The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-12
TIL L r EP U,BLIC.
SPEECH OF nov. $. ". PARKER,

On The Compromise, the Public Lands, the
Coa,,aon Schools, aud Coloni:dtion, DELHI
cred in the House Of Representatives .ApriI
2s, 1852
The Bill TO encourage Agriculture, Commerce,
Manufactures, and all other branches of Industry,
by granting 10 every man who Is the head Of a
family, and citizen Of the United States, Home
stead OF hundred and sixty Of land out of
the public domain, upon condition Of occupancy
and cultivation OF the same, for the period therein
specified, being under consideration in Committee
OF the Whole
Mr.. PARKER said:
Mr. CmAiRmAS: Iam gratfed that Ihayc OBJ
tanned tile floor at lost. And after much Of that
tribulntion that seems TO have become the common
law Of this House, IA such cases made and provid-
ed, | now deem myself particularly fortunate that
am let into the arena on this day. had Intended
10 have addressed the committee exclusively on the
subject oscnsbly before us--the Homestead bill and
the Public Lands--bui the events of yesterday and
this morning have compelled me To partially change
my mind. regard this limitless range Of discuss
sion as promouve Of little good and much evil; but
the Ter loci will Justify me here, and shall trust TO
the country and an indulgeDt constituency 10 allow
me, so long as ! remain at Rome, and when the oc-
cason may seem to REQUIRE II, TO do as Romans do.
Legitimate debate, II strikes me, IN the council
chamber, where practical men commune, should
for the time being be confined the same practical
end. But, sir, into what far-of region, what terra
incogniia, have we not wandered during the many
days of this miscellaneous yet magnificent debate I;
Bewildered, as have sometimes been, with the
myriad of objects, Of thoughts, and ftncies, that
it has from time 10 time conlured up the remen-
brancc OF passage in my early life has frequently
passed before me.
Nearly quarter Of a century ago, was travel
ling over that mighty wilderness without wood
that stretches away from my own State, through
Illinois, towards the setting sun. From early morn
.inu q N n ey /
out upon that great plan without the sight Of tree,
or bush, or shrub, 10 indicate spot where the
pioneers campfire might be kinded for rest and
refreshment, and where he might again take his
latitude and departure for the long sought site Of
his intended home. You may well suppose that
it was tedious day, and, as il wore 10 its close,
full of anxiety.
And now, sir, after listening to the counsels and
following the lead of others so long, in passing over
the Grand Prairie-ifyou will allow the hgurc-of
this debate, and having at length obtained the floor,
| feel like were approaching 'the timbern--about
TO emerge from the widering waste, where, by
noting the of the streams, the range Of the
hills and the moss upon the trees, as the pioneer
does, ] may determine my present position, and
''blaze" the way would travel.
Mr.. Chairman, | cannot omit noticing few
things in the speech of the worthy and distn-
guishcd gentleman from Georgia (Mr. SrEPHEss)
on yesterday, and certain manifesto find IN the
Republic this morning, addressed "To the Wings
of the United States," by some ten a dozen hon.
orable gentlemen, members Of this House. feel
myself and that portion Of the Union whence ]
come, so involved in these matters, that do not
deem myself at liberty to pass them by at this juno
ture
Sir, there is no one thing, presume, that the
public man desires more, than that his record may
not only be clean, and SO kept, but that II may no
appear to all men. presume there 10 nothing that
every gentleman here ,ovets so much ss he does
the public belief that his course has been, and is
straight one, and that he has good reasons for the
course he has pursued.
am here, Mr.. Chairman, from district some
what peculiarly situated. IL has had within IL an
unusually large third party-a Free soil party, 90
called. They have held the balance Of power IN
heir hands, and would again, should they deem u
a duty they owe TO themselves and the country TO
organize, and throw themselves, as body, into
the embrace Of either Of the two great parties. And
am here, as have good reason to believe, be-
cause large numbers Of all parties there, and very
large majority Of my constituency, had confidence
that would be true TO them, TO the Constitution,
its compromises, and the spirit thereof-true TO the
Union--in word, that would not misrepresent
them. ! am here mainly on the ground Of the mat
ter so ably discussed by my friend from Georgia
OIL yesterday-on the ground OF the matter which
has brought out the manifesto OF this morning.
do not intend 10 be misunderstood, or misrep-
resented in this behalf shall my people, II in
my power to prevent IL. do not--l cannot be-
lieve that gentlemen here-and esteem every
member such-wil wilfully wantonly post
up me mine. am sure we have been placed IN
false position. IL Is my purpose u rectlfy that.
And that is not all in this connexion. have no
little anxiety, which reache,, trust, above and be
yond me or minc. II is for the harmony Of the
whole couniry-the perpctuty Of the Constitution
and the Union. For that have struggled long.
And so long as have country, and life remains,
with Gods blessing will not give over.
And now, sir, address myself to this manifesto.
The signers Of this paper my friends, believe,
oil Of them. know them to he gentlemen OF in
tegrity and honor. But they have taken it upon
themselves, Il seems, amongst other things in this
paper, not only TO Indicate their own position, but
the position Of other gentlemen who met with
them, in private meeting in this CAPITOL few
evenings ago, in reference 10 u settled question
nbout which the American people have felt, and
still feel, deep interest find my name enrolled
here upon the face OF this document, IN connexion
with the names Of several honorable gentlemen.
They arc entirely competent to take care Of them
selves; will endeavor to do the same for myself
l make no complaint Of tho mere exposure Of my
name, my position, my counses, in any meeting,
be It public or private; but cannot be placed IN
a false light and remain silent. ] wish, therefore,
10 enter my protest, and am happy in having the
opportunity Of doing at this carly hour, against
the deductions gentlemen have been pleased to
make in this paper, ~ 30 far as they involve me-
I am not willing that position shall be assigned
20 me, in matters vital 10 the peace, the harmony,
OF my felow-citizens, if not the existence Of this
Government that both my head and heart repu-
dlate.
shall not consume the time Of the committee IN
reviewing this article IN detail. My purpose will
be subserved, by directing attention TO some half
dozen lines, which read 10 these words:
Regarding the vote on GESrRy's amendment as
the emphatic declaration by the mecting either that
the persons present remained uncommted az to
their support of the adjustment measures or
that they refused establish any such test Of the
qualification Of the nominee Of the National Con-
ycntion, no course remained" &c.
Now, sir, that is not my position by any means.
| stand here committed to the support Of the adj
iustment measures and because | so stood before
my constituents, il was, above all other things,
that they sent me here And, sir, before them,
established for myself that test the "quafca-
ZION" for my candidate for the presidency, let him
be presented to me by National Convention or
in any other mode But, sir, | do not 60 TO a
National Convention 10 learn what my politics,
my principles, my obligations to my country
claim the privilege, as an American citizen, as a
Wing, TO adjust those matters for myself am
very sure shall allow no such irresponsible body