The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-16
SPEECH OF HON. BI. p. GENTRY,
OF TEsNEssEB,

I<tEVefca ~ lS0s
The CHAIRMAN stated that the first question under
consideration was House bill No. 43-"making apIro-
paoDs for the current and contingent expenses oil The
,nddn department, and for fulfilling treaty supuations
with various Indian tribes for the year ending
June 30 ls53"-upon which the gentleman from Tennes-
see MIR. GENTRY was entitled 10 the floor
Mr. GENTRY. Mr.. Chairman, | have not obtain
ed the floor to-day to discuss the merits the dement's
of the bill which nomnally. al least Tie question ur.
der consideration before this committee, but 10 avail my
self OF that common law OF this House which permits its
members, when the House is in the Committee OF the
Whole the state of the Union, 10 discuss any question
which may be regarded important TO the general vel
fare OF the republic. Although week or two ago,
when responding briefly TO speech made by my friend
and colleague from the Nashville district Mr.. CULLoM
announced my purpose TO discuss fully and al length
al some suitable time The important questions referred 10
by him on that occasion, habual disncnation
cupy 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.. STAsLrl Saturday evening last. In
that speech be expressed some views and opinions in
which do concur and the tendency OF which deem
10 be emnently mschievous. he occupies prominent
and conspicuous position among The southern wings of
the United States, and fear II his speech should pass
unanswered, that the conclusion might be arrived at by
gentlemen from the North, here and elsewhere, who
might if they chose, exercise very considerable inlu-
upon The consultations OF that Wing Convention
which is 10 assemble al Baltimore 10 few days, that
may induce them to exercise that influence in a
adverse TO what believe be the true interests OF the
country. have therefore obtained the floor to conjro-
vert and combat the idea set forth by the gentleman from
opinion that the view which he presented Saturday
ovening is not common TO the people OF any southern
State in this Union.
II | 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 bmsel decidedly opposed TO The inrodpc
ton into, the adoption by, that convention OF any
resolutions which should recognise the series of
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
neXallon OF Sexas and the conquest OF territory from
Mexico. a compromise. He proclaimed himself in ia
vor of the nomination Of Mr. Fillmore the whig
ddae for the presidency; but taking his speech in
neXion with speeches heretofore made and letters writ
len and published by him during the present session ol
Congress, think will not be imputed 10 me that do
him injustice when say that the fair and legitimate in
ference 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 II is an un.
fair inference from his speeches and his letters that
the whole influence which he is able to WELD oyes
the public opinion OF the State which he represents,
the southern States generally and the American Union,
has been welded 10 prepare that State which he IN
part represents and the southern States and the whole
whg party Of the Union, TO accept General Scott as the
whg candidate for the presidency dier with the gen.
tleman deem it TO be matter Of high national import.
ance rising Infinitely above all paltry Temporary
party interests, and that both OF the great political organ
lzatons of the country should avail themselves OF the
opportunity which this hour and this occasion furnishes
TO natioRaze themselves and to shape their preseB.
ta oganzaons as to bring all the influences which those
two great political organizations can weld 10 bear upon e
American heart and mind, North and South, with view
to haoniZe, to conciate the North and the South and
TO give tranquility to the county, and bring each section
Of the Union-eyery part and parcel OF our Union-io
recognise oil of the obligations which the constitution
imposes, North and South, and to bring the public men
in each section 10 a resolute enunclaon oil purpose 10
maintain the obligations OF the constitution everywhere,
and TO throw the whole weight and influence OF both OF
these great party organizations IN favor OF teaching
the people the truth and their duties under The constu-
ton North and South
believe, If the two great political organizations of the
country upon this principle that great good TO the
public now and for long years hereafter, will result
believe that the bitter feeling, the unaterna passions,
which these sectional questions to which have referred
have engendered, North and South will be obllieatea
and expunged-that the people OF the whole Ameri-
Union will again fraternze as brothershaTmonize
and together uphold the institutions which they have
inherited from their fathers and that our republic,
stored to tranquility and harmony, shielding protecting,
and making happy all OF its children, will 60 forward
in its career OF prosperity greatness and glory, and
be as sun in the heavens TO all OF the nations OF the
earth. lighting their pathway to freedom and happiness
like that which we enjoy And il these great par
ties do not thus act, have serious and painful fears
that the fountain OF bitter waters, which, hoped.
had been sealed forever by the exerons OF those brave
and noble patriots who cooperaed together on that
casion will be reopened, and that sectional strife section
al antagonsm denunciaons Of the North by the South,
and the South by the Norh will again be the order OF the
day and that presently instead OF argument and
the ballot 10 adjust questions relating TO the interests
of this great republic shall be thrown upon that last
sad esortthe cartridgebo6, bayonee and the sword.
That is what fear Talk to about party victory
feat when such interests these involved Bet
ternnilely beiterbe defeated by doing your duty 10
the country than to win mean, miserable and runous
party triumph by bringing upon your country evils such
as those have suggested
planly-and every man must see what's the path o