The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-03
WASN'T GTON:
THURSDAY MORNING. JANUARY 3, $780,
Tanning the characterization OF NORTH
ern and Southern Factions.

of the Democratic members of the House
of Representatives from the South have
been, for some time past, effectively ex-
erting themselves, in connexion with Mr..
GIDDINGs and his compeers, to aggravate
the excitement which, unhappily, exists
in most parts of the country on the slavery
question. II is believed, that most of the
members of that body from the free States,
both Wing and Democratic, desire calm
and dispassionate consideration of the en-
tire subject, and, ultimately, such dispo-
sition of it as shall satisfy reasonable men
in all parts of the country; but, unfortu-
nately, there is in that body, from the free
States, set Of unprincipled agitatols,
whose sole Objects excitement, to enhance
their personal consequence at home-in-
dulging (as they do the hope that they
may g ride the whirlwind and direct the
storm" But the journals of Congress
prove conclusively that these reckless
men could do nothing, were it not for the
sympathy and aid which they are inces-
sanity receiving-strange as IT may seem
from certain Democratic members from
the slave States; and as there are clear in
dcations that the same game is to be re-
newed, We intend to expose their conduct,
and to hold them to proper responsibility.
And here we take leave to remark,
that the principal means OF agitation re-
sorted to by Mr.. GIDDINGs and others, for
some time past, have been resolutions on
the subject Of slavery-ever drawn up in
the most injurious and offensive form pos
sible-which they have succeeded, on
several occasions, with The nd aboue indi-
Gated, in gagging through the House of
Representatives. In order that the SUBJ
iect NAV be well understood, it is neces-
sary to refer to the 26th rule of the House,
which is as follows:
All the States and Territories shall be called for
resolutions on each alternate Monday, during
each session Of Congress; and, if necessary TO
cure this object said days, all resolutions ichch
de01te snuu uf OcfT
he r,es of the House already established; and the
whole of said days shall be appropriated to reso-
lutions, until all the States and Territories are
called through"
A member under this rule, when his
State is called, rises in his place and offers
a resolution, and if no objection is made it
;s acted on at once. But if of an excep-
tionable character, tits competent for any
other member to intimate that he desires
to debate it, whereupon it is passed over;
or, in other words, goes on to the calendar
TO come up in its order
If this were all, any member could
have prevented action on any one OF
the numerous inhammatory resolutions
which have emanated from the same
mint or workshop of mischief, and which
have kept the country in incessant tur-
moil for several years past. But, un-
fortunately, a construction has been given
to this rule which has opened wide door
10 Mr., GIpr NGs, and those who sympa-
thize with him, for the prosecution OF the
business of agitation. II has long been
held, $50 that the construction has become
a part of the rule itself, that the member
moving resolution may, at the same time,
call for the previous question; and then, II
il is sustained, or, in other words, If the
main question is ordered to be put, the
matter is brought at once to an issue, and
the members, without the slightest chance
for amendment or explanation, are Obliged
TO say yea or nay to the proposition. This
is what is famiIiarly called gagging a re
solution through the House, and is an out
rageous violation of the right Of free de-
bate,
1T is precisely in this manner that Mr..
GrppIscs. aad those who act with him,
have been enabled, Nth Democratic md
and from the South too, to get, during the
last few years, vote on many propose
tons exceedingly Offensive to the gooc
people Of that section, ana, we do not hesi
tate to say, made SO purposeiy or in othe
words, the main question has been or
dered, CONTRARY TO the wishes of the mod
crate members from the North by the co
operation of Southern Democrats wit
Northern agitators and Abolitionists.
But perhaps it will be said that nothini
would be gained by refusing the previou
question; that it the proposition went owe
for debate it would take its place on the cal
endar, and would come up in It's order; bu
any man who has been one month mem
Der of the House Of Representatives know
that il is not so--for when one Of thes
resolutions gets on to the calendar, ii
nepo heard Of again. Not an instance,
as believed, can be found for the last hs
dozen wears where resolution thus sit'
.ted has come up for debate. It IS un
formly overland by other business. .
all that Southern Democrats had to d
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