The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-15

speaker OF the House. He would, however, simply
suggest to the gentleman from Tennessee, that the
House was composed of nnety-one members from
what is called the slave States and hundred and
forty from the free States. If the gentleman would
examine, perhaps it would appear that proportion
oil members was not very different from that OF the
chalrmen Of the committees
Mr. JOHNSON would ask the attention of the
House, and particularly of the South, to further
evidence OF the impartiaty OF the late Speaker and
present asprant for the Spcakership IL was in the
composition of the three particular committees,
upon which such interest is felt at present, that his
lnpartiaity towards the South was most manifest.
On the Committee Territories, which had the
whole subject of the Wilino proyiso before IT, whe,
thcr slavery should be there permitted or excluded
the late Speaker had placed six members from the
non slyehoding States and three from the South On
the Committee upon the Judiciary, which had CON
siderable, control over this subject, there were six
representatives from free States and three from slave
States; and, upon the Committee on this District,
where IT is proposed to abolish slavery, there were
nNc members from non aNeholdng States, and but
four from the South And yet FOR this conduct, this
course towards the South, southern men had re-
corded their votes III favor ola resolution OF thanks
for the manner in which he had discharged his du-
ties of Speaker. What one of the most import
ant duties of the Speaker? Was il not the organi-
zahon OF the committees! And still southern men
had thanked him for thus organizing the commit
tees.
The gentleman from North Carolina, (Mr. STAN
Ly,) few days ago had remarked that he thought
there was cause sufficient in the proceedings to
bring the blush ofshamc to the checks of the Demo
Gratis and yet that member had the hardihood to
introduce into this House in broad day, PROPOSE
ton which should have criInsoned the check of any
| man. II was proposition that the Wing and De-
/ mocratc parties should unite; that one should take
| the Speaker, and the remaining officers and clerk
should be divided between the two parties This
proposition stripped was nothing more than Nero
division OF the offices for the purpose of securing the
salaries To particular individuals The gentleman
| thought few days ago that our checks should be
| covered with the blush of shame
| Mr.. STANLY did not expect the gentleman from
Tennessee to blush BY his remarks to-day would
rather appear he was past blushing,
Mr. JOHNSON. Does the gentleman mean what
he says in a personal sense?
| Mr.. STANLY. Oh no; in Pickwickian sense.
! [Laughterl
MIR. JOHNSON remarked that the proposition of
| the gentleman that the two great parties of this
| House shorld appoint committees to confer upon
the proper distribution of all the officers of this
! House, introduced into this House in open day,
| should produce and bring to the cheek blush of
! the deepest crimson.
| The late Speakers principles were then canvassed
| at great ength, and the honor and notorety of
| having Introduced the Wimot provso, it
! tended should attach 10 Mr.. WINTHRop and not
MIR. WILaoT. The late Speaker had, at former
session, offered as an amendment TO the bill pro-
viding territorial government for Oregon, this
very proviso. He was the author of it. He
the proposer of it.
Mr.. ASHNIUN asked if Mr. Howell Com had
hot NOtcO loT tllc Dill Win tilat DrONlSO IN lC
Mr.. JOHNSON. That is a horse of another CO
Tor. Laughter There great difference
between voting for bill with Objectionable fea-
ture IN l., when that bill was to give government
to people and the proposing of and voting for the
Objectionable feature. Again, the territory
braced IN that bill to which the provso attached
all lay north of 800 3O, the line long since adopted
by the South a compromise.
Mr. WINTHROP inquired if Mr.. Conn was cx-
cusabe for voting for bill containing the Wilmot
proviso because the territory north of 36o 3d.
why vas he (Mr. WINTHRoP) not entitled to the
benefit of the same consideration?
