The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-15
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF HON. Il. G. CABELL,
OF FLORIDA,

On Political Parties, Wing Congressional Caucus, the
Presidency delivered IL me House of Representatives.
June ~, 1852.
The House being in the Committee OF the Whole on
the state OF the Union on the Indian appropriation bill
Mr.. CABELL, OF Florida, said Mr.. Chairman,
ayaed myself OF the leisure afforded by the adjournment
Of Congress last week TO snake notes of the thoughts
suggested by consideration of the questions involved in
the coming presidential election They very nuner-
sfoIdng materials Tor hall dozen speeches, which
do mol propose to inic unon the House. Your kind
ness in assigning me the floor adjournment has
enabled me partially TO methodze some o. these notes
as many as | supposed | could compress in hours
speech
speak many; and as do not intend 10 say anything de-
mandng personal explanation from any member of
the House, trust may be allowed 10 proceed without
interruption
Political parties organized for The purpose Of carry
ing into effect political principles and insure the ado-
lion OF political measures. In this country men have
generally arrayed themselves under the banner Of the
whg or democratic party as they supposed one or the
other OF these parties would conform most nearly 10
their views of governmental policy Candidates for office
usually presented by each party the representatives
and avowed advocates of The recognised principles OF the
party and, as such, entitled 10 the support OF its in
dvidua members. But it may happen that party
presents candidate whose opinions not known and
who refuses TO ayow them, or who is opposed 10 i'm
poant principles IN the creed Of The party by which he
nominated; and that the other party presents candi
date platform more nearly in accordance with the
opinions oi The members OF the opposing party, and the
avowed advocate OF principle OF vital moment to them.
ln such case member OF party would be ncon-
ssten in casting his vote for the candidate OF his pulit-
zeal opponents BY SO doing he would prove himself 10
be party man on principle.
II is leading principle my political creed on which
the southern wing party are united as man, that
1.-The compromise measures, including the fugitvesave
law, ought 10 be adhered to and carried into faithful
execution final settlements principle and substances
Of The dangerous and exciting subjects which they
brace"
1t is the universal sentiment of the wings Of the South
that this principle and should be paramount rising far
above and absorbing every question OF mere party policy
imay De described as the corner stone OF The platform
oil principle on which our party rests. He who refuses
to recognise the validity and binding force of this prn
cPe is rot one OF us, and who stands this platform.
and Is and avows himself the advocate OF this principle,
vital TO the existence OF our political association, is with
u.s. and OF us, and, whatever name he may assume is
entitled to sympathy and support in preference
who, "weaTing the livery OF party" and agreeing
with us on questions oi administrative policy, diff
eIs from US on this, and refuses publicly 10 commit him
sell, and 10 act with but proposes "agree to dis
agree" on matter OF such momentous consequence.
When, therefore, al the beginning OF the session de-
clared my determination TO vote for avowed compro-
mise democrat for the speakership in preference TO
anti-compromise whig, whose opinions not
known to the public, did ''cease to be whig" but
only proposed 10 carry out the principles OF my party il
ustiaed IN the admirable administration oil dstin-
guished President And now, sir, the southern whg
patty and all that is national in The northern whig party,
will prove lis consistency nationality and pairoism and
carry out ITS principles and the principles of excel
lent wing administration by striving 10 elect 10 the pres
dency democrat who will publicly commit himself to
the maintenance OF all the measures of compromse."
10 a"whig" who is afraid to his sentiments, is
not an advocate OF these final settlement
and willing TO deceive one section OF The Union, and
10 his nomination entirely to slavery influences,
as Wh be the case with Gen Scott, should he be nom
mated as he now stands before the country.
Mr.. Chairman after the passage OF the "compromise
acts, well remember that senator from North Caro-
lima was conspicuous for his efforts il building the polit
cal platform on which | now stand He then for
making the advocacy OF and adherence these
test, and signed pledge that he would vote for
presdenCy. a sol
bis State who did not stand this platform AT that
time, perhaps, he was OF that class OF politicians
whom he describes "whose ambition is limited 10
State" Now, the senator Iidicues the idea OF "intro
ducing into our platform this new principle" Alter
speaking contempuously those who now maintain
ing the policy established by himself and Clay, and almost
the entire southern whg party, with respectable portion
oi northern national wings, he sneeTlngy exclaims,
"Wel, that would be platform" " Perhaps the ambition
the honorable senator is no longer limited toa State
The platform which be erected for his Stale aud the South
and the constitutional of the North, is not broad
enough for Seward and his reeso associates by whose
votes he hopes 10 elect General Scott, and whomsoever
The antsavery influences in the wing party may select
as the vice presidential candidate.
is not OF course, my purpose 10 reply TO the speeches
OF the honorable senator from North Carolina. only
desire 10 call the attention of the country 10 the fact that
he OF the authors and builders of that political
platform on which now stand, and which he now seeks
10 bring into ndIcule and contempt But, before proceed
10 the consideration of other important questions
will merely say that, prior this reputation OF his for
meI policy and platform i would have excited surprise
that he should have sought disparage the two OF
the North most prominent in advocating his policy and
upholdng his platform. He spoke OF the pretensons OF
Inc one whom the wings OF fourteen southern States
nave united in nominating for the presidency, as "he de-
VelopmeDt OF premature and absurd ambton.n Oh the
other he says should at one time have felt willing
TO vote for him with great deal OF pleasure" What has
caused the senator TO change his feeling for Mr. Webster
be does not state. Possibly the publication of his ADM.
table letter to Mr. Tavenner, of the 10th OF April in
which he fully and unequvocay endorses the entire
fes oil compromise measures, may have presented an
the uDparoic eectioneerng silence
Of Gen Scott.
The which have felt il my duty TO pursue, Mr.
Chairman has called down upon my head the unmeasur
edyuperave abuse o the Scott free soil papers OF the
Neb, with few exceptions they and the same,)
and have been bitterly denounced by their southern
adIuiors II not because OF the in which
spoke OF Gen Scott for could not well have alluded 10
him in kinder or complimentary terms. Aud il is
now matter Of deepest regret to me that am consrain.
ed by my duty public man. and in disregard OF my
PERSONAL feelings, oppose his nomination and election
decidedly but II was because expressed my regret that
be had not publicly given the compromise measures the
benefit OF the influence OF his name and because avow
my unaleabe determination to stand up 10 the pledge
that had made, to support no man who occupied the
commta position in which he bad thought proper place
HIMSELF and in order 10 anti slavery votes That
public pledge, signed by Mr. CLAY, MIR. MAsGuM, and
so many distinguished men of both parties intend
dedy to fulfil. II the democratic nominee, OF whom
now know nothing, up TO its requirements and no
such whg candidate is presented, shall unqueslionaby
vote for the democrat | do not think i possible that
can ever :" turn democrat" My principles and sympa-
Ines are all with the wbig party but as wing, and
expecting always to act with that party general prin.
cpes, and to advocate it's measures, shall vote for
man calling himself democrat who agrees with on
awhig But do not thereby intend to join the demo-
cratic party, and adopt its principles and hefeses This