The North-Carolina standard., 1850-02-06


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SPEECH OF MIR. CLINGMAN,
OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Delivered the House Of Representatives Of the Uni
ted States the Territorial Question the 22d Of
January, 1850.
Ma. CLMsMAN said, that the committee W ell
that he had, yesterday, intimated purpose
discuss the questions involved in the propositions
relating TO the Mexican territory. That subject was
regarded by the whole country as one of such inn
mense importance that he offered no apology for de-
saw in advance that have great confidence in the
Judgment, integrity and patriotism of the Presi-
dent. further admit fully the right of citizens of
each State settle for themselves all such domestic
questions as that referred to in the message. But
who are the people entitled so to decide, as well
as the time and manner of admission and boundary
of new States are in themselves questions tor the
Judgment of Congress-, under all the circumstances
of each The territory of Louisiana, our first
foreign acquisition was retained nearly ten years IN
that condition before she allowed to form State
constitution. In the case of Texas-her people be-
ing composed almost entirely of citizens of the Unit
ed States, and having had State government of their
own for ten years-she was admitted at once as
State into the Union. In the present case, there are
considerations of the greatest importance connected
directly and indirectly with our action on this sub
iect. While adverting to them as fully as the time
limited by our rules will admit, ask the attention
of the House.
With reference to this matter, 1 placed at a
.d:ntage before the country by publication made
some time since. 1t is generally known that there
was on the Saturday evening before the time for the
assembling of the House, preliminary meeting or
caucus of the Whig MEMBERS The proceedings Of
such meetings have usually been kept private. Con-
tary, however, to the former usage in this respect
some individual present furnished to of the New
York papers what pu.ported to be report of the
proceedings. This report, being in some respects
authentic, was copied into other papers. The writer
gave very fully the speeches OF those persons whose
views conceded was his owu but, though he made
reference to my position, he did not think proper
to what did say so as to make that position
at all understood. 1t will be remembered by those
present that OCCASION that, at the very outset OF
my remarks, stated that l had that morning had a
very full and free conference with the gentleman
from Georgia, (Mr. Toombs.) who had moved the
resolution that there was in relation to the whole
subject embraced in it, well with reference to
the mode of action proper be adopted the South,
an entire agreement between that gentleman and my
SELF In fact, that there was not, as far as know,
any difference of opinion between Us, except as to the
expedency of making the issue at that time, and that
thought it preferable to await legislative action and
stand on the defensive purely. This, among other
reasons then given, induced ME to request the with,
drawal of the resolution. 1t is proper that should
say that in my interview that morning with the gen.
tleman from Georgia, and with his colleague, (Mr.
Stephens,) l gave my reasons at LENGTH founded
chiefly on my recent observation o. the state Of pub
lie sentiment in the North, believing that COLI
sion was inevitable, and that the sooner it came on
the better for all parties but that to enable us to make
demonstration in the most imposing and success
ful mode it would be better to await the organiza-
ton of the House. expressed the fear that 1t we
jority of the southern members, might place our
selves at disadvantage before the public and pre-
vent our uniting the whole South in such couse of
action as it might be found expedient to adopt.
Looking over the whole ground, however, am
not at all dissatisfied with the course which things
took. There has been no such division at the South
would be at all likely to impair efficient action
hereafter From the tone of the southern press, as
well from other indications, it is obvious that the
South will, at an early day. be sufficiently united
necessary 70 adopt to protect ourselves from the ag
gression menaced by the North. AS to the election
Of Speaker, in the present condition OF the House
and the country, have never considered 1t OF the
slightest moment TO either political party or to elther
section Of the Union. A Speaker without a majori-
ty of the House would be of advantage to the Ad-
ministration nor could any arrangement of COM
mittees materially affect now the action on the slave
question.
Those, Mr.. Chairman. who have observed my
course heretofore, know we'll that have not sought
to produce agitation this subject Six years ago,
when first took seat this floor, believing that
the famous twenty rule had been gottea up mere.
ly an fancy matter which was productive only of
i'll feeling and irritation between different sections,
both voted and spoke against it, and was then regard
ed as responsible TO great extent for its defeat.
then stated, during the discussion, that without
cause we kept up state Of hostility between the
North and the South until practical question
(for then saw the Texas annexation in the FUTURE
the '' greatest possible mischief might >ensue."
went on aso, in the course of my aES6ment, to say
that slavery could not be abolished in this District
without dissolution of the Union. Two years
since, when it had become certain that we were at
the close Of the then existing war to obtain territory,
eadeavored to place the question ON grounds where
argument. that the Government had complete jurs-
dietion over the territory. I endsavored to show,
that while it might be justified in diuidng the ter,s
tory, it could not exclude from the whole without
palpabIe violation of the Constitution. am sorry
to say, however, that my effort, though we'll meant
did not produce the slightest efee. upon the action
Of any one gentleman Of my own party from the
North. On this side of the House they regularly
voted that the North should have the whole Of the
territory, and went against any compromise. re-
gret 10 be compelled 70 say, that instesd Of showing
themselves IN any respect conservative, used to
consider them, the northern Whig members proved
themselves, this the great question: eminenty de-
s4aetive
To those gentlemen in the North who aided Us in
an attempt to settle the question in some not
disgraceful or destructive to tender my thanks.
In standing by the rights Of the South they have
shown themselves friends Of the Constitution and Of
the Union.