The southern press., 1852-05-22

feeble party when they have such poor leader.
Now, those gentlemen can take care of them
selves, and need no defense from me. Nobody
knows better than the gentleman from TenRes-
see, Mr. CULLoM,] so far from being the lea n,
or even prominent actor, was, IN fact, only
follower.
But the gentleman fiudipg that lie is placed in
position where he cannot defend himself be-
fore the country-for his whole speech to-day is
but confession of that, as every one must see
finding that he has gotten into place where
he will not be able to carry the burden placed
upon him by public opinion, has endeavored to
shift it off upon me. | have great deal of
charity, but have not quite enough to make
me carry so heavy load as he has on him. No !;
he must carry his own cross to the place Of exc
cution. do not intend to be a cross. bearer for
him or any one else Each gentleman must an
swer for his own sins, and defend himself before
his party. As to what the gentleman has said
10 day, | have no apprehension that it will hurt
me in any respect. | have often heard much
louder thunder; and when he publishes his
speech, in which he says he intends to make
some references to me, and make quota
tions from some of my speeches, if find that
his mode of arraying these things should be
such as to require defense, | will be ready
enough to make it. But ! am not soft enough
to engage in this fight now. My position is
we'll understood by the country, and even if it
were otherwise, should not now regard it as
proper for me to consume the public time in my
defense. intend to wait and let this contest
90 on for the present, and if see fitting occa-
sion, and shall have reason to believe that
speech from me would be Of service to the coun.
try, shall make it. ] am always ready to de-
fend myself before my constituents when
think it necessary, and am equally ready 10 do
it before the public in the newspapers, when
think the occasion requires it, and if it should
become necessary, which | can scarcely suppose,
| shall not fail to do it here. But whenever |
can advance the public interests, will be as
prompt as any other gentleman to take part in
the discussion. | appeal to the committee to
let us 90 through with this territorial business,
as think We may be able to finish it in two
days, and then allow the political discussion to
90 on.
Mr.. FITCH. Will The gentleman from
North Carolina give me time to briefly answer
such remarks of the gentleman from Tennes-
! see Mr.. CULLoMl as relate personally to N.Y.
self?
Mr.. CLINGMAN. ! will give way for a
short time, if the committee will consent NV
object Il to make the motion have Indicated
Mr.. FITCH, If the gentleman wishes if, I
can close with making the motion which he de-
sires to make. The gentleman from Tennesses
Mr.. CuLLoMl appears willing to
"Compound for sins he is inclined to-
By damnng those he has no mind to-"
lie seeks to blind the country to his incina.
tion to aid the success of General Scotl's non
committal policy, by denouncing me for placing
my humble opinions upon record.
If the gentleman was really as desirous Of
telling the whole truth, and thereby doing JUS
tice TO a political opponent, as he is Of apolo
gizng for the mum policy of his Presidential
candidate, he would have informed the House
Of what his researches into NY political opinions
have doubtless informed him. namely--that iu
terrogatories similar TO those he has read, and
read my answers, wete propoundsd TO me two
years after the date of those he has paraded be.
fore the House, with AN additional one, asking
il would vote for repeal or modification of the
fugitive slave law, and answered in the mega.
! ti.e, with the reasons in full which governed
| the answer. The answer he has read, was in
accordance with the then sentiments of a large
portion Of the citizens of my Stale. Ii coincided
with the then opinions Of most Of the Democrats
Of my district, and also with the opinion of most
Of the Wing party of the State. IL is an answer
which had been previously given, in substance,
| by nv then Wing competitor. The sentiments
4
terrogatorics was the legitimate consequence,
were induced by course Of action precisely
similar TO the one now advocated by the gentle
man, namely the nomination and election Of a
candidate for the Presidency without asking
any pledge or any opinion from him, upon the
sectional question then at issue. The Demo
Gratis Of my State, my elf included, had opposed
| the proviso, and warmly adyoo tied the election
Of candidate openly pledged TO oppO ition TO
| it, The Wings, and especially you Wings Of
the South, asked no such pledge-no opinion
from your candidate. You thereby courted
| Ffeesoil votes to his support. You elected him
We were indignant at your abandonment Of
| those in the North, who were striving to defend
your constitutional rights-indgnant at your
indifference 10 your own rights and interests,
and your willingness to sacrifice them TO party
| political success. We determined 10 no longer
| fight your battles upon our soil, and at our cost
| In our anger, we determined TO permit the Free
soilers-ay, aid them-in presenting the bitter
chalice 10 your lips, which you had helped them
! prepare. Hou know the result. in the danger
Gus agitation aud excitement Of the last Con.
gress. But the compromise passed. We are
desirous, for the peace and welfare Of the coun.
try, that il should remain undsturbed, and its
provisions be executed in good faith.
Hence ] have sustained il as a settlement
and rs hope, iinal settlement Of the slavery
controversy; and when, two years after the in
terrogatories the gentleman has read, others Of
similar character were presented 10 me, with
4 the addition have mentioned-full time having
been afforded within the two years TO examine,
in all their bearings, the principles involved In
| them, answered them in the negative, stating
! that affirmative action upon some Of them would
be urconsttutionalj upon Others, impolitic and
bad faith towards the South and upon any Of
! them, useless and dangerous. This negative
answer was given when | was told-and had no
reason 10 doubt the correctness Of the statement
that my election derended upon an affirma.
tive answer; but coupled the answer with the
declaration 10 those 10 whom il was made, that
| il was in accordance v it'll my honest convictions,
\ and tat though IL might ensure my defeat, had
1 fer rather remain private. citizen, sustaining
| the Constitution and the Union as IBIS, than be
/ elected to Congress, pledged 10 policy which
! my judgment taught me was dangerous TO both.
! lf the gentleman from Tennessee is disposed TO
] gbta aooinat md 90 a phauus ~ onibiou no