Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-06-20

= s'y-l: H. E::-
for the purpose of showing to this Convention that
acted upon the occasion to which Preferred in confidence
with my colleague, and with the intentionqf Justify
ing my COURSE of action upon that "ccasion:
Mr., WISE-.I can only say that my colleague
position ebarrasses me exceedngly TO know whether
ought to say anything, and if anything what ought
to say and being thus in doubt, shall rsserye myself
tor coming events. 80. IN - =
Mr. DAVIS. Ithink wsha heard enough on this oc
to satisfy this entire toy that the report Of the
Compromise Committee under its consideration is
the result of an arrangement 10y which western. gen
temen in the man, have appointed the entire body OF
referees. -
think Ihave authority from what has transpret, ia
say, that there tribunal known to me-here is NO
tribunal in which Ihavc had any experience-whic
whould not set aside award which had been made
under such circumstances appeal this committee
appeal to both sides of tho House. that this work be
done over again Laughter. Iappeal to both western
aud eastern gentlemen from the DEVELOPMENTS of this
morning whether they their consciences say that
the east upon the momentous question has been fairly
represented in this Compromise Committee The re.
cord of the votes castupon that occasion may be APP
pealed to to prove the fact. ! -S~-.....
! MIR. CLAIBORNE rise merely for the purpose of
making an explanation at this time On last Sunday
in conversation with one of the representatives from
western Virginia the subject of compromise of this
question arose IN conversation between him and my
sell, proposition was offered by him and accepted
6y me, varying materially from the report of the
mittee. The matter was freely talked about between
that gentleman and myself. He asked me to consult
With my eastern friends and ascertain If the PROPOSE
ton offered by himself to tho committee would meet
with any support from our side of the mountain. I
mentioned it to two three gentlemen from the
east and had further conversation upon the subject
until Sunday night. then met with an eastern friend
who told he had determined to offer resolution
the next day, when the Convent met to raise this
committee for the purpose of bringing about compro
mise. met the gentleman with whom had the con.
yersation on Sunday morning, the next morning after
and informed him what i understood would be the
action Of portion OF the eastern members friendly TO
la compromise Of this question have every reason
to believe it the first intimation he had upon the
subject, and perfectly satisfedthis proposition to
raise the committee came directly from the east and
that the west party to it, until had been pro
posed and talked between portion of the eastern
gentlemen myself among the rest, who were disposed
to compromise the question. think can clear those
western gentlemen with whom have had any CONVEX
saon upon this subject of being the orgnators of that
movement, in toto 1t came from the eas-from those
of us who were willing to compromise.
Mr.. DAVIS I did not say the proposition for rails.
ing this committee came from the west. hope shall
be understood by every gentleman az making no accu-
saton of that sort The Committee ID as we'll aware
as am OF the mode in which this committee has been
|appointed. we cannot have forgotten that propo.
ston submitted that each of the grand divisions
the State should be permitted to select their rep
rssentatives upon:this committee. That proposition
was voted down by the unanimous concurrence o'the
west aided by few eastern votes and the consequence
was after Intellectual attempt to appoint COM
mittee BY ballot. that committee appointed by
the concurrence of those parties. Western gentlemen
upon the one and few gentlemen of the east the
other hand constituted the majority which elected this
committee
The question is a most momentous one It is one
which in it's consequences transfers onehaifo the State
to the dominion Of the other If this is to be done
pray western gentlemen-I appeal to oil men of all
parties-that it shall be done in such manner that
the present occasion any future day there shall be
proper objection to the modus operand. think that
enough has been shown upon the present occasion 10
Induce western gentlemen not to press the adoption OF
this report but that we shall if may te allowed to
use sporting phrase be permitted to try back. Let
US try back-letus make another efortlet the gen
teman who voted in the majority against the PROPOSE
ton allow ing the east to select their representa-
yes upon the committee reconsider that question: and
allow to eastern gentlemen the appointment Of its
members of the committee beg pardon for saying
what thought was in duty bound to say. fcoud not
have remained in my seat silent without endeavorug
discharge my duty under the circumstances.
i Mr. Chiffon. confess that am not alittle sur
prised at the remarks that have fallen from the gent
man from Richmond (Mr. DAVIS )Nboth in the matter
land manner of his remarks | am somewhat surprised
at the extraordinary manifestations of that gentleman
who has heretofore upon all occasions upon which he
has addressed this committee been remarkable for the
courtesy and propriety and may say the moderation
Of the sentiments which he has given utterance to-
What is the position the gentlemen has taken That
the east had no representation in this Committee Of
Compromise Here four eastern upon it., but
according the position Of the gentleman, the eastern
men that committee constutedn no part Of the cast
am sure the gentleman does not to insinuate
to CHARGE know him too we'll for that-thnt the
eastern men upon that committee betray ed the interests
of the east that they agreed to anything which, III
their Judgment and in their conscences they not
willing to recommend for the adoption of their eastern
I brethren. do not exactly comprehend the meaning
fbp
sented in'that committee
II Mr. DAVIS Twill explain what was the meaning.
certainly did not mean that the east had repre-
sentatiyes inhat committeeman is to say, they had
eastern men there-but what meant to say that
a very large majority of the eastern delegation had
cast their votes for the gentlemen who were elected
members of this committee-a most respectable gentle
men, and highly esteemed by myself-and that this COM
mttee wa. indebted for their election not to the votes
of the eastern delegation whom they were In fact to
represent but to the western gentlemen principally
That is the force of the objection made to the
mittee not that any member of the committee has re
ported to this Convention what he does not in his con-
science and judgment believe is right, honorable,
and proper to have adopted.
Mr. Chiffon / have not taken the remarks of
the gentleman oensirslyso far as was individually
concerned but the bearing Of these remarks when pub
lished might be SO interpreted by some. Now, there
upon this floor portion of the eastern members of
this Convention who are opposed to compromise any
sorted every expedent from the day the subject of the
compromise was first started in this committee down
the present hour defeat it in every form in which
lit might be presented-at least have understood
their action do not object to this course, nor do
charge it upon them anything improper They pur.
sue this policy under the of duty they owe to
their constituents and the State and sh be found
Ito quarrel with gentleman upon this floor for any
course that he may deem his duty pursue whether
is to carry proposition or to defeat it. claim for
mysefthe same Liberty of action and mean to follow
such course claim to be here the representative
of the people who have sent me here-as owing
responsibilities to them, the State and myself; and
shall pursue upon occasions thnt course which, in nay
Judgment best meets these responsibilities. Now why
was the particular gentlemen who represented the
east here were selected Did either ofthem solicit
the trust' Speaking for myself say most sincerely
aud canddy that did not desire it. and greatly pre-
ed to vote for me- that my colleague should be selected
individual to form one Of the COMPROMISE Com
their power have put that gentleman and other gen.
remen, who have stood with me here upon that com
mittee, but they should never with my consent have
h:.IAr. man MI IN