The daily union., 1852-05-11
MINERS OF COON HOLLOW.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
May 10, 1852.


To the Editor of the Republic:
SIR: friend has called my attention TO an article in
your paper OF Saturday last which such reference
10 justes my asking space in your columns
The article refer TO has been copied at the request OF
the Hon. Ben. Edwards Grey from the Louisville Jour-
nal In justice my friend from Kentucky, Col Grey,
think il right 10 say that know that in asking it's re-
publication he not at all influenced by any desire to
give 10 that comparatively small portion OF II
which referred especially to myself Though none who
know the character Of the Louisville Journal woald
gard under any obligation 10 notice any attack
which might contain. to have any controversy with its
editor yet your having epublshed -and at the request
too Of ahhiy respectable member ot
of the occasion thus offered because desire TO present
some points connected with the action OF the late whig
congressional caucus, which not only necessary TO
my defence, but may also be OF interest to the
public.
Waving therefore, the consideration Of the general
topics which have been fully discussed in the address
Of the seeding members already published, will con-
fine my remarks TO brief statement Of some of the
caucus spy because refused to adopt the precise res
olution offered by Mr.. Marshall by Mr.. Gentry As
stated these propositions did not my opinion 60 as
far they should have done and therefore. proposed
an additional one by way Of amendment. ! also re-
minded the presiding officer that in the caucus held for
o eis g which Gs
ton as 10 whether there should be any National Conven
ton at all entertained as the preliminary proposition,
and that there had been much discussion and various
suggestions relating TO that single question: and that in
fact the first evening OF meeting other subject
taken up for consideration and that 1t was not until
weeks after we by vote Of the caucus had settled
this preliminary question, that the time and place
| of holding the convention were fixed. also argued
that if, in accordance with this former precedent such
question was now entertained we might either deter
mine recommend that there should be convention at
all, recommend it with qualifications conditions.
Though the chairman stated that he well remembered
that such had been the OF proceeding al the time
referred TO, yet he declined to follow that precedent IL
because he decided that he should bold out Of order
any proposition except such related TO the time and
pace-which decision was sustained by the majority
that declined to take further part in the proceedings Of the
| caucus. ~
My reasons, as briefly given and already published,
were as follows | copy them from the Southern Press
/" REMARKS OF Mr. CLrsoMAN IN THE cAucus-Mr.
President the same indulgence is extended to me that
has been given TO other gentlemen during the discussion
Of this point oi order can say all desire to say tS the
few words, because, though agree substantially with
those gentlemen yet neither Of the propositions submit
my friend from Tennessee MIR Gentry1 precisely meets
my views. II is well known that not only voted
against most OF the compromise blls but that have
also voted recently against the resolutions approv
ing them To prevent misrepresentation, therefore, and
in order that my position may be properly understood
have prepared proposition, which intend TO offer
an amendment, additional resolution to any that
might be presented. II not only meets my own views,
but those also OF some other gentlemen here present
Your decision however, ruling the propositions already
presented out Of ORDER undoubtedly embraces this and
therefore will not needlessly your time by press
ing decision it, say, then, that cannot support the
pending proposition TO fix the lime and place for hold
ing National Convention l will not in any mode give
my sanction to the calling OF such aconvenon uncond
tionay. If were to do so should feel myself bound
in honor TO support its nominee am, therefore, will
ing to join in calling it only conditions such
expressed in part by my resolution. am willing that
those gentlemen who desire TO do shall hold con-
venton and present pomnee but shall then decide
for myself whether vote for that nominee or not.
mean TO say that shall not support The individual merely
because he has been nominated by that convention.
1.-The nomination will neither help hurt the person
seeced in my Judgment wsh therefore, 10 be under:
this convention, and do not 10 be bound by its ac
on 70 90 further than my sense Of duty may prompt /
shall hereafter upon full view OF all the circumstances,
determine what ought TO do. NJ
The following is the resolution intended 10 have been
offered: -
Whereas, by the sere. OF measures commonly called
the Compromise California has been admitted into the
Union State the boundary Of Texas has been settled
territorial governments have been established for Uah and
ba has been abolished and these several
been acquescet in ana carried into effect; and whereas
resistance has been made in certain places 70 The execution
Of the fogitveave law, and efforts are be- made 10
effect its repeal or render negative and null
R,.oivsd, That in view OF these things. and na.mpch
as under the constitution Of the United sates we are emil
to require that this latter law shall be and carried
oat ~ good sith and that any National Convention
plain language, declare TO be the purpose said conyen-
shall express his concnrrence In such proposition"
What inconsistency is there between nv present and
former position Is not my resolution true in its state
ment of facls' Those features Of the so-caled Compro
mise which and others at the South have Objected tn
have already been carried into effect California been
admitted State and Texas has given up her reht N
the territory claimed for New Mexico by the North and
Congfess cannot now change this condition of things
The territorial governments OF New Mexico and Utah are
practically Just az secure from repeal and have been car
red into effect So too, il IL with the law abo shing
the slave trade in the District OF Columbia Though
these several measures condemned by myself and
other. from the South yet attempt has been made 10
repeal mem; nor does any expect 10 prevent their
being carried out any way TO defeat their
But now ~ !, with the fugtve-sfave law, which the
southern friends OF the Compromise constantly refer 10
as the equivalent given by the North in exchange for the
concessions made by the South Thore are not only
powerful and organized efforts in the North for its
or modihcaon, but even its execution while standing
on the satuebook has many places ben successfully
resisted At Boston z mob entered the court. house
and while the Judge was sitting on the bench
and in the presence OF the assembled multitude
by force liberated and carried off a fugitive slave
AT Syracuse similar mob rescued another fugitive
from the United States marshal, though he struggled
against them I'LL he was overpowered and his arm was
broken Al Christlaaa the fugves were aided and the
master murdered, by like OF vioaios OF the
law In the great States OF Massachusetts, New York
and pennsylvania, these things were done in open day
and IN ihe presence OF hundreds and yet Of the
wrong -doeTs has been convicted of any offence After
repeated attempts TO prosecute part OF the government
ohcers, they have been obliged to TO discharge
OF the criminals This fact better than hundred wit
nesses proves the state Of feeling which pervades The
popular mind in these localities. II there was not strong
and general sympathy for the criminals some one OF them