Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1852-01-08
INDIANA STATE SENTINEL.
Personal.


are many among my assailants who held public
Office, and there are therefore, no records refer
NV case has been different. A political life of twenty
two years and active participant, the Democratic
side Of politics. for that period has left long record for
my enemies misrepresent and pervert. am induced
to make these remarks from the combined attack Of the
Indiana Journal and the Indiana Statesman, the Wing
and Freeso organs in this city, in relation the Speak
ers election. for the doctrine of nonnterventon,
and think it contrary to the laws which should regu-
late the conduct of editors for Delrees and Ellis
bne to write me down, when it is notorious that the
only thing these gentlemen agree about is opposition TO
the Indiana State Sentinel. l should refer
this, but to correct statement made with view to
affect my character for veracity This is done by gar
bling the following extract from the Congressional pro-
eeedings:
Mr. AsHMUx. VIII the gentleman from Virginia al
low me to put a question TO hint
Mr. BAYLY. Certainly.
Mr. AsHaIUN Has not a correspondence taken place
between the gentleman from Indiana (AIr. Brown and
member Of the Freesoi party, in which he has
pledged himself constitute the committees in man.
satisfactory - them!
Mr.. BBrLr. know Of no such correspondence, Is
the gentleman authorized TO say that there has been
such an one? If SO. what is his auhOrityl
Mr.. AsHMUN Common
Mr.. BAYLY And does not the gentleman know that
common rumor is a common liar! Turning to Mr..
place?"
Mr. BRowx shook his head.
Mr. BAYLY continued. l authorized to say that
no correspondence has taken place Does the gen.
tleman infer that there has been understanding be-
tween this side of the House and the Freesoers from
the fact that of them have voted with us! III
what can be more unfair!
was some distance from Mr. Bayly when he pre-
pounded the question, and did understand the
purport of what he said was in conversation with
two or three persons standing around at the time
The reporters occupied seat the opposite side Of
the Hall, and entirely hid from my view by the
desk of the clerks. Several voices in my neghborhood
answered no no." and the first thing which struck
my attention the remark of Gen. Bayy,
''I am authorized say that such correspondence
has taken place"
Immediately remarked, "a lie has misunderstood
me-" l attempted speak, but in the noise and con-
fusion" could be heard. There no presiding
officer, and the whole House talking, and in gen.
eral uproar then Immediately advanced towards
Gen. Bayy, and stated to him that had written let
ter and stated substantially what the and
that would read it to the House. To which General
Bayly Immediately responded:
Mr. BAYLY. 1 think it due to myself and the House
% say that, since was last up, have had
ton with the gentleman from Indiana, MR. Brown) |
was mistaken in saying that no correspondence had
taken place between him and the Frecsolers.
respOndence has taken place; but in II he
that he had refused pledge HIMSELF and had said
more than that, in forming the committees, he would
place the members Of that party in such positions
their standing in the House an the country wonld
him make pTopeT But the correspondence will
be produced, and 1t will speak for itself.
The whole report Of the proceedings is very meagre
and incorrect. The reporter, in a note, says:
During these remarks and during almost the entire
day, great confusion and excitement prevailed through
the House, rendering statement Of the pro-
seedlings and debates exceedingly difficult Members
did keep their seats, but gathered in large bodies
around the member VINO. held the floor, enhancing
greatly the ordinary difficulties Of the reporters duties"
As soon as l could get the floor read copy of the
letter. (the original in the hands of Preston King
of New York; might have declined exhibiting it, but
as had made no dshonorabe pledges, was wiling
that the world should know all that had done and said
never denied having written letter; l shook
my head; l cid deny to several members that had
pledged myself place the free soil members the
head OF important committees, as was charged. Mr.
Gddines was Of the Oldest members of Congress,
and was entitled respectable place respectable
committee. Wilmot, King. Root, and Allen, all
Of talents, and Mr. Cobb in the selection of his
committees gave them all honorable positions on impor-
tant committees; should have done the same, and my
letter would have produced sensation had it been
for the desire Of many members to defeat election
and prevent organization OF the House. mad
the 1ictm 10 accOuplish Gier object Messrs. Holmes
and Wallace of South Carolina and Sedden and Bocock
of Virginia. voted for when they knew could not
be elected but withheld their votes when they would
have elected me- only lacked of an cleo
tiOn the last ballot before ny name was wthdra wn
will not reerate the pledges which made to Mr.
WiImot, but will let him speak:
Mr. WiImot said. " all that he. and those who were
associated with him. asked desired, fair oppor
tunty TO give expression TO the great public sentiment
Of the people OF the country. They wanted and they
asked, nothing All that lie aud his friends had
desired at the hands Of Re gentleman from Indiana Mr.
Brownl was that if he should be elected Speaker of
this House. he would constitute the committees that
they and the constituents whom they represented might
be heard in this hail. No stipulation had been entered
INTO, or sought 70 be entered into, the particular
men who should be placed on these committees They
desired that the gentleman elected should place upon
these committees the best and the ATHEIST men whom tho
South had to represent their here in order
that the views OF the South might have a lll and fair
expression through the committees and the halls of Con-
gress They desired, also, that northern men, holding
the opinions oil the North aad representing the views of
the northern people should also be heard through the
committees and the halls OF Congress- and that
should not be smothered."
These pledges gave and elected should have fulfill
ed sem. shall! attempt TO defend this position but
viii let others speak for My late colleague Mr.
Durham, in my defense, said:
Can any one doubt for a moment that. when INV col.
league penned that sentence he had in his mind the con-
versaOn TO which have before aluded7 Does any one
doubt that at the time he believed that all that would he
necessary satisfy that gentleman aEi his friends wou
be TO so constitute the committees Of this House that
every portion Of the people Of this Union might in them
be fairly represented and have opportunity to be fair
ly heard! Then, sir ask gentlemen If in this note NV
colleague has undertaken 10 DO should he be elected