The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-03-26
sPEECa OF mia. MARSHALL,
OF CALIFORNIA;

srEECH OF mia. MARSHALL,
OF CALIFORNIA,
In the House Of Representatives. March H. 1862, IN yspl
10 The speech Of Mr.. Breekinridge, g Kentucky.
The House being in the Committee of the Whole
on the state OF the Union the bill 10 encourage agri-
culture, manufactures, and other branches OF industry BY
granting homeseads To actual settlers upon the public
doman-and in regard 10 the presidency. American pro.
gress, and IN defence OF Judge Douglas
Mr. MARSHALL said:
Mr CHAIRMAN: II Is not my purpose TO. day TO dis.
cuss the special order in commlee although that is
measure an which take much interest, and which be-
eve s OF great importance 10 The country But SIR,
there has been delivered upon the floor of this House, by
distinguished gentleman from Kentucky, IMr BaEcK.
IERIDcE and member OF the democratic party, speech
containing sentiments wholly al variance with those
rain From the conclusions to which The honora.
BILE gentleman has am forced 10 dissent and the
inspuaons TO matters OF fact or the gentleman says
nc akes no charges or accusatons) have been already
demonstrated 10 be untounded and false There are
many circumstances which compel to make some
spouse o this speech, though there is member OF this
House more unwilling unnece ssarly to occupy the time
OF the House or the committee than am. No member
OF this House can sincerely regret that the debate
has taken this COURSE that has arisen at all one
depecaes more the consequences which may and proba
bly, will, Tow IRON ii to the party than myself Yet the
attack made upon the individual who is, believe, lhe
fayore OF the people, and who know is the nominee
Of my constituents for the presidency and the attack
upon those principles which regard the life blood of
American democracy, and 10 which my constituency
owes lis existence, call imperatvely for some reply
believe that discussion Of this character should not be
introduced upon this oor long there is single
great measure OF public policy not compeledso long
there single bill which ought pass not acted upon
SO long there single private claim Against the gov
ernment not adudicated. think all discussions OF this
sort are wrong under existing circumstances; but do
not propose that those who do the wrong shall enjoy all
the advantage; and would rather hour of
the time OF the committee, than permit speech contain
ing such political doctrines, such personal lnsinuatlons
that Of the gentleman from Kentucky, [Mr BREcKN-
RIDGE 10 80 forth TO the country with the negative
endorsement Of my silence regret this debate, because
of it's probable effect on the democratic party, and OF GER
tain waste OF the public time. It prophesed once
land really that prophecy approaching fulhmen
by OF the most learned acute, and thoughtful OF all
foreign commentators upon country and its constlt
ton. that the very thing which now happening would
happen that the Congress OF the United States would
discharge its constitutional functions the
legislative power OF the naton aud would become what
has not yet become, but what fear il approaching
mere factious dscordant, Unbalanced, inefficient caucus
OF presidential electors But while deprecae such a
result and deplore even the small share have bring
ing about must insist that all the responsibility rests
with those who have induced the necessity Tor furhef
argument. .
resent part, upon this floor is the greatest result OF
democratic principles and the perfect illustration OF dem
ocratc progress That State its very existence 10
the doctrines at which the gentleman from Kentucky
permits himself TO sneer--a doctrine upon which he
turns all his but to which he addresses argu-
ment and against which he has adduced not clear
and manly He did not venture TO state the ques
tion in any fair or ineligible propositions; nor did be
dare TO meet the conclusions logically resulting from such
statement should not, then. represent my people it
were to permit the very principles 70 which they owe
rdicule and scofng, in speeches in the House, whou
reply But further Than that, there has up from thu
people OF California one unanimous, universal, sponta
neous expression OF opinion in favor OF Judge Douglas
democratic candidate for the presidency, and shout
not represent my people ii were to allow an attack-fo
The whole speech was aack-a most subtle, covert
and formidable attack in its spirit and tendency through
out-upon Judge Douglas, and the principle upon which
his popularity rests, 10 pass unanswered am, for thes
reasons forced 10 respond al least so FAR clear ant
distinct expression OF my own views and opinions arr
concerned.
The nomination of Judge Douglas by the State of Cal
onia is event OF the highest import OF the creates
significance and requires from the democratic party il
Congress, and IN the naon graver consideration, ant
higher respect, than any other mere State nomination
could possibly receive. Look at the population OF tina
county There is not State in the Union. not city
village, neghborhood, which is not represented there
nomination. therefore, from such State, the hghes
evidence and best criterion OF national popularity M
nomination from any other State carries with il the SAM
au,hory for upon every other State local interests
State pride, and the thousand indirect influences which
control human action, brought to bear. California il
great national convention, composed OF the best ma
tera, proven by the test OF emigration 10 be tb'
best, upon whom sinister or selfish motive cou,
possibly operate-t is great unpacked, unlnfuenced
disnteresied national convention, There was no bar
gaining Tor the position OF Secretary OF State then, TO
California knows that, except the offices within her owl
limits, she has hope OF executive patronage. Being
best exponent OF national sentiment, claim for her ex
preston OF opinion in favor OF Judge Douglasunani
II is, far it has been expressed, and enihu
sasc know the feelings OF that people TO be toward
him, from personal acquaintance with almost ever
democrat in the Sate-l say claim for II, before tbi
House and the country, high authority, infinitely tran
scendng any similar expression OF opsion in any othe
State
Sir shall not lose any portion oil my time in reading
extracts from the speech OF the gentleman from Ken
tucky but shall content myself with short and sim
pie statement of lis general effect and the purpose
intended to carry out And here desire 10 say, and Il
be well understood when say, that intend, on thi
floor, everywhere else, TO say exactly what think
and exactly what mean and hope II will be no anon
ally in poitcans life, or in apoltcal speech nten
to tell what believe TO be the truththe result OF mi
own observation and experience, and the conclusion
my own reasonings For what am saying nobody
is responsible but myself. express my own opinions
speak for no section OF the democratic party. But
speak merely what believe, and upon my rcspen
sibity 10 my constituents Nobody has any connexoi
with control me- and do not intend anybody sha
get into any scrape account of imprudences may b.
sbou, TO commit say this in advance, that may no
nlure good cause by ioludicious advocacy.
The speech OF the gentleman from Kentucky com
menced with thin aud transparent aiecailon OF de
fence OF General Butler defence OF General Butler
Ii the gentleman had forborne to attack others OF BIZ
own party by implication and innuendo and had not gon,
intelligent OF the party and the nation, he had no
proceeded 10 lay down platform upon which not one
fourth OF the party could take position would have
had nothing to say. H. when he had pronounced pane
gyIc upon General Butler, which ranked him with he
roes and demi- gods. he had gone no furberif wher
he had painted with most accomplished and mastery
hand portrait which all would admire beautiful, bu
which could recogniseif the subject had beer
suffered TO rest with this euogy, and the gentleman would
have been content to free his friend from all impula