Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-05-29

here to justify and defend my motives and my ow
action on that occasion What was that action ? d
not presume, when took my seat in the caucus Of tn
Wing party to arrogae to myself or to that caucus tn
prerogatye Of prescribing the rules that were
the representatives selected for the express purpose
nominating candidate and laying down such pelitica
principles as the party chose to be governed by No. SIR
that is the business of the Convention II the bust
Of the to select place. and to suggest time
for the meeting Of that Convention; this alone its
business and further than this it had authority either
delegated customary to 60. In this spirit took
in the caucus disposed to discharge the duties inn
posed upon me. But when it proposed by the gen.
tleman from Kentucky, (Mr. MARsHALL,) and again by
my honorable colleague from Tennessee, MIR. GENTRY,
to introduce certain resolutions that ruled out of
der by the Chair they not being germane to the pending
resolution deemed it to be my duty sustain the Chair
and voted conscentousy to that effect upon this strict
y parliamentary question, we being governed in our de-
alterations by the rules of the Senate But il
nounced by the meeting that the propositions would be
entertained substantive propositions, and such
pledged them my support was not in favor Of the
solution at that uncture, not because am not now to-
day. and have been in favor Of the compromise
sures and of the nay Of those measures, and Of de-
claring proper time that fnality but because be-
eved it would be renchng upon the legitimate duties of
the Convention. believed that that duty belong
ing convention called by the great body Of the peo
ple for the special purpose of laying down those rules
thought that perhaps, the great body OF the American
people might not choose to be dictated to by
tuted of Congressional gentlemen and that there
recommend time and place for holding the National
Convention
When that resolution was announced stated to the
meeting that my of duty would compel to
TAIN parliamentary question, the position of the
Chair but that would vote for the resolution of the gem
tleman from Kentucky Mr.. MARsHALL if it came up and
also that would vote for the resolution of my colleague
Mr. GENTRY, and called upon my Southern friends to
remain and aid in obtaining the passage of Of
those resolutions for although did approve the in
PRODUCTION of those resolutions yet after they had been
felt willing to sustain them in substantive
manner.
Mr.. Polk understand my colleague to be in favor
of the nalty of the compromise and that his only
for not sustaining the resolution of my colleague r
GENTRY in the that it not introduced at
proper time and place. Now desire to ask the gen.
tleman one question.
Mr.. CuLLoM. The gentleman misunderstands me but
he may state his question.
Mr.. Polk. desire to ask the gentleman that in case
the Wing National Convention should refuse
Mr.. CULLoM Oh !! will come to that subject direct
y, sir.
Mr.. Polk. wish to know whether, in case the Wing
Convention should refuse to pass any resolution declaring
The naty OF the compromise, you will support their
didate for the Presidency? Il.
Mr. CULLoM Not unless your party lodges that subject
had thought that the compromise which had
become the settled law of the country the compromise
which had been endorsed by the Wing at the be-
ginning the session. and which had received the endorse
ment OF majority of the Representatives of the Ameri-
people in this House but the other day. might be
sidered as settled for the present had hoped that that
would be satisfactory until the meeting of the National
Conventions of the two parties of the country But in
asmuch as doubts entertained inasmuch as some
friends of the South thought it threatening aspect
though confess have nothing to justify such
mpression-I have demonstration to arouse my
feelings as Southern though the South is the land
OF my birth, and though my interests whatever have
are Southern interests and my attachments all Southern
would guard as carefully any other this great
question-yet say had nothing excite my fears
IN IN iptr
tons into the caucus touching the subjects but repeat
that resolutions having been introduced should have
supported them had they been put to vote But with all
due respect to every member of that caucus-and am
bound to believe that they all discharged their duties
cordng to the best lights before themI constrained
TO say that think the of our receding friends
calculated to arouse sectional feelings. thought that
the withdrawal of Southern members from the caucus
would tend to establish geographical division,
ona division in the country and thus leave the whole
great question Of nominating candidate for President Of
the United States entirely to Northern friends and
therefore was willing to remain and declared before
and after friends retired from the caucus that
ready and willing to discharge the promise had made
vote for the resolutions.
have now before me statement, prepared by mem
Der Of that caucus which shows that if our Southern
friends who withdrew had remained the compromise
solutions would have been passed by majority of four,
taking basis those who voted for the compromise the
JACKSON resolution in this House, HLYERs amendment
and those who declared in the that they
ready to sustain them. | say that according to this
which assured is correct if our friends
had remained in the caucus the compromise resolutions
would have been passed by majority of four.
Mr. CABELL, Of Florida. | ask the gentleman to give
the names
Mr.. CULLoM. will send the gentleman the statement
md he can examine it for himself
Several MEMBERS. Read it! Read it!
MIR. CULLoM. Now, Mr.. Chairman, what was the OBJ
ect Of the gentleman who led this movement this STAN
pede in the Wing caucus, cannot say Twill only allude
to my honorable friend from North Carolina, Mr CLING
MANI who was prominent in the retreatng wing Of that
body, and who spoke, by authority for others ask
that gentleman If he did not evnce that he to that
caucus to carry out certain purpose? Upon the condi-
ton OF its being carried out he would cooperate with the
caucus but if the purpose failed, he would secede
say my honorable friend from North Carolina was promi
in the retreatng forces that occasion To what
extent he aided in bringing about that retreat or what
command he held not prepared to say but want
to ask my friend If he did not up there with the
determination that the action of that upon the
hnaty OF the compromise should determine whether or
Now, sir when did my honorable friend from North Caro-
Una become so warmly attached to the compromise mea-
sures! hnd by reference to the Journal that he voted
against the major part Of those measures
MIR. CLISGMAs Does the gentleman expect me to an
swer his questions! will do it with great pleasure
Mr.. CULLoM. Not now.
Mr.. CLISGMAS Then / suppose the gentleman asks
questions he does not desire to have answered.
MIR. CULLoM l will answer from the Journal If
misrepresent the gentleman when say that he voted
against most Of the compromise measures wish to be
corrected
Mr.. CLSGSAS Twill say that should like very much
70 answer but he prefers let him refer the Journal
and TO my speeches in connexon with and from
them.
Mr.. CULLoN The honorable gentleman from North
Carolina voted against the compromise resolutions this
session He gave us notice in the caucus that unless