The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-08-12
CONGRESSIONAL.


.iv 90 ls4S-On the special message OF the President
Of the United States IN reference to New Mexico and
Mr. BOWDON, of Alabama, said
MIR SpxAKER: During the present session OF Congress,
fell any inclination TO do Ardeny desiring the de-
snatch of the public business have heard with atten-
ton the able arguments OF others, and voted upon ques-
lions as they arose. accordance with my convictions
of duty Ii apparent however, that since the action OF
the conventions lately held at Baltimore and Phadel-
pbia change has occurred IN the character OF our de-
bates Fortunately, unfortunately this hall has
recently the great central magazine from which
are thrown presidential and party weapons to all portions
of the Union In this general distribution Of the insiru-
ments of political warfare, the State which have the
honor part to represent has not been neglected The
late speech of the able gentleman from the Montgomery
district (Mr. HnLARD) fell upon my ear as bugle
blast the wings Of Aahama-a sort OF general order
from headquarters the points be assailed and
the positions to be defended 1t may therefore, be i'm
statesmen whom respect, and in the advocacy of mea
sures which am warmly attached 1t is not my pur-
pose confne my remarks any single subject but to
indicated in the course Of debate by others who have
preceded and followed him. with objects not dssimar to
his own.
ordinary spectacle. 1t exhibits variety and compca
lion of political movements not before witnessed since
the formation Of our constitution These poItents have
arrested the attention of ALL and may arouse the fears
the respondent. But should not yet despair OF the
republic, and least of all will despair of the great par
ty under whose ascendency we have hitherto secured
respectabty abroad and unexampled prosperity at home
of those who believe that the future is charged
alone with evil The clouds which darken the horizon
will, am persuaded, pass away The storm which
now RACES iercely in the north is produced by arm
cal, rather than natural causes disappointed ponh-
clan has eappeaed upon the stage to verify the Predic
tons of his enemies and his former friends with
modification and regret He is longer the northern
man with southern principles" He is no longer the
statesman whose eye comprehends the interests Of the
whole country He has ceased TO be the calm phlloso
pher. whom provocatOn could betray into rashness
In the face of all his past professions IN sad contrast
ed countrymen the leader OF geographical fac
ton-the OF whose mad schemes must result IN
sundering the cords which bind together our glorious
Union But, sir, Mr. Van Burens harp hung upon the
willow; his wand has lost its magic "7hs sober second
thought of the people, will discern his true purpose, and
promptly repudiate his pretensions. Like Erostratus
quire notoriey enduring than enviable, but can
accomplish nothing His day past. and he is fast
being numbered amongst the things thq 1oers out are
not. Death to his agitation, and peace to his ashes
But. Mr. Speaker there are other considerations not
unworthy of special notice in scanning the prospect
which lies before u.s. We find the two great parties Of
Wings from the cold regions OF the north processing the
greatest devotion Wmot Provisoism, have gone al
dent, by whose assent as are here daily nformed
they expect to succeed in their 'free-soH n0uemen
Their devotion to the Proviso is equaed only by their
aversion to the Mexican They exhibit the singular
political phenomenon of seeking promote the Of
peace and the restriction of slavery, by eevatng to the
highest Office in the gift of the nation the STAKEHOLDER and
fresh from wellought fields, yet cred with the blood OF
recent slaughter" The southern wing press and south
ern wing orators present. OF course, an opposite view OF
these questions But my purpose is rather 10 STATE acs
than TO reconcile wing contradictions. we are also
struck with the FACT (and with me 1t is source OF con-
gratulaton that southern democrats have cheeruy ac
Quesced in the nomination of eminent statesman OF
the great northwest who looks to no particular section
or faction for promotion, but who, in the spirit which
anmates the great body of the democracy possesses
patriotism as broad as the Union, and boldly procaims
before the nation the principles upon which our govern
mert should be administered The position OF public at
fairs cannot escape the vgant eye OF the people hey
will rebuke faction and rown upon duplcity Passing
events most strongly indicate that neither General lay
or nor Mr. Van Buren, will be troubled with the cares OF
State The approaching triumph OF democracy will IN
sure harmony to the Union, and deliver the country
from the dangers which threaten it.
Whilst attention has been directed to new lights IN
the political sky, gentlemen (and my colleague MIR
HILIIARD is among them) have their eyes turned mol
10 the rising, but to the setting SUM- Mr. Polk has
served his win 1.iy f. Is Now ao1 to
forever from public Office followed by the p!auds and
the affections of grateful millions but the spirit OF party
bitterness pursues him still. Denunciaton OF such a
man is as poweress it is unmerited. In the high EN-,
prean of his fame, he towers far above the reach OF
mere party missiles lmpregnable TO the censure OF OPP
ponents he needs not the eulogy OF friends 10 sustain
him The record of his administration will ever form
gded page in the national history, and constitute his IL
tie TO imperishable renown.
,na,e Of those who have esteemed It to be their duty to
assa the general of the President HIS censure
al least Should have been dlscnmnave as ne SUSTAINED
some OF the most important measures upon winch ne mas
pleased to anmadver must call the attenton OF
The House and of the country the singular attitude In
which the gentleman is placed by his criticism upon inc
Oregon negotiation He gravey informed us that MT
Polk and Gen. Cass belonged to the war party that the
first act of the President upon his advent TO power was
raise the ''red cloud OF war; upon the northwestern
horizon by which the peace OF the world was threaten
ed Why has he alluded to this negotiation, except to
condemn it, And if &c., in what predicament does the
gentleman stand? He then occupied seat upon this
floor Did he dcnounce the President, or attempt to re-
sst his policy? No, sir he vaiany sustained him. lie
advocated title to the whole OF Oregon; declaring that
here break in 1t from latitude Ago to latitude
SO 4V." And adding, that " but for the hdughfnes.
w,M rich she Great Britain) had been accustomed 10
treat all other nations her diplomacy, he could not but
beiieue that she toould withdraw from the contest
acaeied by the force OF arguments achieh she could moi
reftte" The gentleman also proclaimed that "tndcUi-
tq' was no longer 'mastery advocated the proprety
OF giving the notice terminate the joint occupancy stp
uaied by treaty with Great Britain; and assumed the
ground that the "Oh World must establish colo
mes on our shores He passed high eulogium upor
the late Mr. Adams for expressing similar views and, iI
terms of lofty defiance, added: III oe pursuing sueh
policy, should upon Us, ne tods prepared
it, The response every american bosom must De
Let it come" He finally acquiesced in the adjustment
of that long pending difficulty, upon the parallel o
Ago. Thus speaks the record TO the course OF the
gentleman who now so much deprecates war, and
who enterains such serious fears that the elevation
General Cass to the presidency would light up the flames
of discold throughout the world. But in the election oil
General Taylor who is, and has been from his youth,
soldier by profession, the gentleman sees such "Gor.
gons hydras, and chimeras dire In that event, the
horn plenty will pour upon us an unceasing stream OF
gales OF peace and war be heard of no more.
NV colleague was equally unfortunate in CONTRASTING