Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-12-19
COmgrcss-.DemOcr Barg1imS-.
The Conduct Of the lmlrigMers.

Who does not remember, or ii he was
too young, has not read the denunciation
OF Mr.. Clay for '.bargain, intrigue, and
management" because he voted for Mr.
Adams! Who does not remember how
that high minded man was pursued, like a
deer in the chase, with the dogs at his
throat, because only he had chosen TO ex
ercise his own judgment. in preferring
Mr.. Adams. False-and supported by
gross falsehood, as that charge was-who
does not remember how the country re-
sounded with the charge! But false and
injurious as it was, il exhibited one good
symptom. 1t proved that the mass ofthe
public had keen sensibility to the dis
honor and corruption Of a political bar
gain for personal benefit. The country
was alive to the existence and value Of
public virtue. The principles and NOR
ais Of Aaron Burr, which in 1900 had so
deeply poisoned the politics Of New York
had not yet been difused through the
veins and arteries of the Republic. The
seasitireness Of the body polite showed
that it yet had real aud vigorous integ-
rity. Can we say that now! Does the
Indignation of the people-the stern re-
buke Of the public press-thc scorn Of
virtuous men visit with the severity Of
moral punishment those who are suspect
ed-charged with-nay, prOred in open
day light. to have bargained with public
representatives for private profit! Last
winter we had gross and glazing in
trigue for L. S. Senator-havino all the
ear marks Of corrupt transaction. Did
the virtuous sensbilities of the Demo-
cratic party shrink from that corruption!
The nerves once so sensible to the idea Of
bargaining among public men, no longer
perceive its coarsest exhibition, nor shrink
from its acknowledged presence!
We have now come to a new form of
Democratic bargaining. Its exposure is
completes; and we hope no one of our
readers will fail TO examine and under
stand it.
At the last ballot for Speaker in Con-
gress, Mr.. BRowN, of Indiana. the same
man who was recently dismissed from
the office Of assistant Postmaster Gene
raj, received 1l2 votes, which was within
tro votes Of an election. How come it
that this MIR. Brown could concentrate
1l2 votes, when Emery ID. Potter. more
favorable TO the Free Sellers. did not get
one hundred! How came it! Acciden-
tally, as it would seem, the fact came out,
that this Mr.. Brorm had made private
bargain with Mr.. IVilmon
Supposing the telegraphic account to
be true, we repeat the following version
Of il, that our readers may look clearly at
it:
Mr.. Burt wished to see the correspon-
dence.
M"r. Brown. have it. Here mem
bers crowded around
Mr.. Brown read the letter from Wilmot.
1t merely asked him in wha, manner he
would. if elected Speaker, constitute the
committees, and he Brown stated in re-
ply that he would make them satisfactory
to him and his friends.
Mr.. Wilmot remarked that he had adj
dressed the note to Mr.. Brown. asking
him nothing more than to organize the
committee on the District of Columbia.
the Territories and Judiciary in such a
manner as 10 give full and fair express
sion to the will Of the country.
Mr.. Thaddeus Stevens wished to know
whether Wilmot had reason to believe
that the Committees would be formed of
maiorities of those in favor Of the free
soil principle.
Mr. Wilmot said that he had reason to
believe that the Committees would have
on them q majority of ree..Northern men.
nothing more.
Mr. lnye What do you mean by
thar
Mr. Wilmot Men who would not seek
in a committee to smother the express
ion of the will OF the people Of the North.
IDge DO | understand Northern men
committed to the Wilmot proviso.
Wilmot No.
Stanley. What then! Wilmot men
who resolve that slavery shall 90 no far
Their. Uaugh,er.)
Il. Stevens asked whether his colleague
had a copy Of the letter.
Wilmot replied he had not.
Browns reply to Wilmot's letter was
then read.
The discussion was further prolonged,
but it partook Of personal character.
Mr. Brown declined being considered
again a candidate. and the house adj
iourned amidst some confusion without
elec,ing Speaker.
Mr. Bayley (of Va.) he'd just denied
this thing Indignantly, and then he was
completely astonish-d, as we'll he might
be.
Mr.. TT;lmp: writes to Mr.. Brorn. ask
ing. if Mr.. Brown Gas Speaker) will or
ganize the Committee on the District OF
Columbia in certain way! Mr.. Brown
replies. in short. that he will make the
Committee satisfactory to IVifmot and
his friends He assented to his part Of
the bargain at once, and without blush.
In this transaction. Mr.. Wilmot was in
no way to blame. lie had right to know
who he voted for. and what his principles
are in relation to any public question:
So too. if Mr.. Brown is actually the
Speaker elected, he has right to appoint
the Committees as he pieases. and if he