Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-01-11

cry nope OF adjustment was gone, lie
was for peace to save the Union. War
was disunion, certain and inevitable. He
referred to the purchase of Louisiana, and
said it was purchased for the benefit of the
whole Union, and for the safety of the
Upper Mississippi in particular. The pos
session of that river was more necessary
now than it was then. We cannot expect
the people of the interior to admit the
right eff foreign State taking possession
of that river.
He also referred to the purchase of Flor
ida, and asked if she could go out now
The President in his Message first said we
could not coerce a State to remain in the
Union, but in few sentences he advised
the acquisition Of Cuba, as if we could
pay three hundred millions for Cuba, and
then next day she might sccede and re-an-
mex herself to Spain, and Spain sell her
again. He had admitted that Texas cost
US war with Mexico and 10000 lives
In the name of the 1000 gallant men from
Illinois who fought those battles, l argue
against the right of that State to sccedo.
Mr.. Hemphill asked if the protection of
Texas was the only reason of the war,and
if the United States paid nything to Tex
as for the land, and if we did not acquire
California from that war.
Mr.. Douglas said the only cause Of com
plant of Mexico was the annexation Of
Texas, and we had only paid Texas ten
millions for some barren land she didn't
own. He said the Constitution was in
tended to be perpetual, and he denied the
right of secession under the Constitution,
as against the Constitution, and against
justice and good faith. He said there
could be no government without coercion,
but coercion must be used in the modes
prescribed by law. This is nota question
Of coercion. In State where no author
ity of Federal Government remains, we
are bound to recognize government de
tdcto where the State maintains individual
sway. The man who loves the Union, who
loves to see the laws enforced, will love to
see a rebellion put down. How docs he
intend to enforce the law in seeding
State, except by making war? In his
opinion we had reached the point when
disunion was inevitable, unless compro-
mise, founded on concession, could be
made. He preferred compromise to war,
and concession to disunion. No compro-
mise will be available which does not car
ry the question Of slavery beyond Con-
gress. He said he had voted for the pro-
position of the Senator from Kentucky
| (Crittenden,) and was ready to vote for
it again. Why cannot the Republicans
unite on the Missouri Compromise line P
They had heaped curses enough upon his
head for repeating it, to be glad now to re-
establish it. He had helped to support
that measure until he was compelled tC
abandon it, He was willing now to meet
on terms Of mutual concession. He haC
offered another proposition, to leave the
Territories an statW quo till they had fifty
thousand inhabitants, and then settle The
question themselves, and also provide fol
the removal of the negroes, # the Terri
tory chose, to certain provinces. If thu
Republicans do not intend to interfere
with slavery in the States, why not put il
an amendment to the Constitution so tina
they cannot do IT'D
There must be a settlement of some sor
now. 1t cannot be postponed. We ar
in state Of revolution. 1t is scomprOmis
or war. He preferred compromise. IL
said it seemed as though the Senators ol
the other side were determinedto act as
party, Let the people decide the question
No doubt the people of Massachusetts, ar,
opposed to slavery extension, but he tho
if the question was submitted to-day o.
the resolutions Of the Senator from Ken
I. tucky, they would ratify them.
He argued against coercing 100000
people. He saw there was an eternal sep
aration, but he could not consider war un
til all hope was past, though present indi
cations seemed to show that there would b
bloodshed but he would not despair.
: Mr.. Toombs moved to adjourn till Mon
day, when he proposed to offer some re
marks.
! Agreed to, and Senate adjourned.