The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-23
MIR. washburn On the Compromise.

In consequence of the confusion which
prevailed in the House on Tuesday, while Mr..
WAsHBURN (of Maine) was replying to the
interrogatories of Mr.. Howard, (of Texas,)
our reporter failed to report the remarks of the
first named gentleman with entire accuracy.
We therefore reprint them from the official re-
port of the Globe newspaper
MIR. WAsHBURN. Will my friend from Texas
permit me for one moment? Reference has been
made by the honorable gentleman from New York
(Mr. BRooKs) to the caucus Of the Wing members
of the House, held at the commencement of the
session, and also to that held last night He has
said that at the former the Compromise measures
were affirmed, and that they repudiated at
the latter; that the Wing party North were then in
favor OF them, and now against them; and he al
legged that this change had been wrought by con
celebrations growing out Of the altered condition of
affairs In regard to the Presidency. ] wish to
pei TINS allegation. was present at both caucuses.
ana occupied the same ground at both. The
Wings Of the North, have no hesitation in ga ~
ing. and the Wing members of Congress from the
North, hold the same opinions and occupy the same
position TO day respecting those measures that
they held on the first day of the session.
Mr.. PHELPS. What that position?
Mr.. WAsHByRN. / will answer if | have time.
harmony and peace. There are those among
them who approved of those measures and those
also who sincerely disapproved of some Of them.
They would not--certainly the latter would not
oppose the nomination election Of any man to
the Presidency because he dffers from them in
opinion concerning these measures They would
not oppose MIR. Fillmore, Mr.. Webster, or Gen
eral Scott, or any man, North or South, simply
for the reason that they do not agree with them as
to the wisdom or propriety of the Compromise
lCries OF order orderl They will allow men to
differ on this subject; they know that men from
different sections, and from the same section of
the country. will differ upon questions growing
out of the institution of slavery. But this may
safely say-they will not consent that the Wing
party shall be denationalized by the introduction of
any new test Of political orthodoxy. They will
never consent that the fnaity of the Compromise
measures ahall be made part Of the Wing creed;
and any candidate, whether he be General Scott,
or any other man, who insists upon that, or who
Is nominated by a convention which affirms or
requires it, cannot, in my judgment, obtain the
vote OF single Northern State-not one. Gentle
men may as we'll understand this first as last II
we are to exist as party, it must be upon plat
form on which men of all sections of the country
can stand together, without any sacrifice of opin-
Ion, OF principle, or of honor; and not upon one
which may well hold men of all parties in one Sec
ton, and exclude all in another. Gentlemen
should remember that if they can make test of
this kind will be equally competent for others to
make tests in reference to the general sub
Ject-they yield the question Of jurisdiction, and
make slavery a national affair
Mr.. HOWARD. ! want to know whether my
friend from Maine, and his party in Maine, are
opposed TO any modification Of the Fugitive Slave
law; and whether they in favor of enforcing il?
Mr.. WAsHBUaN. They will not agitotc for its
repeal or modification when agitation can be but
Useless or mischicvous. They have not coine here
with petitions. l have made no infiammatory
speeches, and shall make nome
Here MIR. Howard claimed the floor