The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-11
HOUSE OF RrpansrsrArlvEs May 10. 1882

Gle in your paper Of Saturday last, which makes
such reference to me as justifies my asking some
space in your columns. The article refer to has
been copied. at the request of the Hon. Ben. Ed
wards Grey, from the Louisville Journal. In JUS
tice to my friend from Kentucky, Col. Grey,
think it right to say that know that in asking its
republication he was not at all influenced by any
desire 10 give currency to that comparatively small
portion of it which referred especially to myself
Though none who know the character of the Lou
isyle Journal would regard me as under any obli-
cation to notice any attack which it might contain,
or TO have any controversy with It's editor yet your
having rcpublshed it, and at the request. too, OF
highly respectable member Of Congress, places the
matter in different light | avail mysclf, there
fore, OF the occasion thus offered because desire
to present some points connected with the action of
the late Wing Congressional Caucus, which are not
only necessary to my own defence, but may also be
OF interest 10 the public. E,
Waving, therefore, the consideration of the gen.
eral topics which have been so fully discussed in
the address of the seeding members already pub
lished, l will confae my remarks to q brief state
ment of some of the essential points In the first
place, did not leave the caucus simply because it
refused to adopt the precise resolution offered by
Mr. Marshall or by Mr.. Gentry AS stated,
these propositions did not, in my opinion, go
J,
l proposed additional one by way of amend
ment. also reminded the presiding officer that
in the caucus held for similar object four years
ago, at which the same gentleman, my colleague,
Mr.. Mangum, presided, the question as to whether
there should BE- any National Convention 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 nrst evening Of our meeting no
other subject was taken up for consideration; and
that it was not until some weeks after we, by a
vote of the caucus, had settled this preliminary
question, that the time and place OF holding the
convention were fixed. also argued that II, in
accordance with this former precedent such ques-
ton was now entertained, we might either deter
mine to recommend that there should be no con-
yenton at all, or recommend i with qualifications
or conditions. Though the chairman stated that
he well remembered that such had been the course
Of proceeding at the time referred to, yet he de-
clncd to follow that precedent II was because he
decided that he should hold out OF order any propo
sition except such related to the time and place,
which decision was sustained by tho majority, that
declined to take further part in the proceedings OF
the caucus.
My reasons. as briefly given and already pub.
1ished, were as follows copy them from the
Southern Press of April "a:
.sREMAaKs OF Ma. CLINGMAN IN THE CAUCUS
Mr. President, If the same indulgence Is extended to
me that has been given to other gentlemen during
the discussion of this point Of order, can say all
desire to say to the meeting. tis the more neces-
sary that | should offcf q few words, because,
though agree substantially with those gentlemen,
YET neither q the PrOposiiions submitted ~ my
friend from Tennessee, (Mr Gentry) precisely
meets my own views. 1t is well known that not
only voted against most OF the Compromise bills,
but that have also voted more recently against
the resolutions approving them TO prevent mis-
representation, therefore, and in order that my
position may be properly understood. have pre-
pared proposition, which intend to offer as
an amendment an additional resolution to
fhafr oh hp led not
my own views, but those also OF some other gen.
tlemen here present. Your decision, however,
ruling the propositions already presented out Of
order, undoubtedly embraces this, and therefore
will not needlessly consume your time by pressing
a decision on it. cay, then, that cannot support
the pending proposition to fix the time and place
for holding a National Convention. ! will not in
any mode give my sanction TO the calling OF such
convention Internationally. If were to do SO
should feel myself bound IN honor to support it's
nominee. am, therefore, willing TO join in call
ing il only on conditions such as are expressed In
part by my resolution. ] am willing that those
gentlemen WHO desire to do 80 shall hold a con-
vention and present a nominee; but ! shall then
decide for myself whether vote for that nominee
not. mean to cay that shall not support the
individual merely because he has been nominated
by that convention.
1.-THE nomination will neither help nor hurt the
person selected. in any Judgment. wish, there
fore, 10 be understood rs neither advocating nor
opposing the cahing Of this convention, and do not
mean 10 be bound by its action to go further than
INV sense of duty may prompt / shall hereafter,
upon a full view Of all the circumstances, deter
mine what ought TO do.
sThe following is the resolution intended to have
been offered:
"Whereas, by the series Of measures commonly
called the Compromise, California has been ad-
United into the Union a State, the boundary OF
Texas has been settled, territorial governments
have been established for Utah and New Mexico,
and the slave trade in the District Of Columbia has
been abolished, and these several measures have
been acquiesced in and carried into effect; and
whereas resistance has been made in certain places
TO the execution Of the Fugitive Slave law, and cf.
forts arc being made TO effect ts repeal, render
negative and null ito provisions: Therefore
"RssolUed, That in view Of these things, and in.
asmuch as, under the Constitution Of the United
States, we are entitled 10 efficient Fugitive
Slave law. that have right TO require that this
latter law shall be sustained and carried out in good
faith, and that any National Convention nominal
ing Presidential candidate shall, in uncquivocal
and plain language, declare il TO be the purpose Of
said convention faithfully 10 carry out this law,
and that lie nominee shall express his concurrence
In sucha proposition"
What inconsistency lie there between my present
and former positionsS j. not my resolution true.
in its statement OF facts? Those features Of the
called Compromise which and others at the South
objected 10 have already been carried into effect.
California has been admitted a State. and Texas
has given up her right 70 the territory claimed Tor
New Mexico by the North, and Congress can
not now change this condition OF things. The
territorial governments of New Mexico and Utah
are practically just secure from repeal, and have
been carried into effect So, too, IL IL with the law
abolishing the slave trade in the District OF Colum.
bia. Though these several measures were con-
demned by myself and others from the South, yet
no attempt has been made 10 repeal them, nor does
any one expect 10 prevent their being carried out.
or in any way 10 defeat their operation. Bot how
is Il with the Fugitive Slave law, which the south
ern friends Of the Compromise constantly refer
to as the equivalent given by the North in cx-
change for the concessions made by the South
There are not only powerful and organized ef.
forts in the North for its repeal or modification,
but even its execution, while standing the stat
ute book, has in many places been successfully re-
sisted. At Boston mob entered the court house, >
and while tho judge vas sitting on the bench, and
in the presence of the assembled multitude, by
force liberated and carried Oft fugitive slave. AZ
Syracuse similar mob rescued another fugitive
from the United States marshal, though he strug
gied against them till he was ovcrpow cred, and bis
arm was broken AtChristana the fugitivcs
aided, and the master murdered, by like con-
course Of violacrs OF the law. In the great States
Of Massachusetts,, New York, and Pennsylvania,
these things we're done in open day, and in the
presence Of hundreds. and yet one Of the wrong
doers bas been convicted Of any offence. After re.
pested attempts TO prosecute part Of the Govern
Inent officers they have been obliged TO consent TO
the discharge Of the criminals. This fact, better