The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-07-16
Portions Of several Speeches
HON. III. S. FOOTE, OF MISSISSIPPI,
The Question Of Adjournment

The Question of Adjournment.
Delivered IN the Senate of the United States commencing
June %, 1913. f
The resolution from the House fixing the time for the
adjournment of the two houses OF Congress on the
I'm July, being under consideration
Mr.. FoQTE said Mr. President, the question of ad,
ounment has awakened more feeling IN the Senate and
given rise 10 a much extended discussion than any
OF us anticipated Heartily concurrng IN all tha mas
been heretofore said in opposition to fxlng day. at THIS
time, upon which the deliberations OF Congress at the
present session shall be made to terminate, seize the OPP
portunity OF stating additional consideration, which OF
itself would be OF sufficient cogency to control my ACTON
upon thu ect There is, at least, one measure before
the adon which, Congress, IN my judgment, should
never cset to adjourn alude to the organization OF
territorial governments in Oregon, California, and New
Mexico. | know that there are questions OF peculiar
decacy and Importance involved In the contemplated
establishment OF territorial governments IN the regions
named but am only the DESTROYS, that account
that they should be boldly met and promptly decided III
these questions remain open during the presidential con-
test, impossible to conjecture what consequences
arise. The intense excitement now raging IN two
opposite quarters of the Confedeacy, and every day
growing more and more intense, may put at hazard the
Union itself, and will certainly call into being two
ional factions, divided by mere geographical line,
which will never upon each other as long az
the Union shall continue regard the present as Tar the
most suspicious period which will ever Occur tor obvla
ing this great DANGER and once more restoring fraterna
amty and concord.
Besides, sir am willing to confess that am not
little DESTROYS OF ascertaning ere Congress shall ADJOURN
of what precise material the wing party IS composed
whether that party if it reach the seats OF authority
more, will be inclined to enforce its ancient views
of governmental policy or will be content as has been
the policy of the present administration to remain
undsturbed. There is still another point upon which
desire to obtain more satisfactory explanation than
has heretofore been given. VIII General Taylor, II
elected be willing to the veto power against the
Wilmot Proviso On this subject his language had been
so far most painfully ambiguous and contradictory and
in the two sections of the Union claimed both as
friendly and adverse to this accused measure Nor has
the language of his friends and supporters IN the two
houses OF Congress been satisfactory Sir, the peO
pie resolved 10 be hood nked any longer by the
dexerous actcans OF pary they are resolved to have
explicit declarations OF opinion from all who aspire to
their sufages in regard TO this al-mportant question
No OF evasion subteruge will any longer avail
those who have heretofore pracllsed them Should the
wing leaders here be compelled to show their hands and
throw of their party could not be possibly avoided This
they well know; and therefore 1t is that SO much anxiety
has been evnced by certain gentlemen to bring about an
immediate adjournment | am not willing to crafty
them at the expense of the country; and SHALL there
fore, have already said, vote against fixing any par
ticuar day OF al joumment for the present.
| am free to acknowledge that the conduct OF wing
senator's in desiring to avoid positive cOmmal upon
the great questions in agitation, is in excellent keep
ing with the pursued by the convention of their
party which lately assembled in Philadelphia; which re-
markabe body is known to have met and adjourned
without the least declaration OF principles or the most
al usonto the objects which they desire to attain
The tabled Journey of Encas to hell, was not whit
ysterous than the movements of those wise men
who the other day counselng together in In
the son of Anchises and the Sibyl ibant sofa sub noe
Nor the idea of the golden offering to Proserpine
rey forgotten among them for did not the president OF
this famous body in his opening speech, announce
10 the multitude who surrounded him. boldly to nscrlbe
upon their banner the significant motto 10 the victors
belong the spos ," | am decidedly of opinion that we
are bound liberal men, to make more or less allow
for the memberso the Philadelphia conventions we
should not perhaps them too severely for lay
dental campaign 1t had been undoubtedly ascertained
among them, that political creed could be devised to
which any considerable number OF Their body would be
able subscribe and therefore was judged most discreet
toego entirely the consideration of everything like prln-
cipe Availability and the spoils of office were alone
looked to- L was not desired to give pehce 10 amy amy VINO
sibe ground and the utmost care was accordingly en-
ployed avoid the introduction OF topics which might
produce dsputaon and develop contrariety OF sentiment
1t was resolved in the language of ST. Paul, so be all
things to all men,, at least for season; Or IN the we'll
known words OF distinguished wing of Virginia, 1t was
catch birds of every feather" Such was the conduct of
the wing convention OF ls10 and succeeding then IN de-
udng the people, it is hoped that similar arts may be
be my fault if the game OF 1910 shall be played over again
successfully am resolved that the wing leaders here
least shall avow their principles and explain those OF
their presidential candidate or permit the most unfavor-
able presumptions to be deduced from their silence
| After some remarks from Messrs. MANGUM and BRAD
MIR. FooTE resumed always regret to be com.
PEELED TO differ from my distinguished friend from Maine,
who has Just addressed the Senate but this occasion
! md 1t impossible to AVOID Inc nOnOIdUlc
from North Carolina mr. MANcuM] has done me the
honor to nsce Of the suggestions thrown out by
me upon the question of adjournment and has expressed
willingness to do battle in behalf OF the presidential
ticket lately nominated at Philadelphia. This is exactly
what expected from the chivalry of that gentleman.
fear though that he will find himself but senderly sup
ported by his customary allies in this chamber; and 1t is
still more certain that IN venurng upon discussion, ne
does pay the least respect to the example OF discreet
silence set him in Philadelphia; where were assemb led
protesting trade principles and ulra protection
lists in favor yet, OF national bank, and men
who themselves opposed to banks and banking In
every conceivable shape and form independent treasury
and opposed TO the independent treasury; men
opposed to the Mexican and men in favor OF 1T no.
son only be satisfied by all Mexco and Cuba into
the bargan friends of the Wmo provso, and enemies
to all restrictions upon settlement in territorial domain
of kind whatsoever, what the settlers snail
themselves impose Will the senator from North Caro-
lima have the goodness to inform the Senate and the
country with what class of his supporters It is that Gen
Taylor concurs? 1t would be pity that any of his pres
President should he chance to be elected am afraid
they might be tempted to denounce him as traitor, as 1t
is well known they did Mr.. Tyler under similar crcum
stances Ii the senator from North Carolina, then, can
in advance inform what General Iaylor's real
opinions are, | feel certain he will do much pres
eBt good and prevent future misunderstanding among
the friends of that distinguished parsonage. Whether
present canvass, perhaps doubtful though re-
gard the experiment decidedly worthy OF trial. In
the absence of clear and satisfactory exposition OF the
Generals political opinions from the convention which
nominated him, have been disposed to look to other
sources for infomaton and the result of my scrutiny
will proceed to lay before the Senate find that the
newspapers sustaining his pretensIOns all recognise nm
| a and CnchI IN fave n