Mr.. JOHNSON said that the late Speaker, though
quick IN GLIDING the point could not escape, IN
that way, the responsibility of his act. That mem
Der vas Wllmot provlsoist, notwithstanding all
his arts and endeavors to escape conviction. Why
did he not come out openly and say that he or
was not IN favor of the proviso? Mr. j.. a south
ern man, and IA the representative of southern
people, took upon himself To declare, in the House
that he would this day vote for JOSHUA h. GIDDINGs
OF Ohio, Speaker of this House, in preference TO
ROBERT &. WINTHROP. The one il open, bold
and fearless advocate Of his principles; the other
was a sklltu and expert politician, who seeks pre-
icrmcnt and honors by conccaling his sentiments
II the gentleman from Boston justifes his act of in
Producing the Wmot proviso TO the Oregon bill be-
cause the territory lies north of 800 80, will he now
abide by that line in relation to this subject of sa
very in the Territories? Will he do il? His silence
was sufficient response.
The South was now fairly reused TO the import
ance OF the subject. They could never again vote
for the late speaker He loved the South There
was something about her which endcared her to
him. He loved South Carolina and had always
admired her course, but he had been greatly aston
ished and surprised 10 see the representative Of
the city of Charleston lodging round these pill.
lars, and abscnting himself from ths hall, and
finally voting for the member from Boston.
Mr.. HOLMES. ] merely rise to say, that ! am
perfectly satisfied with what have done. ! wanted
Ia place In that chair gentleman Of talents dig
NIFTY, and virtue; IN other words, a gentleman.
have no inisgivings and no repentance. even i'll
lose the good opinion Of the honorable gentleman
from Tennessee. Laughter.
Mr.. JOHNSON inquired why the gentleman did
not vote for him again
Mr.. HOLINESS reply was not heard distinctly,
but it was understood to bethat il was not for tic
gentleman TO ask that question.
Mr.. JOHNSON. The gentleman IL one Of age,
OF venerable standing, aud perhaps of considerable
cloquence, and had often taken occasion TO tilt a
lance and thrust spear at him, mir. j., y but all
he would say was, that perhaps il was well for him.
| and Tor the country, that he was "A man Of peace
His heart swced yesterday with pride and cxulta-
ton when hc heard the remarks of Mr.. lIiLLIARD,
| MIR. ToOMBs, and Mr.. STEPHENS when hcsaw them
lay aside all other considerations and rush to the
rescue of the South. The South il now fact uniting
! These gentlemen, who yesterday 20 boldly ad-
Nocated the cause OF the South, and resisted the
croachmcnts upon hcr rights had, at the last -cs-
! son. voted for man for Speaker whom they now
! rcpudiatcd lie was glad 10 that the southern
Representatives were iull sensible ofhc importance
oIscccung proper person tOfll the office oi Speaker
with impartialitya Justice. Mr.. JOHNSON then re-.
viewed the events 81 The for the Presidency
the views OF General Taylor with rcspcctto Mr.. Fill
| more, and MIR Fillmorcs opinions on the slavery
qucstion-the course Of the South during that cleo
| uon-thc probable course Of the Executive if the
WIlmOt proyiso passed the events Of the last SEES
sion Of Congress the causes Of slavery and it, ma
turo at the Southits representation the value and
nature Of slave labor, and that of white labor All
! the slave States had been aroused, aud had spoken
| except North Carolina, and she, the last b. move
| upon almost any subject, would perhaps still be
! found with the rect of the South
Mr. CIINGMAN said that North Carolina was
now quiet, leaving other States 10 speak but when
TIC time Tor action came, no State would be more
| ready for action than North Carolina And a. A
! historical rcininisccucc, he would state that ten
days after tho battle Of Lexington and eighteen
months before The declaration IL independence in
Philadelphia. she declared Independence of tho
British crown at Mecklcnbcrg. When the neccs.
sity shall arise she will act Hc did not know any
thing IN The remarks of the gentleman from Gcor.
q" thr. IOoMns) to which hc did not assent ~.
was more than gratiiied with the remarks of the
other gentleman from that State, (Nr SrErHENs)
As to the Spcakcrship, he voted for Mr. wrNrHRopas