The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-08-10
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF MIR. COBB,
OF GEORGIA,

In the House Of Representatives, July ls4s-ln Com
mttee OF the Whole on the state OF the Union, on the
civil and diplomatic appropriation bill
Mr. COBB said
Mr. CHAIRMAN In the remarks am about TO offer TO
me by my colleague, Mr.. TooMBsl and discuss party
politics generally and noparty and no-prncipe plat
form" in particular. Not only in this House. but in the
party press OF the country there and dan
gerous doctrines put forth by the wing party into the
correctness OF which propose to inquire, IN order that
may see how far they are justified upon sound prn
cpes of political philosophy, sanctioned by the past
experience and history OF the country.
The gentleman from Pennsylvania mr. STEwART]-in
reply to whom shall say very few words only,
saeraon of the feelings OF mercy excited in my bosom
for that gentleman by the excorating reply just made to
his speech by the gentleman from Michigan Mr.. Nc
CLELLAND has not only attacked the platform upon
which the democratic party proiessed to stand in the
coming contest, but has denounced everything like party
organization. He informs that the time has arrived
when party organization should be laid aside and party
lines obiteraed-when men should be elevated to the
highest Offices of the republic irrespective of all party
their ballots regardless of the influences of party or the
principles of candidates.
DESIRE sir, with the utmost kindness, courtesy and
good feeling to inquire into the sincerity of these decara
fons. desire to know whether our opponents in
placing themselves upon this ground for the approaching
election have deliberately assumed it in reference to the
principles which rested, whether they acting
with direct reference to mere party purposes Are they
honestly opposed 10 party organization Beyond their
empty and nnmea9ng PROFESSIONS where shall we look
in this country? Who were the fathers of party organ
cation Look to the history of the best and puest days
OF the republic so back to 1900. when Thomas Jefferson
at the head of the republican party and Alexander Ham
on at the head of the federal party, arrayed their OPP
posing principles and the people rallied around their
spectve standards their hearts and minds sanctioned the
oneor the other During that mighty contest OF principle,
which moulded into shape and form the great parties of
the country what voice heard procaiming the here
cal sentiment OF "no- paylsm and no-prlnciPlesthe
present ralyng cry of the whg pay' Think you not sir
that would have fallen strange sound upon the
OF republican fathers it, the midst OF their
ptlrIncv ALI, md rIlDf
the great principles of constitutional liberty, they had
been told, we to-day that they were wrong in
organizing party to carry out their principles and that
device to deude and deceive the people9 Such sugges
ton during that memorable period would have been
frowned down with and Indignation by every
publican heart in the land 1t deserves other fate
day,
What Mr.. Chairman, is party Is it a mere catch
est people of the land! Or is there something in that
word, OF principle which commends it to the Intelligence
and integrity OF the country 1t is an association OF men
acting with each other, TO carry out great fun
damenal principles in the administration OF government
Men of the political faith agree to unite their efforts
for the purpose of placing i'll the responsible offices OF the
government those of their fellow citizens whose opin-
and principles accord with their own, in order that
their may be administered upon those princi
pies which In their judgment will best promote the gen.
era interest and prosperity of the country Ours being
representative government recognising throughout its
whole system the will of the people the paramount
law of the land subject only to the restrictions placed
upon them by the constitution and laws of their own
making, is not only right and proper, but absolutely
necessary Tor the preservation of our tree Institutions
that some plan should be adopted by which their will
shall control and regulate the conduct Of their govern
ment How is this to be etfected' However just and
may be- they avail nothing unless they are enabled to
manifest them in the practical workings of the govern
ment What matters it, if large majority of the people
opposed, for example, the passage of bankrupt
law unless they to that their agents and represen.
talives whom they are about to put into power will,
when elected, faithfully reflect their opinions on tina,
And hfIar haA h,,t,, al
and concentrated efforts of all those who agree upon
great and cardinal principles This is the work of party
/ enables the people to declare their will in practical
form, and compes compliance with it on the part OF
their agents 1t carries the beautiful theory OF our sys-
TEN into practical operation, and makes our government,
what 1t ought to be, and what our fathers intended 1t
should be-a government of the people.
The effort to break down party organization is blow
at the very cornerstone OF our whole political system
1t strikes at the fundamental principle of sefgovern
men and seeks to paralyze the arm of the people by
levng their agents and representatives from all respon
sby to them as the source from which all power ema
mates.
gentlemen succeed their protested wish TO destroy
existing parties. what do they propose to substitute in its
place? What, then, is to become the test of qualfca-
ton for high and responsible ofices When candidate
for the presidency presented to the people for their sui
fages, and we ask for his principles, we are to be told
that partisans If ask what is TO be the poll
cy OF his administration, the reply given, that we are
engaged in party warfare which, being translated
into plain English, MEANS that must take candidates
Tor these high places upon faith with something akin to
a generous confidence, placing more reliance in their
honesty than own Intelligence The people are to
be told, that being incapable themselves OF determining
upon what principles their government ought to be adj
Innlsteed they ntrus all their rights and interests
TO the safe Keeping of their leaders and wise Such
doctrines may be suited to other times and other
tries; but the who seeks to ngraft them upon
system has studied profit the character of nst
tuons, and greatly UNDERWRITERS the intelligence OF
people.
Sir parties have always existed, and must ever
tnue to exist, country Since the days of Jeer
son, people have been divided in opinion upon the
great principles involved in the administration OF gov
eminent Under the lead of that great apostle of Amer
lean liberty, the advocates of democratic principles
gained themselves into party They have persever
ingy urged their principles and measures upon the
sderaton OF the American people. During almost the
whole period OF national existence our government
mas been administered upon these principles. The people
understand and appreciate them They have long since
commended themselves to the favor and approval OF the
great body OF the country and having stood the test OF
me and experience 1t is too late to abandon them
Tor the wild and chmerca dreams of specializing polt-
CANS -.s'
Looking TO the past history OF the country, shall
md much of useful instruction the lessons which
peence teaches u.s. We stand here TO- day indebted to
party organization for all the important OF
Gcna reform and constitutional rights which mark the
brilliant administrations of Jefferson, Madison, and jack
SON need not enumente them. They are fresh in the
recollection of the people They stand impressed upon the
pages OF our counys history, and embamed in the hearts
OF her republican The true democrat looks back with
pride and pleasure to those glorious tumphs of political
ruth and justice achieved by his democratic fathers,
under the same time. honored banner that waves
us ample folds the democracy of the Union. 1t af
lords him the ampest of the Justice of his
and the correctness OF his principles, drawing him into
closer alliance with his brethren of the political