The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-10
General Cullom.

We are pleased to observe that General
CULLoM, of Tennessee, who has been suffering
from severe illness at his lodgings in this city
for SIX weeks past, has sufficiently recovered
to be able to resume his seat in the House of
Representatives. In compliance with the
wishes Of several of General CULLoM's consli-
tuents, who have written us for copies Of his brief
and spirited speech on the KossUTH question.
we take pleasure in transferring it 10 our col
umns
" Mr.. CULLoM. bad not intended. Mr.. Chair.
man, to have participated in this discussion. II
was my purpose to vote silently, as ! have done
from the origin Of this question but since gentle
men arrogate to Themselves the prerogative upon
this floor Of dsnouncing me and those with whom
act upon these questions factionists, / have
the right American citizen--the double right
az member upon this loor-of acting upon these
questions upon all Others under II the oblira-
lions and sanctions which this high trust imposes
would be false to myself, and unloyal to my con-
sttuency, If did not, as here do, hurl il back
upon It's authors az falsehood. Applause, and
cries Of h" Good - Good 80 and "That'.
rghtp'l What have | done as a representa-
tive here for which ] am TO be thus censured
Have ] not dcmcancd myself in every phase
this question has assumed in strict conformity
with the rules prescribed by this body for its
government? Might not with far greater pro.
pricty charge that the dominant majority upon
this question have madly overriden the stubborn
rules OF the House in order TO precipitate this
question md in their holy zeal to do honor 20
Mr.. Kossuth, would crush and thus denounce
those whom they choose TO call factionists but
who, assert are the real American law and order
party Of this Housc tGreat applause. "Or.
der =" "Order = While | am disposcd 10 treat
members with all the courtesy due their station
representatives. Of American freemen, | am
here to exact that same observance and whilst
gentlemen arc talking for Buncombe and the rnobe
ut the Five Points, they must learn that these in
dignities are highly unbccoming. Mr. Chairman
have fully, in my opinion, discharged the obi.
cations Of courtesy in relation TO the distinguished
individual who s the subject matter Of this dis.
cussion. Our Government bad invited him TO our
free country as refugee from European opnres
sion, and in that same spirt voted the invitation
TO visit the capital Of this mighty nation There
choose TO stop and hand the distin guished gen.
tlcman over to- the hospitality Of the American
people generally, and TO the people of Washing
ton in particular, feeling that my Legislative func.
tions have ceased but every amendment limiting
our action TO mere courtesy land nothing more
we arc assured, il intcndcd) ha. been voted down
and a new and dangerous doctrine has been
Swallowed forth through the speeches of gentle.
men, from which, as an American, | shrink
My American pride has forced me to take nv
stand, and IT shall bc my last entrcnchmon by INV
own country aud her time honorcd usapcs Mr.
Chairman, ours is justly called a model republican
Government, whilst its enemies tauntinrly point
to it mere experiment. and so it will prove. if
your quacks are permitted TO practice their expo.
rmenn upon It. Yes, sir, gentlemen cloquently
point to II asa beacon-light TO which the world
have turned their eyes in their struggle. against
the dcspotsm. of the Old World. How irnport
ant that this great light should be always steady
and stable; but in the hands of the progressive
gentlemen II would be mere jack lantern. lead
ing the nations OF the earth 10 quagmircs and
marshes am not prepared to commit this coyn.