The Port-Gibson correspondent., 1847-03-13
From the Washington Union.
SPEECH OF
UDGE DOUGLASS.

n, Douglass replied. He said he
b,d risen for the purpose Of submitting
> few remarks in reply to the honorable
gentleman from Massachusetts, especial
T. directed to that part in which echarg
Il deliberate design on the part OF the
administration, and of the democratic
marty. 10 do injustice TO gen. Taylor. lie
iMr. d. had been unable 10 discover up,
On what ground upon what authority
anv member on that floor could make a
CHARGE or that kind? lie knew nothing
in history of the course Of this admins
tralion towards General Taylor that
could Justify any such charge. When
their difficulty first arose with Mexico,
and Mexico threatened 10 treat certain
acts as declaration Of war, Gen. lay
lor was selected 10 take charge OF the
army Of occupation in the western pert
ofTexas. Certainly that act Of selection
ID take command. no one, he apprehendcd
would contend evinced any hostility L
was high and honorable command con-
rerred upon Gen. Taylor voluntarily.
He was then only a colonel Of the line,
with brevet commission as 4 brigadler
general. lie continued in that command;
and, after The battles OF the 9Th and 9Th,
what did they find as evidence Of hostil.
ity on the part Of the administration!
The gentleman said that, after these
brilliant battles, The administration form
ed the design Of Proslrating Gen. Tay.
Mr. Ashmun (in his seat,) Before
those battles.
Mr.. Douglass. Before those battles, he
said, the administration had formed the
design Of prostrating Gen. Taylor
Mr. Ashmun. II the gentleman will
allow me, will state precisely what |
did say. 1t was this: that before those
battles there was mysterious giVlngs>out
that tif any disasters occurred Gen. lay
lor was > be made a sacrifice.
Mr. Douglass cared not whether the
gentleman took it before or alte" ards.
He wanted 70 try the gentleman by the
record--by known, fixed facts that could
not be gansayed, aud see where was the
evidence 10 sustain the truth OF that
charge, or the evidence 10 justify any
man ii the ewes OF the world TO say that
be had pretext for such a charge
against The administration, or against the
democratic parry, Or against any honor
able man. Those battles were fought
and what did the administration do! Inn
medately upon the news the Presiden'
oflhe United States sent 10 the Senate
nomination Of Gen. Taylor as major
general orthe United States army BY bre'
vet.
Mr.. Ficklin here rose and intimated O
desire to address the chair.
Mr.. DoUGLAss. cannot be Interrupt
ted. Why was that done? Il was done
as mark of appreciation by the Presi
dent Of the United States Of General
Taylor; to confer the honor as sigma
mark Of his confidence, Of his regard, 81
his friendship for General Taylor; anf
in doing that, he gave brevet 10 Gen
eral Taylor, placing him thereby above
other officers in the United States army
who held older commissions-older ranl
in the army than General Taylor. Wha
next? Was there evidence on the par
Of the President, or Of the cabinet, II
that breve,, Of hostility? The gentleman
said the hostility had been formed be
fore, but the victories hushed it. lie
them see what evidence the democrats
party gave at that time Of hostility Il
General Taylor. A resolution Of thank
was brought forward in that House
he recollected right, by democrat-an'
passed unanimously, receiving ever!
democratic vote in that House, giviny
The thanks Of Congress to General Tay
lor for his military services; and al
that after the base design had been form
ed Of sacrificing him! Was not tha
astrange way for a party TO show il
design Of sacrificing a man, by render
ing a solemn vote Of thahks-by con
ieEring the highest honor,. in the fac,