Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-05-22
LETTER FROM HON. II. L. cLlNGMAN.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Nav 10. 1852.

May ~, 1909.
To the Editor of the Republic:
StR: friend has called my attention 10 article
in your paper of Saturday last, which makes such
reference to me as justihes my asking some space
in your columns. The article l refer to has been
copied, at the request of the Hon. Ben. Edwards
Grew, from the Louisville Journal. In justice to my
friend from Kentucky, Col. Grey, think it right to
say that know that in asking its republication he
not at all influenced by any desire to give cur
rency that comparatively small portion OF it which
referred especially to myself Though who
know the character of the Louisville Journal would
regard under any obligation TO notice any attack
which it might contain, to have any controversy
with its editor yet your having republished it-and
the request, too of highly respectable member of
Congress-places the matter in different light. l
avail myself therefore, of the occasion thus offered
because desire present points connected with
the action of the late wing congressional caucus,
which not only necessary to my own defence, but
may also be of interest to the public.
Waving, therefore, the consideration of the gen.
eral topics which have been fully discussed in the
address of the seeding members already published,
will conne my remarks to brief statement of some
of the essential points. In the first place, did not
leave the simply because it refused to adopt
the precise resolution offered by Mr.. Marshall or by
MIR. Gentry AS is stated, these propositions did not
in my opinion, 60 as far as they should have done
and, therefore, | proposed additional by
way of amendment. l also reminded the presid-
ing officer that in the caucus held for similar OBJ
ject four years ago, at which the same gentleman
Nny colleague, Mr.. Mangum-presided, the question
ton at all entertained the preliminary propo-
sition and that there had been much discussion and
various suggestions relating to that single question,
and that in fact the frs: evening of our meeting
other subject taken up for consideration; and
that it not until some weeks after we by vote
of the caucus had settled this preliminary qnes-
ton, that the time and place of holding the conven-
zion fixed. also argued that if. in accordance
with this former precedent, such question was now
entertained we nigh; either determine to recommend
that there should be convention at all, or recon-
mend it with qualifications or conditions Though
the chairman stated that he well remembered that
such had been the course of proceeding at the time
referred to- yet he declined to follow that precedent
1t because he decided that he should hold out of
order any proposition except such as related to the
time and place-whch decision was sustained by the
maiority-that declined to take further part in the
proceedings of the caucus.
My reasons, as briefly given and already publish
ed, were follows. l copy them from the Southern
Press of April "a:
"REMARKs OF Mr.. CLlNGMAN IN THE CAUCUS. Mr.
President, if the indulgence is extended to
that has been given to Other gentlemen during the
discussion of this point of order, say all de-
sire to say to the meeting. 1t is the necessary
that should offer few words, because, though
agree substantially with those gentlemen, yet neither
of the propositions submitted by my friend from
Kentucky, Mr.. Marshall. or by my friend from
Tennessee, Mr.. Gentry,1 precisely meets my own
views. 1t is well known that not only voted against
most Of the compromise bills, but that have also
voted recently against the resolutions approving
Lnem. 20 prevent misrepresentation therefore, ana
in order that my position may be properly understood
have prepared proposition which intend to offer
amendment, additional resolution to any
that might be presented. 1t not only meets my own
views but those also of other GENT emen here
present. Your decision, however, ruling the propo-
stons already presented out of order, undoubtedly
embraces this, and therefore will not needessly
sumo your time by pressing decision lit. say,
them that cannot support the pending proposition
fix the time and place for holding Nation al Con-
vention. Twill not in any mode give my sanction to
the calling of such convention uncondItlonally 1t
were to do so ] should feel myself bound in honor
to support its nominee. am, therefore, willing to
join in calling it conditions such expressed
in part by my resolution. [ am willing that those
gentlemen who desire to do so shall hold conven-
lion and present nominee but l shall then decide
for myself whether vote for that nominee not.
mean say that l shall not support the individual
merely because he has been nominated by that con-
vention.
The nomination will neither help nor hurt the per-
selected in my judgment. l wish, therefore, to
be understood neither advocating opposing the
calling of this convention, and do not mean to be
bound by its action to go further than my of
duty may prompt. l shall hereafter, upon full
view of all the circumstances, determine what ought
to do.
The following is the resolution intended to have
been offered:
"Whereas, by the series of measures commonly
called the Compromise, California has been admitted
into the Union State, the boundary of Texas has
been settled, territorial governments have been esab
Shed for tab and New Mexico, and The slave trade
in the District of Columbia has been abolished and
these several measures have been acquesced in and
carried into effect; and whereas resistance has been
made in certain places to the execution of the fug
tve-save law, and efforts being made to effect
its repeal, render negative and null its provisions
therefore,
RESOLVED, That, in view of these things. and mas
much as, under the constitution of the United States,
entitled to efficient fugtive-slave law, we
have right to require that this latter law shall be
sustained and carried out in good faith and that any
National Convention nominating presidential
date SHALL in unequvocal and plain language, declare
it be the purpose of said convention faithfully
carry this law, and that its nominee shall express
his concurrence in such proposition"
What inconsistency is there between nv present
and former position? Is not my resolution true in
its statement of facts Those features of the So
called Compromise which and others at the South
have objected to have already been carried into effect
California has been admitted State, and Texas
has given up her right to the territory claimed for
New Mexico by the North and Congress cannot now
change this condition of things The territorial gov
of New Mexico and Utah are practically
just from repeal, and have been carried into
effect. So, too, is it with the law abolishing the
slave trade in the District of Columbia. Though !
these several measures We're condemned by myself
and others from the South vet no attempt has been
made to repeal them does any one expect to pre-
vent their being carried out, in any way to defeat
their operation But how is it with the fugtivesIave
law, which the Southern friends of the Compromise
constantly refer to the equivalent given by the
North in exchange for the concessions made by the
South? There not only powerful and organized
efforts in the North for its repeal notification but