to shield from all mputatons of gross improperly
inconsistency without troubling myself with attacks
sund arising directly of the proceedings in
the body which belong The honorable Senatorfr from
Georgia has done the honor, however, to notice
personally this floor, and to arragn my conduct
did colleague of mine Mr.. CHURcHwELL in the other
House few days ago. have not the printed speech Of
that member do not know that it has been printed.
do not know whether his attack forcble elo-
quent much to the satisfaction Of gentlemen who
would like to me writing under such personal charges
the attack of the honorable Senator from Georgia
but understood he was in his manner quite offensive
in the of his attack He produced and read
from paper learn, which purported to be copy of
the proceedings of meeting of Southern Wing Senator's
by which it appeared that resolution was adopted de-
carng that the of the National lnteigencer
the Nebraska bill in opposition to the sentiment and
interest of the South and in opposition to the views Of
Southern Wing Senators and that committee was APP
pointed to demonstrate confer with the editors the
subject. The paper also contained statement OF the
Southern Senators present, and that appointed
chairman of committee Of three-al certified by the
secretary Of the meeting When he called upon for
of VIII fed it said would