The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-23
speech Of mr.. Marshall, Of california,


IN reply 10 Me speech Of Mr.. Breckinridge, 81
Kentucky.
The House being in the Committee OF the Whole
on the state of the Union, on the bill to encour-
age agriculture, manufactures, and other branch
es of industry, by granting homesteads TO actu
al settlers upon the public domain--and in re-
gard TO the Presidency, American progress, and
in defense Judge Douglas
Mr.. MARSHALL said
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: 1t is not my purpose to-day
to discuss the special order in committee, al
though that is a measure in which take much
interest, and which believe is of great import
ance to the country. But, sir, there has been
delivered upon the floor of this House, by dis
tinguished gentleman from Kentucky, Mr..
BREcKIERIDGE, and member of the Demo-
cratic party, a speech containing sentiments
wholly at variance with those entertain. From
the conclusions to which the honorable gentle-
man has come, am forced to dissent and the
insinuatons as to matters of fact (for the gem
tleman says he makes no charges or accusations)
have been already demonstrated to be unfound-
ed and false. There are many circumstances
which compel me to make some response to this
speech, though there is no member Of this House
more unwilling unnecessarily to occupy the
time of the House or the committee than am.
lNO Vi lluuoC Cdil ulCTB slICtTcly re-
greet that the debate has taken this course, or
that it has arisen at all; no one deprecates
more the consequences which may, and proba-
bly, will, flow from it to the party, than myself
Yet the attack made upon the individual who is,
believe, the favorite of the people, and who |
know is the nominee of my constituents for the
Presidency, and the attack upon those princi-
Piles which regard as the life-blood of American
Democracy, and to which my constituency owes
its existence, calls imperatively for some reply.
believe that discussion of this character
should not be introduced upon this floor, so
long as there is single great measure of pub
lie policy not completed,-so long as there is a
single bill which ought to pass not acted upon, so
long as there is single private claim against
the government not adjudicated. | think all
discussions of this sort are wrong under exist
ing circumstances; but do not propose that
those who do the wrong shall enjoy all the adj
vantage, and would rather consume one hour
of the time of the committee, than permit a
speech containing such political doctrines, or
such personal insinuations as that of the gentle
man from Kentucky, Mr. BREcKMRIDGE,l to 90
forth to the country, even with the negative in
dorsement of my silence. | regret this debate,
because Gifts probable effect on the Democratic
party, and of certain waste of the public time.
1t was prophesied once (and really that propbe-
cy seems approaching fulflmenD by one of the
most learned, acute, and thoughtful of all for
eign commentators upon our country and its
Constitution, that the very thing which is now
happening would happeh-that the Congress OF
the United States would cease to discharge its
constitutional functions as the legislative power
of the nation, and would become, (what it has
not yet become, but what fear it is approach
ing) mere factious, discordant, Unbalanced
inefficient caucus of presidential electors. But
while deprecate such result, and deplore even
the small share ! have in bringing il about,
must insist that all the responsibility rests with
those who have induced the necessity for further
argument.
The State of California, which have the
honor to represent, in part, upon this floor, is
the greatest result of Democratic principles nd
the perfect illustration of Democratic progress
That State owes its very existence TO the doc
trines at which the gentleman from Kentucky
permits himself to sheer, doctrine upon which
he turns all his sarcasm, but to which he adj
dresses no argument, and against which he has
adduced not one clear and manly reason. He
did not venture TO state the question in any fair
or ineligible propositions, nor did he dare to
meet the conclusions logically resulting from
such a statement should not, then. represent
my people il were TO permit the very principles
to which they owe their political existence, TO
be made the subjectmatter for ridicule and scot
| fng, in speeches in the House, without reply.
But further than that, there has come up from
the people Of California one unanimous, univer.
sal, spontaneous expression Of opinion in favor
Of Judge Douglas as the Democratic candidate
for the Presidency, and should not represent
my people If were 10 allow an attack-for the
whole speech was an attack most subtle.
covert, and formidable attack, in its spirit and
tendency throughout-upon Judge Douglas, and
the principle upon which his popularity rests, to
pass unanswered. ] am, for these reasons.
forced to respond, at least, so far as clear and
distinct expression Of my own views and opin.
ions are concerned.
The nomination Of Judge Douglas by the
State Of California is an event of the highest
import, Of the greatest significance, and requires
from the Democratic party 10 Congress, and in
the nation, a graver consideration, and higher
respect, than any other mere State nomination
could possibly receive. Look at the population
Of that country. There is not State in the
Union, not a city, village, or neiphborhood.
which II not represented there; nomination.
therefore, from such State is the highest eyi.
dence and best criterion Of national popularity.
No nomination from any other State carries
with il the same authority, for upon every other
State local interests, State pride, and the thous
and indirect influences which control human nc.
ton, are brought 10 bear California is a great
national convention, composed Of The best ma.
teria, men proven by the test Of emigration 10
be the best, upon whom no sinister or selfish
motive could possibly operate--it is a great un.
packed, uninhuenced, disinterested national con.
vention. There was no bargaining for the po-
sition Of Secretary Of State, then, for California
knows that except the Offices within her own
limits, she has no hope Of Executive patronage.
Being, then, the fullest and fairest national con-
vention, and the best exponent Of national sen.
timent, claim for her expression Of opinion in
favor Of Judge Douglas-unanimou as Il is, 30
Far as il has been expressed and enthusiastic as
I know the feelings Of that people to be towards
him, from personal acquaintance with almost
every Democrat in the State--I say claim for Il
before this House and the country, high au
lhority, infinitely trans.ending any similar ex.
preston Of opinion in any other State
Sir, | shall not lose any portion of my time
l in reading extracts from the speech of the gen.