Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-03-08
HON. JEREMIAH MORTON.

state whether the S0AtleTn FfeSS, In any respect
represented his feelings and opinions:
WASHINGTON, February 8, 1851
You say there is but one ground we are unable TO
defend and wish TO be furnished with the argument to
meet it,, viz that am charged with being patron
supporter aud encouraser of the Southern Press aud
you ask, Can it, does II, IN any respect represent your
yiewsl"
| no more approve OF that paper than you or any of
my friends do. Ii DO more represents my views than it
does yours. Some time IN April, think, southern MEM
bers-ookug to the dark clouds hanging over u.s. and
impressed with the belief that papers here, of both par
ts looked more 10 the success OF party than the pre-
servation OF southern rights, in which involved
the perpetuy OF the Unlon and to the additional TACT
that the National Era, published in this city, and devo-
ted 10 abotlonsl, conducted with great talent
and had wide circulation, both North aud South
fet that vewing these things from the position they
occupied the establishment OF paper here devoted to
the exposition OF Southern rights would be wise and
pedient; that would have the effect checking north
ern aggression and uniting the South in defence her
constitutional rights. In common with sixty-wo 9TH
ers, recommended the establishment of such paper
We appointed committee OF four 10 engage editors.
lhey did so, upon their responsibility and the sequel
has proven, made unfortunate selection. Many of
the sxty-three, in short time after the Southern Press
got under way, condemned its course aud the
1ncaon OF the sixty three members dropped; 9TH
erwie there would have been open remuneration by
them.
From the time the COMMITTEE of Thirteen reported
cay about the Sh or 10th OF May-l was an advocate
Tor the series OF adjustment measures" taken as a
whole, with such favorable notifications as might be
eheeted. My opinions were freely expressed, and la
bored as much any member of Congress- according
TO my humble abilities, advance them and felt as
deep an interest la their success
1t they had all come up in one bill, l should have
cheeruly voted Tor them. voted for the Texas boun-
dairy and New Mexico ill for Utah tor the fugitive
slave bill, and against California. On the bill for the
abolition OF the slave trade in the District Of Columbia
did not at being that time confined TO INV
room by indisposon As single measure as it pass
ed, should have voted against It, rejoiced, and do
rejoice, at the success of the compromise measures"
as whole. say the peace of the country requires in
the language OF the annual message of President Fill
more, that they should be regarded "a settement-a
hnal setement-ot the slavery question" Now, sir
have given you my opinions and acts upon the danger
Gus questions OF last session. and must have been a
parent to my friends if they knew the course have pu
sued, and the hostility OF the Southern Press to them
IN the aggregate and detail (even the fugitive slave bill
mat could not approve OF Its unless condemn
ed my own.
The battery of that press has been constantly direct
ed, with all It's sarcasm rldcue and argument against
the trends and supporters OF the dustment measures"
They are tanntngiy called "submissonists" &c.
remain, sir, ours, very truly,
JEREMIAH MORTON.
The Southern Press copies MIR. Morton's let
ter, and adds long reply, the opening paragraph
of which is as follows:
We very promptly acquit Mr.. Morton of the charge
OF being "a paroa supporter and eucouraper Of the
Southern Press He never has contributed in any way
whatever 10 the Southern Press except as a subscriber
10 the address OF the Southern members of Congress
III laVor OF esaDilshhg Southern here the
OF gogernment-and subscriber for the paper it,
sell. Mr.. Morton was elected, we understand by the
people OF his district IN consequence OF the ayowa oil
greater zeal for Southern rights than his competitor
the regular Wing nominee of his party. We no more
approve OF ms course Congress the questions of
Southern right than he does Of ours We never pre-
tended to represent his views those who acted with
him-but stated distinctly in the second number Of this
paper, ownand shall be very sorry if he is held
IN any way responsible for them, suffers detrment
on our account.
We consider it due to Mr.. Morton to place be-
fore cur readers his disclaimtr of any sympathy
with the course of the organ of the Disunion fac
ton (out of South Carolina it has no pretensions
to the designation of party) and that papers full
exoneration of him from serious an mputa-
ton. 1t is an act ofsmple justice 10 add, that in
all his representative service, during the last
Con gress, Mr. Mortons course was such as
to command for him the confidence and appro-
val of his constituents, In the outset of the ses-
sion, he took a post ion, with regard 10 the cleo
ion of Speaker, which, at the time, was censured
by many Wings He vas one Of those Wing
members who refused to vote for Mr. Winthrop,
who was the nominee ofa Wing caucus. With
out meaning to reflect upon tn ose representatives
who took different view of their duty, we are
decidedly of opinion that Mr.. Morton did right,
and had ample reason at The time for the resolu-
ton he formed MOTTO support Mr.. Winthrop. 1t may
be remembered that like others who were not a.
ware ofall the circumstances, we expressed in this
paper, our regret at the course of Messrs Toombs
Stephens, Owen, Cabel and Morton. Upon learn
ing, however, the reasons which influenced these
gentlemen, we held them to be sound and patriot
tic. When Congress assembled in December
1919, it became evident 10 Southern Wings tina,
there was immine mt danger of the speedy passage
of law applying the Wmot Proviso to the Ter
ritores A large portion of the Northern Wings.
led on by WIN. II. Seward, were known to be
bent upon carrying that measure, and were found
to have degree of influence with majority of
President Taylor's advisers, which Justly excited
alarm in the mind of every Southern Senator and
Representative who had supported his election
i ne i've gentlemen above naraed, aided occasion
ally by Mr. Hiliiard of Alabama, resolved to Sc.
cure some satisfactory understanding Of the terms
on %hich lie harmony of the Wing party in Con-
Eress was to be maintained, or else to withhold
their cooperation. Mr. Toombs. therefore in tho
caucus of Wing members, held for nominating a
Speaker, proposed resolution to the efectthat Con
gress ought not 10 interfere in any manner with the
question Of slavery The resolution was opposedb by
ali the Northern, ard objected to as irrelevant BY
some of the Southern members, and was rejected
Mr. Toombs and those who acted with him there
upon refused 10 participate in any nomination, and
voted steadily, in the House, against Mr.. Win
throp It vas the distinct manifestations Of South
ern determination, which that memorable conles
developed, that served, more lhanany other cause
10 convince the Northern minority Of the danger
of persistiug in the aggressions they proposed.
they were made to see that if Congress could be