The republic., 1851-02-17

TO the evils which now prevail il hog rolling and
jobbmg.
Mr.. GORMAN would not sustain tho bill in its
present shape He wa: opposed 70 occncsntrating diff
fsrent improvements in one bill. The effort OF do
ing 80, in his State. was to destroy the hopes
Of Indiana, blast her prospects and ruin her credit
Every republican President vetoed river and
one or the other title. II this system would only
stop with this bill, which appropriates nearly two
millions of dollars, it might be urged with more
seeming right. But they would, after awhile, be
there would be bill for five millions This is the ex
perience Of all men who have looked into the ques
tion. II you lead the people to believe that they
should live out ofthe public treasury the
sweat OF the facet II you say tothe country reach
IN your hands and take out your share, this would
become consolidated Government. and the Con-
stitu.;on is gone forever. You may say that the
slave question 10 exciting, that the bank question is
exciting, but this is the handmaid of all. He re-
ferted to the financial condition Of the Government
~ not justfying the passage of the BILL and spoke
fits inequalities, being framed a. TO command
the greater number of votes
Mr.. TAYLOR said that 1t was his purpose to ask
the attention of the committee to some of the re-
Communications in the annual message of the Presi-
dent The bill now before them afforded him
opportunity, and he expressed his concurrence in
this recommendation for the improvement ofrivers
appropriations for rivers and harbors under Gene
raj Jackson than under all other Presidents. They
amounted TO upwards Of ten millions OF dollars.
He was glad of the opportunity TO express his opin
ion that the improvement Of the Ohio and Missis
sippi rivers and their tributaries was strictly con-
stitutional and loudly called for by the best inter-
eats and commerce Of the country--le meant the
great internal commerce. swelling to more than
treble the foreign commerce. He concurred in the
recommendation of the President of the importance
of modifying the present tariff. The revenues of
the country demand it; the interests Of our manu-
featuring citizens demand specific for ad calorem
duties. He was, therefore, willing to modify the
tariff 30 that, while it would bring enough revenue
10 support the Government, 1t would protect do
mestic manufactures. A Wing, representing
Whig constituency, from . northern State, he
highly approved of the recommendation of the
President for the settlement OF all the questions
which last year so violently agitated the Union.
The President acted with frmness, moderation,
and prudence; and, above all, with wisdom, which
ought to compel his countrymen to stand by him.
He believed that nine tenths of the people sats
fled with the settlement of the question, and will
sustain the President; and he referred 10 letter
written by Mr.. Webster, to citizens in Westches-
ter county, New York, saying that the Presdent's
message in relation to the settlement of the ques-
tions which last year agitated the country express
ed, fully and plainly, the views Of all those assoc
ated with him in the Cabinet as Compromise
question.
Mr.. GIDDINGS wished to know whether his COL
league spoke by authority in saying that Mr.. Cor
win was in favor of the Fugitive Slave law.
Mr.. TAYLOR replied that he had no authority
from any member Of the Cabinet, and referred to
the letter Of Mr.. Webster.
MIR. GlDDINGS wished to know whether there
was any other authority than the letter, that Mr.
Corwin was in favor Of the Fugitive Slave law.
Mr.. TAYLOR replied No other; and he was
glad of it. He looked to public men by their
tons. This was a letter from the chief member of
the Presidents Cabinet; q man who is an honor to
the country and the world.
An extract from Mr.. Webster's letter was read,
as follows: 'e1oa
The Presidents message, at the opening Of the
present session of Congrcss, expresses fully and
plainly his own opinion and the unanimous opinion
ef all those associated NTH him in the erecuiive adin-
istration Of the Government, in regdyd TO tchGt are
cal ed the Adjustmsnt Compromise measures Of the
last session. That opinion is, that those measures
should be regarded in principle as final settle
ment Of the dangerous and exciting subjects which
they embrace; that though they were not free
from imperfections, yet, in their mutual depend
ence and connexion, they formed system Of COM
promise the most conciliatory, and best for the
lire country that could be obtained from conflict
ing sectional interests and opinions; and that,
they should be adhered to until time and
experience should demonstrate the necessity of
further Legislation to guard against evasion or
abuse. That opinion, SO far as ! know, remains
entirely unchanged, and will be acted upon stead
lily and decisiyely Tho peace Of the country
requires this; the security Of the Constitution
requires this; consistency requires this and every
Of the public good demands this.
II the Administration cannot stand upon the prin-
ciples of the message it does not expect to stand
at all.''
Mr.. GIDDINGS Will my colleague permit
me to occupy moment. gentleman on my
right assures me that Mr.. Corwin had stated dis
tinctly that Mr. EWING, in the Senate, voted as he
(Mr. Corwin) would have voted. And am
sured by another gentleman that he was not in ia
vor of that law.
Mr.. .SCHENCK. Mr.. Chairman. must be allowed
to interrupt this controversy between my colleagues
to the position Of the distinguished member OF the
Cabinet from my own State. feel authorized to
say that my colleague on my right (Mr. GlDDINGs)
is endcavoring to make false and an unfair issue
in regard to the opinions Of Mr.. Corwin. The ques
ton is not, How that gentleman would have rotsd
upon the passage Of the Fugitive Slave bill, had he
been then Senator or Representative, participat-
ing in the legislation Of Congress. have no doubt
that he would have recorded his name against the
bill; that he would have given the same votes, as
know that he believes that the recommendation of
the President to adhere to the measures Of adjust
ment until time and experience should demonstrate
the necessity of further legislation, was, under all
the circumstances, a wise and wholesome recon-
And am sure that he has no occasion
desire to shrink from sharing the responsibility
Of that recommendation with the rest OF the Ad-
Mr. TAYLOR said he was glad of the remark of
his colleague, because il might be relied on from a
personal Interview. After further remarks, the
hour to which the debate was limited (our oclock)
arrived.
The committee rose, when
Mr. McLANE, of Maryland, Gas several gentle
men wished to speak on the bill before the commit
tee,) moved to reconsider the resolution limiting
the debate but, without taking the question,
The House adjourned.
PETITION PRESENTED UNDER THE RULE.
The petition of Charles G.. Fairman, an assistant
marshal of Chemung county, New York, and fifty
seven citizens of said county, for an increase of
for census duties. Referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.
LETTER OF GENxRAL HousroN.--General Hous-
ton has recently addressed a letter to a relative,
which has been made public:
"Mr. Houston thinks the anti-slavery agitation
in the free States is in great measure subsidized.
The action Of Vermont he believes took place du-
ring the extreme violence Of the fanatical fever,
and believes that she will hasten to repeal it.
He objects to a southern convention for the rea
son that it is totally unnecessary, and would be
productive Of much harm. The South needs no