Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-12-09
MEETING OF THE WING MEMBERS OF
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

In pursuance Of the call, q meeting of the
Wing members of the House of Representa-
tives was held on Monday morning, Dccem-
Der lst at tho Capitol. between fifty and six
ty members being present.
On motion OF Mr.. MARSHALL, Of Kentucky,
the meeting was organized by the appoint
ment Of Mr.. OUTLAW. Of North Carolina. as
chairman. and Mr. MooRE. Of PENNSYLVANIA.
as secretary. The chairman having stated
that the meeting was ready to hear any pro
position that might be offered, Mr.. Brooks
OF New York, said that he supposed one Of
the main objects of tie meeting was to con-
suit as to the propriety Of making nonina-
tion for Speaker Of the House, and remarked
that in view Of the large majority against
them, his opini,n was that ii would be mex
pedicnt to make such nomination, but that
each member should be left to exercise his
own judgment when the time for action arriy-
ed. The views Of Mr.. Brooks seeming to be
universally acquicsced in by the mectinr---
Dir, Williams, Of Tennessee, said that, ii
there was no further business before Tie
meeting, he would suggest the propriety Of
adjoarhing, and accordingly made the motion,
which he subsequently, Withdrew at the re
quest Of
Mr.. Evans. Of Maryland, who said That he
hoped the meeting would not adjourn without
taking some action upon subject Of grave
and momentous importance to the country,
and question which they would inevitably
be compelled to meet. here or elsewhere =
which subject was the Compromise measures
of the last Congress, and which measures he
understood had been summarily rejected BY
the Democratic party on Saturday evening
last. lie earnestly hoped that the reptescu.
tativcs of the Wing party there assembled q
majority OF whom he was pleased to see were
from the non slaveholding States, would not
hesitate or falter 10 their duty to the country
at this important period. but that some gen :
tleman present would offer resolution upon
this subject for the consideration and action
of the meeting.
FIR. Havcns. of New York, said that he
was there for the first time in the capacity OF
representative in Congress. and that he
came there not only as Wing but as a u
Mon Whig--a Compromise Wing; and in
that spirit and feeling he had prepared res
olutiou embodying in substance the principles
of the Presidents Message upon this subject
which he would offer for the consideration of
che meeting. ia the following words:
4Resolred. That we regard the series of
acts known as the Adjustment measures as
forming 10 their mutual dependence and con-
nexion system of compromise the most con-
ciiatory aud the best for the entire country
that could be obtained from conflicting sec
tional interest and opinions; and that, there
fore, they ought to he adhered to and carried
Into faithful execution as final settlement
in priociple aud substance, of the dangerous
and exciting subjects which they embrace"
MIR. Stevens. of Pennsylvania, in few re.
marks, said that he considered resolution of
that kind unnecessary AMI injudicious as it
was the same rock upon which the Wing par.
~ bad split two years ago; aud be therefore
hoped it would not be passed
Mr.. Fowler, of Massachusetts. said that he
would not consent to be bound BY the princi.
pies of that resolution, and. in order to test
the sense of the meeting upon it, he would
move to lay it Oh the table.
Mr.. Marshall, Of Kentucky, said lac was
not particular about forms, and he was willing
the test should b. applied in the form sug-
gcstcd By tho gentleman from Massachusetts
Indeed he thought it would probably be the
best aud most effective, since he understood
that IL was the same form in whicl, the test
had been applied in the Democratic caucus
1t would serve emincniy well to indicate to
the country the real position Of gentlemen
when the matter presented to each party
came in identicaiiy the same form And
since the Democratic party had voted down
similar resolution I've thought it became the
duty Of the Wings to take .hcir true posi-
ton; aud, if the views Of the ecatleman from
Massachusetts were to prevail, the path Of
duty was a plain one to him.
Mr.. Williams, of Tennessee, then moved
the previous question.
Mr.. Stevens, Of Pennsylvania said he
hoped the motion would be withdrawn to en-
able him to amend the resolution which was
refused
The vote was then taken upon the motion
to lay upon the table, which motion was lost
by decided majority, when
Mr.. Stevens, OF Pennsylvania, Mr.. Fowler
Of Massachusetts, aud one or two other gen
tlcmen whose names were not known to th'
officers of the meeting, withdrew.
The motion was then put upon the origina
resolution, which was carried with bnt tw'
er three dissenting voices; and, on motion Q
Mr.. Williams, the meetin then adjourned.
DAVID OUTLAW, CHM.
HENRy u MonRr Sic