The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-06-03


al who rely upon it, The honorable member
very possibly considered the introduction 81 my
resolution improper, but that cannot Justify The
statement TO the country, that the resolution
was exhibited with view OF debating 10 the
Wing National convention platform Of pollti.
cal principles for their adoption. That such
charge is untenable is manifest the face Of
the resolution, by It's express terms. Indeed, il
il plain that the resolution refers 10 the mem
bers of Congress aione-and it was drawn, hav.
ing guarded verbiagc, TO avoid the very infer
ence which my colleague seems 10 have drawn
from 1t. The party newspapers have repeated
the same charge, as il was originally Issued by
the letter-wrters from this Capitol; for editors
only obtained the news by the telegraph, before
their articles Were written. | rely upon the
candid among their fraturnity to correct the
mistake, and to do me justice when generally
they shall have discovered it, as perceive sever.
al in the West and South have already done.
My colleague must have heard all that passed
between the honorable president of that meeting
and mysei--my reasons for introducing the
resolution, and desiring its passage-rlhe pro.
test against the application of such a principle
by Northern gentlemen--and with these lights
to guide his observation respectfully submit
to this House, and the country, that he stands
inexcusable for the circulation and rei,eration
OF the charge, that it was dciatoiial in its terms,
and insulting to the delegates to the Whig
Nltlonal convention.
IL has not been mentioned heretofore, vet il
is most worthy of observation and remembrance,
that the opposition to my resolution was first
presented upon the principle Of the resolution
10 make this plain, will recur to the current
OF the debate in the first caucus. After some
conversation between the gentlemen present
upon the propriety Of an adjournment to secure
more numerous attendance, and several sug-
gestions that the time aud place for holding
national convention would alone engage the at
tention Of the meeting, submitted that before
the time and place were fixed desired to sub.
NIT the Congressional caucus resolution for
adoption by those who meant to participate in
the proceedings, as a proper mode of determin-
ing who had the right to fix the time and place
for the hodnga Wing national convention. |
referred to the occurrences attending the passage
OF that resolution; to it, as principle adopted,
according to my understanding, at the com.
mencement of this session for the basis of ASSOC
citation and organization among Wing members
OF Congress; to the presence Of gentlemen
who had seeded from that CAUCUS rather than
to submit to that principle, and to the repudia-
ton of it by them in open session here, and
members would not acknowledge it, or abide
by it as principle essential to Wing organiza-
ton. spoke of test votes, which seemed to
confirm their view, and of my own idea that its
adoption was essential absolutely to the main
tenance of the Wing party. The discussion
which ensued Immediately was not merely upon
the propriety of introducing such resolution
at such place and time. 1t was opposition to
the principle of the esolution--oppositon to
the acceptance of any such requisite TO the
Wing organizatlon-and then 10 was that the
doctrine was advanced by distinguished men,
Der from the North that the true policy of our
party was "to agree to disagree" In that de
bate my friends from Tennessee, Mr. GENTRY,l
from North Carolina, Mr.. Outlaw, from Ma.
ryland, Mr.. WALSH, from Louisiana, Mr..
MooRE,l and from Florida, Mr.. CABELL]
mingled, coming to my aid on the proposition
the only vital, real proposition we have ever
propounded, to wit: that the principle of nv
resolution is the only basis on which the Whig
members of Congress can maintain orraniza
ton here, because it is essential to national
Wing organization. 1t was at the termination
of this discussion that the president of the eau
Gus first intimated he would decide the resolu-
ton, if offered, 10 be out Of order Then the
tactics of our opponents at once changed. We
heard no more debate that night, or afterwards,
on The principle the whole Northern opposi-.
ton, rallying to the support of the chair, pre-
scented their front Immediately on The question of
order, and availed themselves of the active sup
port of my colleague and Others, who as thew
assert, were with me on The principle, but against
me on The question of order. From the moment
we heard no more opposition to the principle of
the Conversational raooluf;op I
noao a readiness to support it was at once
avowed-if ii only oas in order
My proposition was first suggested as an
original, substantive, independent proposition
to precede the resolution fixing time and place
and it was as stseh that Mr.. MANGUM declared
he would rule its introduction out of order, and
beyond the competency of the meeting to con-
slider. This was his first decision IL enabled
the opponents of the compromise measures to
make a false issue before the country. Ii had
the effect to raise squabble about order and
to cover under parliamentary gibberish of which
the people understand very little, that great
question which lies at the base of the public
peace and of the Union, and about the deiermi-
nation of which the people do feel the veliest
anxiety, and the deepest concern.
am entirely aware, that the honorable chair
man of that caucus has large experience in
parliamentary practice, and ordinarily his deci-
sions would command great respect. They are
entitled to great respect. But his standing as
parliamentarian, and the character he has
earned in a long public life, conspired to invest
the extraordinary decision which be made on
that occasion, with solemn Importance when
connected with the instant change of the tactics
of the opponents of the principle Of nv resou-
ton. | saw the dangerous position saw the
facility with which it would be defended and
covered by the panopy of high parliamentary
reputation | saw there was to be Southern az
well as Northern opposition to the adoption of
the proposition had suggested. My colleague
says he would have voted for the principle of
my resolution, but he argues at length against
it, as being out of order. His is case in point.
The facility with which such view could be
enforced on him indicates the danger appre
bend. ! do not state---sir, do not insinuate
there existed an intention anywhere to betray
the South do not intend to asperse the mo-
tives of any man from either South or North
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