The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-20
SPEECH

AGITATION.
Delivered in tie House of Representatives.
March 6, 1850.
This hour rule. Mr.. Chairman, compels us to
economizc time very closely, and consolidate ideas
as much as possible. l will try and do so, that
may not write out any thing more than shall
say,
wish to say few plain things in plain way.
] wish to say little for Buncombe- not only the
western but the eastern Buncombe, which repre-
sent; and, IF honorable gentlemen not desirous
to hear this, advise them to take themselves, ON
this rainy day, to more comfortable place than
this intend most of what say for my constitu-
ents. have not spoken before, because thought
when matters Of such vast magnitude were IN
voved, we ought to wait and hear what the people
at home have to say OF them. Now, ieel prepared
not merely to express my own opinions, but those
also of my honest constituents. hope to say no.
thing offensive to any gentleman Certainly, !
have no such desire shall most carefully ayoia
to strike the first blow IL l am assalled, must
take care of myself in the best way may. And
now to come right at it.
| have heard great deal said here, and read
much recently, of "encroachment on the South
aggressions on the South;' and, though know we
have cause in some respects to complain OF the con-
duct of portion of our northern people, cannot
include the whole North in the just censure due TO
the conduct OF the aggressors. have attentlvely
watched the debate here and in the Senate. have
looked at the party newspapers of the day, and
have been brought to the settled belief, yea con-
viction, that much of the hue and cry is caused by
a malignant wish to embarrass the Administra-
ton, and to build up the party whom the people
hurled from power in November, lS4s Many OF
the speeches here relative to the admission OF Call
forna are marked by unkind allusion TO the Fresl-
dent, and sometimes improper and furious, though
feeble, aspcrsions to his motives.
1t seemed to me that if gentlemen, from the South
especially, believed our peculiar institutions were
in danger, they would desire to produce harmony
offeeling, ospeak calmly to brethren in the midst
of a common danger; that they would try and pro-
duce united action. But instead OF manitesting
such disposition, the Administration Is ruthlessly
assailed, and the Whig party fercey denounced
For examples of these party speeches., refer to
that of the gentleman from Mississippi, (Mr.
BRowN,) and of the gentleman from Maryland
(Mr. McLANE,) who on this matter made party
speech, and tried, as he did before the House was
organized, to blow his boatswain's whistle and pipe
all hands on his side to duty. There were other
speeches of like character. Iwant to show this
agitation, this attempt to excite alarm, is now, as
it last in the southern States, for party
purposes believe can show it.
In 1887, when Mr.. Van Buren, was President, an
abolition petition, presented by gentleman from
Vermont, think, produced great tumult here
A southern meeting was held in a committee room
down stairs. Patton's resolution, which rejected
abolition petitions, was the fruit OF that meeting.
Presenting this petition one of MIR. CALHouN's s
"encroachments." Mr. Van Buren's friends found
it necessary TO sustain him, "northern man
with southern principles" and then he made tins
70 the Presidency. In vain did the Wings at that
time the southern country he would be
traitor; that his past life had shown he was unsound
upon the question of slavery. No matter what
should be the consequence TO the South, his game
was TO be played. In 1888, when MIR. Woodbury.
wasinVan Buren 'scabnet, and was engaged in thai
interesting correspondence 10 his sub-treasurers
Mr.. Atherton, Of New Hampshire, who was caiieo
the prince of humbugs, introduced his wooden
nutmeg, doughfaced, chivalry resolutions; cancui
was held in which southern Van Buren, Democrat
side by side tcih the oorsf anti slavery men; from
which secret caucus all the southern Wings were
excluded; and these resolutions, then denounced a
Janus faced and double meaning, were the hybrid
offspring of that caucus. These resolutions wer'
20 quiet agitation. denounced them, and refused
10 vote for them, and was sustained at home
They also denounced, If mistake not, BY
other southern gentlemen, as betraying the South
IA late article in the Republic, in this city, cx
poses the Athcrton caucus, by giving atrue accoun
When General Harrison was nominated, he wa
denounced Abolitionist. Mr.. Clay was al
Abolitonist; and Mr.. Van Buren's doughfaces wer
the friends and ''allies Of the South" hope th
race Of doughfaces is extinct. They were miscr
able set Of bcings,-mere puppets Of Van buren,
anti slavery men at home, allies Of the South here
Now and then, one Is alive, mourning for the los
South by the old song, Of 1898, ''The Wings ar
Abolitionists. Once we were told, there are n
Democratic Abolitionists at the North. Now hoy
changed Even In the Senate, member Of this
usry, Is50) said:
Il said the people Of the South had been hereto
fore lsboring under the deluson that the norther
Democrats were their friends. said IL was a delu
sion, and was glad TO have an opportunity ofes
planning IL 10 them. God deliver from suc
friends as The northern Demoerotsi ,couid rafh,
trst northern Whigs 10 day. They commenced IN
game earlier and have not 70 60 30 far TO get In
proper position Look al the resolutions OF Demo
cratic legislatures and the messages Of Democrats
governors, and the resolutions Sopted by Deme
q cratic conventions and then tell me about NORTH
ern Democrats being tho friends Of the South"
Mr.. CALHOUN, too, thinks all the northern peop
are "more less hostile 70 u.s." Sir, will nc
admit that either Of the great parties OF the Nortt
as such, are hostile 10 the South. Some member
of each are hostile-are fanatical-but the grct
body Of both parties at the North, cannot believ'
are traitors 70 the Constitution and the Union Anc
sir, IL affords me pleasure 10 say, that when hes
bold and manly speeches. such as those made
the gentlemen from Illinois (Mr. BrssnLL) an
from Indiana (Mr. FITcH,) honor their intr'
pidity-I feel that the Union is safe. The time hs
passed hope when can be unjust 70 a patriot, b.
cause he differs with me in political opinions. NJ
intercourse with members Of the Democratic part
in my own State Legislature removed many PR
judices-my intercourse with gentlemen OF TN
party here has proved that many Of them are trt
20 the Union; and upon such questions AZ those no
under discussion here, shall be proud TO be allow
ed 10 tender them the right hand Of fellowship, an
mon cause But ! speak not here Of the dough
faces-thc men who, for party purposes, agita
the co,atry, that they may win the spos of offic
had rather meet Abolitionists here than sue
men-if they can be called 90.
No; would say, with slight alteration of on
Of Canning's verses
give me the avoved, erect, and manly foe;
Open; can meet, perhaps may turn his blows
But Of all the plaques, great Heaven, thy wra
send,
Save, oh save me from dougiface friendr'
But, sir, 10 pursue my argument In proof
the charge I make, that there " desire TO produ
agitation for party purposes, ] beg attention to
short extract from the Union" newspaper (Dem
crstic) Of this city. call the attention OF my ho
est Democratic colleagues 10 this. In the " Untor
ofFebruary ~, 1880, find the following:
/" THE SOUTHERN WHIos Rave rnovsD THEi
SELVES IN ENEMIES TIE SoU1
AND oF SOUTHERN INSTITUTIONS. Bur THE PREsEf
Is NO TIME ron cRrnfNkTToN AND REcRIMIShTIo
LET TINS PhTRIoTs on All PARTIES" &c, &c.
"No time for crmnstonS'' Then Why dc
i'm III Patriots Of all partiesp' But tho mort
ern whigs are ceaselcssly denounced Abolitio
lists, and the southern Wings enemies Of the South
who are the {" all partiesT Those, suppose, wi
vote for the regular nominees Of the Democrat
partyp'
MY Democratic colleagues, know, cannot ju
t;fv such condncf I will not descend 90 Grimm