The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-05-30


estimate my colleague placed upon that scene Tut 4 they
should be compelled rely II Tor the facis they Will
die in otter OF the proper history Of that caucus
and Of the motives which animated those who retired
from IL Sir bis Of the proceedings Of that eau
ce Is series OF gross mlsapprshensons OF ue facts
which did transplfe. and will mIsIs ad all who rely upon
H. The honorable member very possibly considered The
introduction OF my resolution improper but that cannot
justify the statement 10 the county that the resolution was
exhibited with view OF debating 10 the Wing National
Convention platform Of polite aprncpss Tor their adop-
hon That such charge 10 nnenabes manifest on The lace
OF the resolution by It's express terms indeed is plain
that the resolution refers the members Of Cong alone
and !. was drawn having guarded ssin.sge 70 AVOID
drawn from H. The parry newspapers have repeated ihe
charge as il originally issued by The letter
writers from this Capitol Tor editors only obtained the
by the telegraph before their articles written
rely upon the candid among their fraternity 10 correct
the mistake, and 10 do justice when generally they
shall have discovered IT, as perceive several IN the
West and South have already done My colleague must
have heard all that passed between the honorable prcs
ducinx the resolution and desiring protest
against the application OF such principle BY northern
geallemenand with these lights to guide his observa-
ton respectfully submit this House and the country
that he disable for the circulation and retera
lion OF the charge that il dictatoal in its terms and
insulting TO the delegates 10 the Wing National consen-
ton.
il has not been mentioned heretofore yet il is most
worthy OF obser walton and remembrance that the oPpo
son TO my resolution first presented upon the prin
chile OF the resolution. To make this plain, will recur
to the current OF the debate In the first After some
conversation between the gentlemen present upon the pro-
priety OF an adjournment numerous at
tendance, and several suggestions that the time and
place for holding National Convention would alone
ihs time and place wee 6xedl desired TO submit the
resolution Tor adoption by those
who TO participate in the proceedings, az proper
mode OF determining who had The right TO fix the time
and place for the holding Wing National Conven-
ton. referred to the occurrences attending the pas
ss so ~, 10 my aadsrsa"dns, the
of this session IS the basis OF association and Of
ganizaiion among wing members Of Congress; 70
the presence OF gentlemen who had seeded from that
rather TO submit to that principles and 70 the repu
diaton OF il by them IN open session here and their pub
lie declaration that the northern wing msmosIs wo.
tial 10 wing organization spoke OF test votes which
seemed 10 confirm their view, and Of my own idsa that
Of the wing party. The discussion which ensusd imme
dately merely tho proprsty Of Introducing
such resolution a such place and time II was oppo
sition to the principle OF the neutrality-suspicious. 10
the acceptance OF any such requisite TO the wing organ
zaiion-and then il that the doctrine was advanced
BY distinguished member from the North laa' me ,,ae
debate my friends from Tennessee, [Mr. GEETayl
from North Carolina [Mr; OurLAw.] from Mary
and from Florida, [N1r. CasELI.l mingled coming to
my aid the psopo onhs only vital, real proposition
have o"s Ss
bers OF Congress maintain oganZatioo because IS
essential to national whig organization. Il was at the
caucus ls n,imased hs would decide he resolaon il
offered 10 be out Of order Then the tactics Of op
ponents At changed We heard no more debate that
night afterwards the principle the whole north
ern opposition rzying TO the support OF the chair, pre-
seated their front Immediately on the question OF order
and awaited themselves Of The active support o. my col
league and others, who, they assert were with me en-
the principle. bur against me on the question OF order
From the moment that the chairman made that extraod
nary decision, we heard no more opposition to the prIn,
cpie OF the congressional csscus resolution On, no!
now readiness TO support VS. q once avowed-n II
only was in onier
My proposition was first suggested an original. sub
stantve independent proposion--o proceeds the resolu
ton fixing and pIaceand il was ~ such that Mr.:
| MaNGUM declared he would rule its introduction ont OF
order and beyond the competency Of the meeting TO
slider This hs first decision. II enabled the oppo
OF the comprcmse measures 10 make false issue
before the country II had the effect TO raise squaooe
about order and to under parliamentary gbbersb.
OF which me people understand very hule that great
sussGd which lies At the base Of s public and o.
people do feel the lvees anxiety and the deepest con
Germ. ! entirely that the honorable chairman
| practice and ordinarily his decisions would command
great respect They entitled to great respect But
his standing paramensrian, and that character he
has earned IN long public fe conspred to invest the ex
aordnary decision which be made that occasion with
solemn importance. when connected with the instant
change tactics Of the opponents Of the principle ofmy
resolution. the dangerous position saw The IA
cihty with which il would be defended and covered by
the panoply Of high parliamentary reputation; saw that
there 10 be southern as well as northern opposition
to the adoption Of the proposition had suggested. My
colleague says he would have voted for the principle Of
my resolutions but he at length against as beng
out OF order His is 10 point The facility with
which such view could be enforced indicates the danger
Il apprehended do not state-sr, do not insinuaic
there existed an intention anywhere to betray the South
Il do intend TO asperse the motives OF any from
either South or North. intend merely to show how the
decision 10 this case invested the proceedings with a
4 more solemn importance, my estimation. than had
heretofore attached to hem, by a6ordnx TO those who
are opposed TO the principle OF my resolution the oppor
tunity OF gathering votes on parliamentary question,
which they could not possibly have obtained the
merits at the time by waving the vital question.
and leaving the agitation free to spread through the North
in the approaching a. bre in the heather
II am next TO reply to the query What was the use
OF offering the resolution csacus' What had congress-
men to do with ni Why not leave the principle you
deemed vital 10 be asserted BY the delegates to the
National Convention, who would come from the body OF
the people to settle the principles on which the party
should unite
win group thHne inquiries in order to answer them
specifically, for fNeknowIedge their pertinsncy.
Members OF Congress are ia one sense
Of the people, AZ much delegates 10 National
Convention Their associated action in political matters
desgnates and il everywhere accepted indicating the
tendencies OF party Bot members OF Congress are,
least citizens and entitled reemen, 10 the expression
OF opinion and 10 qualify their acts by limiting the
extent to which they intend bind themselves by those
acis They had right ultimately to bind the party--no
right 10 dictate the National Convention platform oi
prncpIebu the ohef hand, neither the party The
National Convention possessed The right power bind
them without Their own free consent Ny political princI-
pies established by the win Aat OF National
i Convention, any other sort OF conventon--by a
IRON my reflection, and the responses OF my
/ t,d0 he uh ~ n