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

Globe then gives the following account of Mr..
GIDDINGs's speech, in the point to which we
allude:
"The Presidents views on the question now
before the country, and he avows his position
manfuy. He places himself upon this law; and
here 1 wish to say to the House, that from this
time all know where the President is. He is
in favor Of this la,o; he not only places himself
there, but his administration and his party must
stand or fall by this law. l rejoice at it, They
must sink or swim, live die, stand or fall with
this enactment. We now know where to find the
supporters Of slavery and the advocates of free
dom. Every man throughout the whole country,
at the North and South, may now take his posi-
ton, knowingly, with full knowledge of the
character of the party with whom he acts. Those
that support this law must consent to obey it and
to enforce il to the letter He who will sustain this
law must be willing to pursue the flying bondman
as he hastens to land of freedom"
"There is no lingering doubt, no difficulty, no
obssurity resting on that party who supports this
| Administration. All the Wings throughout the
country, (and speak it with some degree Of feel
6 ing, for once had the pleasure of acting with
them when we had principles; then We avowed
| . and acted upon the doctrines have stated to-
day Jail the Wings throughout the country feel
that their unity is gone; the party has departed
from its doctrines and principles, and has de-
scended, step by step, from its position of 1874,
until it has literally become a slave catching
party"
True enough it is that the PRESIDENT has
avowed the conviction that every part of the
Compromise ought to be respected. The Mes
sage takes on this subject the precise ground
which we have endeavored since the ad-
journment of Congress to press upon the country.
The PRESIDENTS views are indeed stated with
distinctness, and enforced with manly hrmness.
They are the views of chief magistrate, who
stands as the representative of the whole nation.
President FILLMORE is not the representative
of South Carolina. nor of Vermont; but of both
these States, and of twenty-nine other States.
Standing in that position he has told the
country that he regards the adjustment as
the best settlement that can be procured from
conflicting sentiments and interests, and that
he is disposed to acquiesce in it-and be-
lieves that the country ought to acquiesce in
it. In our Judgment, four fifths of the Ameri-
can people agree with President FILLMORE.
If the public press furnishes any index 10
public opinion, there can be no doubt whatever
that very large majority of the American peo-
pie assent to his views upon this subject for
there was never message within our recollec-
ton which has called forth from the journals
of all sections and parties more general appro-
baton, With very unimportant exceptions,
the entire press of the country has concurred in
the approval of President FILLMoRE's recon-
mendations and the only murmur Of dissent
has been from the journals which are known to
be in the interest of the Free oilers and Dis
unionists. The Free soilers have entered
into their Congressional opposition under the
direction of Mr.. GIDDiNGs. 1t is certainly
the most appropriate and fitting lead which
they could have selected. Mr. Clippings is
their time honored champion. He embodies and
represents their opinions; and they would have
been guilty of great injustice, if they had indi-
Gated any other exponent of their principles.
We of course accept the issue that has been
presented by the Opposition. 1t would have
been on many accounts more gratifying If they
man less generally offensive. But we cannot
undertake to counsel, much less to dictate to, the
| Opposition. They must take their own course.
| II they consider Mr.. GIDDINGs the most proper
person TO be put forward as the exponent Of
their views, il is their business and not ours.
We must take things as we find them.
five find Mr.. BURT and Mr.. NENABLE sid g
| by side with Mr.. GIDDISGs in the ranks Of the
Opposition, We may wonder at the fraternlza
ton Of such discordant elements, but our won
der will not change the extraordinary fact. 1t
will still be apparent 10 the country that the
opposition to President FILLMORE accounts as
its special leader, counsellor, and guide, no
other man than the notorious Mr.. GIDDINes.
Ii remains to be seen what Roadway with the
nation may be made by such men as Mr.. GID
pISGs and his associates. The public senti-
ment on the Presidents Message, to which
we devote a considerable space this morning,
would indicate that, under the most favorable
circumstances, they could hope to make but a
feeble impression upon the country. What
they can hope to accomplish under the leader
ship and the auspices of Mr.. GIDDNGs it is i'm
possible for us 10 imagine.