The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-16
tI
Il L RIM 8.
SPEECH OF
Mr.. T. L. CLINGMAN, Of N. Carolina.
In defence Of he South against the aggressive
Increment Of the North, delivered in die House
of Representatives January %, 1850.

In defence Of The South against the aggressive
Increment of the North, delirered in he House
Of Representatives, January %, 1850.
The House being in Committee of the Whole
on the state of the Union, Mr.. BoYD, of Ken
lucky, in the chair.
Mr.. CLINGMAN said, that the committee
was well aware that he had, OH yesterday, init
mated purpose to discuss the questions in
volved in the propositions relating to the Mexi-
can territory. That subject was regarded by
the whole country as one Of such immense i'm
portance that he offered no apology for debating
it. To prevent misconception, (said he) say
in advance, that have great confidence in the
Judgment, integrity, and patriotism OF the Presi-
dent. further admit fully the right OF the citi-
zens of each State, to settle for themselves all
sueh domestic questions ~ that referred to in
the message But who are the people so enti-
tied to decide, as well as the time and manner
Of admission and boundary of new States, are in
themselves questions for the judgment of Con-
gress under all the circumstances of each case.
The territory of Louisiana, our first foreign ac-
QUESTION, was retained nearly ten years in that
condition before it was allowed to form a
State constitution. In the case OF Texas-her
people being composed almost entirely of citi-
zens of the United States, and having had a
State government of their own for ten years
she was admitted at once as a State into the
Union. In the present case, there are conslde-
rations Of the greatest importance connected di-
rectly and indirectly with our action on this sub
ject 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, was placed at
disadvantage before the country by publica-
ton made some time since. 1t is generally
known that there was, on the Saturday evening
before the time for the assembling of the House,
a preliminary meeting or caucus OF the Wing
members. The proceedings of such meetings
have usually been kept private. Contrary,
however, to the former usage in this respect
some individual present furnished to one of the
New York papers what purported to be re-
port 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 with his
own; but, though he made a reference to my
position, he did not think proper to set out
what did say, so as to make that position at
all understood. 1t will be remembered by those
present on that occasion, that, at the very out
set of my remarks, / stated that | had that morn
ing had a very full and free conference with the
gentleman from Georgia, Mr.. TONES who
had moved the resolution; that there was, IN
relation to the whole subject embraced in 1t, as
well as with reference to the mode of action pro-
per to be adopted by the South, an entire agree
ment between that gentleman and myself. In
fact, that there was not rs far as knew, any
difference of opinion between u.s. except as to
the expedency of making the issue at that time,
and that thought it preferable to await legisla-
tive action and stand on the defensive purely.
This, among other reasons then given, induced
me to request the withdrawal Of the resolution
Il is proper that should say that, in my inter-
view that morning with the gentleman from
Georgia, and with his colleague, Mr.. STE
pHENs,l I gave my reason at length, founded
chiefly on my recent observation OF the state OF
public sentiment in the North, for believing that
a collision was inevitable, and that the sooner it
came on the better for all parties; but that to
enable us to make our demonstration in the
most imposing and successful mode, it would be
better to await the organization of the House.
I expressed the fear that if we moved without
the concurrence at the outset of majority of
the Southern members, we might place ourselves
at a disadvantage before the public, and prevent
our uniting the whole South in such course
of action as it might be found expedent 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 as would be at all likely to impair
efficient action hereafter. From the tone OF the
Southern press, as well as from other indications
it Is obvious that the South will at an early day
be sufficiently united to insure the success OF
whatever measures it may be necessary to adopt
to protect ourselves from the aggression
menaced by the North. AS to the election
of Speaker, in the present condition of the
House and the country, have never considered
it of the slightest moment to either political party
or to either section of the Union. A Speaker
without the majority OF the House would be o.
no advantage to the Administration, nor could
any mere arrangement OF committees materially
affect now the action on the slave question.
Those, Mr.. Chairman, who have observed my
course heretofore, know well that have moi
sought to produce agitation on this subject Six
wears ago, when first took seat on this floor
believing that the famous twenty-hrst rule had
been gotten up merely as fancy matter, which
was productive only of i'll feeling and irritation
between different sections, both voted and spoke
against it, and was then regarded as responsible
to a great extent for its defeat. ] then stated
during the discussion, that, if without cause, we
kept up a state of hostility between the NORTH
and the South, until practical question arose
like that presented when Missouri was admitted
dor then saw the Texas annexation in the fu
ture) the greatest possible mischief might en-
sues went onalso, in the course OF my argu
ment, to say that slavery could mot 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 ex
listing war to obtain territory, eadeavored to
place the question on grounds where the North
might meet us conceding, for the sake of argu.
ment, that the Government had complete jurisdic.
ton over the territory. endavored to show, that
while it might be justified in diriding the terri
torn, it could not exclude us from the whole
without palpable violation Of the Constitution
lam sorry say, however, that my effort, though
well meant, did not produce the slightest effect
upon the action of any one gentleman of my
own party from the North On.this side Of the
sbould have the whole of the territory, and went
against any compromise ! regret to be com
PEELED to say, that instead of showing themselves
in any respect conservative, as used to consider