Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-04-28
The WING Congressional Caucus.

DEFEAT OF THE COMPROMISE REVOLUTIONS
WITHDRAWAL OF soUTHERNERs, ETC.
WASHINGTON, April 20, 1852.
The Wing Congressional Caucus re-assembled
tonight in the Senate chamber, at o'clock-Judge
Mangum presiding. The attendance was rather
thin, q numuer of Southern members and some OF
MIR. Webster's friends being absent. Among those
present were Senators Smith Fish, Seward. Wade,
and Messrs. Fowler, Briggs, Brooks, Halves,
Staply, Gentry, Landry, and Humphry Mars hall.
The caucus have fixed upon Baltimore, as the
place. and the 10th of June the time, for hold
ing the Wing National Convention.
Mr.. MARSHALL, Of KY, offered the original wing
caucus resolutions,
Mr.. Stanly, of N. c., objected to them as out
Of order.
The Chairman sustained the objection.
After discussion, principally by Messrs. Mar
shall and Stanly the decision of the Chair was sus-
tained-yeas As, nays Is.
The negative vote against the decision were
Southern men, except Messrs Stanly and Morehead,
(of II. Co. and two kentuckians.
Among the alternatives were Messrs. Fowler
(of Massachusetts, Wade and Campbell (of Ohio
Sackett and SchOolcrot (of New York. and 9TH
ers.
Mr.. Marshall said, as the Chair had decided
the compromise principles of the wing administra-
ton out of ORDER this place for wings to re-
main, and he then withdrew.
Mr. Gentry, of Tenn, with much feeling, said
he w0ald make one more effort to save the united
whig party, and offered resolution, in substance
that, in fixing the time and place, the wings did
not commit themselves unless the compromise were
final. This is as received.
A long debate arose, in which Messrs Campbell
Outlaw, Brooke, (Mss.,9 Srother, Moore, La,
Ewing, Cabell, and Clingman participated.
Mr. Outlaw, of n. c., wished to be understood
If the compromise resolutions were to be thrust
out of the whig caucus, it was thrusting him out
and the Wings whom he represented; and then he
withdrew.
Mr. Moore, of Louisiana, said such action ruled
the Southern wings out of the caucus, and then he
and his colleague Mr.. Landry, withdrew.
Mr.. Brooke, Of Miss, would like to know, be-
fore he went to the Wing National Convention
what company he was to keep. He then left.
Mr. Strother, Of Va, said the wings of Virginia
had, in substance, instructed him to leave the cau-
Gus when the compromise was thrown out. He
left.
Mr.. Cabcll, of Fa., said the previous decision
of the Chair caused many Southern wings to be
absent tonight. lie and others came, hoping tol
the reverse Of soch decision. The confirma-
ton of the decision would leave the caucus with
only the Nothen men and eight or ten Southern
wings. He left with Senator Morton.
Mr.. Clingman, of n. c., after some few re-
marks, left also.
NIessrs. Williams and Gentry, both of Tenn,
made SOME Indignant remarks, and left. Of the
Tennessee delegation, there remained in the cham
Der only Messrs. Cullom and Jones.
The greatest excitement prevailed at this SEES
sion. There remained from the South only part
of the North Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee
tha 9TH State
wholly unrepresented. Indeed, it had become al
most exclusively northern caucus.
Mr.. Nlorehead. Of n. c., said he stayed behind
only because he hoped the wing convention would
ad pt the compromises, and it was certain that
North Carolina would vote only for the cOmpro-
mise.
Mr. DOckery. of n. c., endorsed his colleague
to the fullest extent.
Mr.. Caliom said no man could hope to carry
Tennessee unless for the compromises.
On the motion of Mr.. Sackett, of \. Y, the
time and place was fixed.
Upon a division between Baltimore and Pitts
burg. the former received 81 and the latter IS
showing but 10 present, after the Southern mem
bers had left.
Mr.. Stany defined his position at length. He
averred that, unless the wing party stood upon the
compromise. no candidate could receive the South
ern vote.
A sharp controversy ensued betweea Messrs.
Brooks. Stanly, and Truman Smith. and the eau
Gus separated amidst great excitement.
Previous to the adjournment Mr.. Mangum said
he anticipated manifesto from the retiring South
ern wings, and in that case, he desired authority
to re-convene the caucus. Authority was given.
The result seems to indicate sectional division
in the wing party. Such men as John Bell, Daw-
son, Berrien, Gricr, Badger, Pratt and Pearce, of
the Senate, with all the Maryland representatives,
and other prominent members absented themselves
in consequence Of the decision of the
Chair.