The southern press., 1852-05-22

or those who left before the meeting had pro.
gressed half through, and occasionally, after be.
ing absent while, returning to the door and
peepng in and listening, to ascertain what was
going on--perhaps some of them walking in
step or two and retreating-and indeed, there is
rumor out of doors, that one of those dis
tingushed gentlemen who left, was part of his
time with BILLY SEWARD, taking drink of
greg. [Laughter.l Now, how could he know
what was going on, as well as thos4who re.
mained in the meeting?
Mr. GENTRY. suppose that it is true,
that one OF my friends, waiting for me to come
out, did in his perigrinations around and about
the Senate chamber meet with the distinguish
cd Senator-refered to by the gentleman FROM
North Caroline, Mr.. DocKERY,l-who was es-
consed IN an ante-chamber, receiving reports
from his adlutants and directing the course Of
the war. Laughter. | thank nv friend from
North Carolina, Mr.. DocKERYl for the allu-
SION. IL is an important one, ana suggestive of
grave reflections to the people of this country,
Mr. MARSHALL of Kentucky, obtained
the floor. His remarks are withheld for reyi.
sion.
Mr. CLINGMAN claimed the floor.
Mr., GENTRY. 1hope my friend from North
Carolina Mr. CLINGMANl will indulge me vet
moment longer. | understood the Chair to de-.
eide that my friend from North Carolina. lMr.
C.LIseMAs,l had, by his courtesy to me, lost his
right to the floor
The CHAIRMAN The Chair his rot 90
decided.
Mr.. GENTRY. Then fear that NV MI.
understanding OF the decision of the Chair has
caused mo to abuse the courtesy of nv friend
Mr. CLINGMAN. Not at ai-not at all
Mr. GENTRY. must ask him to permit
me to make one additional remark. Nv col.
league Mr. CuLLoM made remark in relation
10 those who retired from the Congressional
caucus, which CRATES harshly upon the ear of y
Iennesseean. He spoke Of those who rim
aDay from that caucus. Tennesseeans are not
in the habit of running away, and nothing could
be more unpalatable to them than such an i'm.
putaton.
MI. CULLOM. | desire to disclaim any rer-
sonay offensive imputation against nv col.
league, or any gentleman who acted with him.
Mr.. GENTRY. feel well assured that NV
colleague is candid in his declaration. an,
equally candid in declaring that il is not. and
has not been, my purpose to impute unpatriotic
or dlsloyal purposes or motives to him. But
must say that, according to my apprehension.
paradoxical as it may seem to be, those who run
away were they who stood most firmly to their
duty, and those who did not .run away" were
most wanting in true soldiership.
Mr.. Chairman, | repeat what said Mt the
onset Of my remarks-it is not my intention to
make speech to-day In due time will dis.
cuss fully and freely the important questions
embraced in the speech of my colleague Before
conclude, however, permit me to remark that
| do not read the political signs of the times as
sanguinely as my colleague, Mr.. CuLLom
He seems to see nothing but bright skies and
tranquil prospects. To my view dark clouds
are gathering in the political horizon. The
compromise measures, which passed with so
much difficulty, and designed to restore harmo.
ny to distracted country, will be bereft of heal
ing power, unless both Of the two great parties
into which the country is divided shall so place
their candidates and shape their organizations
for the approaching Presidential election as to
exclude from the canvass agitation having for
its object the repeal or modification of any of
those measures.
1t is not enough that Presidential candidate
may be believed to have been favorable to the
enactment of those measures, and himself indi-
uiduaLiy in favor of maintaining them. far
greater question is, by what Influences is he sur
rounded! What counsels, what influences will
decide the policy of his administration in the
event of his success The public interests de-
mand-the peace OF the country-the safety of
the Union require not only that he shall be
publicly and unequvocally pledged "to regard
The compromise measures as final settlement
of the dangerous questions they embraced, "but
that the political organization upon which he
relies for election shall be of such character
as TO WELD all the influences Of Presidential
canvass directly in favor Of reconciling the
minds Of the people, North and South, 10 the
acceptance of those measures as a final adjust
ment OF the sectional controversies which made
their enactment public necessity. These are
the conditions upon which alone my humble
support will be accorded to any Presidential
aspirant at the next election.
4
Mr.. CLINGMAN. will answer briefly the
question put to me by my friend from Florida,
Mr.. CABELL II is in relation to this point of
order. But three or four minntes are left me
before the expiration Of my hour, and in half
that time ] can answer that question, and then
make my motion. | understood Mr.. Mangum.
both in the caucus and since--and | have had
several conversations with hin-to say this, in
substance lie regarded everything which did
not relate to the time aud place Of holding the
national convention, as out Of order, both as an
amendment and as substantive proposition
but he also declared that, after that matter was
disposed OF, " this motion was made. and if a
majority Of the caucus saw fit TO entertain il,
they might, and he hoped they would do 80
but he should be obliged 10 hold that Il was not
in order if the point were made. lie would.
however, appeal TO them, and individually.
would be gratfied, If the majority would con.
sent TO act upon II, and decide it. understand
this to have been his position all the while.
Now, Mr. Chairman, in relation to those who,
II is said, ran away from the caucus, beg leave
to say, that we left there very few from the
South only one representative from the State
Of Delaware, one representative from Missouri,
and several from Tennessee, Kentucky, and
North Carolina. There were five of the slave.
holding ) ates which had representatives there.
Bat there were ten Stites which, after we
left, had not single representative; ard il APP
pears, therefore, that this proceeding Of fixing
the time and place Of hodinr the convention,
was consummaicd by representatives from only
onetllird Of tle slayohodng States, as well AZ
by only one fourth Of the Wbig members from
those States. hEd say, fntther-bayino sill n