Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-07-14

struction of the Union. 1t is possible the
gentleman may be mistaken. Itpossibly might
not be exactly true that, to save the Union it
was necessary to follow him. On the contrary,
some were of opinion, and he for one was much
| inclined to be of the same view, that to follow
the distinguished mover of these resolutions,
to pursue the course of irritation, agitation
and intimidation which he chalked out, would
be the very best and surest method that could
be chalked out to destroy this great and happy
Union"
And thus Mr. Clay:
"The series of resolutions under consideration
has been introduced by the senator from South
Carolina, after he and other senators from the
South had deprecated discussion on the delicate
subject to which they relate. They have
occasoned much discussion, in which hitherto
L have not participated. / hope that the
tendency of the resolutions may be to allay the
excitement which unhappily prevails in respect
| to the abolition of slavery but | confess that
taken altogether, and in connection with other
circumstances, and especially considering the
manner in which their author has pressed them
on the Senate fear that they will have the
opposite effect and particularly at the North
that they may increase and exasperate, instead
|
agitation"
And thus Mr. Preston, of South Carolina :
His objections to the introduction of the
resolutions were, that they allowed ground for
discussion ; and that the subject ought never
to be allowed to enter the halls of the legisla-
tive assembly was always to be taken for grant
ed by the South, and what would abstract pro-
positions of this nature effect 2"
A nd thus Of
"What did they set forth but abstract
principles, to which the South had again and
again certified What bulwark of defence was
needed stronger than the constitution itself !?
Every movement on the part of the South only
gave additional strength to her opponents
The wisest, nay the only safe course, was to
remain quiet, though prepared at the same time
to resist all aggression. Questions like this
only tended to excite angry feelings. The
senator from South Carolina Mr.. Calhoun
charged with him preoching" to one side
| Perhaps he had sermonized too long for the
patience of the Senate but then he had
/ preacted to all sides 1t was the agitation of
the question in any form or shape that render
ed it dangerous. Agitating this question in
any shape was ruinous to the South
And thus Mr.. Richard II. Bayard of Della
! ware
Though he denounced the spirit of abol-
ton as dangerous and wicked in the extreme
yet he did not feel himself authorized to vote
/ for the resolutions. If the doctrines contain
ed in them were correct, then notification was
correct and if passed. might hereafter he
appealed to as a precedent in favor of that
doctrine, though he acquitted the senator of
having the most remote intention of smuggling
in anything in relation to that doctrine under
cover of these resolutions"
Mr.. Calhoun annoyed by so much condem-
nation of his course, and especially from those
as determined as himself to protect the slave
institution where it legally existed spoke often
and warmly, and justified his course from the
greatness of the danger, and the fatal CON
sequences to the Union if it was not arrested
g fear (said Mr.. c. that the Senate has
not elevated its view sufficiently to comprehend
the extent and magnitude of the existing dan
ger. 1t was perhaps his misfortune to look
too much to the future and to move against
| dangers at too great distance, which had in
volved him in many difficulties, and exposed
him often to the imputation of unworthy mo-
tives Thus he had long forseen the immense
surplus revenue which false system of legis-
lation must pour into the treasury, and the fa-
tai consequences to the morals and institutions
of the country which must follow When no
thing else could arrest it, he threw himself,
with his state, into the breach, to arrest dan
gers which could not otherwise be arrested
whether wisely or not, he left posterity to
Judge.
He now saw with equal clearness as clear
as the MONDAY sun, the fatal consequences
which must follow, if the present disease be not
timely arrested. He would repeat again what
he had so often said on this floor This was
the only question of sufficient magnitude and
potency to divide this Union and divide it it
would, or drench the country in blood, if not
arrested He knew how much the sentiment
he had uttered would be misconstrued and mis-
represented. There were those who saw no
danger to the Union in the violation of all its
fundamental principles but who were full of
apprehension when danger was foretold or re-
sisted, and who held not the authors of the
danger, but those who forewarned or opposed
it, responsible for consequences.
But the cry of disunon by the weak or
designing has no tcrrors for him. If his at
tachment to the Union was less, he might tam
per with the deep disease which now aficts
the body polite, and keep silent till the patient
was ready to sink under its mortal blows. 1t
is cheap, and, he must say, but too certain a
mode of acquiring the character of devoted at
tachment to the Union. But seeing the dan
ger, as he did, he would be traitor to the
Union, and those he represented, to keep 81
lence. The assaults daily made on the insti-
tutions of nearly onc-half of the states of this
Union by the institutions interviewer
from the beginning with their political and So
cial existence, and which cannot be other than,
without their inevitable destruction, will and
must, if continued, make tro people of one, by
destroying every sympathy between the two
great sections, obliterating from their hearts
the recollection of their common danger and
crla,., n.,l =lr.>4. IL. L