The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-08


in reply TO the remarks of Mr.. STANLY, delivered
yesterday.
MIR. CARTER expressed the hope that the time
TO be occupied by Mr. HILLIARD would not be taken
out Of the time Of the gentleman from Kentucky,
The CHAIRMAN said that 1t would not; but for
the gentleman from Alabama TO proceed would re-
quire unanimous consent.
PERSONAL ExPLANATIoNs-A DEFENCE.
There being no objections interposed-
Mr.. billiard said that the Methodist Episco-
pal Church imposed on certain members Of it the
duty of enforcing the views held by that body of
Christians. This duty had dcvolved upon him. He
was not insensible Of the criticism to which it sub
jected him; but such were his convictions with re-
gard to il that he would not be driven from il.
This religious obligation had constrained him TO
exercise proper courtesy and department towards
all. He thought that since he had been connected
with Congress he had not trespassed on the rights
and duties of single member. He could safely
appeal to those who had been associated with him
to bear witness to this truth. The suggest
ed by sense of justice towards others, and self
respect, would render him unworthy of regard if
he availed himself Of any advantage to assault.
He had forborne and studied to avoid offence. II
had been his business to restrain his impulses. On
the other hand, no gentleman would allude in an
offensive sense to him. There existed, however,
IN vulgar minds, disposition to do so. He had
witnessed but two instances. A gentleman from
Pennsylvania Mr. STEvEss) had thought proper
to allude to him, when he knew that he (Mr. H)
could not reply, and when he undertook to array
the President as a man-steaer. Could any thing
be more unkind2 The member from North Caro-.
lima (Mr. SrAsLy) had oversteppcd the bounds by
calling him, as an adversary, into the gladiatora
arena II was not his Mr. H.'s) object to interfere
for moment with him, yet the member thought
proper, in making speech, yesterday, to bring
two charges. The first was, that he had desecrated
the Scriptures and urged the citizens of the Uni
ted States to shed each others blood and the other
that he advocated disunion The first charge
is gratuitous he did not remember having ON any
occasion, taken authority from the sacred volume
In support OF any such proposition. On a late
occasion, when he addressed the committee he said
that he would not argue the right of his constitu-
cnts to hold slaves on moral grounds because this
would admit the jurisdiction Of the forum. But
the member charged him with having desecrated
the Scriptures. There was but one quotation from
Scripture in his speech, and it was used for no
such purpose as that attributed. He alphabetically
and utterly denied the charge He was entrusted
here with high duty. He was representative of
the American people, and, whatever his religious
professions, he would, in becoming spirit, dis
charge the business devolving upon him. As to
the other charge, favoring disunon it was as base
less as the other. The member, in the heat of the
occasion, lost his balance of mind having way of
rushing forward when he should be restrained by
other considerations. He not only overeaped, but
passed far by the barrier. He charged the MEM
Der to produce single proof that he was in favor
of disunion. He had not hesitatcd to declare that
certain acts committed here would in his opinion
lead the southern people to fall back upon the
rights they never surrendered.
The canvass through which he passed last sum-
mer was most trying to his life. He assailed
there as loving the Union SO much as actually to
forget what was due to his own section He pro-
claimed every where his wish to maintain it. He
spoke OF his friendship for the North and the prin
ciples which animated them, and every where he
bore In his hand the ensign Of the Republic. He
was triumphantly elected. He came here, and
standing in the presence of the representatives Of
the people, had thought proper to carry in good
faith the interests Of those he represented. The
difference between the member and himself was
this He put his name in peril for the rights of his
people. The member planted himself on the side
of the majority, and became their champion. He
(Mr. IL might court the North when they are
generous and the South strong; he might eulogize
them and do homage when they are not rallied
against the South; but he could not under present
circumstances. The member went over the entire
field of controversy in pursuit, but could not dis
cover the first cause of grievance the part of the
South, although there had been habitual refusal
at the North to surrender fugitives.
Mr. CARTER. Mr.. Chairman, would ask is
it in order for the gentleman to the general
topic9
Mr.. STANLY. Let him GO on.
Mr. CLEVELAND. In personal explanations,
does the hour rule apply?
MIR. FOWLER. wish to inquire whether other
gentlemen will have the same courtesy extended
to them?
Mr.. billiard. In the whole progress of the
single wrong towards the South which ought to
be redressed. He took the course of the member
from New York, and his votes show that he always
voted against the South. The member from North
Carolina looks through the same medium as the
member from New York, who voted for the Wilmot
proviso and kindred measures.
When the member from North Carolina made
the Objectionable remark yesterday, he (Mr. ii. }
to reply to him, and 70 give him an opportun-
ty to repeat it. That drew from him (Mr. ii. an
He 81, II a
Grating the Scriptures, which was, in his Judgment
enough TO throw any one off his guard If he could
have had time for reflection, he should have spoken
in different manner. He had endeavored TO per-
form his duty 10 his country, by pressing upon the
North the importance Of retaining from acts which
the South conceive to be aggressive. He thought
that harmony might be preserved by pursuing
patriotic policy in both branches Of Congress, and
by the Executive branch of the Government; and
he believed that every high minded man would
greatly prefer 10 perpetuate the Union by gener-
exercise of power than TO resort to aggression
and call on the military power 10 sustain them If
he understood the member, he invited aggression,
and threatened the military power of the Govern
ment If the South resisted conceived wrongs But
this Union is TO be preserved by strict adherence
TO organic law, and in no other way can il exist
through series OF coming years. He was not in
favor OF an amendment of the Constitution of the
United States. He was for that instrument as il is
Let il stand. He would go further Every repre-
sentative of feeble section must sometimes appear
TO be an impracticable, because he looks TO the law
for protection against power. In the spirit of Ed
mund Burke, he spoke freely, but claimed, with
him, that something must be pardoned To the
spirit of liberty" The member did not content
himself with visiting the grave Of Washington,
where all may go upon pilgrimage, but he alluded
TO Jackson, and to President Taylor and expressed
his belief in special Providence. The laurels
around the brow Of Taylor were nobly earned, and
would not be dyed with blood; he hoped that he
would throw his power the side of peace His
confidence in the President was unlimited. When
he attended the Philadelphia convention, he met
the member from North Carolina trying to defeat
the nomination Of General Taylor
Mr.. STANLY. Twas not in Methodist church.
Mr.. billiard. That is another exhibition of
YOUR tendency and proneness TO disrespect The
member could not forbear now. Ic thought
that he was endeavoring TO defeat the nomination
in Philadelphia. He (Mr. H. went in with his
heart for General Taylor, and his confidence in
him had grown with his knowledge of the char
acter of the President. He believed that he will
preserve the country, and will not resort 10 the mill
itary power. History had already claimed his
achievements for its brightest pages, and he trusted
that his future deeds would render his life more
glorious; that the country will hail him the i
stitutional President, throwing his might in the
scale TO preserve peace, and TO preserve feeble
section from an all powerful majority. In conclu-
sion, Mr.. H. expressed the hope that, his position
being such as 10 preclude the resentment OF insult