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


present who thought they would be doing very great
service if they could get committed the Nebraska
bill in such way to make it impossible for me to re-
my steps and Of those present at the meet
ing knew that did not consider myself committed to the
support Of the bill suppose there not than
seven eight Senator'S present when went into the
room. heard no roll called; heard OF the appoint
ment of secretary chairman. was the last nomi
mated on the committee; but before that had made up
my mind to the probable object Of the meeting, or at
least of whoever prompted it. knew should soon as
certain whether was right or wrong In my conjecture
to the object of that meetings but the only revenge
medtaed that should be the wiser from what
they might hear from me in relation to II.
have to state further this point that although
have been almost daily associaIng friendly terms with
the gentlemen who attended the meeting in question: yet
not one of the number has mentioned to me any thing
about the meeting since the day it took place NOT even
after my colleague in the House arragned me on the SUD
has any honorable Senator who was present at the
meeting referred to lisped to any thing about it.
Nor any resolution put into my hand as one OF
the committee by secretary any one else NO senator
inquired Of me If had executed the commission to
which appointed at the meeting. No one ever
asked whether there any change to be expected
in the of the National Intellgencer upon the
subject
But, sir, had sufficient confirmation, short time
after the meeting of the correctness of my conclusion as
the object of it. aude to the speech OF the honora
BILE Senator from North Carolina, (Alr. BADoER am
sorry that he is not in his seat but will proceed
for will not say any thing personally offensive to him in
his absence The honorable Senator from North Carroll
ma, who had been in that meeting OF Southern wings,
when he came to make his speech, announced at the
close of it, that however Southern Wing Senators might
differ the reasoning the doctrines which were IN
voyed in the discussion he authorized to say they
unit the main feature OF the bill. Now, sir,
that Senator could by asking stage OF tbs dis
CUSTOM have ascertained my position Soon after the
commencement of the discussion was under the I'M
preston that should be forced to go for the measure
whether approved it not because did not see how
could separate from my Southern Wing friends and the
Southern delegation in Congress- Ii the Senator had
asked me then what my would be on the bill,
would have said to him frankly what said to others,
when they made the inquiry, that though dsapproved
the measure yet did not how could separate from
the Southern delegation. At later stage OF the discus
sion would have replied that strongly disposed to
oppose the measure but that still would not commit
myself to that course The violation Of Indian treaties
proposed by the provisions of the bill would at any tme
have made it impossible that could vote for it. The
honorable Senator from Missouri Mr.. ATcHIsoE) knows
better than any other Senator that ooud not vote for the
bill with its present provisions with any consistency Of
character principles but at the commencement Of the
discussion supposed that that difficulty would be
moved by postponing the operation of the bill until the
President could have time make treaties with the
Indian tribes, and at least qualify the wrong which
proposed to be done them.
: Mr. ATCHISON will state now that understood
from the honorable Senator from Tennessee at the last
session. when this question pending before the Sc
nate well at the present session. that his great OBJ
ectons the organization Of Territorial Governments in
Kansas and Nebraska were, first that there was
eessty there being white population there and,
condy that could not be done without greatly disturb
ing our Indian relations.
Mr. BELL. And then will not the honorable Senator
say that thought that the territory west of Missouri
obliged to become q free State?
Mr. ATC HlSON. Most assuredly; but told the hon
orable Senator that opinion to Kansas was different
Mr. BELL. repeat that supposed at one time that
the difficulty the of Indian compacts could be
obvated by amendment postponing the operation of
the bill until new treaties could be formed. consulted
the Senator from Missouri on the subject; but he said
that such amendment could be carried that the peo
pie could not be restrained from entering the Indian coun
try. That when supposed should have to yield to
the pressure Of the Of feeling which excited
the question in the Senate and required all the
had afterwards to resist its force.
But, sir, going to say that the honorable Sc
nator from North Carolina standing in the relation Of
personal friend to me- should have ascerained from my
the bill before he made the declaration he did ut the close
of his speech He could scarcely have supposed that
dull and stupid net to the true pur
that would consider myself committed to the support
of the bill by any thing which took place there have
said before that had unknd feeling against the
bers Of that meeting, for of them told and
again that Iwould be dead politically that my stand
ing public would be utterly destroyed if should
against the bill told again and again that
Southern could vote with the Northern abotonsts
this bill without losing the confidence of the South
aimportant that the South should present
unbroken front such question That was
why pressed strongly to-day to know what the
great and fundamental principle in the bill much af
fectng Southern interests; what the greater and
larger principle which had doomed up imposingly be-
fore the visions of Southern gentlemen that every other
principle consideration Of policy should yield to it.
The honorable Senator from North Carolina is now
present. and will repeat what have said in relation
his statement at the close Of his speech Thought had
right to complain of him, friend, that he did not
inquire of me what course had determined to pursue
when he could hare done conveniently before making
the announcement that the Southern Wings were unit
the Nebraska BILL That Senator and myself had oc-
cuped seats very each other during the whole dis
cussion Our relations, personally and socially were
kind and friendly notwithstanding he did think pro-
per to ask my opinion but at the ccse of his speech
said he authorized say that every Wing Senator
from the South concurred in the conclusion support the
bill.
Mr.. BADGER. Will the Senator allow to explain
Mr.. BELL am willing that the Senator shall ex-
plain; but do not wish any material interruption for
have great deal more to say.
Mr.. BADGER. My dear sir do not want o statement
of that kind to matter Of fact 60 out without
having an opportunity of stating what the fact is,
understand it.
ThePREsIDING OFFICER, (hIr. WELLER in the chair.
Unless the honorable Senator from Tennessee yields the
floor the Senator from North Carolina is not entitled to
proceed.
Mr.. BELL l yield the floor.
Mr.. BADGER. The statement which made at the
close of the remarks which submitted TO the Senate
the Nebraska bill believe to this effect that, al
though did not hold my Southern Wing friends respon
sible for the Of argument which had adopted
yet thought authorized to say that to the
clusion which had arrived, oil stood man
and that thought had their authority for saying So
That the statement which made. must say, sir
without going into particulars that thought at that time
had just the suppose that my friend from
Tennessee the bill had to suppose that