The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-14
THE REPU BLIC.
THE PRESIDENCY.
SPEECH OF HON. w. II. WARD,

KENTUCKY,
In the House Of Representatives, .april 7, 1852.
The House being in the Committee of the Whole
on the state of the Union (Mr. HIBBARp in the
chair) on the Homestead bill
Mr.. WARD said
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: rise to address the committee
under some degree OF mbarrassnent originating
from two Consid rat ations: One is that the course
nm determined to adopt in the speech design
king is in violation of all my notions of pro
priety. do not think it proper that should
convert legislative hall into political husiing;
and, in the second place. the bill under considcIa-
ton is one in which take deep and exciting in
terest. 1t is ba, think, of more importance
than any bill that has heretofore been, or will be,
submitted to the consideration Of this House dur
ing this session. II ia, therefore, bill upon which
should have liked to have made a speech direct;
but have resolved to deviate from that course,
owing to thecou pursued by the honorable gen
tlemen from Florida and Tennessee, will pursue
the course to which alluded in my preceding re-
marks. and make political speech, although
much against my desire, and against that rule
which has heretofore regulated my action in legis
lativc assemblies. consider myself forced to this
from the conduct OF the honorables above alluded
to, and therefore the House and country will ex
cuse my departure from the general rule Of my
conduct.
MIR. Chairman, at the commencement of this
session, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. CABELL)
thought proper to commence political debate.
That political debate, and the remarks Ire made
upon that subject, were doubtless prompted by the
best of motives; but looked upon it as tending in
its end to produce consequence not give
strength TO the party to which we both belone al
though, on that OCCASION, think the gentleman
said he belonged to neither vi the political parties,
and that be bad come to this House under the ex
pectation OF being compelled TO act in unison with
the party to which ! am opposed No feeling or
expectation Of that sort operates upon me, Mr..
Chairman; for hope and expect to remain a Wing
in truth and fact, in word and deed, during my
whole life. am not one Of those who believe that
this political controversy in relation to the netu
ton OF slavery, which has originated within the
last few years. and which has brought this once
proud and happy Republic to the verge of dissou
tion, has originated the absolute necessity of Great
ing new party in ord'r to preserve the Union
am one Of those who believe that the destinies OF
this Republic in the hands of two old parties;
and that, if there ID political honesty or firm
in them to sustain md perpeuate this Govern
ment 1t is lost, and no new party can arise that
save il.
Although differ widely, in most measures, from
my political adyersaries, believe that they have
in their bosoms patriotism enough 10 preserve this
Republic. / believe, also, that the Wing party
have love oi principle and country more than sutf
cient for that purpose-enough TO preserve this
Union. and 80 conduct it as TO hand it down. not
only unimpaired, but even improved, to the latest
ages Of postcrity. l. therefore, expect 10 act with
my own party, and share it's fate for veal or wo,
| and never expect to make member OF any new
party, or enlist under Democratic banners
love Wing principles, the Wing name, and It's
noble and inspiring associations, too well TO dc
sert them Ii is the name Of the friend and advo-
cate OF freedom and man in past ages; ii is the
| name under which patriot sires fought for
and gained our national independence and liberty.
do not fear the destruction OF this Republic in
Whig or Democratic hands, any neccs.
sity for forming any new party to save 1t. In
the course OF the remarks made by the honorable
gentleman from Florida. since followed by the
honorable gcntlem,n from Tennessee, whose opin.
| ions worthy Of confederation, they thought
proper TO assail General Scott, (not directly and
boldly, but by insinuations and endoes,) whose
no fofrs 4.
political fricnds, 10 presented in connc1ion with
the next Presidential race. Now, Mr.. Chairman, 4,
| ] am 40 worsbipper OF man. ] have no feeling OF
Partially TO crafty, no enmity TO avebge. have
a deep and abiding love for the great principles
| upon which our party is organized. For them
am willing to do much-yea, all that can honestly
| be done; for ! am satisfied the principles Of our
party are calculated 10 develop the estimatle char
acter Of our institutions and to advance the true
interests, not only Of our own citizens, but OF
every lover OF freedom on the broad earth For
the success therefore, Of our party and principles,
] am forced to take the steps now take, and make
the remarks which now design TO address TO the
| committee.
Ii is true, sir, that have my prejudices and my
partialities as well as any who are Of human
mould and all Of us have them, in greater less
degree; but those partialites and preiudices which
l may posscss shall be sacrificed upon the altar of
my countrys good ] am not disposcd, sir, TO
sacrifice my principles upon the shrine OF par
tiality 10 any man, whether he be the present Ex
ccutive, the one who expects, by the aid Of his
friends, TO be so made. | expect nothing from
Executive patronage; l ask for nothing; hope for
| nothing. IL is only the devotion to these princi-
plea 10 which this gentleman To whom have
| ferred, and myself, arc SO deeply attached, that
induces me TO say any thing upon the present oc-
| cason.
Hr. Chairman, in the present crisis Of our polt-
icai history, believe the gen leman against whom
these insinoations are made Ia the man around
whom the Wing party ought to rally, II they en-.
tcrtain any hope of success in the coming conflict.
I believe IL due to Whig principles, and not TO
| the man; for would do nothing to or for man
that would tend TO injore or joopardize principles
which consider important not only TO the proscr
vstion Of Whig rulenot only 20 the reservation Of
| this Union, the proudest monument Of mans wis.
| dom-but important TO the preservation Of liberty
itself Sir, in this IL may be thought that give TO
this man and these principles more than tberY just
due but II is the honest conviction OF my heart
| and, believing that, could not permit these
marks, although amounting not 10 direct charge,
| to psss unanswered. ] doubt not the purity Of
these gentlemen's motives but TO The policy of
the scts they have performed, and TO the policy
Of the coursc they have thought proper 10 pursue
have doubts; and cannot in silence sec the prn-
ciples for which have labored for the last twenty
years driven TO the wall.
| 1 believe, sir, the real practical question is,
whether we Wings will take scott aud Wing rule,
or Democratic rule for the next four years, and
perhaps, hall n century Although respect my
| Democratic friends, do not wish 10 see the rons
/ of Government pass into their bands, and ! will
do all can to prevent the success of the Demo
crats, because look upon their rule prejudioial
| TO the best interests Of this Government With
! tho best motives, sir, think their policy is bad;
4 With the best intentions, think they will not pro
ducc tho amount OF good which would authorize
us TO trust them with the rens Of Governmentj
and, believing that, army myself rs one who is
opposed to the powers Of tbis Government passing
/ into their hands. The gentlemen from Florida
and Tennessee. and myseli, are southern men,
Who are deeply interested in southern institutions
and the guardianship Of southern interests. What
] IL their objection to General Scotn propose to
examine that question. propose to set down
'nsugbt in malice, nor nothing c1tenuate'' in ref
crenoe to Scott and Fillmore. ] am willing to
compare the records between them. am willing
to compare General Scott with the present Exec
utive in reference TO that matter, and with any
man, whether he be Whig or Democrat. be.
lieve, with my friend from Tennessee, that the
triumphant passing Of the Compromise measure
ought not TO be claimed by either party. IL was
a triumph OF patriotism over party. believe
that patriotic men rallied round the standard Of
their country, forgetting party end. and party DIFF
fcrenoes; but am frank 10 acknowledge, upon this
occa zion, from what has since occurred, that the
sslutary effects Of these measures have not been ss
great the patriots hoped they would be- and that
that peace, the existence OF which Ia so necessary
to the welfare Of the North and South, has
not been produced by them. This makes me