Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1849-12-17
IMPORTANT DEBATE on DisuNtoN

nesday, III the House OF Representatives, on the mo-
mentous subject of the relations Of the Northern and
Southern States we insert the remarks OF the most pro-
minent speakers. The question before the House
on resolution offered by Mr.. Brown, of Mississippi,
declaring Howell Cobb Speaker Of the thirty first Con-
gress, with amendment proposed by Mr.. Carter Of
Ohio, providing that the Speaker should not appoint the
committees on the District OF Columbia and the Terri
tories.
Mr., MEADE said: Neither OF the resolutions be ore the
House strikes at the root OF the evil which affects the
House. We have been acting for eight days farce be-
fore the people, at cost to them of $4,000 day, which
all will agree is becoming less and less entertaining
The cause which has prevented the organization OF the
House. Is the fear Of the introduction OF bills before the
House from certain committees, which wlproduce dis
cusslon and agitation on question which threatens the
peace and integrity of the county-bs which, passed,
will either destroy this Contederacy, ensave large
portion ot Under the pressure Of the present difficult
ties which surround us 1alr opportunity is offered to
draw forth from both sides of the House all the conser
vative materials OF which each is composed. have
anxiousy looked for some Curtus from the North, who
regardless otpesonal consequences 10 himself will leap
into the guwhich yawns for the peace and happiness
of this Union. Sir, let proposition be made and sup
ported by those who DESTROYS of crushing this demon
otdSeord, Tor the purpose of uniting conservatism on
both SIDES in opposition to any measure which shall
looh to the abolition of slavery the District or the
prohibition OF itin the territories. If such PROPOSE
ton should be adopted, should be willing to take a
Speaker from either side Of the House, relying upon
him to carry out the views thus expressed by majority
ofths body
But sir if the organization Of this House is to be fol-
lowed by the passage of these bisit these outrages
are to be committed upon my people, trust in God,
sir that my eyes have rested upon the last Speaker OF
the House OF Representatives. This expression is not
the ebuliton of feeling; contains sentiments have
we'll considered and often expressed, publicly and pri
vately. They are entertained in with the peo
pie | represent. And | tell gentlemen, if these mea-
sres be passed, there will be but determination
the Soutll-one solemn resolve to defend their homes
and maintain their honor Let this issue come when it
may, and you will find every southern sinew converted
INTO spring OF steel do not utter this threat
am proud TO believe that both sides of the
line are equally brave but gentlemen will find differ
ence between contending Tor their resides and the
robbers who are seeking to despo them of their rights
and degrade them before the world. If there be any
southern who would refuse to stand by his country
in such emergency, There are none" said several
voices he would not merely be execrated by his own
people, but his own children would heap curses upon
| his grave.
Mr. DuER. We have baoted long. expected it,
and that afterwards the House would come to DISPOSE
ton to organize without more ado, best they
Neither OF the three parties have majority. Thus
Speaker can OILY be elected by arrangement between
two parties. Such an arrangement attempted and
tailed yesterday-it cannot be repeated proposition
to resolve the gentleman from Georgia Mr. H. Cobb
into the Speakers chair has been offered that is calling
on this side OF the House to make an unconditional
surrender. am willing to organize with Speaker OF
either OF the three pares-under any Speaker but
dlsunlonist will not vote for any such person to
occupy that chair.
Mr. BAYLy understood to inquire if the gentleman
regarded the Democratic nominee Mr. H. Cobb as
dsunionst
Mr DUER was understood TO reply in the negative.
member. Who then!
MIR. DUER was understood to point to Mr.. Meade.
Mr.. MEADE. 1t is false.
Mr.. DUER. You are a liar
Here great commotion arose in the hal-nembers
from all sides rushing towards the neghborood in which
these gentlemen Stood All seemed disposed to advise
and take part in the matter
The Sergeant at bore the mace into the scene OF
the disturbance, and after some time, when the Cham
Der had quoted down sufficiently to permit him to be
heard.
Mr. DUER continuing asked pardon of the House for
what had tranped ON his part derogatorY to its rules
OF order. lie had he thought, only indicated his own
position as gentleman by making such an answer as he
thoughtwas called for He had said nothing personally
offensive to the gentleman from Virginia. (Mr Meade1
He took him to be disunoni from his printed speech
IN which he said that it certain Of things was to
continue which he believed existed then he loahed and
detested the name OF the Union.
He had risen to allay excitement, not to ito
endeavor to effect an organization. This House must
be organized. He thought proposition should be made
to adjourn until Saturday for conference, which he
thought would end IN an organization, as his side had
been ready Tor Tor days This he believed be
the only way to settle the matter Every thing tried
tar that may be tried, if not of this character had
failed ard will probably continue to fail of the end in
tended
Mr. Toos1Bs said the difficulties in the way of the Or
ganization OF this House apparent and well under
stood here and should be understood by the country
great sectional question lies at the foundation OF all these
troubles. The dsgraceul events OF yesterday, and the
explanations consequent upon their exposure prove
clusvey that the Democratic party and the Free Sellers
were both acting IN reference to 1t. The Southern De-
mocrats satisfied from the public course and pr
vae both oil the member whom they support
ed and his friends that he was worthy OF trust upon
these important sectional issues The disclosures which
were made, proved that iilGy mistaken and with
prompness honorable to them, they instantly with
drew theirsuppo and lett the discredit fall where
properly belonged. The Free Sellers, who were
gagged in the dscreditabe conspiracy secretly and dis
honoraby sought to acquire advantages the organiza
ton OF the House by private pledges, concealed and in
tended to be concealed from the great majority OF those
whose votes were necessary to elect the person for
whom they voted. They sought, by dscredfabe trick
to secure those advantages in the organization which
they had not the courage the bodness openly to de-
mand They affected to rely on written pledge, which
they knew was given in fraud and treachery. l leave
the morality and honesty OF this party to be tested by
the simple fact of this transaction with the single re-
mark that these are the men whose conscences have
rest on account OF what they call the sin OF slavery
The Wing party presented their nominee who has
ceved the support OF the great majority of that party
No pledges were asked by the Northern members of
that party, for the very sufficient reason that being in
majority of nearly three TO one, they were very abun-
dainty able to take of themselves. did not act
with them, because the OF the past of the pre-
sent and the prospect OF the future, force the convc
ton on my mind that the interests OF my section of the
Union are IN danger; and am therefore unwilling to
surrender the great power OF the Speakers Chair with
out obtaining security for the future We have just lis
tened TO strong appeals upon the necessity OF organizing
the House confess do feel that necessity From the
best lights before me see that my constituents
have anything to hope from your legislation, but every
thing to tear We are notimpatent to have the doors
OF your treasury thrown open and forty millions OF the
common taxes OF the whole nation thrown into the lap
Of one half Of it. We ask for oft we expect none
OF it; therefore gentlemen must pardon my want of
sympathy for their impatence BY giving you the
troll oil the treasury, increase your ability to oppress
| want grievances redressed, and security against
their further Preparation, before am willing to give
you power over the supplies Sir, do not regret this
state OF things in the House. tits time we understood
one another that we should speak out, and carry
principles in our toreheads
1t seems, from the remarks of the gentleman from
New ork, that we to be ntimidated by eulogies
upon the Union, and denunciatons OF those who are
and constitutional rights upon its altar Sir, have as
much attachment to The union of these States, under
the constitution OF fathers as any freeman ought to
have, am ready to concede and sacrifice for il what