The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-03-07
CONGRESSIONAL.
spEEon oe mR. BaEoKINa,DaE,
or KENTUCKY,

OF KENTUCKY,
On the bA granting homesads 10 aotual settlers deliu-
cred IN uie House Of Representatives Marh a, 1859.
I MIR. BRECKENRIDGE Upon the bill which is now
before the committee have not informed myself, and
do not propose TO discuss il al this time lhaye upon
liue reflection, doubted whether as representative
oil Kentucky, l ought 10 vote Tor proposition the et
feet OF which might be TO depopulate my State Al
The same time II seems that in reference to The public
lands, we are to bave grab game; and II such system
IS TO prevail II may be mat donations actual settlers
will be the most equal mode of distribution As 10 this
matter do not now propose TO express any opinion
but my object Is TO oer some remarks. chiefly in reply
10 portion OF the speech delivered Time ago by the
gentleman from Florida, Mr. CABELLl AT that lime
the bounty land bill was pending before The House, and
feeling deep interest IN It's passage, did not choose TO
Teard II by irrelevant discussion. and since that time no
opportunity has presented itself until now.
IS not my purpose 10 enter upon all the points dis
eussed by the gentleman from Florida. [Mr CABELL] ]
Indeed that would be endless task for whatever else
may be said Of his speech, il justly challenge prece
dence as the most miscellaneous address yet delivered IN
the Thirty second Congress. | will not now follow the
gentleman in his discussion of the comparative sound
OF the parties at the North upon The slavery ques
tion, but emily remark that still have the opinions
on that subject which he coniesses he held until a few
weeks ago. Nor will now inquire why he has sudden
y seen new light and turned sharp corner; nor why
he rebuked the constitutional Union party Of the South
for elecng delegates TO the Baltimore Convention, BY
the light OF the same facts that compelled him declare
the northern democrats be trustworthy upon this
subject OF slavery than the northern whigs These are
curious facts and they furnish the materials for useful
more limited Thegenteman from Florida, [Mr CABELL,l
while canvassing The claims OF certain northern wings
Tor the presidency and warning Oft the constitutional
Union party from the Baltimore Convention, holds the
following language in reference to that body. quote
from the report of bis remarks in re Daily Globe OF the
4h OF February Speaking OF the democrats, he says
"They win nominate some such William
Butler, Of Kentuckya whose opinions not known,
except that he has happened slaves, and who
VIII be sustained by Van Buen Co. southern man
with norhern sentiments and by the rights men
OF themse
Again. sir after blowing hot and cold upon Gen. Scott
through the greater part OF column, but reaching the
conclusion that it is too late for him to be elected the
gentleman adds #1a
"What the democrats will do know not. They may go
for Butler, or some other mum candidate"
Similar ausions 10 these are scattered through the
speech believe this is the first time at this session
that any gentleman has introduced the OF political
opponent into the discussions OF the House in connexoD
with the presidency The propety OF noticing this di-
rect assault obvious that will not deain the COM
nttee with apology for doing II would i'll become
democratic representative from Kentucky TO be silent
under this attack upon of her most eminent citizens,
especially since the recent action OF the democratic con-
veniion OF that Safe. address the committee TO vind
the action OF the Kentucky democracy, and cola
orally tojustify their choice consider both assaied by
the language OF the gentleman from Florida And to
guard against all natlon, desire 10 say dis
nncily that have not introduced the question of the
presidency upon this floor IL Is not my purpose, IN de-
tending General Butler against an unjust attack to
him in conflict with them, IT is our custom in
The State OF Kentucky 10 defend and honor all our
worthy public men. II the occasion were suitable,
would willingly pay the tribute OF my regard to
many names mentioned the democratic side IN
connexion with The presidency. There is the dis
unguished senator from Michigan, Mr.. CAss,l tue
whose undeserved tate ii be defeated, al
though his principles have triumphed. There are
others, but need not enumerae them The democrats
have many able men, either of whom would adorn the
chief magislracy, and administer this government upon
the Strict principles OF the republican faith, and am will
ling to trust any that have been named The gentleman
from Florida in connexon with his alusions 10 General
Butler thought proper 10 express preference Tor Mr.
Fillmore for the presidency To this, OF course, have
no objection; but he chose also to contrast the positions
OF these gentlemen, particularly upon thus question OF
slavery, and to draw conclusion much 10 the advantage
of his friend III he had simply uttered eulogy upon
Mr.. Fillmore, would have nothing 10 say II he had
been willing even TO take the penance oi eighteen
months two years sufficient aonement Tor the ell
forts OF twenlyhv years opposite direction, still
would have nothing 10 say but when upon this parcu-
lar question be wishes 10 exalt very recent convert
above old Christian and when he proposes TO use my
trend sort OF foil TO of the virtues and merits
of his own may be compelled TO advert TO their past
history in connexion with this matter. II the retro
spect should not be agreeable TO the gentleman IRON
Florida, he may blame himself Tor having instituted
the comparison First 10 The specific charges have
quoted, pronounce The impuauons OF the gentleman
IRON Florida TO be wholly grdtuitous and uniounded.
hold him responsible Tor Them before this House and the
county, and demand OF HIM TO maintain or retract
them. When he says that the opinions oil General
Butler are unknown, the statement competent as
admission OF his own gnorauce--lor no other purpose
lbe man of whom he knows nothing has been Tor more
than ioriy years wellknown southern democrat. He
for tour years prominent member oil ,hls body,
during most important political era. He was aiief-
wards candidate Tor governor OF Kentucky, when all
the between the parties on the held OF con.
test; and them endorsed by the united democracy OF
America he The candidate for the vice presidency
upon The DrlItsn principles OF the democratic party,
AZ ainst ticket bat displayed no fig believe the gen.
llenan from Florida warm supporter oil The ticket
that bore the blank bunting, and he still adheres to part
OF il. The gentleman made an honest confession the
1her day. aud now suggest 10 HIM that the dissolution
OF his connexion with those whose opinions are un-
known very recent 10 furnish some excuse Tor
his sensveness upon this subject, as we'll as IN regard
10 mum candidates is true, Mr. Chairman, that Gen
Butter has not written letter with every change oil The
inoon giving explaining his opnons nor would such
a course strengthen my confidence in Their sincerity or
value Yet his political position upon all subjects IS as well
known and as little liable 10 be misunderstood as that OF
any her public man and cannot iorbear expressing
my asionshmen al this attack proceeding IRON that d.
rection whether consider the political anecedents OF
the gentlemen whose positions he contrasts, the action
OF the parties at the North upon this most vexed and
dangerous question:. sat.t - .,.#. s. fE
Mr. Chairman, the gentleman from Foridais whig-
a southern wbig He has defined himself here. Now,
have to say that the southern wings and the northern
wings should be particularly modest upon this whole
question OF slavery. The former, by their counenance
and assistance have encouraged The latter to abolition
Ize almost the whole whig party oil the North. have
never seen northern democrat fall bravey defending
our rights that the event greeted
with whig shouts oi exuItation from the South. And
have to say that if Mr.. Fillmore MIR. Webster and the
northern whigs generally, had aided Butler and the Amer
ican democracy, with whom he acted IN Congress, 10
stem the slavery agitation al its origin, the country would
I'VE escaped the casmtes has enailed. In speaking
of opinions and in settling character, II may be well
enough TO refer occasionally to the record The dis
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