The State guard., 1848-08-01


 in that paper few weeks since. In that letter he continued, it was asserted that a delegate from Ohio in the Whig Conven- ton at Philadelphia, had offered for their adoption a resolution in favor of the Will mot Proviso, and that Mir. Brown of Pennsylvania immediately arose and de- nounced the movement in terms of strong and indignant rebulsed, and closed by ma king a motion to lay the resolution on the table and then members from all sides of the House said let us make this a test vote, which was consented to, and it was laid on the table, not ten persons voting against the motion. Now, said the speaker, I desire to appeal to the honest and frank advocates of their principles on this floor, and to be informed whether this vote was regarded by them as establishing inc fact that majority of that Convention were opposed to the Wilmot Proyiso. He would be particularly pleased to hear the opinion of the gentleman, MT. Ashmun, from the Springfield district, Massachu- setts He was very sorry to see his seat vacant, for he knew that gentleman would not hesitate to avow his own sentiments on this subject, nor did be believe that he desired the impression to go abroad that a majority of the Whig Convention was 1 opposed to that Proyiso. MT. Hillard of Alabama, here rose and desired permis- sion to ask MT. Cobb question.-Cer- tainly sir, replied the latter. Mir. H. de- sired to know why Mir. Forman, dele gate from Georgia to the Baltimore Con- vention, withdrew his resolution denounc- ing the Wilmot Proviso, after having of fered it to the Convention. MT. Cobb replied that he was not memerber of the Convention nor was he present when this took place, but he understood the req son to be that southern members of that Convention regarded the resolutions about to be presented for the adoption of the Convention as entirely satisfactory and abundantly sufficient to guard and protect the rights of the South, without the adop- ton of the resolution referred to-. Now, said MT. c. will the gentleman from Ala. extend to me the same courtesy and an swer a question which desire to pro- pound? Do you beliere that majority of the late Philadelphia whig conve ,ton were or were not opposed 10 the Wilmot Proviso Mir. H. said that the resolution in favor of the Wlmot Provlso, was pre- sented to that Convention and motion was made to lay it on the table and car ried, and the construction he placed upon it was, that it was rejected by the Conyen- tion. MT. c. replied that the gentleman should not escape the issue he presented. He had not asked him what had taLca pldce in inc Convention or what construc. lion he was pleased to give its acts. He simply desired the gentleman as candid and conscientious man to say whether be 6eliered a majority of that convention were opposed to the Wimot Provso.- Mr. Mlliard look his seat and refw- sed to anacer the question. Mir. c. con. tinuing, said he well ,.lnew that gentle man would not do so much violence to his conscience as to respond affirmatively.- He could not, say he belieoed any such thing, with the knowledge he possessed of. feelings and sentiments of the Nor thern Wings on this subject. And he now called the attention of the country to the fact that he yefuses to soy he belieu- cd n. Con n De said again herefore, that c majority of the Philadelphia, Con- rention were opposed to tue Wilmot Prouiso? Certainly the gentleman from Alabama, would say he belived il if he could do so conscentiously.
 Just at this point of the debate MT. Ashman of Massachusetts resumed his seat. and rose for the purpose of interrup- ting gentlemen from Ga the latter yielding the floor. MT. A. said he understood the gentleman from Georgia hae desired to interrogate him in regard to the proceed ings of the late Whig Convention upon the introduction of the resolution in favor of the Wilmot Proviso. He said he had nothing to conceal on this subject in that House or from his constituents. So far as his personal opinions were concerned, he was known to be in favor of the Provi- so. He did not think he was present at the time the resolution was introduced, and therefore could not say what was the course of proceedings on the subject in the Convention, but knowing the mem- bers of the Convention as he did and looking to the country from whence majority of them came, he could not hesi- tate to express his belief that a majority of that Convention scas at that time and sfiU are in faror of the Wilmot Proviso., He in turn desired to ask MT. Cobb ques- ton. He would be glad to know wheth- CT Gen. Cass would veto the bill organiz- ing a territorial government in Oregon if there should be section in that bill prohi- biting the introduction of slavery. Mir. c. said he could reply to that question by saying that bill organizing Territorial government in Oregon would in all proba- bility be passed before the rising of the present session of Congress long before Gen. Cass would in all probability be called upon to approve or disapproye any such bill.
 But he would remark further that he himself had voted for this bill with this