Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-03-01
COL. BISsELL AND MIR. WINTHROP

COL. BISsELL AND MIR. WINTHROP.
The following sketch is given of the remarks OF
Colonel Bisse and Mr.. Winthrop on Thursday, Feb.
2lst:
Mr. Bissel, Of Illinois occupied the floor for one hour
in commenting upon the threats of Southern men to
dissolve the Union and commended that so far as the
threat was based upon any thing done by the North
was IN itself unqualified treason.
The North had, he maintained, done nothing tend
ing to justify such proceeding. He called upon the
Southern men to point tut the act ofthe North
to justify any such step Was it based upon the fact
nat nine save-hoding States had been admitted into
the Union to eightree States, since the organization OF
the present governmentthe territory of slave States
admitted being double that of the free States. The
North had consented to the admission of Texas,
although suberved no interest OF hers and thus ad
ded slave territory to the Union equal to six of the lar
gest OF the old slave States. Was it because the
North had not exercised the power, which conce
ded by all sections OF the Union abolish slavery and
the slave trade the district of Columbia and over the
arsenals ofthe United States
He asked was it because of the fact that the South
had had most all the Presidents and important foreign
missions had most all the places in the Departments
and in the Army and Navy. He believed there were
some in the South who wanted pretex to dissolve the
Union. Ii they could not find the pretext in the slave
ny question: they would lind it in something else He
said that he felt some remorse for what he Mr b. had
said of Mr.. Benton, OF Mo. When that Senator had
charged, before the people of Missouri that there was
a certain distinguished man in the South in favor Of dis
solving the Union, he Mr. b. had denounced him to his
constituents. He asked God TO forgive him for the
wrong he had done that distinguished Senator He
lMr. BisselD found that he wrong, and that that
Senator was right. But let time decide the question.
He then alluded to the threats made by Southern
members OF hanging all those who entertained abo-
ton or Tree soil notions. He could assure such gentle
were the number to be hanged, that Kentucky would
not be IN want OF a contract for hemp. Mr.. B. COM
mented sarcastlcaily upon the frequent illusions TO
Southern chlvary, and in doing alluded to the part
ph wa tad hIyt
sppi Nlr. Brown that Mississippi regiment took in
retaining the day at Buena Vista after the Indianians
had fled
He said he felt to be his duty to correct matter OF
history by declaring the fact that the Mississippi reg-
ment alluded to not within mile and half of the
battle ground on that occasion. He could not do
less than this as matter OF justice to the brave HARDIN,
OF ILL.,, who tell in that terrible struggle and whose
voice. as 1t were, appealed to him for his bloody wind
ing Sheet to do this act of justice So much he said
tor this eternal and senseless theme of Southern chi
vary
He then commented upon the threat of Southern men
OF dissolving the Union. Idanger menaced the Union
from any quarter he would speak for his State and say
that Illinois, who had furnished nine regiments TO fight
the common enemy in Mexico, would furnish four times
that number to defend it. They would march where
danger threatened the Union TO return not until the
Union was safe, or return more.
There was not man, he said in the North west who
would not speaking of dissolution raise his hands
and swear by the eternal God that should not be
done. No, it can never be done! The hopes Of hui
man freedom throughout the world depend upon
lstence
Mr.. Winthrop then took the floor and defended his
action Speaker and his course generally in regard TO
the slavery question Befoehe elected he had said
10 the abolltonstS OF his district, that however
much he agreed with hem the abstract psucple he
should norresard tina particular past'6f his duty to
agate the suSece- Sayerx ..'ttes MIR W. sympa-
t t, with no aaa1 found but when the
deefded as he Should c1ntinue to dsead them, to the
best of his ability He was opposed to ultraistsat both
ends OF the Union. He thanked God that he had gi-
ven him spirit which ncapacitated him to give salts
faction to utraists any where. He coveted their abuse
If such men to praise him. he would be prepared
to exclalm of old, "what evil thing have done
that such men speak well of me''
He then alluded to the denunciaons Of him by
Messrs. Giddngs and Root, and retorted upon them
severe casgaton. He alluded to the proposition of Mr.
Root for which he had been denounced tor not voting
He deemed it the most mischievous proposition ever
offered to the House. That gentleman Tor the sake Of
notorety had put in peril the question he intended TO
For the sake OF being regarded captain and
being ahead OF the music, he was willing to sacrifice the
very fortress OF which he claimed to be the peculiar de-
fender lftha resolution had been passed. all hope of
practical legislation would have been end and the
admission OF California would have been prolraced or
defeated aud the session its end would have been
protraced struggle and discord.
Mr. w then reflected very severely upon the free soil
party. He said if he had been reyiled who wers his
revilers The free soil party Never before was there
such party who, under the cloak OF philanthropy re-
yelled in abuse and calumny the free soil sect
CHEERS He had never witnessed in the history OF this
country or any other such abuse that with which the
presses OF this party have eemed and the speeches of
this party have wreaked
He then adverted to the question Of the admission OF
California into the Union. He would he said, do all
he could to promote that measure He did not believe
that slavery could have existence there, or in
any of the territories belonging to the United States,
without the sanction of positive law; and he did not in
tend 70 give his aid carry there by the sanction of
law. As to the plan OF admitting California, he thought
that exhibited by the recommendations of the special
message of the President the best plan. He thought
to promote Northern principles lie then spoke eo
queny OF the benefits OF the Union, and said whatever
might come, The Union, musts at all hazards be
preserved
After he concluded, Mr.. MilIson, OF Va, took the
floor The Committee then rose.