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

to make my declaration of my views the bill time
to be selected by myself When he made the declaration
which he did, did not choose to get up and say differ
ed from my Southern friends because could then have
no opportunity to the grounds Of difference but
took the next step which thought was incumbent on
me at the time and under tho and that
tell the honorable Senator that ne had no author
ty to commit me on the subject
Now, think / had some cause Of complaint against
the Senator when his speech went forth without any qua
LITIGATION of his statement The natural result was to
strengthen the sentiment in favor of the bill in the State
of Tennessee my course calculated to have
that effect But did not regard that declaration as
amounting very much in coming to the conclusion 10
oppose the BILL because relied on the character ana IN
tegence of the people of that State to counterfeit any
hasty impression they might have formed felt sure
that when they TO canvass and examine for them
selves the Objects the principles and the tendencies q
this bill would be sustained When informed honor
able Senators that did not hold myself committed to
this bill, was told by some Of my friends that OPP
posed the bill such would be utterly destructive
to that il would lead to disruption OF the Wing par
ty in Tennessee and furnish plausible ground for i'm
putatons upon my motives and those friendly warnings
given up the time Of the final vote in the Sen
ate. said to Of those who thus kindly inerposed
their counsel frankly that my should
be, not approved by the Wings OF Tennessee, was
ready to retire from the Senate that weuld do it most
cheerfully.
noble generous and high minded Democratic Sena-
the South within the last few hours before the
final vote taken the BILL appealed to me in man
which cannot narrate and which affected me most
deeply The recollection Of it affects and influences my
feelings now and will told that honorable Sena-
tor that there feature in the bill which made 1t
impossible that should vote for it, If waived all other
objections. said to him, said to others who had
made appeals to the subject that while it would
afford great pleasure to be sustained by my consttu
ents yet if not, would resign my seat here the
moment found that my course upon this subject was
not acceptable to them AS for my standing as public
man. and whatever prospects public man OF long SER
vice in the councils of the country might be supposed to
have, would resign them all with pleasure told that
gentleman that it, upon this any other great question
affecting the interests OF the South, should find my
views conflicting materially with what should appear
be the settled sentiment of that section should feel
my imperative duty to retire.
Sir when question is presented here involving great
principles of any kind when any great measure is pro-
posed which occupying responsible position be-
strongly impressed with the conviction that its
adoption would have deep and permanent and injurious
effect upon the future prospects Of the country threat
ening the stability of the Constitution and the Union it
SELF he should be willing to sacrifice himself and surren
der all prospects that may be held out to him which
stand in conflict with his duty. Why should man aban
don his convictions upon such question for the sake of
doubtful political chances consider the position Of
Senator of the United States which enjoy, the
proudest and most independent that any American citi
occupy-the noblest and most desirable to any
man who will boldly do his duty. Sir, acknowledge my
weaknesses know that kind feelings and Difference
for the opinions others have often induced me to give my
support to measures of inferior Importance which my
Judgment did not approve but when great question is
presented, when have deliberately reflected upon it,
when have lights before by which to guide my course
whatever sacrifices Of political standing may be required
of me- whatever obstacles and embarrassments of any
kind may stand in my way, trust shall always have the
hrmness to do what upon deliberate reflection consider
my duty to the country.
The honorable Senator from Georgia thought proper
taunt upon the agony of mind which may have
dergone in coming to conclusion this BILL tell
him that many accounts felt the greatest embarrass
ment Sir, wish that every Senator had been embar-
raised in the same way. wish every Senator had had
tha
favor of the bill that had in separating from them.
aude to difficulties threatening the loss of public po
sition. declare here to-day that my counrymen Of
Tennessee shall declare against my course this sub
ject and that shall be ascerained to reasonable
tanty, will not be in the Senate day afterwards
But, sir rs long act here upon public measures,
take the responsibility of forming for myself my
Judgment and opinion in regard to them, and if have
any agony Of mind in coming to conclusion upon this
question, hope only shows that desire to do right
But, sir, wish, if can, impress the Senator from
Georgia with the idea that there may be sometimes
conflict Of adverse feelings and duties in coming to
conclusions great question the part OF Others for
whom he has greater respect, well my part.
The honorable Senator from Georgia charged with
having quailed before the aboitionsts of the North
thisqYeston and pointed to the patriotic band Of Dem
ocrats at the North who fearessy standing by what
he calls the rights and interests of the South this
ton presenting very strong contrast He thinks
have quaed before the aboltonss and other Northern
opponents of the interests of the South while the friends
of the bill at the North stood erect and fearless.
ators of the North upon the subject of this bill before it
passed the Senate who voted fort and there among
them gentlemen who we'll understood sentiments upon
this subject from the first and whose opinions and feel
ings upon the subject in turn given to understand
perfectly. know that many of them thought it griev
burden and imposition to be required by the Admin
israton party ties Of any kind to vote for this bill
They were not willing to separate themselves from their
party; but they fully of the hazards which
they ran in supporting which they believed in
their hearts opposed to the sentiments of the people
of their respective States while it conferred benefit
the South and could be Of service to the country.
have doubt that there gentlemen Of both Houses
of Congress who in voting for this BILL considered that
they sacrificing themselves to the interests Of party
Some may have attered themselves that the agitation ut
the North would pass Off Nevertheless feel
thorzed to that many of them have given their
port to this bill under full conviction that they
signing the deathwarran of their political prospects,
least for number of years make suggestions in
situations to what may have been the motives of those
OF the South who have advocated this measure but
deny that have either quaed before the aboionists
the North, that have been wanting in generous feel
ing towards those Northern gentlemen Of the Democratic
party who have been willing to hazard their standing
home by supporting this bill under any impression that
they thereby supporting Southern interest and the
honorable Senator does the injustice in charg
ing with such sentiment of indifference.
But sir there is another large class of conservative and
national citizens both Wings and Democrats to whom
some consideration is due in bringing minds to the
support Of such this 1t is due to them to
consider what effect this may have upon them
and the embarrassments to which they be subjected
in continuing their efforts in opposing the progress Of
abolition at the North and in upholdng the compromises
of 1850 They all regarded the compromises of 1850 as
final settlement of these exciting questions and have
good faith acquesced in and supported them. When