For the reasons first stated, I voted to receive the
resolutions that were presented by the Senator from North Carolina, and
for the reasons I have just given shall vote to reject this petition.
Conclusion of speech of Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, in the Senate
of the United States, on the resolutions of Mr. Clay, relative to
slavery in the Territories, etc., February 13 and 14, 1850.
... Sir, it has been asked on several occasions during the present
session, What ground of complaint has the South? Is this agitation in
the two halls of Congress, in relation to the domestic institutions of
the South, no subject for complaint? Is the denunciation heaped upon us
by the press of the North, and the attempts to degrade us in the eyes of
Christendom--to arraign the character of our people and the character of
our fathers, from whom our institutions are derived--no subject for
complaint? Is this sectional organization, for the purpose of hostility
to our portion of the Union, no subject for complaint? Would it not,
between foreign nations--nations not bound together and restrained as we
are by compact--would it not, I say, be just cause for war? What
difference is there between organizations for circulating incendiary
documents and promoting the escape of fugitives from a neighboring State
and the organization of an armed force for the purpose of invasion? Sir,
a State relying securely on its own strength would rather court the open
invasion than the insidious attack.
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