The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-19

hands OF any man, or set OF men. He had never
heard attributed 10 him personal enmity he be
lieyed him to be straightforward man, honorable
IN private lie, and above reproach. General Buffers
political opinions, however erroneous, he had no
doubt were sincere. He had no doubt, from the
beginning, that they would be expressed with can
dor; and he did not believe that any influences
could induce him 10 stoop To deceit. But he Mr.
| M was %! the opinion that Mr.. BREoKENRIpoE
! did not do justice to General Buffers position.
| The gentleman drew a contrast between the course
| OF General Butler and that of MIR. Fillmore, while
they were members of this House, and presented
them IN direct antagonism, the TO the other,
ON the subject OF s!avery-on the grave question Of
| constitutional law. And to which was wrong,
| be asked his colleague to review one page of the
history OF this country. He then referred to former
| proceedings and votes in the House the subject
OF abolition petitions; and said that in the Com
promise measures there is bill to suppress the
slave trade IN the District of Columbia. This is
not preliminary question; it is not question of
suspension OF the rules, but Legislative act it
ID an act, too, covering the identical power over
| which General Butler and Mr.. Fillmore differed.
| He would ask whether the gentleman considers
that act to be unconstitutional? Does General
Butler consider it unconstitutional? If he replies
In the negative, then why condemn in representa-
tive Fillmore vote 10 receive petition, when he
commends in President Fillmore his signature TO a
bill which gives to it vitality?
| MIR: BRECKENRIDGE replied, referring to the
character OF the petitions the subject OF slavery
which Mr.. Fillmore voted 10 receive, and explain.
| ing his former remarks.
MIR. MARSHALL replied; when the gentleman
arraigns the President to answer TO the Indictment
| before the world, he should not attempt to amend
| 1t. His colleague will not say that the law is UNI
constitutional, because II comes here endorsed by
| the kentucky Democracy.
| Mr. BRECKENRIDGE did not deny the power
| OF Congress to pass the Compromise bills. On the
| abolition OF the slave trade in the District of Co
| lumbia he made no issue. Does the gentleman con
slider that Congress have power TO abolish slavery
IN the States, In the District of Columbia, or be-
tween the States, and would he entertain petitions
for this purpose? If not does he justify Mr.. Fill
more for doing so?
| Mr.. MARSHALL replied, if it was ri hit to pass
the twenty first rule it wrong in the De.
nocrats TO repeal it, And he then referred to past
history to show that the Democratic party, pressed
| to the wall, in state of desperation seized upon
the question of slavery, and for the first time.
der Mr.. Van Buren,, brought it into the arena of
politics. They declared General! Harrison an abo-
htonist, and his allies the Wings of the South; and
| that the man upon whom the South could rely was
MIR. Van Buren,, and that with the Democrats of
the North they could rally for their constitutional
rights. They were not content to leave this deli
cate subject 10 mixed arbtramcnt of northern
Ffecsollers and southern Secessionists, but they
met it at the threshold, in having legislative ex-
position OF constitutional power covering this sub
| Ject. Mr.. Vanderpoel, Of New York, acted as the
| spokesman Of the northern Democracy, and il
was he who called the previous question which
! brought tue House to the adoption of
! the twenty fret rule. He said they would fulfil
! the compact made In secret, to adopt the south
ern view of the Constitution, and continue the
| clement OF slave representation this floor,
! and cover the future with the principle OF the
| twenty first rule, never allowing a petition or
memorial asking for the abolition of slavery or
the slave trade TO come into the Hail. II is due to
truth to say that there was sincerity in the OPP
Grafton. 1t was but cloak for the occasion
His colleague therefore, in bringing forward the
proceedings relative TO the twenty. first rule,
produced the history of pal pable inconsistency. He
exhibits the grave delinquency of his party
measure which was gotten up for political effect
without the Blightest intention to obey but rather
to abandon it. Van Buren, was accepted on trust
relying on his declarations, not on his acts. The
future showed the insincerity of the reliance and
the talacy OF the hope; but there is prctence to
doubt Mr.. Fillmore, and no room for speculation
! BY the action Of the President the Compromise
bills he has been tested, thoroughly and officially
lie has been tried In a fiery ordeal. Those who
were here at the commencement of the thirty first
Congress can never fail to remember the circum-
stances under which he came into power. Sectional
feeling was thoroughly aroused; the voice of pa
triotsm seemed to have lost control the public
mind; the gameuts which bound the Confederacy
together were strained and gradually parting; the
ship OF State was already in the breakers-here was
no pilot at the helm; the most experienced at the
other end VI the Capitol abandoned the effort to re-
store peace In despair. 1t was at that moment Mr..
Fillmore came into power, to from ruin.
The task required nerve and skill and capacity.
Without hestation he changed the crew; he did it
deci5vely and successfully; and at the commence
I
for the qualification of the country and took il
as principle Of the Administration, by which he
would stand or fall
Mr.. NJ. then adverted among other things, to
the claim set up that the Compromise is Demo
cratic measure, and reiuted this by showing that
southern Democrats flew away from the test vote,
which was the amendment of Mr. BOYD fixing the
Texas boundary line, and establishing territorial
governments for New Mexico and Utah.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Arkansas (the time to which
the general debate was limited having nearly ar
rived,) complained OF not having had opportu-
nifty to explain certain appropriations asked for by
the Indian Department. There were items re-
jccted by the Committee of Ways and Means
which cannot be explained in five, ten, or fifteen
minutes. II could be shown that the committee
did wrong in rejecting them. lie would scorn to
into the consideration OF any subject at ALL dur
ing the brief period of time remaining unless TO
show the condition to which the House brought,
and that, too, under his previous protest that the
debate could not be closed thus early without risk
ing serious injury 10 the service of the country.
Mr.. POLK inquired whether it would be in or.
der Tor the gentleman 10 go into this investigation
lie considered it of importance. No argument
has been addressed to it, and he did not know how
70 vote.
Mr.. JOHNSON said that he tried in vain to get
the time Tor closing the debate extended one day
more. He could not now proceed unless by gene
I raj consent, and il was not to DO expected that
among two hundred and thirty seven men come
would not object. Even the light of heaven lie
I objected to-
VI Yin. HOpt HODOuy Will OBJECT.
Mr.. JOHNSON I'm response to a question: said
he could not yield the floor; but would if the com
m,tteo would consent that he should go on to-
morrow. " not, the Indian service can 60 where
il has a mind TO.
He gave way for motion that the committee
rice, which prevailed
Mr.. LANE introduced two resolutions, which
were adopted, calling for information relative to
I ailairs in the Territory Of Oregon
Mr.. MEADE. have drawer full Of reports
from the judiciary Committee, and | ask the
House TO let nc empty its contents.
Mr.. BAYLY. ! am the last man to thwart my
| colleague, but object.
Mr.. MEADE. Being objection, / move that
the House adjourn.
The question was put, and decided in the affirm.
ativc; so
The House adjourned.
PETITION, KTC.
By Mr.. SCUDDER: The petition of Benjamin
r. Robbins and others, owners Of schooner Nj
dunn, lost at sea- for allowance Of fshing boun-
ty Referred 20 the Committee Commerce.
by Mr.. MOORE, OF Pennsylvania: The resolu-
tons OF the Legislature of Pennsylvania "relative
to Smith O'Brien and bis associates in exile" and
also in reference "to the establishment of a navy
ward dcDut and dry dock on the laLe fronticr