The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-12-30
Mr.. WELLER, lin his seat We are all re-

WI aHI'Hi N'n MS poo'I w "i' III ~
joiced at that
Mr.. HALE | have no doubt that the Sena-
tor speaks the truth in saying we are oil re-
joioed at that" meaning by "we," oil Of the
class whom he represents. Sir think should
have failed in fulfilling my mission, and in the
discharge Of my duties, il all such men did not
wish that was not here.
But sir let me entreat gentlemen--you
know, sir, that by the kindness of the Senate
was put upon no standing committee; and
take that to be an invitation on the part of the
Senate-as they have excused me from the su-
pervision Of any particular subject to have a
general eye over the whole.
Mr.. Hale then proceeded 10 speak on the
subject Of politics generally. Referring to an
article copied extensively from the Concord
Patriot, he said, sit gives out what the editor
supposes will be the character Of the incoming
Administration
Mr.. HALE. | say that if the Barnburners in
1S48, by the declaration which has been made,
achieved all they proposed to do they would
thousand-fold better neuer haze organized.
And sir, if had supposed at that time that
the objeot-which do believe now--was to
appeal to the humanity, the love Of liberty, and
the fear of God that there was in the country,
and drill them all in as drilled sergeants to
help vindicate the fancied or the real wrongs of
Mr.. Van Buren,, inflicted by the friends of Gen
! Cass-I speak of him as historical man, now,
sir-if | had supposed that was the end and
aim, | would sooner have severed my right
hand from my body than have gone to the
ballot box for any such purpose.
Mr.. CAss, lin his seat.) Enough said
AZ D.. IL. Al. IN
shire Patriot does not seem so clear in some
| other things. He does not go on to say what
he thinks Gen. Pierce's opinions are between
Young America and Old Fogies. He is unfortu-
nately silent upon that subject, so far as | read
the article; for, sir, that may be considered as
! embraced under the various sections into which
the party has been divided and think that
so far as that is concerned, the Old Fogies and
Young Americas may both occupy, with equal
hope, the anxious stool, until some further de-
velopments are made.
There is another thing that the editor is ST.
lent about and does not favor US with General
Pierce's opinions; and that is, whether the Gulf
of Mexico is our basin of water. He is entirely
silent about that; and about Cuba, too the
great questionable question of questions
about which all hearts are palpitating and
"
is impatient under the check, to go and plant
the standard Of republican liberty on the shores
of Cuba, and to extend the area of freedom
over that island. There are a great many that
in patriotic devotion, and in patriotic desire
even to outrun the impulses of Democracy upon
this subject, are anxious to be beforehand; and
they are left in most dreadful state of uncer-
tainty. 1t is not only predetermined whether
the area of freedom is to receive this enlarge
ment and the friends of it to receive this en-
couragement from the incoming Administra-
ton; but indeed, sir have seen some outgiv-
ings or misgvings-l do not know which to
call them, but will call them givings, at any
rate-upon this subject. Some papers which
represent the interest-you know what interest
that is-that controls this country, have had
some misglvings or givings out far south of
here and represent that it is not so entirely
clear that it would be for the interest of gen.
tlemen who have been in the habit of consider
ing their interest the interest of the country to
have Cuba annexed. 1t is entirely problemati-
cal in their minds what the effects of it would
be- And, sir, you know that doubt expressed
in regard to the prOpriety or expediency of a
measure some half dozen degrees south of
here, has more effect upon the calculations of
prudent politicians than half dozen condem-
nations from as many degrees north. think
it is unkind in this way, when undertaking to
illuminate and to lubricate upon the views
which the incoming Administration are to
carry out to be upon this great question 50 en-
tirely silent.
Mr.. PRATT. thought it rather unkind in
my friend from Mississippi Mr.. Adamsl that
he should have called upon the Senator from
New Hampshire MIR. Hale to be the exponent
of the Wing platform. A more unfit person
to perform that duty does not live in the Uni
ted States
According to the statement made by the
honorable Senator from New Hampshire if he
may be supposed to understand what is the
feeling of the Democratic Party, general
amnesty has been proclaimed. The honorable
Senator who sits before me Mr. Chase has
SAID that ne belongs to the majority in this
body-to the Democratic Party--and accord
ing to the sentiments contained in the paper
to which the Senator from New Hampshire
has referred, he is therefore one of those who
may be the recipient of one of the highest
Offices in the power of the President elect to
bestow.
Mr.. BRADBURY | want to know if the hon.
orable Senator from Maryland MR. Prattl
means to say that the honorable Senator from
Ohio Mr.. Chase was supporter of General
Pierce?
Mr.. PRATT. understood him to say that
he belongs to the majority of the Senate-to
the Democratic Party
Mr.. WELLER. He does not belong there
Laughter
Mr.. CHASE. So far, Mr. President. as the
honorable Senator from Maryland Mr. Pratt
has undertaken to interpret my motives he has
tuIl ad o. L., xloA I n
have been governed by the simple desire to
and succinctly as possible the grounds upon
which feel myself constrained to vote. |
have been influenced by no desire whatever to
impair in the slightest degree, any title of the
illustrious General whose name has been 80
frequently introduced into this debate, to the
honor, respect, and gratitude Of his country.
That is all | have to say upon that point
In regard to my political position, prefer
always that my acts shall speak, care little
about mere names call myself Democrat;
but it is of little consequence how others may
think fit to designate me, so long as | am
satisfied that the principles which hold are
sound and Democratic and that the applica-
tons which propose to make of those princ-
pies are just and proper Epithets are always
cheap, but not always fit Every Senator with
whom have served here during the past three
years will, think, do me the justice to say
that | have upon all occasions studiously
avoided any word and any act which could in
any way wound or offend any one of my fellow
Senators. | have endeavored TO maintain, hon.
estly, fearlessly, and without reserve and with
entire courtesy, the principles which hold,
and to vindicate their proper application. do
not often trespass upon the attention and for
bearance of this body. prefer generally
rather to listen to the counsels ofthose who have
more wisdom and more experience than
claim
II is proper, however now TO say after what