Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-03-24
SPEECH OF
Hon. Humphrey MARSHALL, of Ky.,
Delivered in the House Of Representatives on the
ian ly1rcb 1870

the floor at three O'Clock, p. NJ was about to pro-
eeed when he was interrupted by
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, who said wish to
make statement, il the committee will allow
me. The Deficiency bill has not been spoken to
at ALL as yet ask the privilege to say a few words
upon that bill this evening in behalf of the Com
mttee on Indian Affairs; and to make brief ex-
PLANTATION IN regard to several estimates made by
the Government, which have been rejected by
the Committee of Ways and Means. hope this
committee will hear me this evening, and by
unanimous consent that my friend from Kentuc-
! ky may proceed with his speech tomorrow NOR
ming.
lCries of"Agreed!" "Agreed!"1
Mr.. MARSHALL. Surely, | should have no OBJ
| Jecton to such a course, if it were III the power
OF this committee to allow me to proceed to-mor-
| row. But the House has ordered this debate to
close at four o'clock this evening. Can the Com
mittee of the whole make any arrangement out
| ofthe scope Of the order of the House!
The CHAIRMAN. By the order of the House
the debate must close at four O'Clock this day. and
| it is already past three.
Mr.. MARSHALL. While am thankful for the
desire manifested by my fellow members to afford
me more pleasant opportunity to address the
committee, think it will be my duty to proceed
at once. 1t is unpleasant to be compelled to tax
the patience of gentlemen; already wearied by
the protracted session OF to-day; but, under the
orders of the House, shall have no other oppor-
tunity; and as the public business presses, with
the sanction ofthe Chair l will submit some OBJ
servations now. Whatever apology may be due
| to the committee or the country for the consump-
ton of time will be found in the necesstywhich
has been imposed upon his Wing colleagues
by a speech which was pronounced in this Hall
a short time since, by the talented member from
the Ashland district Of Kentucky. Certain obser-
vations of the member from Florida Mr. CABELL)
supposed to be calculated to affect injuriousy the
political fortunes of friend and favorite feow-cit-
izen OF my colleage, brought him forward, as he
said III that speech, Ga copy of which lies before
me,) ''to vindicate the action of the kentucky
Democracy, and, coaterally, to justify their
choice
In the discharge of this self imposed duty, he'd
the honorable member been content to produce
the proofin his possession to vindicate General
Butler from the implication of political duplici-
ty, and even to follow up such vindicaton, by ell
oquent euogy of his life and services, no occasion
would have arisen for reply. But while offer
ing to his favorite the tribute of personal and
political friendship, he chose, under the cover of
acomparison between Mr.. Fillmore and Gen. But
Ter to embrace within the scope of injurious crti-
cism il not of unmerted denunciation, the en-
tire Southern Wing party. If a mere suggestion
by the member from Florida-that the existing
opinions of William o. Butler touching slavery
were not known and therefore he might be sup
|
misconception of their exact tenor-was sufficient
proyocation to induce my colleague to enter upon
''the vindicaton Of the Kentucky Democracy, and
collaterally, oftheir choce;' with how much more
reason will reply now be required of some Wing
member from kentucky, to prevent the unflvora-
bic conclusions likely to.flow from tho assault of
my colleague upon that man who is the choice of
the Kentucky Wings as well as upon the conduct
ofthe whole Southern Wing party!
shall not participate in the contest which has
| been carried on inthe presence Of this House for
the past ten days. Gentlemen of the other side
ofthis Chamber entirely competent to the ad-
justment ofther own family jars. Though Gen.
Butler is my constituent, and, therefore, entitled
to my attention upon proper occasions, I recog-
Mise the fact that his interests are in hands
more competent than mine to do them justice
before the tribunal of Democratic opinion. I
will remark, however, that long acquaintance
| with William O. Butler enables me to say Of him
and it affords me pleasure thus publicly to say
| Il never have entertained the idea for moment
that he would be tame and quiet tool in the
| hands of any setof men. | have never heard dis
stimulation attributed to him by political foes or
| personal enemies. [ believe him to be manly,
straig htforward and honorable charac ter, conspc
for the purity ofhs private life; and his del
ity to every observance of personal honor, which
is not only unstained by reproach, but above
suspicion. Whatever political opinions he may
CANNOT QOuDGCn sincerity WIN Wn1cn
he maintains them, or the candor with which he
will always express them for, though we are po-
litical adyersaries separated by opinions which are
irreconcilable, [ must say, that [ do not believe
any office could present prize sufficiently pre-
cious and tempting to compensate VIM. O. Butler
to stoop todeliberate deceit. Twas not surprised to
see his letter; for calculated upon something from
his pen which would state his true position. Think
| however, that even my honorable colleague does
| define clearly is vie and tbatt] ,a
remarks [ shall make will bring the committee to
the same conclusion.
My colleague (Mr. BRECKENBRIDGE) thought fit |
to compare the votes of Mr.. Fillmore and General
Butler, upon some points connected with the pow
er OF Congress over the matter Of slavery in some
OF its aspects observe thatthe contrast selected
| by my colleague is strong The point of
view presents General Butler and Mr. Fillmore in
direct antagonism to each other upon n grave
question Unconstitutional law. The time and ques-
| ton for each being the same [ admit that the
friends ofeither may fairly institute the COMPARE
son. My colleague specifies against Mr.. Fillmore
| thus
"Att commencement ofthetwenty sixth Con-
gress, Mr.. Wise of Virginia, submitted resolu-
tion that all petitions, memorials, and resolutions
for the abolition of slavery of the slave trade in
the States. Territories, Or Districts, ofthis Union
should be considered objected to, and the ques-
ton ofreception laid upon the table wthoutdebate.
Thereupon, instantly, Mr. Fillmore, of New Y ork,
stated that if it was necessary to object the
luton, he objected. Upon motion to suspend the
rules for its introduction, find the name of Will
liam O.. Butler recorded in the affirmative, and the
names of Messrs Adams, Giddings, Fillmore, &c.
&C., in the negative
Now, sir, the direct inference from these re-
marksis that my colleague comedies with the view
of Mr. Wise, as presented by his resolution That
view denies to the citizen the right to petition for
any legislation by Congress respecting slavery
the slave trade, because it is not in the compe-
tency of Congress to act upon the question in any
aspect.
1t is clear that where Congress possesses the