The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-10-08
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HEAR HIS PoL1rIcAL OPPoNEETs.-We give
below some extracts from speeches of leading
democratic senators, at the close OF Mr.. Fill
more's administration, as found in the Con-
gressional Globe. No president since the days
of Washington, has ever elected such encom-
iums from the leaders Of his opponents in con-
gress. We commence with an extract from
speech Of general Cass:
THE administration has placed itself high in
the great work of pacifyng the country, and
they have received the need Of appreciation
from political friends and political foes. par
take of the sentiment. I do then, Justice. But
am a democrat, and, God willing, mean to
die one. This is whig administration, but
there is no reason why should not do them
justice; and do it with pleasure, in this great
matter of the salvation of this country, if l may
say so. I have done SO, shall continue to do so.
whatever sneers their papers may contain, for
do not for their sake, but for the sake Of the
country. [Speech of Mr. Cass in the senaae,
March 10, 1851. ..%
A debate arose in the senate on the 21st and
and 22d of February, 1851, in which president
Fillmores course was referred to. He had pre-
yously sent message to congress asking fur
ther provision of a law for putting down mob
violence and insurrectionary resistance TO the
fugitive slave law. The president was fercely
assailed by the leaders of abolitonissn, bat be-
side the od-:ime defenders of the admins
tration, warm hearted and truthful democrats
volunteered their testimony to his fidelity, his
energy and his patriotism. We shall only quote
here democratic testimony. It is a whitening
rebuke to those who now for the merest part-
l.. Jafs
Here is his record: '5-.~
$50 far as | understand the measures Of the
president, approve them, and / believe he is
determined to do his duty in respect to this law,
and as one member OF the senate, T will say
that, if the law is defective, am willing to clothe
him with any necessary power within the limits
of the constitution. Gen. Cass, Feb. FL, 1851.
81 think there is no just grounds of reproach
whatever, toward the executive of the nation.
| am happy to see the senator from Michigan,
though standing in different political relations
to the president, do him the Justice he has done
him this day by the declaration of opinion which
he has made. Sir, I am perfectly satisfied, from
all | know Of the president and his cabinet, that
there is most perfect and immoyable deter
mnatlon to carry into execution the laws of the
land, and to employ all the means in their pow
er IN order to accomplish it. Hon. Clement
G. Clay, senator from Alabama, Feb 22, 1851.
II for one am disposed to give the president
all proper power. He has given Us no reason
to doubt his sincerity and fidelity in carrying
out this law. [ think it is the duty of congress
to give such power, and for one / shall do it
most cheerfuy." Senator Downs, of Louis
mana, Feb. 21, 1851.
Il honor him for his course, and if the ap-.
probation of political opponent, who has in
times past done him some wrong, be at all
grateful to him, let him be assured that not
only, but thousands Of others of my political
friends, heartily thank him for what he has
done, and fervently thank God that we have in
this crisis patriot and a statesman at the head
of affairs who knows his duty and dares to per-
form it, Senator Clemens, of Alabama.
February 22, 1851.
81 am one ofthose who believe that the pres
ident of the United States, in his efforts to en-
force the law, has done and is now doing his
duty to the country. ] take this occasion to de-
clare that, humble as my support and influence
are, and hostile though am now and ever ex-
pect to be- to the political principles of which
he is the representative, he will have, in his ef-
forts to enforce the law, my vote and inhu-
ence as long as l have vote here, if he con-
tinue in the fearless and patriotic course which
he is pursuing. [Senator Dodge, of Iowa.
No one can truthfully say of Mr.. Fillmore
what they do say Of president Pierce:-"that
he committed himself TO everything and was
faithful TO nothing" He stood up to his pro-
fessions honestly and manfully; he promised
nothing that he did not perform, and herein he
showed himself a true and honest man. Let
us see what he did profess and practice as to the
now all engrossing territorial question. In dis
cussing the compromise measures, in his mes
sage Of Dec. 2, 1850, Mr.. Fillmore said:
"The series of measures to which I have al
luded, are regarded by me as a settlement in
principle and fact-a final settlement of the
dangerous and exciting subjects which they en-,
brace. recommend your adherence to the ad-
justment established by those measures. n Il
The country may be assured that to the utmost
of my ability and to the extent of the power
vested in me, l shall at all times and in all
places, take care that the laws be faithfully
executed"
As regards the great compromise measures
signed by Mr. Fillmore, it may be well enough:
as matter of record to quote here what rights
they established. They declare
That new States shall be- received into the
Union with Or without slavery, as their const-
tuition may prescribe at the time of their ad~
mission;
That only citizens of the United States shall
enjoy the rights Of suffrage and of holding Of
fee in the territories
That the constitution, and all laws of the u
States, which are not locally inapplicable, shall
have the same force and effect within the terri
tories as elsewhere within the United States;
That no citizen of the United States shall be
deprived of his life, liberty or property in the
territories. except by the Judgment Of his peers
and the laws of the land;
That the legislative power of the territory
shall extend to all rghtful subjects oflegislation
consistent with the constitution of the U. States;
and that ali cases involving title to slaves, wrlts
of error and appeal shall be allowed from the
decisions of the territorial courts, to the su-
preme court of the United States;
That the courts of the United States, and the
supreme court of each territory, shall from time
-. ,Ior &c