Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-03-23
SPEECH OF Mr.. MORTON,
OF VIRGINIA,
-oN THE TERRITORIAL QUESTION
HorsE or REPRESENTATIVES,, FEB. 8, 1850.


10 obtain the aoo and have last succeeded made an
Intellectual effort weeks past in order to make expla
nation that favor could only be awarded by the
nous consent Of the House one gentleman dssented and
failed regretted il the less, however, from the fact that by
the rules Of the House. could only obtain the floor by
unanimous consent, could hold it only by the con-
snd therefore might and probably would, have been
oil IN the midst OF what might have intended saying We
are now Committee Of the Whole on the of the
Union, where full latitude of debate is allowedwhere
shall have room TO define my position personally, and
where shall also have opportunity, briefly but explicit
~ 10 declare my opinions upon those great questions which
agiiate not only this House, but the country.
Mr. Chairman this is the first debeatye body of which
have been member This circumstance aone perhaps
might furnish sufficient for saying few words
explanation of my position; but when superadded this,
gross Of injustice has been done by newspaper pub
shed in this city, and known The Republic" gentlemen
al sides will admit have not only excuse, but jus
rihcaticn for the remarks am about 10 submit
lp commenting upon the constitution of the committees of
The House. that paper thought proper express itself thus
relation the Committee for the District of Columbia
Mr. NJ here read the extract, setting forth that the Speak
had appointed that Committee four Locofocos three
Wings, one Free Soier, and Mr. MoRroS, of Virginia.
Now, continued Mr. M, } acknowledge right in any
OF any party still less do acknowledge the right Of any
editor OF any paper to define my political position Since
the time became entitled TO the right Of suffrage have
Presidential votes. Tie FIRST gave for VIII
liam II. Crawford, Of Georgia the last for Zachary
Taylor The intermediate for those candidates
who were run by the Wing party in my State and in
ASK, pOHucal opinions are 10 % Ceulleu
by given in Presidential elections, how members
this foer (yea if the editors of the Repu5hc furnish
higher evidence of fealiy TO the Wing party
Again, as to my opinions hatever my opinions may
have been always had independence to them,
without reference to msjoties minores and those po
itica opinions have entertained for the greater portion Of
my life with minority, but less firmly decidedly
II unnecessary refer to many questions, obsolete
1t is sufficient say that when they living questions,
was always found in the ranks of the Wing party voting for
those measures and sustaining them with such ability God
has given As regards that, which is still living ques
tion-i aude TO the ar-my opinions have been the
same and before that question adopted part Of the
creed Of the Wing party in my State aud in the South, I6s
ierea, that IN raising revenue should give Incl
dental protection TO labor and indusry-that is
system which gives to the nation independence and strength
Why thsn, ask to be excluded from the pale Of the
Wing party by the Republic? Il only be because, in
the organization of The House. did not for the
nominee Of the Wing caucus. ,~r..
arrived in Washington the evening the caucus held
when entered the there but single member with
whom il might be said was acquainted, and with him
had not exchanged word upon the subject, To several
members had been introduced Before entered, the
luton Of the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (M
TooaBs) bad been submitted, and he had delivered his
speech. listened to the discussion for time and
qGes,ed that the resolution might be read and there
upon took my ground promptly, declsvey independently
sustained The resolution, and, wish TO preserve
leaf in our political history, vii! read it
Rsasa That Congress ought not to pass any law pro-
hbtng slavery in the Territories California and New Mex
Mr. NJ continued. insisted upon the passage Of the re-
solutions that, whilst was elected Wing, my cons;i-
and myself regarded the slave question above party
questions aud that believed the passage of the W0,ot
precise and the abolition Of sarery the District of CO.
sabia involved only the existence OF parties, but the
unity Of The republic. These the grounds upon which
sustained the resolution, i did not think that Southern
asking much from Northern men, il they de.
fcd them cooperate in the organization Of national party
that they should satisfy they cooperating with friends;
that did not choose TO unite in any organization, when the
result OF il would be nfct repara6e injury upon the
south and upon the Union. My position in the reported
proceedings oi the given 10 my friend from
Georgia Mr. OwEs. This from the mistake OF the
secretary whom attach blame. And here, Mr. Chair
man, permit me 20 remark, questions which consider
ed val,he Wmot proyiso and the abolition Of slavery in
the District Of Coumbiaso far could gather sentiment,
there seemed nj that time be painful unanmy, n North
em minds Of both parties that these would be
passed and submitted by tie South kne,c othrise
NV Osr affection, and devotion to the Union prompted me-
without hesitation, take tie position which considered
ndsn ably necessary dpc the deluson in which North
minds shroudejha these things could be DONE
aud done safely
And. far from considering this to he disorgani-iae
yri, highly conservative. believed II The
dangers which psred the republic were known aud felt
through uiour isnd the national mind would be aroused
ahd the naonal heart touched, and glorious Union pre-
served. Immediately aer the resolution and substitute
had been voted down, with FIVE other gentlemen left the
thus washing my hands Of all responsibility for its
action w hisi felt The force of party ties, yet upon
question nyolsing Southern rights and the peace of the
Iuion, party ties than faxen bands be-
i1re ihs hSme. knew took responsibility in the
pursued am willing 10 meet ii here am willing
every where. knew there q general expectation
aong the Wings North and SoItn that the dis;in suhei
rens e. Massachusetts, (Mr. WIsTHaoPl would be
the of the Wing party knew that majority of
my constituents with the lights then before them, soil
eoas ior hs election Bot believing, as did, that crisis
bad arrived believing the delnson of the Northern mind,
unhoksn, would he fatal institutions and happiness,
sho1d have scorned mysrf could have thought Of ef,
ls&a
and, Rus psuotc with the blessing of God, will
rsse SUCH Ny coUniry iI danger; with gallant
slifiis gfsS myself the breach. took responsbty
bal tbs FcPon~ialfy u rstis. II perish, perish!
The Nf psosts0 tie great gsestloD my
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