The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-19

- - ~ y fES "a
eeythist TO nv II relation to him, want ID
ear y His 1ecof~ is - clean, as clear, ~ de-
csnsib'& as Tat dfany man who has bssn &c
long aud 80 2enspicuouely in public life. His
poIitiaul and Iersonal ciitacter, from childhood
up ia open = 3he investigation of every one II
charges are to 30 made, ask that they may be
made publicly and openly am ready to dis
cuss with any gentleman, anywhere, the claims,
the merits, the political integrity, the personal
integrity, honor, and high bearing OF the dis
tinguished Senator from my own State. Iseek
to shield him from nothing. | ask no conceal
ment in his behalf M .et E
The gentleman from Kentucky, in his remarks
the other day, said:
snow, let me give brief history of this mat
ter. There was gentleman, able, full Of tall
ent, full of activity, particular partisan and
friend-as he had right to be- of a particular
gentleman mentioned in connection with the
Presidency that gentleman went to the State
of Kentucky upon political pilgrimage last fall,
the object of which was ! suppose, to drive
General Butler from his own soil-to dishonor
him at home, by fastening upon him a corrupt
political intrigue; but meeting there the same
fate as befel those who went to drive the Nc
Gregor from his native hearth, he came back
and bought up the Democratic Reuie,0 for a po-
lital partisan paper fol the campaign, and with
no names at the masthead, that Reuie,p is now
pursuing course fatal to the Democratic
party, as it is false and unfair.
"Mr. Chairman, every man, whether he be a
Wing or Democrat, has right to be candi-
date for every offce--that being one of the ele-
ments of freedom in this cOuntry-and no man
ought to be blamed for the misconduct of his
friends, unless he connives at it. The individu-
ais assaed in this paper, either coverlly or by
name, are Cas-, Buchanan, Butler, Houston--iu
fact, all the candidates. except the distinguished
Senator from Illinois, Mr.. Douglas, who seems
| to be particular favorite."
| Now, wish to ask the gentleman from Ken.
lucky if he intends that it shall be inferred from
his remarks that this pilgrimage was had by the
advice, procurement, or consent of Judge Doug.
las!
| Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE. | do not know
| whether the gentleman from Illinois proposes to
ask me series Of questions in the course of his
speech. If he does, desire to say now that the
gentleman may go on with his speech, draw
whatever differences he chooses from my remarks
as here reported, and, as the matter will assume
somewhat the form of personal explanation,
will afterwards ask, what believe is the Ordi-
nary courtesy of the House. the favor ofmaking
an explanation in reply. | will say, however
in direct reply to this question, that did not
intend to intimate that Judge Douglas was cog
infant of that movement or stimulated it.
spoke of it as a fnct--a fact proceeding from a
particular friend, and particular partisan of that
distinguished Senator. Ispoke of it in connex.
ion with other facts subsequently occurring; in.
deed, l would have to read my whole Speech
and comment on every portion of it, in order to
explain the connection. | gave the gentleman
an opportunity, as he had requested me to do,
to relieve Judge Douglas. | told The gentle
man, and others who came to converse with me
on this subject, that intended in my speech to
notice the course Of the Democratic Repie,c, be-
cause thought that there was a wide distinction
between the ordinary partisan papers Of the day,
and periodical Of that kind, protesting to dis
cuss only general principles, as it had done pre-
viousy The gentleman requested me, when
came to that part of my remarks, to afford him
an opportunity to make an explanation that
would entirely disconnect Judge Douglas from
he ReDieW in every respect. told him would
do so, and the reason mentioned Judge Doug
las at all was this: the gentleman from Illinois
was sitting beside me, and when got to the
end of the first paragraph which he has read,
turned to him in order that he might make the
disclaimer, according to the understanding be-
tween us; he remarked, soto uoce you have
said nothing yet which would authorize me to
rise," and then mentioned Judge Douglas as
the gentleman who seemed to be the particular
lavorite ofthe conductors of the Repie,o
Mr.. RICHARDSON. do not propose to
catccbise the gentleman from Kentucky. have
stated that my object is to vindicaie, not to as
sail; and intend to carry it out. am glad to
know that the gentleman from Kentucky acquts
Judge DOUGLAS of all participation in that move.
ment.
Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE, Gnterrupting.) have
stated distinctly that made no charge, either
that Judge DOUGLAS was cognizant of, or stim
ulated the political pilgrimage to Kentucky, to
which referred That was what stated
Mr. RICHARDSON. understand the gen
tleman's aoquttal of Judge DOUGLAS to be only
in relation to that pilgrimage
Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE. make no charges
and no acquttals. make statement of facts
that are facts; and | afforded the gentleman
from Illinois Mr.. RICHARDSON an opportunity
to explain. He arose and explained. There is
my speech there is his explanation. He deems
it unsatisfactory and rises now to explain still
further. make no charges, acquit nobody, |
charge nobody. 1t is in the hands of the gen.
tcman from Illinois.
Mr.. RICHARDSON. There is no desire
upon my part to bring about any controversy
between the gentleman from Kentucky and my
self. | have stated distinctly what my object
was, and | will state to the gentleman from
Kentucky, in the utmost candor, and utmost
frankness that it is not at all times the most ad-
vantageous way to say | directly charge thing.
Now, | would rather they would say charge
you with such and such things, than to say by
inuendo, by insinuation, what they are not viii.
ling to say directly. Now, sir, want to say in
reply to this matter-and say it here by auth
orty-that SO far as this pilgrimage il concern
ed, of which the gentleman speaks, Judge Dou-
GLAs knew nothing about it, assented to it in
no way, nor did he connive at it in any way.
The gentleman says he acquits of nothing, be-
cause he charges nothing The extract which
have read does su ject Judge DOUGLAS to the
imputation of aiding and procuring this pilgrim
age to be made, and the purchase ofthe Repiew.
This is charge When an opportunity is af-
forded the gentleman to relieve Judue DouCI A q