The North-Carolina standard., 1848-09-20
For the North Carolina Standard.
SPEECH OF MR.. OUTLAW.

The Representative who pledges himself to free
people not to automaton in discharge OF
Legislative duties, but TO be heard IN the discussion
of questions arising for deiberation justly excites
their astonshment when he apPrises them that 1t IS
with reluctance almost insuperable'' he rises to
fulfill that obligation. When David Outlaw was
canvassing this District for the seat he now occupies
he rdiculed his opponent who had Just finished his
Stewardship, as i" mere automaton' '-:evlewed his
course while in Congress with some particularly if
not candor, and considered his silence, as public
aervant clear dereieton of Duty and led Us to ex-
pact from him more energy and more falthtulness
How far this pledge has been redeemed may be ]udg-
ed from the fact that sat late period of the session.
he attempts :s for the first time and with reluc-
tance almost insuperable' to obtrude upon the atten
ton of the House. rigid compliance with vol
than violate by gentlemen of his profession, might
reasonably have been expected. But partial COM
pliance If unattended with regrets, would no doubt
have satisfied people less reasonable than those he
represents. The Speech which IS now before me-
purporting to have been delivered on the Army ap-
preparation Bill, which should not have discover
ed but for its caption, with generous public would
have satisfied complaint if not appeased resentment.
for would not have murmured, nor been dIspos-
cd to draw invidously comparison between its mer
its and those of his predecessor. | shall not now
do So though the mind involuntarily inclines in
that direction. have no disposition to to decide
which most Justly deserves the character of automa
ton. Though Mr.. Outlaw silent, he not
unobservant uninterested spectator, listener and
actor How far that would relieve him from the charge
of automaton l am not disposed to determine.
Without arraignng the gentleman for his silence,
which l dare say commendable wise, l
hope he will for not approving the indeli
eacY which would prompt charge of faithlessness
against an opponent for the same offence. should
have alluded to the subject if the duties of
preventative had not been involved. Pledged to a
particular course, Democracy holds it obligatory on
the representative TO pursue it. He cannot depart
from it without the expressed consent of his constit
uency. am not aware that consent in this instance
has been obtained that circumstances have since
occurred to eXtenuate or excuse.
Whether this first and only exhibition of the Hon.
gentlemans ability to comply with the expectation
he had awakened in the public mind public de-
batter and faithful agent, is fair and just specimen,
am unable to say. If it be so, need not greatly
congratulate ourselves the exchange we have made
That he should have assisted if he did, in attaching
to the general appropriation bill one of local char
acter with view unpatriotic unwise is re-
Election full of modification to his friends and humbl-
ing to the pride of the State. To stop the wheels of
government proptiate the power of sister State
to ronder the constitution odious, hope
that had influence representative of the old
North State. Hope am understood. am sure am
by the Hon. gentleman himself, and amplifcaton is
unnecessary. But that the great whig party should
seek means of Strengthening itself revou tonary,
SO base and unparoc, is scarcely within the power
OF -eredullty. Yet many not more charitable than
myself willing to believe it and if what has all
ready passed into history be proper index of mo-
tves they may not be far wrong in their conclusions.
The disposition of the territory acquired indem-
nifty from Mexico, obtained by the joint efforts of the
whole confederacy, is the first subject which the
Hon. gentleman ventured opinion. If the pow
acquire territory exists, he contends the power
to govern does likewise, if exercised in subordin-
alton to the constitution restrained, however by the
nature and character of institutions. What does
oil this mem? Strip it of its verbage and how does
it standl Why, that the constitution must be sub
ordinate to circumstances, the ultra federaliss
9INT1aN1 cd
constitutional. What comment on professions that
the constitution is the whig platform! constitution
bending to circumstances! Circumstances making
that constitutional to-day, which single revolving
sun may render unconstitutional! What platform
How extended! How ample! And yet the confidence
of the people is directed in support of this paradox
How far the nature and character of our institutions
ought to restrain the action of Congress the SUBJ
leet Of slavery is question now dividing this party.
The Hon gentleman by his showing is safely
lodged with the free soil advocates. He recognizes
the power of Congress on the subject, and regards
the question seted by having been exeErised and &C
quiesced ia by all departments of the governments