The southern press., 1852-06-17
Remarks Of mr.. Gentry, OF tennessee
In the House Of Representatives on he
INDIAN APPROPRIATIONS Bill

INDIAN APPROPRIATION Bill.
The CHAIRMAN stated that the hrst ques'
ton under consideration was House bill NO. AS
making appropriations for the current and con,
ting.nt expenses of the Indian Department, and
for fulfilling treaty stipulations with various In
dian tribes for the current year ending June 80,
1919 " upon which the gentleman from Tennes.
see, iMr. GEKrRY,l was entitled to the floor
Mr.. GENTRY. Mr.. Chairman, have not
obtained the floor to-day to discuss the merits
or the dement's of the bill which is nominally, at
least, the question under consideration, before
this committee but to avail myself of that com
mon law of this House which permits its mem.
bers, when the House is in Committee OF the
Whole on the state of the Union, to discuss any
question which may be regarded as important
to the general welfare of the republic. Although
some week or two ago, when responding briefly
to speech made by my friend and colleague
from the Nashville district, Mr.. CoLLUM an.
nounced my purpose TO discuss fully and al
length, at some suitable time, the important
question referred to by him on that occasion, a
habitual disinclination to occupy the valuable
time of this committee with speech.maklng
would have kept me silent, believe, but for
the speech of the honorable gentleman from
North Carolina, Mr.. STANLY, on Saturday
evening last. In that speech he expressed some
views and opinions in which | do not concur,
and the tendency of which deem 10 be emf
nently mischievous. He occupies prominent
and conspicuous position among the Southern
Wings of the United States, and | fear if his
speech should pass unanswered that the con
cluson might be arrived at by gentlemen from
the North, here and elsewhere, who might, if they
chose, exercise very considerable influence
upon the consultations of that Wing convention
which is to assemble at Baltimore in few days
that may induce them to exercise that influence
in manner adverse to what believe to be the
true interests Of the country. have, therefore
obtained the floor to controvert and combat the
idea set forth by the gentleman from North
Carolina, and to endeavor at least TO impress
the opinion that the view which he presented
on Saturday evening is not common to the peo-
pie of any Southern State in the Union =
If understood the honorable member from
North Carolina and | may have misunderstood
him, for Was in a position where could no.
hear him very distinctly, he expressed himsrl.
decidedly opposed to the introduction into, or
the adoption by, that convention of q y resolu
ton, which should recognize the series Of meas
ures passed by the last Congress to adjust the
sectional controversies between the Northern
and Southern States of the American Union,
which had grown out of the annexation OF
Texas aud the conquest Of territory from Mexico,
as compromise He proclaimed himself in
favor Of the nomination Of Mr.. Fillmore as The
Wing candidate fer the Presidency; but taxing
his speech in connection with speeches hereto
fore made, and letters written and published by
him during the present session OF Congress,
think it will not be imputed to me that DO him
Injustice when say that the fair and Legitimate
nd 30 aft -
this: That while individually he would prefer
Mr.. Fillmore, he looks to the probability Of the
nomination of General Scott. And think he
will not say that it is unfair inference from,
his speeches and his letters that the whole inhu
eace which he is able TO WELD over the public
opinion of the State which he represents, the
Southern States generally, and the American
Union, has been welded to prepare thst State
which he in part represents, and the Southern
States, and the whole Wing party of the Union,
to accept General Scott AZ the Wing candidate
for the Presidency. differ with the gentleman
deem it to be matter of high national i'm
cortance, rising infinitely above all mere paltry,
temporary party interests, and that both of the
great political organizations of the country
rhould avail themselves of the opportunity
which this hour aud this occasion furnishes to
nationalize themselves and so to shape their
Residential organizations as TO brpg all the in
huences which those two great political organi.
aations can WELD 10 bear upon the American
haari .aA mind North and South with a view
TO harmonize-to eonciliate the North and Srulh
and TO give tranquility TO the country, aud bring
each section Of the Union-every part and parcel
of cur Union-to recognize all Of the obiga.
tons which the Constitution imposes, North and
South, and 10 bring the public men in each sec
ton 10 a resolute enunciation of n purpose e
maintain the obligations Of the Constitution
everywhere, and to throw the whole weight ant
influence of both of these two great party or
CARNATIONS in favor Of teaching the people the
truth and their duties under the Constitution
North and South.
| believe if the two great political orglniza
lions Of the country act upon this principle, thai
great good to the republic now, and for LONG
years hereafter, will result. believe that the
bitter feeling, the unfraternal passions which
these sectional questions 10 which ! have re.
ferred have engendered North and South, will
be oblitersted and expunged-ihat the people
OF the whole American Union will again fra
ternize as brothers-harmonize and together
uphold the institutions which they have inner
tied from their fathers-and that our republic
restored to tranquility and harmony, shielding
protecting, and making happy all Of It's children
will go forward in its career Of prosperity, great
ness, and glory; and be as a sun in the heavens
TO all Of the nations Of the earth, lighting up
their pathway TO freedom and happiness like
that which we erjoy. And if these two great
parties do not thus act, have serious and pain
full fears that the fountain Of bitter waterv
which as we hoped had been sealed forever b.
the exertions Of tsose brave and noble patriots
who co.operated together on that occasion, vii
be reopened and That sectional strife, sectiona
antagonism, denunciatons Of the North by III,
South, and the South by the North, will agair
be the order Of the day and that presently, in
stead Of argument, reason, and the ballot.box
to adjust questions relating to the interests o.
this great republic, we shall be thrown upor
that last sad resort-the cartridge. box, bsyon
cts, and the sword. That is what fear. Tall
to me about party victory or defeat when suct
interests as these are involved Better, infinite
ly better, be defeated by doing your duty to thu
country than 10 win a mean, miserable, and
ruinous party triumph by bringing upon you
country evils such as those have suggested!
will not look TO the question Of victory Of