Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-05-01

stoou mere committed thank God He stood before his
constituents committed and that e reason why he
was here. He did not evade the Question of = fsst
80 Tar as his candidate for the Presidency was
ed so he was not in the category thus presented
But ne objected TO fighting this battle over again he
came here for no such purpose He did not wish 10 see
hat box OF Pandora again brought here and every vote
he gave when the resolutions Of the gentlemen from
Georgia lMessrs Jackson and HnLyER) before the
House was for putting them the table SO as 70 get
rid OF them He, however voted uniformly against the
adjournment Of the House. for he did wish another
day desecrated by those resolutions But when il came
10 the vote upon the adoption Of the resolutions his
mind was without cloud-wthout a shade of doubt
He stood in the position at the beginning Of the
session. and before the House organized The same
resolutions IN substance introduced into private
Wing meeting He did not want them there He thought
1t was the mutterng Of distant thunder that would roll
up storm which would be frightful in the end He was
against the introduction of these resolutions but when
it to the final his name was recorded in their
favor
The only other position in which these gentlemen of
whom he was one, was placed that they refused
establish any test Of the qualification Of the nominees Of
the National Convention Now he was well understood
at home in regard to this thing and he wished to be
understood here and he would give gentlemen to
that no could have his vote for the Pres
dency unless he should stand clear and unquestioned
upon the ground of the Compromise.
But when was he to get through with this thing
When was there to be end to this throwing of fire.
brands into the midst of those who should dwell togeth-
err in harmony? He knew the feelings of his people
they desired peace He would tell his Southern friends
that his constituents desired end to this agitation
he would not consent to raise these fires again
The late Wing held for the purpose Of de-
signaling the time and place for the holding of the
Wing National Convention. Where did they get autho-
rty for that meeting? II was by the common consent
OF all the Wings throughout the country and the Wing
press. But in no paper he believed, it intmated
that that caucus was to lay down platform for the Ma
ti0nal Convention
gentleman from Georgia, Ir STEPHENS, he found it
reported in the National Inteigencer" and no doubt
correctly for it accorded with his recollection to
what that gentleman said:
"The great leading and controlling question which was
likely to enter into the political contest Of this country and
the administration Of its Government the constitutional
right of section Of the country the reclamation of its
fugitive slaves and said there must be disagree
men between Northern and Southern upon this ques
tom that that men must disagree great constitu
tional question"
Now, the gentleman from Georgia either COMPOUNDED
the fugitive slave law with the constitution else he
msrepresented wthout designing it, he knew the posi-
ton of some in the North. Where the who de-
MED the constitutional right of the South reclaim its
fugitive slaves His destinies cast the North
and he had never been three days in any place where
slavery existed by law until he this Capitol last
winter He knew that the North were in favor of this
constitutional right and he knew the people well not
to know their doctrines There not be found in
this broad land hearts truer to the constitution in all its
acquisitions than to be found throughout the whole
North. This would never be disputed Their Southern
brethren could dismiss their fears and he begged of them
to do There did exist in the North contrarety of
reRdru 70 some OF the provisions OF the
tive slave law. There could be no question upon that
it useless to attempt conceal deny it.
But he did not believe there disposition at the
North at this time agitate He did not believe that
such disposition existed in his district and he knew of
place where it did exist The people of the North
wished harmony and quietude in the Union; and would
stand by the constitution gentlemen could depend upon
it. as long as there was plank upon it left But could
they not hold their private sentiments in reference
to this subject Southern gentlemen ask the
North to yield ths it should be enough for the South
i Al xl.oxvL a. o1c~v
abide by it. He would abide by it. and would not touch
hair Of its head until the South should call for it. and
he believed such to be the feeling Of the North He
from district sensitive upon this subject as al
most any other. He came here particularly upon this
question and represented the feelings Of his constituents
They would countenance for the Presidency-or
they ought not to do sowho would not lend himself to
the faithful execution Of thsaw To be sure there
Objectionable features in the law and had he been
in Congress at the time of its passage he would have
voted for it. unless he had found that his vote for was
necessary the preservation Of the Union for this
paramount to every thing else.
He would make suggestion to his Southern friends
No agitation came from the North this subject; and
whence did 1t come? 1t from the South; the North
were acquiescing. But perhaps it would be said that
there were Abotonists at the North. There always
would be- but the great heart of the North sound
the constitution and there mistake about this
There need be fear All he asked and all his const
asked was that they would their backs upon
this subject and let alone where those who had preceded
them had placed it.
Mr.. Il. then expressed his concurrence the of
Mr. STEPHENS party Conventions, and said that no
Convention could make platform for him. He was an
American citizen and free man, andf the Wing Conven-
ton should present to the AmericR people man whose
sentiments in accordance with his own he would
hesitate support him. If they should not present such
man. he knew what his course would be. He told his
constituents that unless the Presidential candidate
of the Wing party should be sound he mr. p had
represented himself to be upon the subject Of the
promise in the language Of Henry Clay before the Ken
lucky Legislature, he would 90 for Democrat rather
than Wing. No could have his vote unless he
stood upon these measures.
Mr. p then spoke of the loyalty Of the people Of his
State to the Union No conventions gotten there
to inquire how much the Union worth; he did not
believe any such conventions would be called together
there He then spoke Of the bill before the Committee.
giving notice that at the proper time he would that
the Committee report it TO the House with the
daton that it should be referred to select committee
with instructions report substitute therefor pro-
position providing that hereafter the lands of the United
States shall only be sold such persons will take oath
that they purchased them for actual settlement the sales
made to be at the rate of 20 cents per acre. and
more. All public lands in Market If not sold in Eve
years. shall vest in the States respectively in which they
situated and all lands hereafter brought MARKET
sold within five years thereafter shall in like manner
in the States anda lands so vested shall be sold by
the proper State within reasonable time for such sum
per as each State may deem expedent. The nett
proceeds Of all such last mentioned lands shall be appro-
priaed rs follows; 0ne-third to the State making the
SALE for perpetual common school fund be
apporoned among the other States and the District Of
Columbia in proportion to the representation of each State
in Congress- regarding the District Of Columbia entitled
to one Representative for school fund; the
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