The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-12
Vol. Iii,

better under his lead than any other of whose sue
cess there may be any hope, will enlist. But
will think of that; yes, sir, will think Of that. SO
hope the authors OF this manifesto will understand
ed me. | am Whg Am | now understood;
Have not spoken the plain language long enough
yeti
Mr.. Chairman, as indicated, committed my
self on the Compromise measures before my con-
stuents; and it was because did that thing, they
sent me here. And when they did so, had they
been called to pass upon my case alone, and on the
issue made--unincumbere by other election con-
tests-they would have sent me here not merely
with the respectable ma iorty of near six hundred,
but with such majority, venture to say US no
gentleman in this House, whose seat was contest
ed. can call his own. The Whigs-the Taylor
| Wings of '4S-supported me almost to a man.
Some hundred or so of the old line Democracy,
pure-hearted clear-headed, patriotic men, support
| ed me. Many more of them, who could not see
their way clear did not vote at all. And am
| proud to say, that out Of some sixteen hundred
men in my district, who Free-soers, felt it their
/ duty, IN the last presidential struggle, to range
| themselves under the banner of Van Buren, many
of them also gave me their cordial support; and i
have reason to believe that many more of them
large majority of them, / think--would have been
found IN the same support, had tnot been for their
warm personal attachment and the obligation they
felt themselves under, to my honorable competitor
and immediate predecessor on this floor, who had
with great zeal and ability carried their flag in that
presidential struggle. Thus, sir, my position at
home, and that Of my constituents is known and
understood.
| And am not committed herei The record shows
| am could not be otherwise than committed, if
| would, unless, coward-lke, | had deserted the
post in confidence and good faith assigned me-
| That cannot do. Infinitely rather would prefer
to be shot down upon the field, and die with clean
heart where the ensign of the Constitution and the
| Union is unfurled Such death would not disgrace
my children, and it would not be without the COM
/ forting hope of bright resurrection. Yes, sir,
am committed here-no less than three timesin about
as many months. First, in private meeting Of
| my Wing brethren on the morning of the first day
Of the session. Subsequently, on the two separate
| resolutions Of the two gentlemen from Georgia,
| (Messrs. JACKSON and HrLYER,) And | would
| now inquire, when rs this thing to stopi When is
there to be end Of this agitation My constitu-
ents had tried me in the ordeal of fiery canvass,
when my positions, as have said, were clear, well
defined, and thoroughly understood.
The Compromise measures had been settled; and
as ! have said, il was because large majority of
| my constituents were determined TO abide by the
settlement, discountenance further agitation, and
invoke the spirit of peace and good brotherhood to
come again and dwell with us and all the people of
this blessed Union, that was sent here. will not
lend myself willingly, here or elsewhere, TO the un-
Gaping Of this fearful volcano again, and scattering
4
my study and struggle TO remain consistent. Hence
regretted exceedingly to see that resolution intro
| duced into our preliminary meeting, and was anX-
ous to be rid of il. For deemed il tho low mutter
ing OF the storm-spirts mastering their forces for
/ another frghtfu tempest. But when forced TO
vote, or fly, knew where | stood, and where
was expected 10 stand, and could not and did not
hesitate 10 endorse the resolution.
| Again, when the resolutions of the gentlemen
| from Georgia came up in this House, II will be
| seen that voted for every motion to lay them on
the table, and thus get rid Of them without discour-
| iesy their honorable movers And throughout
| that tedious and stormy day that they were before
| US IL will be also that voted against every
/ motion for adjournment, for was not willing 10
| desecrate another day with them, and determined
To sit IL out, AZ possible At length the House was
brought 10 the direct vote; and again was without
| doubt an 10 my duty. There was no cloud, no
| shadow Of shade upon my mind. And thus twice
more endorsed the Compromise in varied form,
the same in substance as before my people.
And now, sir, repeat, when is tins thing TO stop;
Who nett is TO open this box Of Pandora and scat
ter It's furious ills amongst uE My notion is, that
| the time has about come when right minded men,
the real friends Of the Union, It's peace and harmo-
ny, will begin to feel like crying out did the old
| Roman, TO n certain dsturber of the peace once
upon a time, Quamdiu nosira pdiieniia, sc. How
| long 10 our patience TO be tredi
Why sir, | hear bonds talked of as being desired
1 from the North that she will keep the peace This,
/ must confess, sounds strangely 10 my ears, know
/ ing, as do, the fidelity Of the North TO the Con
stiution, and the ardent anxiety that abounds
| there, and is becoming stronger and more intense
| every day, for faithful execution Of all our laws
TO abide by the Compromise, and have an end to
this frightful agitation.
Are our brethren really in earnest when they
suggest that this requiston Of bonds is TO be made
here or elsewhere hope not; for, ia that event,
| | should fear my might be unfortunate as
that Of the quiet gentleman named IN the books,
who was carried OF and locked up IN the unatic
asylum, by his cunning, yet mentally d,sordered
| brother, through apprehension of being ordered
| there HIMSELF by that quiet, woll-disposed and
aw-abidng man. But enough Of this. II is kind
ness-compassion for each others frailties rather
than bonds, that must make us brothers, f we would
| be such.
pass to the alternative position assigned me
with others, some foriy-SiX 10 ali, out Of sixty
seven named IN thIs manifesto. IL -, that VIC re-
| fuse 20 establish any such test of qualification ms
the Compromise measures for the nominee of the
| National Convention. Now, Mr.. Chairman, am
well understood, ~ this behalf, at home. took
very high ground on this very subject throughout
the late canvass that resulted IN placing me here
! saId then, as say now, that no man have my
vote for the Presidency, unless he stands clear aud
unquestioned upon the ground of the COMPROMISE
| must not doubt IN regard 20 ihis thing | will
not doubt about q. 80, personally, do not stand
in that category.
But am asked how am 10 bc satisfied that my
candidate Is orthodox on lhis great question: an
swor, that am satisfied already, bcyon the shadow
Of doubt, ~ faEas the three distinguished gem
llcmon are concerned, who alone arc now seriously
named for the Presidency. DO MT anticipate tho
least trouble ~ thus behalf II did, tho lIaltnore
Convention that We arc 10 have, OF any other con-
vcnion, county, stale, national, tho last place
on this earth that ! would think Of looking to for
the quoting Of my mind the subject of dociriaaI
troubles. but I shall have particular occasion io
look at tins matter more closely, when conc 60
notice the speech Of the honorable gentleman from
Georgia, (Mr. SrlrHEss,) whose remarks, IN this
connexIon, ] deem peculiarly happy, Just, aud
wise; in word, cminonuy WHe.
Am ! now asked why did not vote for enter
tanning tie Compromise resolutions, attempted 10
be forced on our late meeting | think have
pretty well answered that question already. Men
who have minds better than monkeys, are not to be
indocirinaied 10y caucus. Rational will think,
and choose, and act for themselves, in matters Of
principle. Caucus resolves and caucus decrces,
therefore, on articles Of faith, can serve no other
practical end than to distract. But were It so,
as have already said, repeat, at hat PERIOD IN