The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-27

be done to the southern States, for have no idea
that you will ever have population in any Of thos,
territories that will tolerate slavery in their midst
but, sir, il would have something of the appearance
OF excluding those persons who hold slaves from
these territories, and would enable those who hav,
for years been calculating the value of the Unior
to increase the excitement But if you estab
lish territorial governments for these tcrritorie,
without saying any thing about slavery, leaving
the question whether slavery shall shall not b.
tolerated, TO be determined by those who may mi
crate to and settle those territories it will go far
put down utraism in both sections of the Union
Sir, am satisfied that there conservative mer
enough in this House to settle this question satsfac
torily TO the country if they can act together,
they should do; but, with some gentlemen, party
and the promotion Of party interests seem TO be-
every thing.
The great desideratum with some gentlemen
seems TO be to determine how, and in what manner
they shall entrap the President what course o
pocy ID best Tor them to pursue TO enable them tt
present him in an odious light to the people They
get up here full of patriotism, manifesting dispo
sition TO make great sacrifices for the Union, pro
testing that party feelings should have nothing t.
do with the settling Of this question; and in the
next moment they Pounce upon the President, ane
denouncc him and his friends with bitterness un
paralieled IN this country. Sir, this question can
not be settled by denunciations Of the Wing OF
Democratic party II settled satisf ctorily to the
country, il must and will be done by the conserva
tive men OF the two great parties. II cannot be set
tied by attempting to destroy the character and
reputation the staid and distinguished man now
at the head of the Government. Gentlemen here
from the South, who manifest disposition ~ make
party capital by this discussion, charge the Presi
dent with advocating and lending the influence ol
his position to the advancement Of northern views
and northern policy while the Abolitioniss charge
him and his cabinet with being actuated by, and
influenced with, desire to promote the interests
OF what they are pleased to denominate the aris
! tocracy of slavery.
Sir, repeat that you cannot settle this question
xlxrtt,
veteran patriot and soldier now occupying the CHIEF
executive chair-the man who has been elected by
the Tree and spontaneous voice of the American
people without an effort on his parthe who entered
the army as lieutenant, and fought himself up to
the highest military Office known to the Govern
ment, and who has been elevated to the most ex
alted political position occupied by any living man,
over the heads not only of all the eminent states-
men this country, but also the heads of the
trading politicians Of the country.
This question cannot be settled by heaping abu-
sivc epithets upon the saveholding par, Of the
community; nor can it be satisfactorily settled by
denunciation of shareholders take it for granted
that gentlemen who pursue this course infiu-
enced by desire to produce sectional strife and
sectional jealousy, with view to ultimate disu-
nion Their action will certainly have that tenden
cy; it can in no event have any good effect.
The plan submitted by the President was APP
proved at the time by large majority Of the peo-
pie; they looked upon il as less Objectionable than
any proposition that had been presented To the
country, and plan that could and would be acqui-
,esced in by the people, both at the North and the
South. The members of Congress had been assem-
bled here, and trying to organize for weeks, but
without successive could not even elect a Door
keeper Postmaster. You had here no great
party that would act together; every thing seemed
TO be thrown into chaos and confusion. At last we
elected Speaker, and then Clerk; and then
came the Presidents annual message, and a little
after, his California message. His recommends
tons disarmed, 10 very considerable extent, the
Aboltionsts, and JOY seemed to beam on the coun- :
tenances OF members, when they enabled to
place themselves on the platform of the President,
and by their votes pronounce the death kne of the
Wilmot proviso.
II was Buena Vista victory, and in character
with the glorious old chief who has often led his
countrymen 10 victory.
Mr.. Chairman, have found ON my desk print.
ed letter, purporting 10 be an address of Albert
BRowN TO his constituents, speaking Of the Presi-
dents agents and spies sent TO California, which
agents and spies he intimates produced the action
taken by the people of California in convention;
and he attempts by inference, 10 fix upon the Pres
ident fraud, which he says was successfully prac-
tised upon the people of California. He would have
his constituents TO believe that General Taylor, by
some kind OF legerdemain, caused the clause pro-
hibitng slavery 70 be inserted in the constitution
formed by the people Of California for their govern
ment Sometimes we are told the President is weak
and almost imbecile; again il is iutimated that
he is a great manager, and that he arranges his
matters that he leaves no tracks behind him that
he can be followed and that his manifold misdeeds
bring 70 light. ] have no doubt but that Santa
Anna also found him hard 10 head. Does the hon.
orable gentleman believe that his insinuatons and
infercnces, published in a letter directed to his
constituents, but first exhibited here TO the Wash
ington public will carry with il such force that he
will be able 10 fix upon General Taylor fraud, du-
plicity, and falsehoodl
If he does, he deceives himself; but he will have
the consolation 10 know that IL is not the fret time
he has suffered himself TO be deceived; for il mis-
take not he informed here that he had been IN ken
in with General Cass's Nicholson letter; that he
had given that letter a different construction from
that which General Cass gave IL himself, and, he
lieye, construction that no person gave il except
the honorable gentleman from hississipp. And
have no doubt Il will be with this letter. no mar
who searches for truth and the truth only, will
without better evidence than that letter carries
with IL, come TO the same conclusions with its au.
thor.
Old Zack has heard too many cannons roar 10 be
killed off by flashes upon paper, or to be alarmed
by efforts Of this character. And however exalted
may be the character OF the honorable gentleman
and great his influence, IL am not very much mis-
taken, he will find that this effort 10 induce his con
stituents 10 believe that General Taylor has 30 IA,
lost sight Of his fame and his character that he i.
capable Of descending 10 trickery. fraud, and false
hood, 10 procure the insertion of the Wimot provi
30 in the constitution Of California, will prove an
utter failure, and be rebuked by the people.