The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-03-11
nR. DAVIS AND MIR. RANToUL.

Mr. Davis of Massachusetts, after prepa-
ration Of several weeks, attempted last Satur-
day reply in the House to the speech OF Mr.
Rantoul in which his gross Inconsistencies on
the Slavery Question had been so terribly ex-
posed.
He commenced by admitting that he did
once hold, as his colleague had charged, opin-
ions in relation to Slavery and Shareholders
not consistent with his present course.
His colleague had made skilful DISPOSE
ton OF facts concerning occurrences many years
ago, when he Mr.. Davis, unquestionably held
opinions which he now considered extreme !;
but by withholding other facts his colleague
had succeeded in causing an erroneous impress
sion in the House and in the minds of those
who do not know all the facts. As his col
league had spoken of his course ten or fifteen
years ago, (which was certainly intolerant and
proscriptive, and which he did not intend to
JUSTIFY it should have been stated that after
that period, twice in succession, he MIR. d.
voted for a slayeholding President and in
1914 was delegate to the Convention, and ia
yored the nomination of such candidate. His
colleague should have stated that in his own
district during two trials, he (Mr. d. was OPP
posed by the Free Soil party. If these things
had been stated, it would be unnecessary for
him now to notice the remarks
"A change had doubtless taken place in his
own mind and this was not strange As we
advance in life, and observe and reflect and
learn more. IL would be very singular II we dld
S-. - -, rS, aafo Oo,,oasuo wvuid
assent to this proposition.
But there is in politics, as in law, statute
of limitations ten years would serve his pur-
L.,t l. Il. lat ba H.
fore he had finished his remarks, that not
longer than three weeks would serve his col
league Changes had occurred in the minds OF
misinformed, there is a gentleman this floor,
representing slaveholding constituency, who,
at one period of his life, held sentiments nearly
or quite as extreme as he tMr. Davis) had en-
tsrtained still this does not interfere with his
enjoying The confidence of a Southern constit-
uency"
We copy from the abstract presented in the
Republic, a paper friendly to Mr. Davis 1t
represents him fairly, but does not represent
the extreme humility with which he made this
full confession and recantation But Mr.
Davis is forgetful of dates. These "extreme
opinions were not abandoned by him ten years
ago; they were entertained and avowed so late
as the fall of 1850, in letter published by the
Boston atlas pending the question of his
election to Congress- and designed to conciIiate
the good will of the Abolitionists No doubt
Mr.. Rantoul will produce this letter at the
proper time.
Mr.. Davis after having confessed his sin and
asked forgiveness, turned upon Mr.. Rantoul
and by the aid of documents furnished him by
a Hunker Democrat from Massachusetts,, who
on the strength of an election by twenty-nine
Hunker friends, intends, we learn. to contest
Mr. Rantoul's seat in the National Convention
at Baltimore,) attempted to convict his COL
league of inconsistency in relation to Slavery.
1t was feeble effort and fell far short of it's
mark. The Republic which so loudly exulted
over his first speech, has not a word to say of
this; and his Wing friends who wished him
success pronounce it dead failure We
listened for half an hour, and really felt no
sensation but pity such as we always feel for a
fellow man in distress We hope that Mr.
Rantoul, should he again have occasion to refer
to him, will touch him gently.