The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-26

bill passed, the very moment il was ordered to be
engrossed he was missing; nor does the record
show where he went; neither does he or his friends
explain. Colonel Benton would call ths riding
both sides OF the sapling Laughter. But the gen
teman from Connecticut (Mr. CLEvELAND) ex-
plains the reasons. And, sir, the distinguished
Senator from lllinois, Mr. DouGLAs,) Young
America himself, had to dodge the vote upon the
Fugitive Slave law.
Hear what Governor CLEVELAND says in the
speech referred to:
"Dd the distinguished Senator from Illinois vote
for this Slave law? No! Why? Because Demo
cratic Legislature had instructed him otherwise.
Governor CAss. one of the most distinguished men
in the nation, and of his party, did not record his
vote in favor ofthis Federal bantlng; nor, in fact,
did any Democrat whose position is one OF mark,
except those who have since formed a coalition
with Wings. In view Of these facts who will say
that this Fugitive Slave law was not of Wing or
Federal orgin?"
Yes, sir, he was ILL., My honorable friend (Mr,
RIcHARpsoN) says he had bile. [Laughter.I The
Senator himself says he had bill which fell due at
New York. think, sir, that that was an awful
bill 1t had no right to fall due just at the very
moment the distinguished Senator called upon
to vote upon the Fugitive Slave law. That was
cruel bill. know not whether it was bill or
bile. (Laughterl will be corrected in this par
ticular by what my friend from Illinois Mr.. RICH
ARpsos) may say; but hope he and the honorable
Senator will render the same excuse for there is
very little relevancy between bile and bill.
VIII the gentleman answer whether or not 1t was
u
Mr.. RICHARDSON. The gentleman, trust, is man
of too much gallantry to make charges without
giving an opportunity for reply.
MIR. CULLom Go on, sir.
Mr.. RICHARDSON. The gentleman can make
what use he pleases of the statement shall. make
in this matter, and he is welcome to all the ecdt he
can derive from it.
did say that Judge DouGLAs sick and
bic to attend when the vote taken upon the
Fugitive Slave bill. made the statement upon
my responsibility, relying upon my
memory ] mistaken; and to me, and me
only. belongs the odiun, II there is any, for all
that said The. Fugitive Slave bill passed late in
the session, and remembered the fact that Judge
DoUGLAs confined for several days before the
close of that session to his room by indispositon.
Remembering these facts, | did make the state
ment, apd was wrong.
After the statement | made, my attention was
not called to the subject till after Judge DoJoLAs
made his own defence in the Senate, and since. no
suitable opportunity has occurred to set myself
right. The gentleman can make now the most of
it, l will add but another word.
Mr.. CULLoM. Certainly-go on.
MIR. RICHARDSON. The imputaiion against Judge
DOUGLAS that he lodged the responsibility of
voting upon the Fugitive bill, is made with but
bad grace by gentlemen situated as the gentleman
is. A bare statement of what is known 10 the whole
country s sufficient. Judge DOUGLAS was the first
to meet the tide Of public sentiment at the North,
which set strongly against this measure, and to vim
dicate the bill. And while his Chicago speech was
the first that wis made for the bill, no argument
in the courts, no essays in the papers, and no de-
fence OF the measure made anywhere up TO this
moment, have been as able and as satisfactory
The bill passed Congress in September believe.
In October following the Chicago speech made,
assuming all the responsibility OF affirmative
vote; and yet the American people are asked 10
believe that Judge DoUoLAs lodged the vote,
afraid TO vote upon the bill. will not argue such
n question, bere or elsewhere. But | ask the gen.
tleman what Whig aspirant for the Presidency, or
what prominent Wbig can show that he has done
hat, ,anr her hos
Mr.. CULLoM. There plenty more besides
him.
Mr. RICHARDSON. Who we're they?
Mr. CuILoM Since the matter has become popu-
gtive Slave bill, but who nov defend il most Justify
There is the gentleman from New York, (Mr.
