The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-06-17

IsDIAs APPROPRIATIONS BILL.

INDIAN AUTHORIZATIONS BILL
The CHAIRMAN stated that the first ques-
ton under consideration was House bill No 49,
making appropriations for the current and con-
tngent expenses of the Indian Department, and
for fulfilling treaty stipulations with various In
dian tribes for the current year ending June 80,
1883" upon which the gentleman from Tennes
see, Mr.. GRNrRY, 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 Q Iestion under consideration before
this committee; bat 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 discus 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 aud colleague
from the Nashville district, Mr. CoLLUm an
nounced my purpose TO discuss fully and at
length, at some suitable time, the important
question referred to by him on that occasion,
habitua disinclination to occupy the valuable
time of this committee with speech making
would have kept me silent, believe but for
the speech of the honorable gentleman from
North Carolina, Mr.. STAELY, on Saturday
tFtullg iubt. III hHAV bpctON io IA ptconfu Hbut
views and opinions in which | do not concur,
and the tendency of which | deem TO be emil
nentIy miscellaneous 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
clusion 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 eontroyerl and combat the
idea set forth by the gentleman from North
Carolina, and to endeayor at least 10 impress
the opinion that the view which he presented
on Saturday evening is not common 10 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 position where could not
hear him very distinctly, he expressed himself
decidedly opposed to the introduction into, or
the adoption by, that convention of aty resolu
items which should recognize the series 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 and the conquest Of territory from Mexico,
as compromise. He proclaimed himself in
favor Of the nomination Of Mr.. Fillmore as the
Wing candidate for the Presidercyy but taking
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
inference from his speeches and his letters Is
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 an unfair inference from
his speeches and his letters that the whole influ
ence 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 that State
which he in part represents, and the Southern
States, and the whole Wing party of the Union,
to accept General Scott as the Wing candidate
for the Presidency. differ with the gentleman
deem it to be matter Of high national i'm.
portance, rising infinitely above all mere patry,
temporary party interests, and that both of the
great political organizations Of the country.I
should avail themselves of the opportunity
which this hour and this occasion furnishes to
nationaze themselves, and so to shape their
Presidential organizations as to bring all the in
fuences which those two great political organi-
cations can WELD to bear upon the American
heart and mind, North and South with view
to harmonize-to eonciliate the North and South, |
and to give tranquility to the country, and bring
each section of the Union---every part and parcel
of ,ur Union--to recognize all of the obiiga- |
tons which the Constitution imposes, North and |
South, and to bring the public men in each sec
ton to resolute enunciation Of purpose to
maintain the obligations Of the Constitution
everywhere, and to throw the whole weight and
influence of both of these two great party or
CARNATIONS in favor of teaching the people the
truth and their duties nnder the Constitution. |
North and South.
believe if the two great political organiza- ]
lions of the country act upon this principle, that
great good to the republic now, and for long
years hereafter, will result | believe that the
bitter feeling, the unfraternsl passions which
these sectional questions to which | have re-
ferred have engendered North and South, will
be obterated and expunged-~that the people
of the whole American Union will again fra
ternize as MISUNDERSTANDING 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 its children
will go forward in its career ofprospetity, great
ness and glory and be az 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 waters
which as we hoped had been sealed forever by
the exertions of those brave and noble patriots
who co operated together on that occasion, will
be reopened and that sectional strife, sectional
deDuncatons of the North by the
South, and the South by the North, will again
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 Of
this great republic we shall be thrown upon
that last sad resort--the cartridge-box bayon-
cts, and the sword. That is what fear. Talk
to me about party victory or defeat when such
interests as these are involved Better, infinite
ly better, be defeated by doing your duty to the
country than TO win mean, miserable, and
ruinous party triumph by bringing upon your
country evils such as those have suggested!
will not look to the question of victory or
defeat | seq plainlv--anG every man must see |