New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-01-21
THINGS IN WASHINGTON.
,Ir. Tuck on Slavery and the War-,Ir. PcssIe c
The Supreme Court.

COfrs.oon1snce II The Tri1IDs.
wAsHIsclo~. Jan. 10, lsss.
AMOS Tuck, the Independent from New Hamp-
shire, aud the only one elected IS Independent
who deserves the name, made this day his maiden
speech 10 the House. 1t was avery creditaole e.
fort, and received the respectful attention Of the
House. He commenced with some remarks brief
bat conclusive, in reply 10 the arguments ester
day Of Sir RoBIssoS Of lndisna-whom BY the
way, ne considered as ore Of the most powerful
Supporters Of the Administration. He anImadverted
with some severity upon the conduc. Of Mr.. Polk
IN the admission Of Santa AssA into Mexico.
The " moral treason which Mr. Polk had sttri-
buted to persons opposed TO bis Administration, ne
showed Mr. Polk mad been guilty Of himself
guilty Of an o1er. &C, Of treason.
he spoke, then Of the remote causes Of the war.
Showed that the early hostility Of the Texans 70 the
Government Of Mexico arose from the abolition Ct
5 avery by the latter. The Texans insisted upon
the maintenance Of Slavery in the District ofTexas,
snd by this and other equally decided acts Of re-
sistsnce 10 the laws oithe Central Governs de-
termiued that Government - take up arms. The
battle Of San JscintO the crisis Of the contest
between the desire On tie one part 70 abolish eia
very, and the desire, equally strong, on the other
part 20 maintain IT, San Jacinto decided the con
test in favor Of Slavery.
Mr. TUCK then proved at large that by annexing
Texas we annexed Slavery and War. He also
showed the rapid change Of front Democrats Of
New Ham shire made, when, after having de-
nounced the annexation Of Texas as measure
black as ink and wicked as bell" they took
ground 10 its favor 80 soon ss the edict was pro-
mulgated from the Baltimore Convention. He was
called "Abolitonist" and traitor" because he
would not change with the rest. He would not re-
pudiste the charge Of Abolitionism, j, by Adolf.
tionism was meant opposition 10 the principle or
extension Of Slavery.
Nr. TUCK explained bis position clearly and en-
pbatcaly Though he would stand by the Consti-
tuition he would not contribute directly or indirect.
~ 70 the msiotenance Of Slavery. II Virginia
cOntended for the right 10 support Slavery, he said
be would contend for the right Of the Free States
10 be relieved from the siD, expenses and retribu-
tons Of Slavery.
He bore down With full charge upon Mr.. Presi-
dent POLK-sttrbuted to him the sole authorship
OF the war, and cOntepded that he and his Cabinet
should be responsible FIR it's evils He thought
one and perhaps the chief motive that induced
MIR Polk & plunge the nation into war was NOR.
bid desire to be known. The world he said. might
ask the question, d" WHO'S JAMES X. Polk and
Mr POLK seized upon this method to inform IT,
He concluded by expressing bis determination
b vote for 10 more money than was necessary 20
bring back the army safely and expeditously from
tue territories Of Mexico
Mr. TUCK spoke with auency and apparent ease,
but not 10 voice audible throughout the House.
He has not yet pitched it TO the proper tone-but
undoubtedly will give It in time sufficient compass.
He is man, | should think Of some 81 years Of
age. Of fair and clear complexion with blue eyes
the Saxon characteristics-with Il well formed
head, aud stands some feet inches ia his stock
ing feet"
Gen. PEAsLEE Of n. II. probably will speak in
reply. as he seemed 10 be taking notes during the
speech He should be advised to be most careful
in his remarks. To say all he in favor OF the
Wilmot Proviso, though he may never intend to
vote for it. For New Hampshire is now in some
what ticklish condition, and any igjudic'0us re-
marks by him may pitch it so far from Slavery
as never 70 be recovered by bis political associates
The case in the Supreme Court so ably opened
by Senator GREENE from X. |. day two since,
was argued on the same side to-day by Mr.. WLB-
sTER. u is unnecessary to say 1t was ably ar
gued. Mr. WEBsTERs voice was somewhat af
fected by cold. He did not close bis argument,
but will continue it TO morrow.
We have a report here that the Ken lucky lie.
gislature has nominated TAYLOR for the Presidency.