Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-04-17
SPEECH OF MIR. C. H. WILLIAMS,
OF TENNESSEE,

favor Of the Homestead bin have obtained it for
different purpose 1t is true, however, that with regard
to the homestead bill differ from my friend from Ken
lucky from the Ashland district (Mr. BBEcKESRIDGE
who the other day expressed doubt whether he ought
for the BILL believing that would likely lessen the
population of Kentucky. would vote for it if l were
conscious Of the every Tennesseean who
home would and participate in the benefits of this
BILL if it shall become law and would look upon it
proud fact Tennessee's history if could truthful
ly say that every Tennesseean had homestead desire
however, sir, to make what may be called political
speech. have too much regard for the -honored
custom Of this House conne myself the bill under
consideration Laughter wish to make political
and it may be denomnated President making speech
that the newspapers charging that these
speeches wrong, itmed, and out of place 0rdina
rly speaking when there questions involved in
Presidential nomination but those Of expediency and
of policy, would most heartily subscribe to that doc
trne; but believing as do, that in the approaching
Presidential canvass there question involved connect
ed with the permanency and durability of the Union and
therefore in Importance infinitely above all mere ques
tons of expedency; and remembering too that Pres-
dentmaking includes all kinds OF Legislation ana some
times very exciting legislation, have, in my judgment
sufficient for seeking the foor for this purpose
outset OF my remarks to pay my respects
briefly TO the gentleman from the Ashland district OF Ken
lucky, (Mr. BREcKESRIDcE) / will not follow the bad
example set me by my friend. trust shall not in my
ardor to do justice to any body that is my favore, DO
abolition petitions for the naked purpose of placing the
history of that question fairly before the country My
friend from Kentucky Mr. MARsHALI the other day de-
bated this question He went into it infinitely. His ar
gument able and unanswerabe. desire TO present
it in somewhat different and general aspect 1t
happened that here in the Congress-
Congress before the distinguished gentleman from
Kentucky ardently defended by his friend Mr. BRICK
EsRIDGE had seat upon this floor During that Con-
gress Mr. Slade of Vermont made speech upon the sa
very question The late President of the United States
Mr.. Polk, then Speaker of the House. During the
debate and while Mr. Sade was exhibiting the opinions
Of Thomas Jefferson, james Madison, William b. Giles
and host of other distinguished yirgnians upon the
question of slavery the late lamented Legare Of
South Carolina in his place, and with extraordinary
gesture impored the gentleman from Vermont to cease
that manner and mode of debate, and save the Union
Mr. Sade with cold booded purpose pursued the tenor
Of his argument; and member from Virginia, and
from South Carolina called upon Southern members of
the House to 60 pel-re without adjournment down to
the Of the Committee for the District of Columbia,
in order to devise and means 70 protect the South
Southern Senators were invited TO attend the meeting
The invitation vas promptly accepted. And accordingly
the Southern REPRESENTATIVES assembled in the committee
room was in that meeting for two hours; and here
Estate in my paceand do it not for the purpose o. re-
fecting upon any gentleman who participated in that de-
bate had the capacity to understand the purport OF
argument, not solitary argument advanced while
there but what looked dissolution of the Union,
directly indirectly, as the remedy retired, after re-
naming there hours, refusing TO participate any
longer assigning my that my constituents had
Congress for the purposs Of calculating the
value of the Union Their sttngs continued for three
days. memory IS correct and the result Of their Ia
Dor the introduction of Patton celebrated resolution
Ii is short, and will read it:
Resolred That petitions memorials and papers touch
ing the abolition Of slavery, the buying selling or trans
feng slaves any State District Territory Of the United
States be laid upon the table without being debated printed
read referred and that further action shall be had
thereon"
The House adopted il The Senator'S from the South,
in the Senate Of the United States assisted in connecting
this resolution They could neither be read debated
referred for consideration Six days thereafter with
marabe inconsistency the late John Calhoun Of South
Carolina after having thus cooperatcd in tying the hands
Of the House this exciting question: introduced into the
Senate series of abstract resolutions the subject Of
slavery and opened the whole question in debate which,
continued for weeks If the decision of this House was
correct and il wrong to discuss that question here
by the Representatives of the people, assign
sensible why il right to pursue different
course in the other end Of the Capitol.
co-operated with the Southern Representatives and
supported Patton's resolution. When convinced Of an
error at 81 times willing TO admit il. Subsequent
experience satisfies me, and think must convince every
impartial mind that the policy of refusing to receive and
refer petitions on the subject of slavery unwise and
failed to produce any good result in aayng and repress
ing the dangerous sectional excitemens growing out OF
that question enabled the unprncpled agtators OF the
North to combine great popular question: which commend
ed itself acceptance and approval of that entire
ton with the abstract hostility TO slavery which known
to exist in that portion Of the Republic and thus fac
ton which had previously been contemplate numbers
and powerless for mischief, grew into magnitude Of
strength which has for disturbed the peace OF the
Republic and threatens its very existence
The succeeding Congress William o. Butler became
member Of the House Of Representatives and voted for
Mr. Wises resolution which similar IN It's provisions
10 that of Mr. Patton and which Afterwards became the
twenty first rule This rule the law Of the House for
period Of six years. if my memory serves me correctly
and during that whole time public business obsruct
ed Congress- and this House kept in uproar OF
excitement by struggle between Northern and South
members those of the North contending that the
constitutional right Of petition nuhed by the twen-
tyrst rule and therefore demanding its repeal those
Tho ktpau 4ha fptan Qf
excluding abolition petitions essential TO the safety
of that peculiar institution Of theirs which
North This excitement, this uproar continued until the
session Of Congress Immediately succeeding the election
Of James X Polk 70 the Presidency, when the twenty
first rule repealed. This House will bear me wit
ness-the whole country knowsthe honorable gentle
man from Kentucky mir. BREcKESRIpcEl must himself
admit-that with the repeal OF that rule excitement and
contention ceased upon this floor subject of abo
lition petitions The Democratic party was in MAORI
~ when il repealed the succeeding Congress was
largely Democratic but did the rule There
is an overwhelming Democratic majority in this House
now abolition petitions received and referred with
out debate and without creating the slightest excitement
in House. In view Of such facts these, think
can claim from the candor of the gentleman from Ken
lucky (ir BREcKEyRIDoE) the admission that the
patriotism and wisdom Of Mr. Flmores votes the sub
feet referred stand indicated The imputaon Of the
gentleman from Kentucky that Mr. Fillmore Free
Soiler is idea In the Presidential canvassit
advanced upon every stump in Tennessee. Then
told that should for Gen. Taylor and he should
be elected and die before the expiration of his term o
Il. IL Fall go - - -, AInIft wvor