The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-06-16


mony and threatened the existence of the Union.
They have 30 met that question to nationalize
themselves.
The two great parties of the country have differ
ed In opinion, and may yet retain and maintain
those differences OF opinion upon questions OF mere
expediency; but such questions though imPor tant,
are infinitely Insignificant when compared with
the consequences involved in this question: greater
in it's consequences than all Of those put together.
Waving at present all discussion in regard to those
points in their platform which do not meet my APP
proval, give them my testimony here to day be-
fore the whole country, and truth and honor re-
quires every man to do it-that they have nobly
come up to the necessities of the times have adopt
ed resolutions in regard to these sectional questions
to which have referred, the tendency of which, at
least, is to natonalize the Democratic party. and
bring it up to high national standard which will
recognise the binding obligations Of the Constitution
in all its parts-North and South; and which tends
to give peace, tranquility. and security to the
country, and permanence to the Union.
The Wing party meets in convention at Bati-
more in a few days, and what are we to do? Are
we to stop short of this standard of patriotism,
erected in the blaze OF day, and Immediately under
our eye? If We stop short of that standard OF pa
triotism, how can we, without blushing. go before
the people and tell them that patriotic, and
claim their sympathies and ask their support any,
where! would be ashamed to speak to any other
than an Abolition audience upon that question, il
We fall short of that standard. From such au-
dience only could hope for plaudits huzzas
The Whig party must nationalize itself at Balti.
more, or cease to exist party. extending over
the whole Union, and such ought to be its fate.
My honorable friend from North Carolina (Mr.
STANLy) bowed my friend from Florida very
gracefully out of the Whig ranks for expressing
some ideas like these. have already drawn upon
my hrmness and my philosophy to prepare myself
for similar denunciation Laughter ] With
forth in political party buls Of accommodation
like those Numbered forth by the Pope of Rome
against every erring hereto, say if he shall dis
miss me ! will submit to it well as can. He
h IA " In he ia fnn nld in he
political service, Tor me to presume to advise him,
or make TO him a suggestion having reference to
the propriety Of the which he thinks proper
to pursue; but II he will pardon me for such lib
erty, beg to suggest TO him that he had better
his ear for the thunders Of accommodation ema-
mating from power more potential than he pos-
sesses. mean the people who give him the priv
ilege Of speaking upon this floor. am proud to
avow always that am native of the good
old North State, and have studied the character
Of her people, being her son-and if have not
tirely misapprehended their character, their pa
trotsm, and their intelligence, that thunder will
soon break upon his ear, if he perseveres in the
course indicated by his speeches and his letters
during the present session Of Congress. Let him
look to it, How the Whig party nationalixe
itself at Baltimore. The process is exceedingly
plain, simple, and easy. The southern branch Of
the Whig party have right to demand of the
northern wing of that party at Baltimore that they
shall do what they have never yet done, recognise
compromise betlseen the North and the South
binding upon both sections Of the country, the of
~easlTes to ,ohich haze referred. When these
sures were passed they were very Objectionable to
portion of the southern people, and not very ac
coptable to any. They were also very Unacceptable
to the northern people
| The Wings of the South, and many Democrats ts
| of the South deemed them fair safe and wise
settlement OF the controversies which had arisen
| between the two sections of the country; and in
view of the evils which would follow, if these
measures were not accepted as compromise, we
| went before the tribunal Of public opinion and
fought the battle there and every where loyalty to
| the Union and Willingness to be at rest, and per
petua,e that Union, triumphed-even in South
Carolina III understand the action O! that State,
\ e,e South Carolina has accepted this Compromise
rs settlement, il il shall bo adhered TO and exc
cuted by the North. What has been done at the
North? Where at the North, in the Whg party,
has this settlement been recognised a compro-
misel Where and by whom, at the North has
the pledge been given that it would be accepted as
a hnal and permanent peace -ofierng, and that
tranquility, peace, and harmony should be restored
upon this basis? Echo answers whereS There
was an idea that such pledge made here, at
a caucus OF Wing members, when proceeding to
the election OF a Speaker, at the beginning of the
present session Of Congress. But that has been
repudiatcd by votes since given on this floor, by
| the very men who sat In that caucus. We made
a similar trial in another caucus which sat in the
other end of the Capitol, and then it out of
0rdsr-a thing very proper in itself but that was
not the time and place exactly. [Lsughter.l The
honorable gentleman from North Carolina (Mr
STAsLy) thinks it will be decidedly out of place
by point Of time when the Wings of the North will
be ready, by their action this subject, to pro-
claim themselves patriots and act patriotism
demands, aud act as they should act! When will
| 1t come-oh, when will II Gomez ] have waited
for that time 10, these many years, through trials
and tribulstiops, and much suffering. Time and
again. for twelve years past, upon this floor, have
gone to honorable gentlemen, who comma snded
my personal respect, and whom ] regarded as
patriots, and said to them, thcse speeches, these
votes, deem utterly inconsistent with the obliga-
tions Of patriotism, and while act with you upon
other great questions, II you persevere in this
course, it is impossible for southern man, thou gh
ag reeing with you regard 70 other questions of
minor importance, TO maintain effective co-opera.
ton with you, If you persist in this course; and
have been constantly answered, "Ob, don't be un-
cosy, our votes and speeches mean nothing; we are
but accommodating ourselves 10 a temporary nc.
cessiy; we do not mean any harm. These IRE but
transient questions. Jhs matter Of abolition petit
tions will be disposed of after while. and this
question of the anney alton oi Texas will pass away
presenuy;" and when the territory from Mexico
was acquired they said "We will be obliged 10 set
tie that some way some how. These are but
transitory questions, and We are merely adapting
ourselves TO temporary necessities; and when we
get through with these questions then will place
ourselves where all men who claim the nams Of
Wings ought TO stand, on national grounds and
barmoniousiy stand together, supporting these
other great measures, in which you willing TO
cooperate with US" Now, my opinion IL that
the time has come. | cay have waited, through
demand the fulfilment Of these promises, and
call upon you now, whom there Ia excuse,
and pretencc of for withholding a
compliance with that demand, that they ehall
come up and nationalize Themselves, by re-
cognising the fact that slavery ia institution
which the Constitution Of the United States guar
antees and protects in the Southern Ststss; and
also that the fugitive from labor cscaping from a
Southern State into northern, shall be dciv-
cred up the claim OF bis owner. | demand
that they shall have the courage and the truth to
tell their people everywhere TO stake themselves
upon that issue. They enjoy the protection and
benefit OF the Constitution IN all that relates 20
commerce, manufactures, and navigation; but
when we come to that provision of il which was
given to US ms consideration for agreeing to those
provisions OF the Constitution which promote, in
90 great degree, their prosperity and welfare
we are answered, there is a higher law, which will
not permit US TO carry out that provision OF the
Constitution. tLaughter.l IL will not do any
longer, gentlemen; and IL shall not longer be toe-
rated. The hour for settlement has arrived. You
must do your duty or die, political party or
ganization, extending through the whole extent of
the country North and South You shal nation.
aiize or die; and, IL you refuse to do your duty
you ought 10 die. Upon THE condition alone are