The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-22

designs; and In due time they Will visit with Just
retribution those who have sought TO mislead them.
But do these gentlemen see no difficulties in the
way. / know that, far the free States are
concerned, they have only TO fear "G little gascon-
AIDE and feto threats"-for they have told w So
But is there nothing 10 be apprehended from the
patriotism and firmness of the people OF the slave
States themsevesS How about all those Who may
choose to hesitate in the States of Maryland Deia
ware, North Carolina, Virginia, kentucky MIS-
souri,, Texas, and Tennessee? They are TO be
hdnged-hanged at once, as we learn from the gen
tlenan from North Carolina, (Mr. CLiNGMAN.)
Now, sir, when the gentleman proceeds TO that
operation in Kentucky, the hemp growers oi .i r
State will have occasion 10 desire contract Tor
furnishing the navy with hemp-tor they will not
be able to supply the demand for home consump-
ton. Truly, that day on which all the people OF
the slave States who opposed To disunion shall
be hanged in the air and among them CLAY, U.s.
psRwoop BENTON, HoUsroH, BADGER, and others
OF equal distinction-that day, sir will be one to
be remembered! Gentlemen tell us again and
gain, that they are not appalled, at all this-that
nothing need be expected from the fears of south-
rons." And the gentleman from North Carolina,
especially, seems exceedingly anxious to impress
US with a proper appreciation of the prowess of
himself and his friends. This is all unnecessary.
We have never impugned their bravery, and never
doubted it. We do not doubt it now. They I'M
questionaby possess that quality to equal extent
with other men. But their constant disparage-
ment of the personal courage OF the people OF the
free States certainly not be expected to height
en- opinion Of their own. We may come to
think bye and bye, that they have fallen into two
errors-the one the error of undertaking the cour-
age Of others; and the other need not particuarze
The gentleman from North Carolina, speaking
for himself and his friends, says: 81 tell gentle
men that this is slaveholding territory. We
do not intend to leave it. If they think they can
remove us, it. is proper case for trial;" and he
delights in the prospect that such contest would
not leave quorum of live members on this floor.
The gentleman must excuse us for declining the.
invitation to delightful entertainment. We
ha M friends would defend
with great resolution this ''saveholding territory"
wish this particular spot OF ''slaveholding terri
tory had been always thus defended. think the
Capitol stands where it did in 1914; does 1t not
Mr.. Chairman? Yes, sir, in the same place.
Do you not remember to have read that, in
August Of that year, the British, after spending
something like month on the waters of the Chesa
peake, quietly landed handful (4,5O0) OF sailors
and soldiers-euervated by the effects of long sea
voyage-some forty miles from this place? And
do you not remember that, dragging by hand three
pieces of artillery, two OF them three Founders,
they made their way this very 'slaveholding
territory to this very Capitol; and, having de-
stroyed our library and public archives, and re-
duced the Capitol to heap OF smouldering ruins;
spending nine days the while on this "slavehold
ing territory leisurely embarked for other
of operation? Now do not charge, sir, that
our friends then were wanting in bravery. Not at
all think, indeed, they were as brave then as
now. But somehow other | could never help
but think that on that occasion they were-rather
bashfu
The gentleman from Mississippi, (Mr BRowN,)
who thinks that the resistance of the free States to
the overthrow Of our Government would be con-
fined to ''a little gasconade and few threats" is
nevertheless kind and considerable enough to give
some advice to be acted upon in the event of
our not choosing 10 conhne our resistance to dis
solution of the Union within small compass.
Hearken, MIR. Chairman, to this voice of wisdom:
"When you leave your homes in New England,
or in the great West on this mission of ove-this
crusade against the South; when you come TO take
ala and In airhf mil
lions of southern people, warn you TO make. all
things ready. Kiss your wives, bid your children
long farewell, make peace with your God; for
warn you that you may never return
The profound emotion with which this sage ad-
monition received by the bachelors in this part
OF the ball must have satisfied the gentleman,
think, that due heed will be given il. He also
admonishes more than twice thrice of the
enormous population now comprised within the
saveholding States He sets it down at eight mil
lions of freemen. Now the last census, if am not
mistaken, shows the number to have been four mil
lions and six or seven hundred thousand; and by
none of the ordinary modes Of calculation can that
number now exceed six millions. II the increase
has really been so great as the gentleman would
have US believe, il may be set down a circum-
stance, the like OF which has never been known In
any age country: and the gentleman may
justly claim that his constituents are eminently
distinguished for another quality for prowess.
But this is a small matter, sir; and merely refer
to II as an illustration of the proneness of our south
ern friends TO exaggerate all their capabilities.
This proneness, however, is not always harmless;
and ] must now refer TO a subject which would
gladly have avoided. i allude TO the claim put
forth for southern regiment, by the gentleman
from Virginia, MIR. SEDDoS,) OF having met and
repulsed the enemy on the field Of Buena Vista, at
that most critical moment when the second Indiana
regiment, through an unfortunate order Of their
colonel, gave way Justice TO the living well as
10 those who fell on that occasion demands Of me a
prompt correction Of this most statement
And affirm distinctly, sir, and such IL the fact,
tbota IL,
way, the Mississippi regiment, for whom this claim
is thus gratuitously set up, was not within mile
and half of the scene of action; nor had IL yet
fired gun, or drawn a trigger. ] affirm further,
SIR that the troops which at that time met and
sisted the enemy, and thus, TO the gentlcman's
own language, "snatched victory from the jaws OF
defeat, were the second Kentucky, the second ILL
nois, and portion of the first Illinois regiments. II
gives me no pleasure, sir, 20 be compelled 10 audc
10 this subject nor can perceive the necessity or
propriety of its introduction into this debate IL
having been introduced, however, ! could not sit
in silence and witness the inction of such cruel
injustice upon men, living and dead whose we'll
earned fame were monster not to protect. The
true and brave hearts Of too many of them, alas,
have already mingled with the soil Of a foreign
country; but their claims upon the justice OF their
countrymen can never cease, nor can my obliga-
tons 20 them be forgotten or disregarded.
No, sir. The voice Of Hardin--that voice which
has 80 often been heard in this hall mine is,
though far more eloqucntly--the voice Of Hardin,
aye, and OF Mckee, and the accomplished Clay
each wrapped now in bis bloody shroud-their
voices would reproach me from the grave, had
failed in this act Of justice TO them and the others
who fought and fell by my side
You will suspect me- Mr.. Chairman, Of having
warm feelings this subject. SO have; and
have given them utterance, a matter Of duty.
In all this, however, by means detract from
the gallant conduct and bearing Of the Mississippi
regiment At other times and places on that
bloody field, they did all that their warmest adj
mirers could have desired But let me ask again,
why this subject introduced into this debate'
Why docs the gentleman say, "the troops Of the
North gave way, when he means only single reg.
imenH Why is all this but for the purpose Of dis
paraging the North for the benefit Of the South
Why, but for the purpose Of furnishing materials
for that ceascless, never ending, eternal theme Of
"s0uthern chivaryi"
Mr.. Chairman, the people Of the free States
have as strong attachment for their brethren Of
/ the South at this very moment as they had during
| the days Of the Revolution, at any subsequent
period; and they will not suffer that attachment 10
/ be destroyed by disunionsts designing men in
\ the North or in tho South. We have our dis
unonisis in the North sir and they annoy US
not little. Were your troublesome men i'm the
North, they would be the Garrsons, the Tappans,
and tho Gerritt Smiths; and were our Garrsons,
and Tappans and Gerritt Smiths in the South,
\ they would be the dsunionsts against whom the
moderate men Of all parties would have to guard.