The North-Carolina standard., 1847-03-03
SPEECH OF MR.. .DOBBIN,

L
OF NORTH CAROLINA, -.. a. .-..
Delivered in the House of Representatives, Feb
ruary llth, 1S47 on the three million appropri-
alton bill and against the Wilmot proviso."
Mr. CHAIRMAN: do not rise upon this occa-
sion for the purpose of republshng another edition
ofthe history of the Mexican war. Its origin, its
rise and its progress, are familiar to the humblest
colager of the country, as we'll as the most active
politician in the capital. The fame Of those gal
an soldiers who fought and achieved the brilliant
victories of Monterey and Resaca de la Palma
has crossed the confines OF our own republic, and
has ELECTED the applause and admiration Of the
mightiest Powers on earth
But Mr. Chairman, there IS a war of recent ORR
un; upon the origin, the rise, and the progress
of which, do propose to make some remarks this
morning. / mean the recently waged upon
the reputation, the constitutional rights: and do
mestic institutions ofthesouthern States. An hon.
orable gentleman from New York [Mr. Strongl
the other day, who had the manly independence
and the patriotism to oppose that war, concerning
which l now purpose to speak, announced in this
House. that if the manner in which this belliger-
ant proposition originated, and the circumstances
under which it was brought TO light, could be
made matter of public historyS it would at once
be curious, entertaining, and amusing for, &C.
cording to the insnuations, or, perhaps the posi-
tive afirmatons that have been made, gentlemen
were so solemnly impressed withthe magnitude
OF this movement, that, although many of the
forces of our northern friends were secretly COM
bned in the alliance; yet that it soon became ap-
parent that it was q matter of too momentous i'm
portance, for the public to suppose for day that
one man alone was its protector 1t is said. there
fore, that while one distinguished gentleman from
New York [Mr. Groverl advised this proposition.
another gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Brinke-hoff]
wrote, and another distinguished gentleman from
Pennsylvania, Mr. Wimot1 introduced it.
Before reply, MIR. Chairman, to the untenable
pretexs promulgated on this f1oar in Justification
of this unnecessary and inexcusable assault; be-
fore | say anything in regard to my defensive ope-
raiinns brfore l begin to vindicate the reputation
and the constitutional rights of the. South which
think have here been unustly and cruelty assnied,
propose to make a few rcma rks upon the pecu-
liar and curious n4nnner-the Gerry peculiar and
curious manner, in which this war has thus far
been conducted
At the last session of Congress, this warlike
manifesto first made its appearance an adjourn
ment took place, and the achievements were thus
far bloodess;" we indulged the hope that the
was over; but it seems that this was only the
ending of the first campaign. On memorable
OCCASION, a few weeks since, when all was calm
and quiet; when no cloud of domestic dscord OBJ
scurrd the horizon; when no man dreamed of The
renewal of these hosiil..-s honorable gentle
man from Now York MR. Kingl appeared upon
the Stage. clad in the habiiment, the amabe and
inoffinsive habIiment of personal expana-
tion," and with countenance that always seems
as If his thoughts were turned on peace, he
proclaimed to US that his " voice" was still tor
war;" and that the armistice which we thought
was in existence, was to end, and the war to be
prosecuted with vigor. f
But, Mr.. Chairman, without intending anything
unkind to the honorable and distinguished gentle
men who seem to have acted thus far as the gen
erals in this warlike campaign, L cannot refrain
from auding to the manner in which they have
made the distribution of the various duties emong
the generals who have commanded their forces.
The honorable gentleman from New York TMr.
Rathbun who advocated this proposition, announ-
ced to us, in the the most solemn and deliberate
manner, that slavery was an evil; that It was
bIightng curse, and great calamity; and, In an
eloquent burst of Indignation, proclaimed that any
northern man who dared here to countenance the
extension of slave territory, would be swept away
by tornado from the North. Yea, sir; his elo-
quence mounted still higher; he said that such
one would be destroyed by thunder manufacturz
ed at the North second only to the thunder of the
Creator himsefl' Well, Mr. Chairman, after
proceedingthus far, 1t was very surprising 10 some
but not to all-that that same honorable gentle
man, who denounced slavery as this blightlng
curse, mildew, calamity, and misfortune, wound
up his speech by telling US, that a0e s0outd agree
portionment of Representatives., 1Oe might go, and
selcOms into amy territory 1rih Men" Ah, Mr..
Chairman did not that experienced and dexterous
debater for moment forget that thunder which
he previously declared would. destroy any man
who countenanced the extension of slave territory
Did he not forget that, when he put himself in the
position of countenancing this extension OF slave
territory, whether it carried with it political pow
e: or not, he rendered himself liable to the thun-
ders, if any such exist which he said were pre-
pared for gentlemen who gave their support to
such proposition2 Did he not forget that by
mus agreeing to consent that this slave territory
might be extended, on the conditions he mentioned,
ne came a0itin the operation of This terrible tor
H9dO and northern thunder ? Iagree that he said
ne spoke for himself alone. But the same honor.
able gentleman, in the same speech, proceeded to
ailude to the proposition of the Governor of Vir-
glnla, to become relieved of their free negroes by
sending them to the North, where so much senti-