The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-04

have fallen into the error which induced him to
classify the opponents Of the policy OF bis report
Fsay, sir, nv surprise For decisive test vote
had been taken few moments before he spoke,
and If he had bsen at all attentive to the details.
he would have perceived that he could not find
enough Of the material of which he declared the
opposition to be composed, in the House. do
not know who he considers Freesoilers and
Abolitionists; neither do know, certainly, who
he would designate as Secessonists and Dis
unionists He meant somebody here, and vot.
ing in this House have reflected much, and
the result is the conclusions that the vote on the
resolutions offered by the gentleman from
Georgia Mr.. Jackson Would be the readiest
guide to Il proper conclusion. assume that
those who voted for these resolutions are or
thodox Union men, and those in the negative
composed Of the classes described by the honor
able chairman was Induced to do so, because
of his own reference To the compromise meas
urcs as aifording test of the feelings of.gente-
men towards the Union Of the States, the Union
newspaper, and, in this particular point, the Re,
public Although there is one difficulty which
i mention here, the gentleman himself an
nounced such high State Rights doctrines was
so explicit in avowing that secession by State
would not be treason, and only exposed the
seeding State to the casualties OF war, that [
wondered that he should not have paused be-
fore he said such bitter things about those who
are called Secessonists, because they assert the
same right of secession for cause. But to re-
turn. He must have heard and known the
character of the vote, and the party position of
those who voted At his instance, on Friday
last there was call Of the House with view
of securing a full attendance Of the members /;
and then motion was made by the gentleman
from Tennessee Mr.. JoNEsI to lay this whole
subject upon the table, which was by the House
decided in the negative. The gentleman heard
the result announced, and the vote read by the
Cerk-yeas 81, nays SO. Had he attended to
that vote, and given himself the trouble to ana
lyze it, he would have saved me the trouble of
this reply, and himself from the error into which
he has fallen. II is a grave charge to make
here, that opposition to measures proposed by
the Committee son Printing for distributing
public money in the shape of distribution to
party presses, finds its source in combination
Of Abolitonists and Freesoilers, Secessionists
and Democrats per Sc. And that charge be-
comes still more grave when it is applied to a
majority of this House. Particularly when
those who make it are seeking to reward their
friends and organs, and those against whom it
is made, having no such object, are simply en-.
deavoring to prevent prodigal and secure an
economical expenditure of the public money.
Had the gentleman consulted the Journal, he
would not, am sure, have made any such
charge. The facts would have prevented him
from assuming so assailable position. | shall
in the appendix to this speech publish that ana
lysis of the votes, and the names of those who
voted.
The revelation made by the honorable chair
man, that opposition to the measures of com.
promise was the basis Of the opposition to the
division of the profits of the printing of Con-
gress between two antagonistic and party prints,
struck me as the coolest specimen of far-fetched
inference to which my attention had been called
We have been more than once Informed, by
speakers upon this floor, that appreciation Of
these measures was a high test of patriotism.
Gentlemen have spoke of cooperation in pro-
curing their passage as a high distinction and
some have disputed with others the honor of
prominence on that memorable occasion.
shall never compete with them for that dis.
tinction. ] have changed no opinions as to the
character Of those measures, and regret no vote
which gave in reference to them. But il is the
consummation of GOODNESS for those who voted
for and approved them-most of whom land
some even from the South pronounced them
fair, liberal, and just-to assume to themselves
the claim to peculiar patriotism because they
now acquiesce. They acquiesce, because they
approve, and approving, are contented. A hun.
cry person might with equal propriety, claim
credit for the alacrity with which he partook of
rich viands prepared for his necessities. No.
sir; this is pure, unadulterated humbug, and the
sagacty Of the people is much moderated by
those who suppose that it will not be so pro-
nounced.
Mr.. CHASTIAN, Gnterrupting) | have no
disposition 10 disturb the gentleman in his
speech, nor would do so were il not for the
fact that he called the gentleman from Indiana
Dir. GoRMAE TO order upon the discussion Of
the same subject | think the gentleman from
North Carolina is travelling away from the ques.
ton under consideration. As ! said, he called
the gentleman from Indiana TO order for dis.
cussng the same subject.
Mr.. VENABLE. II the chair will allow me-
will show him thai | am not out Of order.
The SPEAKER. The chair is Of opinion that
IL is not in order 20 discuss the compromise
measures
Mr.. VENABLE. | know that Il il cousid.
cred out Of order, 10 allude 10 those measures
which have been considered panacea for all
the disorders OF the body polite. In this
think gentlemen are mistaken. II was said by
Sir John Falstati, that he was not witty himself.
but the canse Of wit In others. so, the resolu-
tons recognizing the finality Of the compromise
are not disorderly in themselves, but the cause of
disorder in others. ! am not discussing the
compromise measures, although a motion 10
printthc whole subject is open for debate and
II has been asserted by the honorable chairman
Of the Committee on Printing, that The opposi
ton 10 the Union and Republic newspapers, as
the employees for executing The public printing.
originated in coalition Of Freesoilers and Abo.
litionts, Secessionists and Dsunionists, because
of common dislike TO the editors of those
this dislike arose from the sup
port given by them to the compromise measures
Of the last Congress. II is strictly legitimate
10 show that my opposition 10 The report Of the
committee, is not founded upon such puerIe
consideration, and to meet and reply TO arru.
ments urged in favor of measure Of which
disapprove. IL is often indispensable 10 answer
clap-trop. IL passed unnoticed--it may pass
for argument with careless readers and listeners.
| desire that the true Issue NAV NOT be kant out