Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-10-03
To my Continents.


Sine M mama has been connected with the Senti-
mel as is Iitor several Of the Wing papers, which
have fallen IN Ter my eye. have alluded 10 me in dis
respectful terms IN relation TO my connection with
the Speakership of the present Congress. AS il is
matter in no way connected with my short editorial
career-a matter personal to myself shall answer
these base charges Of dShonorabe conduct, over
nv own signature, AMI whatever may be said in fu-
ture, shall pas unno.iced l am ready 10 say as
the Prophet of Uz said 10 his comforters, "Suffer
me that may speak, an after that have spoken,
mock on" The life Of man is full of error.
elain no exemption from the common lot Of all, but
MI conscience tells me that my errors have been
such N. wed infrmitie' that honesty
NJ p1oIc acts are open 10 public scrutiny. i
serve fou years as a member of the In Llama Leg
isatu e. first from the county of Rush, and after
wards from Marion, was prosecuting attorney for
the fifth circuit for five years, was four years Sec
rotary of State, four years Assistant Post Master
General, AMI the enl Of my present term will make
my service in Congress four years. do not publish
these evidences of public confidence by way Of vain
boasting, but a, an index for these young Wing
Tags who "were mewling and puking in their
mothers arms'' when entered political life. My
political enemies have written my infirmiIies in
letters of brass, and traced my good deeds on
the melting SHOWS of winter. shall now make
very brief statement in relation 10 the Speakership,
AMI leave the world to judge.
reached Washington in wretchei health, scarcely
able to walk with no thought of the Speakers Office.
Ny health for5ilit Ny inattention to parliamentary
law al rules of order forbid il. was in favor of
the election of Mr. Cobb, the present presiding Off
Ger. He was nominated at our Congressional eau
Gus, bu, upon the first vote was satisfied he could
not be elected un Ter the majority rule. Several
Democrats from the North AMI one from the South
refused to vote for him; and as the free soil mem
bers he'll the balance of power, AMI under cir
cu.nstance woull they vote FOR STAKEHOLDER, and
their hostility to Mr.. Winthrop was so great that
they were really to vote for almost any northern de-
mocrat rather than support a man, who two years
ago had received their votes, and, as they alleged
attempted 10 mortify and disgrace them by placing
the free-Soil members obscure and unimportant
committees; AMI had stiaed all legislation on the
subject of slavery by appointing committees who
refused TO report upon questions referred 10 them.
Irepeat their charges without endorsing them. In
this state of afiirs, it apparent that Mr.. Cobb
could not be elected II required one hundred and
thirteen votes TO elect and he received his highest
ballot one hundred and three. | was requested by
numerous friends 10 permit my to be used,
amongst those remember Mr. Venable of North Car
elina, Mr.. Mann of Pennsylvania, Mr.. Thompson of
Mississippi AMI Mr.. Harnronson of Louisiana, and
think several others. But peremptorily declined,
a.
rule, by which Mr.. Cobb finally elected or vote
for Mr. Potter of Ohio, who it was understood, could
get the free soil The latter course was adopt
ed but it was soon ascertained that he could not get
the entire Southern Democratic vote, which render
ed his election hopeless. After we had ballotted
eight or nine days, the Democrats scattering their
votes and the Wings, with the exception of five, vo-
ting in solid column for Mr.. Winthrop, on the
32i ballot received So votes On the 3Sth ballot l
received 100 votes. Every Democrat, North and
South voting for me, except Mr.. Cobb of Alabama,
who upon all occasions declared he would vote for
me whenever by his vote he could elect
One evening during the canvass / received note
from Mr.. Wentworth of Illinois, requesting me TO
come 10 his room. did so, and there met Mr. Wilmot
who had always beena strongpersOnal friend Of mine
He expressed his desire for me- and said that
himself, Mr.. King and Mr. Durkee, who were class
ed Democratic free sellers, were ready to do so
whenever their votes would make an election, but
they hal agreed with the Wing free-soiIers TO stand
united, AMI he did not like to separate unless il be-
came necessary to produce organization of the
House. He then desired TO know what course |
woull adopt in the appointment of committees. /
replied that would make no pledges as to the chair
manship OF the several committees nor would /
pledge myself 10 any particular member as to the
position should assign him. But should not, as
the free sellers charged Mr. Winthrop with having
done, place them obscure committees for the pur-
pose of disgracing them. They should not, were
and exciting sympathy in the free States, but that
would assign them places according to their talents
legislative experience and standing, that | should
treafthem impartially as | should the Wings or
Democrats. But as hoped and desired to see the
day when all these differences would be buried ard
the great Democratic party more united,
should be inclined TO give them places on commit
tees, where they would have an opportunity of ma
king reputation upon some other subject than sla-
very But on the judiciary committee the District
OF Columbia and Territories, would endeavor TO
place honest, able, impartial and conservative men
from the North and the South who would impart;al-
ly represent every sections every interest and every
shade Of opinion. Upon the subject of slavery in
the territories, told him regarded his proviso as
unnecessary, that was in favor of The noninterfer-
ence doctrine, advocated by Gen. Cass and the
10 Il u