BRooKs.) who said that we about to destroy
him in the South and that we had erected a gall
lows upon which he was to be executed. My hon.
orable friend, understand, did not vote for the
Fugitive Slave bill, although here; yet in the
Gus he made himself the very Mdgnus APOLLO Of
the Compromise measures. Not only 50; but II
is said-snd If untruthtully IT should be correct
ed-that he not only refused to vote for the Fugi-
tive Slave bill, but advised my friend TO the right
(Mr BRIGos) TO change the vote he had cast in its
favor Notwithstanding that, sir, he has become
the great oracle of the ins tuition Of slavery. We
thank him for what he has done
MIR. BRooKs Rumors like the ono the gentle
man has stated should not be thrown out without
some foundation, and there is no foundation what
ever Tor this piece Of fancy. My honorable col
league from New York, (NIr B.ioSs) I take Il
Tor granted, votes Of his own accord and upon his
own free will and principles, and will me right
in this matter One word in reply 20 what the grn-
tleman has said in regard to my vote upon the tu
gitive Slave law. The gentleman must not scatter
his arrows right and left II he will not give me
opportunity Of defending myself II the gentle
man will consult the Congressional Globe and re-
cord, he will find that upon the various occasions
upon which the Fugitive Slave bill was brought
tFd IDrlf nv pty a
visions, and in every way facilitated action upon
il. lie will also find that my main objection to
voting for il its final passage was, that when 1t
was brought forward by the chairmnn Of the Judi.
ciary Committee. (Alr. THOMPSON. OF Pennsylva-
MAJ II was forthwith pressed, violently prcsscd,
under the operation Of the previous question: with
out giving the House opportunity even 20 read
the bill ia print or TO have IL printed at all Ii is
unfair for the gentleman to scatter HE arrows right
and left without afordng and my colleague
(Mr. BRIGGs) an opportunity to defend ourselves
from the random arrows he is throwing all about
Mr.. CuLtoM. The gentleman called on me for
an example OF the case.
Mr.. RIcHARDsoN. will the gentleman permit
inc for only moment
Mr.. CuLLoa. BE brief, as my time has nearly
expired.
Mr.. RcHARDsos. | will ask the gentleman but
this one question When, in the gentleman's OPT
nion, will the Fugitive Slave law become popular
enough at the North TO permit General Scott to
avow himself in its favor Judge Douglas came
out in its vindicaton before il was popular.
Mr.. CULLos. General Scott is known 10 be n
Compromise man. !, sir, know him 20 be such
and would not permit myself to be deceived, nor
would be the means of deceiying others upon
this point Gentlemen may find enough in Gen.
Scops Castle Garden speech, in bic letters to Hon
orables Daniel Webster and Henry Clay. and in the
evidence which all bear, 10 safety them, II they
will be satisfied that he espoused the Com promise
measures quite as early and ne ardcntly as any
man, perhaps, that can be found in the country,
not excepting Mr.. Webster or Mr.. Fillmore.
There are plenty Of private citizens who are in
formed and satisfied upon this point-better
informed and better satisfied. ! might infer
from their remsrks-than are many gentlemen
who, IL is presumed, know more of such matters
than the people. Notwithstanding General Scott
is known here md everywhere 20 be sound upon
these measures, he is assaicd by the opposition
press, and 10y Democratic orators, as Wing favor
ties always are. lie is assaed, not because he is
against those measures not because he is supposed
TO be in favor OF their repeal or modification, but
because he should, in the opinion of wiseacres,
come out with letter. Sir. who hae called upon
him for his opinion' Where are the letters OF the
several Democratic nspirants upon the slavery
question: Surely there arc none before the coun-
try. Yet, sir, IL docs seem that Democracy will
60 into convulsons if il cannot get to read letter
from General Scott upon the subject My judg
mCnt was that a letter should have been written