The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-05-30


organizing for our action members OF Congress"
What sir, could establish power or prescribe duties
or dictate votes on any subject by the result OF me eau
cusl No, We could determine what we regarded as a
principle on which we should associate politically as
members OF the same political organization; and this
much claim had the same right 10 do IN the caucus
OF the 9th OF April the OF the Goth OF April,
whether we met with without limitation upon the
objects for which we had assembled My colleague.
however, begs the whole question IN his speech; for he
says;
Had the honorab BILE gentleman offered resolution Of
endorsement, before after Mr., SrAELYs and not &
amendment thereto, would have voted for for thought
members that might consider and adopt such
resolution expressive of etr views. and without
any reference 10 the National Convention"
Without arguing the power or rights OF a caucus any
further, reply, that had the gentleman looked at
my resolution as II was offered, be would have seen
without in the slightest manner attempting 10 refer TO
the determinations OF the National Convention, except
80 far as TO indicate how lar "our own views will
bind 10 the result If as members OF Congress and
gentlemen, we could not pass the resolution offered
~ expressive OF our own views" how the dele
gates to National Convention pass resolutions Eek
Mangum. in the chair OF that convention, tell those dele
gates that i is against the usage of the wing party TO
adopt platform OF principles and that precedent es'ab-
ahes the parliamentary law which merely requires the
candidate nominated to write letter stating his views
and purposes Il is said coming events cast their
shadows before," and God knows how long it may be
before shall have the precedent Of the Goth Of April
pleaded upon extended and more popular theatre
Already the idea has been advanced that there will be
pOpicys HtCcSsIty, VI piuucnCG passing
endorsing the "hnaity of the Compromise through the
Wing National Convention as part OF the whig plat
form.
How easy the transition from such position to the
ruling of resolution 10 be out OF order which establishes
the supposed PLATFORM as being against usage and the OBJ
do the delegates assemble to perform! To select candi-
dates for the presidency and vice presidency Why may
not the president Of the National Convention declare that
this is the only object for which they have met and that
the people will hear the nominee. and judge Of his princi
pies at their own homes, or at the ballot boxl Will il be
REPLIED the delegates assemble to consider all matters of
Importance 70 the welfare OF the party say, so were
we called for the same express purpose The 9th OF
April and yet chairman declared his determination TO
limit the consideration Of the meeting TO the duty Of
fixing time and place" for holding National Conven-
ton, and refused the privilege of expressing
views as TO the extent TO which proposed to commit
ourselves by that act or the basis which will
ling to act for the purpose with others And my col
league stands here 10 endorse the doctrine of that chair
man and free press unmndfu Of The principles such
precedent involves, pronounces condemnation upon
and asperses my motives for resisting it, have had
NO motive but TO assert principle, which solemny
assert that do believe is closely nay insepaably den
tilted this day with the Union OF these States and the
common welfare of my countrymen. II the future shall
exhibit the fatal consequences TO flow from failure to
ensraye that principle now on the administration of pub
lie affairs, and TO require the popular favore for pres
identa honors not only TO avow anywhere and every
where but 10 yield TO its maintenance and acceptance by
the old and the young the infuence-the free, bold
earnest inAuenceof his standing and position; them
though it may be too late for beneficial purposes.
arrest the wreck Of national fortune and the overthrow
10 the ghost OF this glorious Union
Chou cans't not say did it shake
Thy CORY locks at me-"
My colleague says. however, that he would have voted
for my resolution had been offered before after Mr.
STANLYs; but not amendment substitute, for in
that view II was out OF order Whya Did parlamenta
Tian ever hear such reason for SUCH conclusion Be
cause says he, "anoher proposition was then pending"
and the caucus desired 10 proceed decenty and in ORDER
with one proposition at time l cannot argue such
point. Every days practice here, and every days
nrQrf anndor ha Of shptyo thatn
sufciency OF the excuse. We that Senate, some
months since, the deficiency BILL" and il in
posing 10 tack to it .tbe Collins line OF steamers'-
10 pay the expenses of steam line from New York 10
Liverpool out OF the treasury merely mention this to
show the fexbiIiiy OF the rules Of the Senate, when
parliamentary dispositions coinciden with the prop
ositions introduced under those rules There should be
contest on this point OF order Let us take our proper
responsibilities, and stand fairly 10 the positions we design
10 maintain before the people. am ready 10 believe
that my colleague has been mistaken; but he should
frankly say so instead OF assailng me in attempt 10
prove the correctness of his He asserts that
"ran away"-that was deserier-tha abandoned my
resolution when was assured :" II would come up the
next thing in order" and much more oil the same char
acler of assertion.
Mr. chairman need but TO refer 10 the decisions OF the
Chair on that occasion 10 the card OF the president OF
that caucus since published TO the testimony OF all who
witnessed those proceedings up 70 the time my resolu
ton was voted down, and that retired definitely from
the meeting, 10 prove that my colleague has profoundly
mistaken the history Of that memorable transaction No
assurances given to me that my resolution would be
considered by the meeting On the contrary, when re-
tired il with distinct understanding my part that
the vote laying my appeal from the decision OF the Chair
upon the table expressed the definite and fixed conclu.
sion OF the majority present that the Chair had ruled
rectly. and that the time and place for holding National
Convention constituted the only legitimate object for the
consideration of the Whatever assurances may
have been afterwards extended 10 my friend from Ten
nessee [Nr. GEsTRYl by his colleague MI. CuLLoMl
were given without my knowledge, and cannot 10
alter the complexion OF this affair
While II will be impossible to recur 10 the course OF
events with such particularly to display in single
speech the minuiIa OF movements which oonduced 10
awaken In my breast OF the high Importance
OF insisting upon the adoption OF resolution affirming
the compromise measures to be final settlement OF the
questions they embrace, feel that il is due TO my
course to refer 10 OF the leading features the po
ltical history OF the few past months My colleague has
observed that the resolution had been passed in con.
grcssonal caucus at the OF this session Of
Congress, and constituted already part OF the whig
creed III that definitely what possible harm could
have resulted from It's repetition by caucus OF wings OF
both houses!
But my colleague should have remembered to state that
northern gentlemen who in The caucus TO which he
refers seeded rather than submit TO the principle OF
the resolution, and ha, they Immediately afterwards
publicly repaid aied forming any part OF the wbig
creed proessed by the majority OF noHRrn wings They
did mol agree that II constituted proper link in po
echism The subsequent vote on the resolutions OF the
gentlemen from Georgia afforded persuasive evidence
thai The seceders from the wing at the commence
ment oil the session estimated the determination Of north
srn wings correctly. Further far as members OF
Congress could establish by votes the tendencies OF their
constituencies their own, that vote left me, and TO
other wings from the saveholding States evidence