The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-29

| on the Compromise, and this the reason why
he was here He did not avoid the question of
test, 50 far a candidate for the Presidency is
| cerned. Therefore, he not in that category
and nc glad at this early day TO be placed in a
position TO enter his solemn protest gainst bein
| so classified. Instead OF being uncommitted to the
support OF the Adjustment measures, he had COM
| mitted himself before his constituents, aud had
| committed himself here when the question was
| presented. The question decided when his
| constituents sent him hither They were willing
| 10 abide by the Compromi No man took hi CHER
ground than he did in the canvass; and in one OF
| the strong abolition districts there Wings
and Democrats enough 10 give him majority Of
! six hundred votes. The question clearly and
| perfectly understood by them He not sent
here to fight the battle over again. He knew that
he had rembled enough during the stormy con-
ct to wish to be relieved from the horrors of an
other such war az that which prevailed when the
measures were pending. He did not desire to see
| the box of Pandora reopencd here; and every vote
which he gave to lay upon the table resolutions
upon the subject was to get rid OF them. He voted
| uniformly for an adjournment Of the House, be-
cause he wanted no further time wasted.
He stated his position at tho opening Of this SEES
sion
These came resolutions were introduced at pri-
waite Wing meeting. He did not want them there
He thought that he at that time heard the mutter
of the distant thunder that would roll up storm
frightful in the end. But when the gentlemen
from Georgia (Messrs. JACKSON and HILLYEK) in
| brought directly before the House, ne went for
them; he could not vote against them; and he
trusted in God he never should.
The only other position in which he with others
had been placed by TIE sgpers of the address was
that they had refused to establish any test of the
qualification Of the nominee Of the Wing National
Convention. Now, he was understood at home in
relation to this matter, and wished to be under
stood here. No could have his vote for Presi-
dent unless he stands clear and unquesioned on
the ground of the Compromise He must not
merely have his word, but no doubt about it. So
| he did not stand in that category.
At this point gentleman was understood ask
ing why he had voted to lay the resolutions upon
the table; to which MIR. PARKER replied by saying,
when is there to be an end of throwing firebrands
into our midst, when we should dwell together in
harmony? His people want peace. He was here
an evidence that they want peace and end to the
agitation; and he would not assist in again rekiad
ling those fires. Having said this much, he sup
posed he was Understood. He did not stand in the
| category in which the signers of the address had
placed those who voted against entertaining the
Compromise resolutions in caucus. The Wings
were only called togetheEto fix the time and place
for holding their National Convention Where did
they obtain their authority for this2 BY the
mon consent OF the Wings all over the land From
the time this thing was first mooted by individuals
and the press, down to the period of the meeting in
caucus, nothing said about fixing platforms.
He did not know when he had heard and listened
wi h more interest and pleasure than he did yes
tcrday to the remarks Of the gentleman from
ments which he uttered met with cordial re-
spouse in his heart but there were some things
with which he differed, toto cGlo His friend was
laboring under great unsupported with re-
gard to the North and in this connection ne would
read short extract, he found it reported in the
National hteiiigencr, having doubt Of its
rectness, as he SO understood the gentleman. II 10
follows:
"The great leading and controlling question
which was likely to enter into the political contest
OF this country, and the administration Of its Gov
eminent, was the constitutional right of one
ton vi the country TO the reclamation oil Its fugitive
slaves, and il was said that there must be disa-
greement between northern and southern men upon
this question that Is, that men must disagree upon
n great constitutional question:
His friend from Georgia either COMPOUNDED the
Fugitive Slave law with the Constitution, mis-
represents-without design, he knew-the position
of some men Of the North. We know the senti-
ments of gentlemen from that section this floor;
We have all manner of spirits here; and he thought
that he ght call the attention of the House this
subject, as the gentleman had alluded TO IT, But
where is the man from the North who denies the right
Of the South TO reclaim their fugitive slaves? His des
TIMES cast with the North, and he had never
passed three days where slavery existed by law
until he came TO this city. There not TO be
found In this broad land men with hearts warmer
in support OF the Constitution than those to whom
the gentleman referred. Ii will never be disputed,
and he ask ed his southern brethren disnss their
fears. He would tell gentlemen, however, what
exists in the North "a contrarety of opinion in
lation TO come Of the provisions Of the Fugitive
Slave law bot that there is disposition there TO
ngitate this question he free 10 confess he did
not believe He did not believe that it exists in his
district. The people Of the North want harmony
aud quiet in the Union, and they will stand by
the Constitution as long there IL plank Of Il
left. May they not feel and have their private
sentiments! Southern men must not ask them, as
entities and sentient beings TO surrender them. IL
ought 10 be enough that they abide by the law;
md for himself he would not touch one halr Of it's
head until southern gentlemen themselves de-
sire il.
lie repeated, he came here particularly on this
question. His district will stand on the Compro-
nlscj and will countenance no man in the Prcsi-
Dental chair, or out OF IL, who will not lend him.
self TO the faithful execution of the law.
Probably no law has ever been passed which has
been 30 much misreprcseutod. lie had told his
constituents that he could not have voted for II,
unless his vote was essential TO save the Union lie
would vote for no bill which he did not approve;
but when THE has become law as a part Of a Com.
promise, TO sustain the Constitution and the integ-
rity Of the Union, and 10 prevent the shedding of
blood; and when got other lave which could
not have been passed without this, he should con.
sdcr himseli unworthy of seat this 4 Dor il he
did not acquicrcc until gentlemen who asked for
this law desired a change. The great heart Of the
North, he repeated, is sJund. There need be no
fear; and all he asked for his constituents was that
gentlemen here should turn their backs these
aRitating question:
lie read iurtbcr from the speech Of Mr. STEPHENS,
who said yesterday "that he was willing to aver
that far az he was concerned he could con-
cent that any BODY OF men, unknown to aud
unauthorized by the law, should proclaim the pol
itics by which he was To- be governed. II IL tho
dtty Of Representative 10 act In such n way the
Constitution 81 the country warrants; and what
spectacle could be more humiliating Co the Ameri-
can Representative than 10 submit his will, and
bow bis neck, and give up his sentiments TO
an outside body, unknown and irresponsible TO
law, which makes politics 10 govern him and his
posterity' The Government and Constitution can
not stand N thcsc things 10 continue. Who
constitute the conventiouY As he had already said
men unknown 90 the law and the Constitution;
and what a spectacle would tho American Con-
gress present, If gentlemen came here tho shame
fully vile instruments TO register the cdicts Of
unknown TO our lav?'
lie (Mr. PhRKgR) ooncurred in this sentiment
II wss good Wing doctrine. He was an American
! citizen and freeman yet thank God. If his Wing
| friends should meet in convention and present n
mar in whom he had confidence and whose opin
ions were Ike lie own, he should sustain him: but
| II not he knew well where he would stand; and he
| would tell them that, unless the nominee shall be
as sound on the Compromise IA he bad repr esented
himself TO be, in the language Of HgNRY CLAY TO
the Kentucky Legislature, he would go for Demo.
crat rather than for Whig No man could get his
vote unless he stands there. lie considered no ma n
| bound by any convention, unless the candidate
| Il II 80. IA l. I,I.u. ~