The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-04


have fallen into the error which induced him to
classify the opponents of the policy OF bis report
say, sir, my snrprse. For decisive test vote
had been taken few moments before he epoke,
and if he had been at all attentive to the details
he would have perceived that he could not find
enough of the material Of which he declared the
opposition to be composed IN the House. do
not know who he considers lNreesoers and
Abolitionists; neither do know, certainly, who
he would designate as Secessionists and Dis
unionists. He meant somebody here, and vot-
ing in this House. | have reflected much, and
the result is the conclusion, that the vote on the
resolutions offered by the gentleman from
Georgia Mr.. JAcKsoEl would be the readest
guide to a proper conclusion. assume that
those who voted for these resolutions are or
thodoX Union men, and those in the negative
composed Of the classes described by the honor
able chairman. was induced to do so, because
of his own reference To the compromise meas
ures as alfordng test of the feelings of.gentle.
men towards the Union of The States, the Union
newspaper, and, in this particular point, the Re,
public. Although there is one difficulty which
/ mention here, the gentleman himself an.
nounced such high State Rights doctrines was
so explicit in ayowing that secession by State
would not be treason, and only exposed the
seeding Stale to the casualties of war, that [
wondered that he should not have paused be-
fore he said such bitter things about those who
are called Secessionists, because they assert the
same right Of secession for cause. But to re-
turn. He must have heard and known the
character of the vote, and the party position OF
those who voted AT his instance, on Friday
last, there was a call Of the House with view
of securing a full attendance Of the members
and then motion was made by the gentleman
from Tennessee Mr. JONES' to lay this whole
subject upon the table, which was by the House
decided in the negative. The gentleman heard
the result announced, and the vote read by the
Clerk-yeas 81, nays SO. Had he attended to
that vote and given himself the trouble to ana
lyze it, he would have saved me the trouble OF
this reply, and himself from the error into which
he has fallen. 1t is grave charge to make
here, that opposition to measures proposed by
the Committee on Printing for distributing
public money in the shape Of a distribution to
party presses, finds its source in combination
of Abotionists and Freesoers Secessonists
and Democrats per Sc. And that charge be-
comes still more grave when it is applied to a
majority Of this House. Particularly when
those who make it are seeking to reward their
friends and organs, and those against whom il
is made, having no such object, are simply en-.
deavoring to prevent prodigal and secure an
economical expenditure of the public money
Had the gentleman consulted the Journal, he
would not, am sure, have made any such
charge. The facts would have prevented him
from assuming so assaiable position. shall
in the appendix to this speech publish that ana
lysis of the votes, and the names of those who
voted.
The revelation made by the honorable chair
man, that opposition to the measures of CON-
promise was the basis of the opposition to the
division of the profits of the printing of Con-
gress between two antagonstc and party prints
struck me as the coolest specimen of far-fetched
inference to which my attention had been called
We have been more than once Informed, by
speakers upon this floor, that appreciation OF
these measures was high test of patriotism
Gentlemen have spoke of cooperation in pro.
curing their passage as a high distinction and
some have disputed with others the honor OF
prominence on that memorable occasion. /
shall never compete with them for that dis.
tncton. have changed no opinions as to the
character OF those measures, and regret no vote
which | gave in reference to them. But it is the
consummation of GOODNESS for those who voted
for and approved them-most of whom land
fair, LIBERAL and just-to assume to themselves
the claim to peculiar patriotism because they
now acquiesce. They acquiesce, because they
approve, aud approving, are contented A hun.
cry person might, with equal propriety, claim
credit for the alacrity with which he partook OF
rich vands prepared for his necessities. No
sir; this is pure, unadulterated humbug, and the
sagacity Of the people is much moderated by
those who suppose that il will not be so pro.
nounced.
Mr.. CHASTIHN, (ntenupting) have no
disposition TO disturb the gentleman in his
speech, nor would ! do so were it not for the
fact that he called the gentleman from Indiana
Mr.. German to order upon the discussion OF
the same subject. | think the gentleman from
North Carolina is travelling away from the ques.
ton under consideration. As ! said he called
the gentleman from Indiana TO order for dis
GUESSING the same subject
Mr.. VENABLE. If the chair will allow me.
will show him tina. am not out Of order
The STEAMER. The chair is of opinion that
i is not in order 10 discuss the compromise
measures.
Mr. VENABLE know that Il is consid.
cred out Of order, 10 allude 10 those measures
which have been considered panaroa for all
the disorders Of the body polite. I'm this I
think gentlemen are mistaken. Il was said by
Sir John Falstaf, that he was not witty himself.
but the canse Of wit in others. SO, the reselu-
tons recognizing the fnality Of the compromise
are not disordery in themselves, bnt the cause of
disorder in others. ! am not discussing the
compromise measures, although motion 10
print The whole subject is open for debate and
u has been asserted by the honorable chairman
Of the Committee on Printing. that the opposi
ton TO the Union and Republic newspapers. as
the employees for executing the public printing.
originated in coalition Of Freesoilers and Abo-
liionits, Secessionists and Disunionists. because
Of common dislike TO the editors Of those
Journals that this dislike arose from the sup.
port given by them to the compromise measures
Of the last Congress. II is strictly legitimate
10 show that my opposition 10 the report Of the
committee, is not founded upon such puerie
consideration, and to meet and reply to arpu.
ments urged in favor Of a measure Of which
dsapprove. IL is often indispensable to answer
ciaP-trop. II passed unnoticed--it may pass
for argument with careless readers and listeners.