The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-29

Il
wise il at the next session, before IL took effect.
suggested that he was willing TO waive the Prn-
eiple involved, eosld not any propriety IN vot
| ing against tho bill on question Of time, in which
he differed with all his party, except those directly
interested IN the protection afforded by the act OF
1912. ! reminded him of the large delegation OF
manufacturers now here, and that bad motives
would necessarily be imputed TO him under
| the circumstances that In my opinion,
he would disappoint the expectation and
wishes of the democratic party Of North Carolinai
that could not sustain him, and a war upon him
by the party could not be avoided the consequences
| of which were fearful. To these suggestions and
appeals he replied that he cared nothing for impu-
| tatIons upon his motives, as none would be made
by decent men; and If he was driven 10 the wall he
must acquit his conscience and take the eonse-
| quences He stated, then, that al one time he bad
an idea OF resigning, but understood him as hay-
ing abandoned IL. Imagine then my surprise when
was informed two or three hours afterwards that
his resignation was laying on the table OF the Pres-
dent Of the Senate.
II is exceedingly painful to me to be compelled to
characterize the conduct of that senator Il de-
serves. | cannot but view il the grossest act Of
political delinquency that ever was perpetrated;
bringing reprosch upon the character Of our vene-
rated Stats that tears Of repentance his part for
thousand years would never efaee; a stigma, as
far as he can ax it, upon the political integrity OF
her public men that viii wiring the bosom Of every
frank hearted North Caroinian, and which will be
exeerated by all her sons who revere her name and
fame, and who cherish such integrity a necessary
trait in the character Of q public servant | am
proud Of the land of my birth always feel pride
| and EMULATION when our brethren Of other States
speak OF her the economical and honest Old
North State; and in behalf Of the people Of that
ancient Commonwealth | invoke my country
men not TO estimate their character by the con-
duet Of one Of her spostate sons by whom she
has been deceived and disappointed. appeal
to my fellow-eitzens Of that State for response to
the condemnation and disapprobation now express
upon the Of our late senator necessary
vindieaton Of the character OF the State and rep
rotation Of that conduct grossly inconsistent
With the just expectations fall Whatever be his mo.
lives (of which know nothing except what have
stately attempted justification, or palliation
eve him from the bitter eproof Of outraged peo-
pie, whose voice this crisis has by his been thus
stuffed. Irepeat, this duty Is a most painful one.
have heretofore claimed that senator as a personal
and political friend The causes that have pro-
duoed dissolution OF that relation Is a source OF
poignant regret Yet a duty to the people repre-
sent TO my own character as a representative, and
by whose vote such senator was placed in power,
would not permit me to say less in expressing my
solemn convictions Of the retribulon that ought
be visited upon who has been thus recreant in
the discharge Of a sacred duty intrusted to him by
a eonhdng constituency.
Mr.. COLLIN obtained the floor, and yielded TO
MIR. BARRlNGER, who said that he must Ell
press his astonishment at the remarks OF his col
league IN regard 10 a subject with which this House
had nothing to do He was amazed that his col
league had made a studied attack here on the con-
duct and motives Of late senator from the State Of
North Carolina. Mr.. B. did not rise to defend Mr..
Haywood. That distinguished gentleman, and his
colleague well knew it, was sbundsntly able To de-
fend himself. No one in North Carolina was more
so. He did not intend to express any opinion as
to the wisdom or expediency Of that honorable
tors course in regard to an act which has produced
such sensation in this Capitol and in the country.
He did not rise for that purpose. But he was the
personal friend Of the late senator He was not his
political friend, and had never been Their respec-
i've positions were well understood at home. But
he his solemn and decided protest against
the dishonorable insnustons: nay, sir, the charges
made against the motives Of that senator, here and
elsewhere. The personal character of that senator
was well appreciated In North Carolina. II was
unblemished and unimpeachable. He had main
tanned honest pure, and Christian character ever
since Mr. B. had known him, and that was as long
as he had known any man in public life. Such
was undenably his reputation in that honest State,
where private and political integrity were fully un-
derstood and appreciated. In reply TO the strange
attack of his colleague he must be allowed TO say
that whatever he may think of the political course
of Mr.. Haywood, he believed his motives in refer
TO the act Of resignation which has attracted
much attention and remark, were pure and canseier-
ho,s. The act speaks for itself. II was the very
opposite of corruption and sefinterest. Ii was a
sefsacrihcing act. IL the abandonment of a
position Of which any man, however lofty his am.
buon, might well be proud, for private life, be-
cause he could not sustain measure which he sin
cerely believed to be wrong in principle and ruin
Gus to the best interests Of his country; and be-
cause, by voting against it, he might embarass his
political friends and party. He sacrificed his high
place, and surrendered his convictions of that i'm
portant measure TO his party that his against
IL IL -
head and heart told him that he could not vote for
it. speak only from my impressions of the rea-
sons that governed his conduct. | believe the
act itself authorizes this conclusion, independent
of all knowledge Of reputation in private life that
absolutely orbids and defes the unjust imputations
which have been SO profusely cast upon him. But,
sir, have higher object to answer (if there can
be a higher object than defending the fame of an
upright man, whether in public or private life) in
repelng this charge of impure motives in regard to
the conduct Of the late senator from North Caro-
lima. Ii Is an attack the honor and character of
State, which, at least, whatever may be said OF
the pretensions Of her in other respects, has
always had the satisfaction of believing that she has
had honest representatives both branches of Con-
gress. From colonial times to the present hour,
she has sustained a character for integrity and po-
itical honesty without blemish. And, sir | am
convinced, notwithstanding the attempts now being
made, and which will continue to be made in this
city and elsewhere, to show improper and impure
motives on the part of the ex-senator from North
Carolina in his recent act his late conduct will not
make an exception to that uniformly untarnished
character she has heretofore so nobly maintained.
Sir, repeat, am not here the defender or apol-
ogist of MIR. Haywood. | have not seen him since
his resignation l do not say whether his act was
wise or unwise. ! do not say whether it was best
for himself personally or politically. He is able to
shield himself in that regard, and if he were not,
my political relations with him do not impose on
me the necessity of making that defence. | only
mean TO say, what do cheerfuIy and sincerely,
and what think will be the deliberate judgment Of
honorable men of all parties, when this excitement
shall pass away, that believe his late course arose
from pure considerations of high public and consci-
entious duty. This much feel to be due to him
and his friends, who are not few in every part Of
North Carona-due to my own State. and to my
| self, one of her humblest representatives on this
floor.
Mr.. ROCKWELL, of Connecticut, (Mr. C. fur.
Their yielding) gave notice of an amendment, (look
ing towards the establishment Of reciprocal rates Of
postage on ship letters)
Mr. DOBBlN said Mr. Chairman | ask the