The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-06-15

time Of the House by a defence of the course |
uought IL my duty TO pursue on late occasion,
when souniefn man ruled il to be out OF order, or
osurpaiion Of authority, for Wing caucus,
called 10 consult on questions Of interest to the
party" to entertain proposition to endorse the
Compromise measures, for the Wing members
there assembled to express their individual OpiR.
IONS on these important measures.
But desire to say a few words on the subject Of
the action OF the first Wing Sir, the reso-
luton of that caucus honestly adopted; and
believe the great mass of the Wing party, North as
well as South, rejoiced at its adoption 1t was
resolution sustaining the policy Of the Whig Pyesi-
dent II became the platform Of the party, and party
men everywhere, who not thoroughly
committed to Freesoilsm that there was no retreat,
were ranying to its support. have no doubt it
not certain southern politicians failed to stand
firmly by it, and yielded to the earnest entreatcs
or demands of northern men to abandon ii, or at
least 10 pass il by in silence.
The anti. Compromise men Of the North gene
rally entertained vindictive feeling for MIR. Fill
more, because he had exerted hls personal and
official influence to prevent their proposed outrage
OF the constitutional rights OF the South. and main
tanned policy in no way sectional, but essential
to the preservation of the Union. They declared
that they would not vote for him. for any one
publicly committed to the policy of his Admins
tration while the South had generally declared
that it would support none but such candidate
There have been found southern men who are
willing to yield to this anti slavery influence, and
W
nobly done his duty to the whole country, for the
candidate of the anti Compromise men and Free
sellers. Sir, Mr.. Filnore's policy, know, 10
in opposition to the general sentiment OF the north
ern people; yet, / have said, the party was
generally coming up to its support; but when
northern gentlemen saw that southern were
giving away to the northern sectional sentiment,
they could not sustain Themselves. They could
not, on northern ground, defend the rights, and
fight the battles of the South, when southern men
abandoned them and gave said and comfort to
abolition fanatciem Sir, felt the force. and have
no doubt of the truth Of what was said como weeks
ago by the gentleman from New York (Mr.
BRooKO on this subject. 1t 10 within my own
knowledge that members Of this House have been
constrained to withhold their votes to go against
the adoption Of the Compromise resolutions, who
were favorable TO them at the beginning OF the
sion My opinion is, that had HrLLyERs Compro-
mise resolution been offered in December or Janu-
airy, it would have received the vote of large
jority Of the Wings of this House. l may be mis-.
taken, but this ia my decided opinion; and for the
failure Of the Northern Wing party to stand up to
the Compromise, believe southern gentlemen are
responsible Who have shown Willingness to aban-
don Mr.. Fillmore, and other northern patriots like
him, for one who will not publicly advocate the
domestic policy Of the present Administration, and
who il. for that reason the candidate of the men
most inmical to the institutions OF the South.
Mr.. Chairman, think it really to be deplorcd
that the Wing caucus did not adopt the resolutions
OF my friends from Kentucky and Tennessee. l
believe there il less venality and timidity among
the people than among politicians, and that the
Wing masses of the North would have sustained
their representatives in recommending and adopt
ing policy necessary to the peace and quiet of
the country, and absolutely essential to the pres
ervaton of the integrity OF the Wing party. 1t is
very certain, sir, that it is only this basis that
Southern Wings can continue to act with their
former political associates. If Northern Whigs
cannot meet us here; if they resolved to go on
with the slavery agitation, and to repeal the Fugl
tive Slave law the party ought not to be preserved
repeat, have more confidence in the Whig people
than in the political wire puilers who got up and
controlled the last caucus. The bonds which unite
the party have been greatly weakened by the refu
sal Of the Wings in that caucus to express an opin
ion the Compromise. They will be completely
severed should the Whig Convention rspudidte this
policy and nominate man who, on point OF or
der delicacy, any other ridiculous pretext,
has withheld from the public his opinions such
important questions.
Sir, we cannot "agree to disagree" on this ques-
ton. II is rital to rs. Without recognition of
our constitutional rights the MON worthless to
US. How absurd. then, to expect the South to
rihce these rights on the altar Of party! There is
no good and sufficient reason why there should be
q disagreement between northern and southern
men on this subject. The South asks nothing but
a recognition OF its constitutional rights-nothing
but what the Constitution sanctions and guarantees.
And what claim under that Constitution the
North has night to withhold.
The questions OF which i speak have fearfully
agitated this country for years An honorable
Compromise was, with great ditlc ulty, effected.
After full dscussio we made ssttIsnsnf, which
stand. II our northern friends cannot meet us
and stand With MS on that ground, there 10 a!t@
nGtioe but 10 port.
am asked why, after the declarations made in
my speech of the Sd of February. am unwilling
TO vote for General Scott. endeavored then to
give my reasons. In the course OF the remarks al
ready made have plainly indicated other reasons
why he should not be sustained in the position he
has thought proper TO assume. But have few
more words 10 coy this point
The Wings Of every Southern State have, with
II. 49,, ~
support man fer the Presidency who is not pub
licly and uncquivocally committed to the mainte-
nance of the Compromise, and an avowed advocate
OF its hnnty. General Scott refuses portnsoiously
to make this nvowal; and have yet TO hear of the
State convention, or town county meeting, which
has expressed preference for him, with the single
exception of Delaware, which has not at the same
time, expressly repudiated the Compromise or
passed IL over in silence.
We have the right to claim the influence Of the
name Of our candidate This General Scott re-
fuses but suffers himself TO be used by Freesoers,
and his great name to be prosiituted TO the un-
worthy purpose Of promoting the schemes Of Adolf
tioniss. The viiest and most unscrupulous and
Incorporating enemies Of the constitutional
rights Of the South the warmcst supporters Of
General Scott.
Northern Wings were fast coming up TO the
maintenance Of the Compromise, and, "a have
before said, the party would soon have rallied to
the support Of the policy of the present National
Admins trstion, if General Scotts ambition had
not controlled his better Judgment will not say
his patriotism. Sir, IT ia a national calamity that
this dsting uished general, who has done 30 much
10 endcar him TO his countrymon, and 10 enttle him
TO a claim upon their gratitude, should have per
United his name TO be seised and used by SEwAsD,
and his northern and southern coadjutors, TO keep
alive sectional agitation, and to give new life to
the Troesoil and Abolition factions, which. but for
the strength Of bis name, would have sunk into in
significance.
with a paddock on bis lips, and bis principles
in SEwARD's breaches pocket" he stands be-
fore the country the candidate OF the "hgherl law"
party-of men who boast of their readiness to dis
regard the Constitution OF the United States and
the laws of the land, and whose policy and prnci-
piles must destroy that Union which has derived so
much lustrc and true glory from his brilliant mill
tary achievements. How unworthy bis character
10 this position in which his ambition has placed
him How bic proud spirit must have cbafed under
the imposition of terms revolving to a nature
remarkable for unrescrved candor and solderlike
frnnkncss
Whatever may be the pr,vats opinions of Gene
raj Scott, his refusal to make them public leaves
him open 10 misrepresentation: and there can be
no doubt that those who counsel silence intend to
prsoticc fraud on section Of the country, and
hope TO profit by that sectional trie, the fomenta