Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-03-13
ACCRESSION-THE PUR-
POSES OF THE TNION-AND THE
COMPARATIVE EFFECTS or SLA-
VERY AND FREEDOM.
SIP + T. CT ii OF
MHk. l.. ID. CAM
OF OHIO,
IN THE House. OF REPRESENTATIVES,,

TUESDAY, Feb. 10, 1850.
In Committee Of the Whole on the state
Of the Union. on the Resolution to
refer the Presidents Message to the
appropriate Standing Committees.
Mr.. CAMPBELL having obtained the
floor at the close of the remarks of Mr..
Venable, Of North Carolina, addressed
the Committee as follows:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: The early anxiety Of
young members, such as myself. who are
without any practical experience in the
affairs Of legislative life, to participate in
the debates Of this body, is not regarded
as reliable promise Of future usefulness,
either by the older members or by the
country. The temerity which | exhibit
may, in Justice to myself, require expla-
nation. If it does that explanation must
be found in the deep interest felt bv the
people | have the honor to represent, in
the exciting questions to which the atten-
ton Of the Committee has been called, I,
and in the somewhat peculiar political re-
lation in which stand to the Chief Ma
gistrate, whose first annual Message is
under consideration, as we'll as to the va
rious political parties represented on this
floor.
1t is well known, sir. TO the gentleman
from North Carolina, Mr.. Clnyman. +
to the gentleman from Alabam. Mr.. Hill
lard / who have already addressed the
Committee, as well as to others on this
floor whom had the pleasure of meet
! ino in the National Convention at Phlla-
dclphia. in June. 1913. which nomina-
ted the distinguished individual who now
| IL. D-a.;Iantinl ('hair that for
reasons which then frankly gave. con-
sidered it my duty 10 repudate the nom
nation. had the honor 10 represent
there the same district which | now rep
resent here. regarded then this all alb
sorbing proposition to extend slavery
over free Territories, as paramount TO all
J other questions, because Of the vast NOR
al responsibility which it involved. re-
carded it as one upon which every man
who sought power at the hands of the
people should fcarlcssly and frankly avow
his sentiments.
had always been a Wing. perhaps an
ultra whig." In my humble sphere
had labored fearlessly and ardently-if
not successfully promote the grea,
principles Of that party. upon the success
Of which sincerely believed the true IN
terests of this great country depended
Before that time | had never faltercd-
never flagged-never turned my back to
political adversary! In looking around
in the memorable contest of 'I3, | found
one candidate pledged 10 veto the
..Wilmot proviso"-another in whose
new born zeal ior"Free Soil | could not
place reliance-and another whose opin-
ions upon this question were not publicly
declared. Finding no candidate who
believed was reliable. ! wheeled out o!
the line Of the "Old Wing guard" and
stood as an EARNED neutral Throughout,
the contest. Following the example Of
one Of the distinguished candidates who
had nercr roitd. for the first time in my
lie withheld my suffrage. In this indie
penden. position | find myself on this
floor, representing a constituency of free
men. willing to confde to me all their po-
ltical power here over the great questions
now agta,ng the country from lis centre
to its rcmotest parts.
Sir. when great principle is involved.
scorn an equivocal position! And al
though | did not select between supposed
evils in 'I8, in less than the short hour al
lo,ted to me. no person shall truly assert
that my position upon all the great ques-
tons of public policy is not definitely de-
fined.
In the sentiments of the annual mes
sage upon the importance Of protection
to American neutrality-suspicious. Of
our rivers and harbors-oppostion to En-
ecutive influence over the legislative
branch of the Government-econom in
public expenditures-and. above all.
determined devotion to the union of the
Staies-l recognize the ''doctrine Of the
earlier Presidents.' and the true prin-
ciples Of the Wig party. will give
them my most hearty support.
There Is another item of this message
which commands my especial commen-
dation. 1t is that sincerely expressed
desire that we may preserve, in all time,
friendly relations with all the nations of
the earth. The sad experience of the
last few years cannot fail 10 impress the
mind of every one with the importance
Of honorable peace. The expression Of
the sentiment is truly gratifying to those
who feel that the late war. which. if hon.
orable to the prowess of our arms. has
brought many woes to our people. and a
vexed question which threatens the per-
petultv OF tne institutions We revere, ana
is evidence that this war impressed upon
the mind of the Executive of the nation
the Importance Of cultiva,ing the rela.
tions offriendship with the whole world.
|, is gratifying TO me. sir. as i, will be to
the friends of peace everywhere. to find
that this distinguished hero. fresh from
the field Of slaughter. where he had spent
years amidst the desolating scenes Of
bloody contlict-who had so recently
been the eyewitness to that wretched-
ness and misery which are the inevitable.
bitter fruits OF war. should express in
strong terms the deep anxiety he feels to
preserve beloved country from their
dread consequences. 1t may be, too.
,hath his keen perceptions have enabled
him to discover that disposition which
seems q naxxado