The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-18

MIR. MoRros said:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: have long desired to obtain
the floor, and have at last succeeded. made an
Intellectual effort weeks past, in order to mako
an explanation; yet that favor could only be award
ed by the unanimous consent of the House; one gen
teman dissentcd, and failed regretted 1t the
less, however, from the fact, that by the rules Of
the House, as could only obtain the floor by unan-
imous consent, SO could hold it only by the same
consent, and therefore might, and probably would
have been cut off, in the midst OF what might
have intended saying. We now in Committee
of the Whole ON the state of the Union, where full
latitude of debate is allowed--where i shall have
"sea-room" to define my position personally, and
where shall also have an opportunity briefly, but
explicitly, to declare my opinions upon those great
questions which agitate not only thus House, but
the country. a lHH
Mr. Chairman, this is the first deliberative body
of which have ever been a member This circum-
stance alone, perhaps, might furnish sufficient
excuse for saying few words in explanation Of
my position; but when superadded to this, gross
act of injustice has been done me by newspaper
published in this city, and known as the "Repub-
ic," gentlemen all sides will admit, have not
only an excuse, but justification for the remarks
am about to submit
In commenting upon the constitution of the com
mittees of the House, that paper thought proper
to express itself thus in relation to the Committee
on the District of Columbia:
Mr.. nj. here read the extract setting forth that
the Speaker had appointed on that -four M
MoRToN, of Virginia.
Now, Continued Mr. M.,) l acknowledge no
right in any man of any party, still less do ac-
knowledge the right of any editor of any paper to
define my political position. Since the time be-
came entitled to the right Of suffrage, have cast
seven Presidential votes. The first ! ever gave
was for William III. Crawford, of Georgia. the
last was for Zachary Taylor. The intermediate
votes were for those candidates who were run by
the Wing party in my own State and in the nation;
and ask If political opinions to be defined by
votes given in Presidential elections, how many
members on this floor (yea, if the editors OF the
RepuJlic can furnish higher evidence of fealty to
the Whig party'
Again, as to my opinions. Whatever my opin-
ions may have been, have always had independ-
or minoritics; and those political opinions have
entertained for the greater portion OF my life, with
minority, but never less firmly or decidedly.
1t is unnecessary TO refer to many questions, now
obsolete. 1t is sufficient to say, that when they
were living questions, was always found in the
ranks of the Wing party voting for those measures,
and sustaining them with such ability as God has
given me. AS regards that, which is still living
question: alludc to the tariH-my opinions have
ever been the same; and before that question was
adopted part of the creed of the Whig party in
my State and in the South beiiered, as notc, that,
in raising revenue, we should give incidental pro
lection to own labor and industry-that it Is a
system which gives to the nation independence and
strength. Why, then, ask, am to be excluded
from the pale of the Whig party by the Republic?
II only be because, in the recent organization
of the House, did not vote for the nominee OF the
Whig caucus.
arrived in Washington the evening the caucus
was held /; when entered the room there was but
| a single member with whom il might be said was
| acquainted, and even with him had not exchanged
| a word upon the subject. To several members
had been introduced Before entered, the reso-
| luton of the distinguished gentleman from Geor-
gia (Mr TooMBs) had been submitted, and he
had delivered his speech. listened TO the discus
sion for some time, and requested that the resolu-
ton might be read. II was, and there upon took
my ground promptly, decisively, independently.
sustained the resolution, and wish To pre-
serve it, as leaf in political history, will
read il.
[He then read the resolution in the words follow
ing ~, Co.,. ,,,.a, 80, -
law prohibiting slavery In the Territories Of Cali
fornia and New Mexico, any law abolshing
slavery in the District Of Columbia."l
Mr.. NJ. continued. insisted upon the passage
of the resolution; that whilst | was elected as a
Whig, my constituents and myself regarded thc
slave question ADORE party questions; and that
believed the passage Of he HiiDof proriso and the
abolition Of SLAVERY in The Dsfriet Of Columbia in
volved, not only the existence Of parties, but the
unity Of the republic. These the grounds
upon which sustained the resolution. did not
think that southern IN n were asking too much
from northern men, If they desired them TO CO.
operate in the organization OF national party
that they should satisfy US they were cooperating
with friends; that did not choose 10 unite in any
organization, when the result Of IL would be, TO in
fiict irreparable injury upon the South and upon
the Union. My position in the reported proceed
ings Of the caucus was given TO my friend from
Georgia, (Mr OwEN.) This arose from the mis-
take Of the Secretary, 10 whom ] attach no blame.
And here, Mr.. Chairman, permit me TO remark
upon questions which considered vital-the Will
mot proviso, and the abolition Of slavery in the Dis
trict OF Columbia-so far as ] could gather scnti-
mcnt, there seemed at that time 20 be painful
unanimity, in northern minds Of both parties, that
these measures would be passed and submitted 10
by the South. kneo othoIois. My love, affec-
ton, and devotion TO the Union, prompted me,
without hesitation, TO take the position which con-
sdercd indispensably necessary 10 dispel the delu
sion in which northern minds were shrouded--that
these things could be done, and done safely.
And, 80 far from considering this to be a di,or-
gam sing spirit, regarded II as highly consuUdfue
believed IL the dangers which periled the repub-
lie we're known and felt throughout our land, the
national mind would be aroused, and the national
heart touched, and our glorious Union preserved
Immediately after the resolution and a substitute
had been voted down, with FIVE other gentlemen
left the caucus; thus washing my hands of all re-
sponsibility for its action. Whilst felt the force
Of party ties; yet upon question involving south
crn rights and the peace of the Union, party ties
were no more 10 me than haxen bands before the
flame. knew took a responsibility in the course
] pursued. ! arm willing TO meet il here; am
willing TO meet IL every where. knew there was
a general expectation among the Wings, North and
South. that the distinguished gentleman from Mas
sachusetts (Nlr. WISTHRoP) would be the nominee
of the Whig party knew that majority Of my
constituents, with the lights then before them were
soicitous for his election. But believing. as did,
that crisis had arrived; believing the delusion Of
the northern mind, unbrokcn, would be fatal TO our
institutions and happiness, should have scorncd
myself IL could have thought of self and forgotten
my country. came into public life an honest, and,
trust, patriotic man; with the blessing Of God I
will leave il as such. My country was in danger;
with gallant spirits threw myselfin the breach.
took responsibility, but the responsibility Of pa
triot. II | perish, perish The Wilmot proyiso
was the great question in my canvass. My onin-
ions were known TO my constituents. made the
declaration that il unconsttiondi, unjust, op-
Tressre, insulting 10 the South; that where Virginia
took her stand, there would be found, not among
her ablcst, but her truest That position then
occupicd-that position maintain.
am not one of those who have yet dcspaired OF
the Republic. I felt this day every sentiment
uttered by the eloquent gentleman from Georgia,
(Mr. STEPHESs;) wished, at the moment, to re-
spond 20 those noble sentiments Of patriotic fer
yor. | have much 10 bind me TO this Union
as any man within this hall have family ties
which, like hooks Of STEEL draw me 20 IL. But
have not forgotten--I cannot-l never will forget
what owe 10 my country, what owe the South.
what owe the Union. My belief is, this Union
will be perpetuated bat il will be preserved by
its different sections understanding one another.
II the heedlcss course which has been pursued
should continue let those measures which be-