The daily clarion. [volume] (Meridian, Miss.) 1863-1866, 1865-11-15

Of Mr.. Hillyer, at Naschez. upon the Resoh,
tons offered BY Hon ,SanaE j. Ghokson. 0
Monroe, retatiue to the proposed oaaendn.en
to the Constitution Of tie United States.
Mr.. SPEAKER:-
desire to offer Substitute for the res
olutlons introduced by the distinguished
gentleman from Monroe, and will ask the
kind attention of the House, for few
moments, while expressing my views up
on this important question
the Clerk
E (The substitute resolutions were read by
Mr.. Speaker 1t is with great reluc-
lance tn 1T | differ with my honorable
friend. Such is my high personal appre-
citation Of him, and my respect, that
could waive an opposition to his wishes or
views, that did not eminate from the con-
scientious dictates of the duty | owe the
people of Mississippi, part of whose con
sttuency | represent. The gentleman
who introduced these resolutions, has
proved his faith by his works. As has
been said of another he rocked the era
die of Secession" and he had the manii-
ness to follow its hearse to its lonely grave.
We cannot look at him without feeling
| that he is a true representative of our
State; a left arm of wealth gone, but a
right arm of power still remaining;
form shattered, yet effective; a head
clear, frosty, but kindly" an intellect
unclouded; mind vigorous: heart hon
est, if it is impulsive; will to do all that
may become a man. | regret to differ
with such mani doubt my own iudg-
ment in doing So
The substitute offered does not seek to
dodge the question at issue. Examna
ton has modified the views | first enter
tanned on this subject. | cannot give my
assent to either of the sections of the ar
| ticle proposed as an amendment to the
Constitution Of the United States.
Oar assent to the first section, forces
upon others what they may not desire
We have always held that the subject of
! slavery belonged to the States, and to
none other. 1t has been a cardinal prin
pie with us, and as such, | cling to it. 1t
is, and should be, matter Of State regu-
lation Ionly. The fortunes of war have
obliged US to consent to the adjustment
of slavery within our own borders; but
these fortunes do not COMPEL us to regu
late the affairs of others. They do not
| force us to agree to an amendment that
says 10 Illinois she cannot recognize the
stem Of slavery if she wishes, or to Ken
lucky, that she cannot retain it if she
derires.
1t would be a breach Of faith, loss Of
honor, were we to do so. Look at Mis-
souri,, down trodden and manacled Mis-
souri,; where q subservient convention
has prevented by ordinance a man pray
ing to his God unless he takes oaths which
would be perjury; but whose Legislature
vet nobly holds out, and will not give assent
to this amendment. Look OF Kentucky,
the dark and bloody grOand, whose thou
sands and tens of thousands rallied around
the standard of the South, and which still
remains a slaveholding commonwealth
Look at New Jersey, the hour glass State
whose centre is compressed by an iron
band of railroad, reaching from New
York to Philadelphia, but through whose
veins from North to South still flow the
bright and silvery sands of patriotic indie
dendencp Can we be untruthful to these
| States, Mr. Speaker? or can we consent
TO dictate to those other States so lately
leagued with ours? Can we be untrue to
that political party Eioh has SO pobly
done all it could 10 soften our fall, when
we were vanquished2 Mr.. Speaker, am
no democrat never have given vote po-
htically, for or with that party in times
past we have had no sympathy, but
- Since yesterday even
Douglas and have much forgiven
Since that yesterday evening there has
been long night of revolution, of calam-
lily, of darkness and distress, and l wake
to a new morn. with grateful recollections
of those who in that night dreamed had
| sympathized with our misfortunes.
But about all this, Mr.. Speaker, there
may be an honest doubt. And with refer
ence to such q state of things, invite the
necessity of unity of action upon this
| subject Let not Mississippi be quoted as
divided upon any such question. There
is a course, and Congress itself has dictated
it, about which there can be no division of
| sentiment. Examine this subject. Con
eress proposes "the following article" as
san amendment" to the Constitution,
which when ratified shall be "a part" of
| the Constitution of the United States
Mark this language, Sir; ''the following
article"-''an amendment to"-''a part"
Does the proposition any where refer to
sections, to amendments, or parts? TX
anime the second section of the proposed
article. 1t refers to the article as a whole;
Congress shall have power to enforce th''
article by appropriate legislation" Con-
| cress presents the article ~ US as whole,
and does not submit it 10 US by sections.
Mr., Speaker, every amendment hereto
/ fore made TO the United States Constitu.
ton has been made by articles. From al
ticle one to article twelve, they have been
| so passed on and recorded. Article twelve
was itself diyisible, ore portion relating
TO the election OF President, another TO
that of Vice President. Were they di-
yided? No, S,r, they were acted upon as
an entirety. The present amendment is
proposed as an article, in the most distlnc-
tive language possible art. Ii, !" and only
as IAN article" are we called upon to vote
on il.
| Again, sir in oil notifications, by the