The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-11
The Leader Of tho OppOsition,


not allude to the speech of Mr.. GIDDINGs, de-
livered in the House of Representatives on
| Monday last. The character Of this individual
| is 50 well understood that his movement might
| well be considered as disposed of, by the entire
| neglect and contempt with which it was re-
| ceived by his colleagues on the floor. But Mr.
| GIDDINGs is now to be considered, not merely
| as Mr.. GIDDINGs, but as the type of a political
brotherhood. He is the recognised leader of the
opposition to President FILLMORE in the
| House. 1t is understood that there was
caucus OF the opposition members on Saturday
evening; and it is rumored that Mr.. ALLEN
and Mr. MANN, and other free soil gentlemen,
took part in its deliberations. 1t has been
alleged, that Mr.. MANN was selected as the
individual to move the repeal of the Fugitive
Slave Law but Mr.. GIDDINGs managed to an
ticpate him in the matter Of the speech. As
the thing now stands, Mr.. GIDDINGs is the
head and front of the opposition. To his hands
the fortunes and destinies of the party arrayed
against President FILLMORE have been com
mitted
| We have seen some comments in the news
papers which would indicate that the Ad-
minstration is in minority in the two Houses
of Congress. In our judgment, there was never
a President who could command a majority
on the real points of interest and difficulty be-
fore the country more reliable than that which
now sustains President FILLMORE, True
enough it is, that there are topics favorably
mentioned in his Message, on which President
FILLMORE could not rally majority in his
support. His views on the Tariff are probably
not acceptable to the larger number in either
branch. of the Legislature but there is no doubt
that his recommendation in regard to the duties
on raw materials must be acquiesced in by many
| Democrats who are devoted to the idea of Free
Trade. Unless we are greatly mistaken, Mr.
WALKER himself agrees with the President
on this subject. II we are mistaken in this, we
have read Mr.. Walkers reports TO very little
purpose. SO, on the subject of Internal I'm
provements, we are of the opinion that very
large section Of the Democratic party will 90
with President FILLMORE in this regard But
much excitement. People care little compare
lively about the one OF the other Of them No
one is disposed to agitate TO any great extent
for the purpose of protecting Pennsylvania iron,
as long as Pennsylvania sends free-trade rep
resentatives to Congress; and we are aware Of
no good reason that should induce men to peril
any thing in favor of harbor and river improve
ments for the West and Northwest as long as
these sections send representatives to Congress
who are Indifferent or hostile 10 the improve
ment policy.
1t is clear enough that the one great ques-
ton involved in the Presidents Message
touches the inviolability Of the Compromise.
On this question President FILLMORE has
large majority in his favor in both branches Of
Congress. On this question the opposition has
been organized. Mr.. GIDDINes is put forth
with sumo ostentaiious givings- out as the leader
Of this opposition. If President FILLMORE is
to be broken down, it is on this issue, as it is
presented by Mr.. GIDDrses, and the party
which Mr.. GIDDrSes represents. The gen
tleman from Ohio must be considered from this
day as the acknowledged leader of the Opposi-
ton party and all who seek to embarrass and
overthrow the Administration must cooperate
with Mr.. GrDDINes. Hence IL is that the posi-
ton and the speech Of Mr. GIDDIsGs become
matters Of very great importance-not on ac-
count Of Mr.. GIDDISss, but on account Of the
men who are associating with him TO subvert
the Administration.
We quote from the Globes report Of MIR.
GIpDiNGs's speech an extract which DEVELOPS
the question before the country. We quote
from the Globe, because the wel-known Free
soil proclivities Of that journal lead us to sup
pose that the report is authorized by Mr.. GID
DINGs himself II is distinctly understood that
tho Globe is in that interest: from its relation
to Mr.. BENroS, Mr.. WESrwoRTH, the New
York Post, Mr.. Van BUREN, and the leaders Of
the Abolition party throughout the country.
il purports TO be a neutral Journal; but every
body who has any familiarity with political
affairs and parties knows perfectly well that