The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-17


iul of the Union party, for perhaps the gentleman
is aware OF the fact that acted and co-operatcd
with that party during the last Congress.
Mr.. BROOKS rose to point OF order. lie felt
II 10 be his duty TO do 80. in view OF the public bu
siness and asked for the reading of the thirty first
rule.
Mr.. MoMULLEN. viii you state to which
gentleman you apply your point OF order?
Mr.. BROOKS. Both Of you.
The rule was read, and is as follows,
member "sbal confne hirnseli to the question
under debate, and avoid personality"
Mr. BROOKS said that he had made this point
OF order under the pressing necessity Tor transact
ing the public business The debate is not on tire
Dehciency Dill. but on matters relating to political
parties.
The CHAIRMAN decided that the rule, construed
literally; would preH..iu the gentleman from con
t,nus li' .emarks; but. consdc.., ing the uniform
lace OF the Hopsv, he could not undertake TO
rule gentleman out of order. Therefore, he ruled
that the gentleman was in order.
Mr.. BROOKS remarked, he was well aware that
the Chairman had decided according TO the prac-
tice OF this session; but during the last Congress,
three or four occasions, when lmperlous necessi
ty demanded the transaction OF the pubic pusi
ness, the House confined themselves literally to tne
rule, because they found 1t Impossible 10 transact
the public business without resorlng to this course
The CHAIRMAN. If the gentleman desires to
get the sense of the House he can take an appeal.
Mr.. BROOKS. take an appeal.
MIR. HILLYER. trust ! shall be permitted to
proceed.
The question was put and decided IN the Gamma
tive--ayes rs, noes A.
So the decision of the Chair was sustained.
PARTY POLITICS.
Mr.. HILLYER resumed his remarks. He had
no objection to excuse the gentleman from Vir.
GINA; but the same principles and opinions had
been ayowed by others with reference to the Union
party of Georgia. He was proud to say this day !.
on this floor, that, instead OF being composed oil
factions of all arties, from the mountains to the
seaboard, and all along the line, there is not in it
one AboIitonist, not one Frcesoiler, not one man
for n tariff for protection, and, 80 far AS he knew
and believed, there was not one bank man, not
one internal improvement man; bu. all within
that mighty host for strict construction oil
the Constitution, and for the sovereign rights Of
the States.
He then indicated the Union party of Georgia,
showing the causes which led to Its formation,
which was from necessity, founded in patriotism,
and under circumstances beyond their control i;
and, towards the conclusion of his remarks he ia
vored the sending of delegates to the Baltimore
Convention, conceiving that the principles OF the
Democratic party are coeval with those on which
our Government is established.
Mr.. GIDDlNGS addressed the committee against
the Fugitive Slave law, slavery in the District Of
Columbia and the Territories, and the coastw'e
slave trade. Those who sustain the Compromise,
he maintained, vote TO continue the slave trade
Il
more bound TO seize and deliver him TO the
person claiming to be his owner. than they are to
deliver up a runaway horse III the streets. lie de-
MED the constitutional right OF the Federal Cow
eminent to egislatc for the maintenance o! slave
ny. The curses, and blessings, If there be any, Of
IT, belong TO the South, and with which the
North wish to have nothing to do, and should not
be required to sustain the burdens in connexion
with it
Mr. JACKSON, of Georgia, defended his own
Stata Dir<l,t of ha Stnt of
Georgia, one Of whose representatives he said. he
has the hon be. II the people who sent him 10
Congress disunioniss, the inference Ia that lac
bad forgotten his duty TO his country, and is dis
unionst; but in his political course OF twenty years
he had never felt the first desire TO see the Union
of his country dissolved. Although Union man.
according TO strict construction OF the ConstItu
ton, he had always been u Democrat; and he
would permit no constitutional Union or
southern man To cut him of from his connexion
with the Democratic party.
Mr.. APPLETON, of Maine, obtained the floor;
and the committee rose.
PROPOSITION To TERMINATE DEBATE.
Mr.. HOUSTON said that it must be evident to
the House that all debate pertinent TO the Decien
cy bill must take place under the five minutes
rule unless the general discussion shall be confined
to the subject matter under consideration In
what had been said TO day there alluson
whatever to the bill before the committee. He
therefore offered a resolution, proposing to close
debate on Wednesday afternoon, at four O'clock.
Mr.. EVANS expressed the hope that, on bill
of this importance, general opportunity would be
allowed for debate
Mr.. HOUSTON repeated, that from what had
taken place to-day, II must be evident that the
merits Of the bill must be discussed under the five
minutes rule.
Mr. EVANS said il was toe that the time had
been occupied with the discussion Of subjects nnp
proprintc 10 the bill and therefore this ought 10 be
a warning 10 the House 10 enforce the rules.
Mr. HOUSTON. We tried that 10 day, and did
not succeed.
Mr.. POLK desired TO know the amount proposed
TO be appropriated by the bill.
Mr.. HOUSTON replied, three millions Of dollars.
Mr.. POLK asked the gentleman whether he
thought five minutes in debate wasa sufficient time
to debate a measure appropriating 60 much money.
Mr.. HOUSTON replied that during the three
hours occupied to day no allusion was made TO the
bill; and that the debate in five minutes speeches
was the only one they could have. unless gentle.
men should cease 70 discuss matters not connected
the bill
Mr.. POLK wished to know something about the
bill.
Mr.. ORR moved TO amend the resolution, by
substituting Saturday for Wednesday the time
for terminating the debate.
Mr.. EVANS suggested that all debate not to the
merits Of the bill DC declared out Of order after two
o'clock tomorrow
Pending the resolution, on motion
The House adjourned.