The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-21

I gentleman b. to injufe them, through me, by
{ Indirectly intimating that they mnst be very
feeble party, when they have such poor leader
Now, those gentlemen can take care of them
sslves, and need no defense from me. Nobody
knows better than the gentleman from Tonnes
see, Mr.. CULLoh, so far from being the leader,
or even prominent actor, was, in fact, only q
follower.
But the gentleman finding that he is placed in
position where he cannot defend hims. II be-
fore the country-for his whole speech to-day is
but confession of that, i.3 every one must see
finding that he has gotten into place where
he will not be able to carry the burden placed
upon him by public opinion, has endeavored to
shift it off upon me. have great deal of
charity, but have not quite enough to make
me carry 30 heavy load as he has on him. No !;
he must carry his own cross to the place of exc
cuton do not intend to be- a cross. bearer for
him or any one else. Each gentleman must an
swer for his own sins, and defend himself before
his party AS to what the gentleman has said
to day, have no apprehension that it will hurt
me in any respect. | have often heard much
louder thunder and whcn he publishes his
speech, in which he says he intends to make
some references to me, and make quota
lions from some of my speeches, il find that
his mode of arrayiDg these things should be
such as to requir, defense, | will be ready
enough to make it. But am not soft enough
to engage in this fight now. My position is
well understood by the country, and even if it
were otherwise, | should not now regard it as
proper for me to consume the public time in my
defense | intend to wait and let this contest
go on for the present, and if | see fitting occa-
sion, and shall have reason to believe that
speech from me would be of service to the coun
II hall / ,,1.., L., L.
fend myself before my constituents when
think it necessary, and am equally.ready to do
it before the public in the newspapers, when
think the occasion requires it, and if it should
become necessary, which can scarcely suppose,
shall not fail to do it here. But whenever
can advance the public interests, will be as
prompt as any other gentleman to take part in
the discussion. | appeal to the committee to
let us 90 through with this territorial business,
as think we may be able to finish it in two
days, and then allow the political discussion TO
! go on.
Mr.. FITCH Will the gentleman from
North Carolina give me time to briefly answer
such remarks of the gentleman from Tennes-
SEQ Mr.. CULLoMl as relate personally to my
self?
Mr. CLINGMAN will give way for a
short time, if the committee will consent. My
object IL to make the motion have indicated.
Mr. FITCH If the gentleman wishes it, |
can close with making the motion which he de-
sres to make The gentleman from Tennesses
Mr.. CULLoMl appears willing to
"Compound for sins he is inclined to,
BY damnng those he has mind to-"
/ He seeks to blind the country To his inclina
ton to aid the success of General ScOtt's non,
committal policy by denouncing me for placing
! nv humble opinions upon record.
| IL the gentleman was really as DESTROYS of
telling the whole truth, and thereby doing jus
lice to political opponent, rs he is of apollo
giving for the mum policy of his Presidential
candidate, he would have informed the House
of what his researches into my political opinions
have doubtless informed him, namely-that in
terrogaiories similar to those he has read, and
read my answers, were propounded to me two
years after the date of those he has paraded be
fore the House. with an additional one, asking
if would vote for repeal or modification of the
fugitive slave law, and answered in the mega
iiye, with the reasons i'll full which governed
, the answer. The answer he has read, was in
: accordance with the then sentiments of large
portion Of the citizens of my State. Itcoincided
! with the then opinions Of most of the Democrats
of my district, and also with the opinion Of most
a of the Wing party of the State. II is all answer
which had been previously given, in substance,
by my then Wing competitor The sentiments
and opinions, of which such answer to such in
terrogatories was tho legitimate consequence,
were induced by course of action precisely
similar to the one now advocated by the gentle
man, namely the nomination and election of a
candidate for the Presidency, without asking
any pledge or any opinion from him, upon tho
sectional question then at issue The Demo-
Gratis of my State, yref included, had opposed
| ~ 80 "a,
of candidate openly pledged to oppo ition to
it. The Wings, and especially you Wings Of
the South, asked no such pledge---no opinion
from your candidate. You thereby courted
Ffeesol votes to his support. You elected him
We were indignant at your abandonment of
those in the North, who were striving to defend
your constitutional rights-indignant at your
indifference to your own rights and interests,
and your willingness to sacrifice them to party
political succeas, We determined TO no longer
fight your battles upon our soil, and at our cost
In our anger we determined to permit the Free
soiIers-ay, aid them-in presenting the bitter
chalice to your lips, which you had helped them
prepare, You know the result, in the danger
Gus agitation and excitement OF the last Con-
gress. But the compromise passed. We are
DESTROYS, for the peace and welfare of the coun-
try, that it should remain undisturbed, and its
provisions % executeu w Roou ldilu
Hence have sustained il as settlement
and as hope, final settlement of the slavery
controversy; and when, two years after the in
terrogatories the gentleman has read, others of
similar character wers presented to me, with
the addition have mentioned-fuli time having
been afforded within the two years to examine,
in all their bearings, the principles involved in
them, | answered them in the negative stating
that affirmative action upon some OF them would
be unconstitutional; upon others, impolitc and
bad faith towards the South; and upon any OF
them, useless and dangerous. Tbs negative
answer was given when | 4s told-and had no
reason to doubt the correctness of the statement
that my election derended upon an affirma-
tive answer; but coupled the answer with the
declaration to those to whom it was made, that
it was in accordance with my honest convictions,
and that though it might ensure my defeat had
far rather remain u private citizen, sustaining
the Constitution and the Union as it is, than be
f elected to Congress, pledged to policy which
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