Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1852-04-01
> 4 = ? :, > : T7--7--------
A GALLANT DEFENCE.

The Hon. Humphrey Marshall~of Kentucky, 81
the 18th OF March made a most triumphant deienci
Of Presidant Fillmore, in reply to his colleague
MIR. Breckenridge, on the subject OF former opinions
and acts in reference to che question OF slavery.
uouGtIug ana twisting or the Democratrc parry II
Congress- the slavery question, and turned facts
stubborn facts, upon them, with the skill Of an ex
perienced warrior.
Al the FIRST session of the Goth Congress resolu
tion was adopted, Cat whose motion we are at los,
to stae,) called the tcenty FIRST ,c by which all alb
clifton petitions whether they referred to the States
Territories. the District of Columbia, were Who'll
~ excluded. Upon This the Democrats prided
themselves very much because few Southern
Wings voted among the negatives.
Mr. Adams moved al the next session. to resciud
che rule and even then every Democrat butawo from
the State New York voted for the repeal But The
motion failed
ln>he 9Th Congress (as Mr.. Marshall staes)
there was a~hg majorily-and the rule was no.
repealed. 10 the first session of the 2sh Congress
with large Democratic majoriy,the motion to re-
scnd only failed by four votes. In the second SEES
sion, with the same large Democratic majority the
rule was repeatedly vote of T0Sto so. The cleo
ton was over and The object of The rule was no lon
germ existence. Mr.. Chapman Of Alabama, at The
10th Congress, failed in an atemp, to revive The
rss, by decisive majority, showing the real feel
ing Of the Northern Democracy and exhibiting, as
Mr.. Marshall truly states, story Of political in
consistency. Mr., Fillmore was abused for voting
for the rule--lheIwhole Northern Democracy ercus-
ID for its repeal Was ever eifrontery more strik-
ingly exhbitedl
Mr. Marshallforcibly refers 10 Mr. Van Buren's
sincerity upon the slayery question. Ellis ayowals
were fortunately not put 10 any severe best during
his ADMINISTRATION. But in Mr. Fillmores case
satrs rsiEaias 20 room orspecEot6a there is no a
pology for the pretence Of doubt He has been
tested eteialy thoroughly, entirely His views are
known from his OFFICIAL AeTltx asPresiden, of The
United States"
The force of Mr., Marsha1l's speech was plainly
exhibited throughout its delivery, BY the frequent
and oflen il-timed Interruptions Of his opponents
:. The wounded pigeons were known BY their flut-
seringp But he was not at all disconnected for he
was dealing his shafts from the armdry of truth
W.T.. M. exposed the shallowness Of theclaim set
zap IN certain quarters tba; the Compromise meas
uFes were Democratic measures. ofthe % South
ern wings who present on one Of The test voes
IS voted in tie afirmalive--whilst, Spn the other
hand, the Democratic representatives fronl Louis
lana. Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Soulh
Carolina, aud all, except one from the State OF Al
ALBANIA, cast vote against the proposition! The
vote ofthe Democrats from Virginia, Zone being alb
scn) sir and sir aud The ahsenton one would have
been in the negative. ~
Mr.. Marshall replied from the record, Ito many
Interruptions, that the Southern Democratic party
was against the measure, and voted against The
Compromise upon the tsst question Mr. Boyd's a.
neadment to the Texas BILL embracing the right of
the Staiesto be Admitted riA or ,ciaOat slavery
rs the case might be.
In conclusion, Mr.. Marshall stated the case hand
.somely and truly in behalf OF the Southern Wings.
did not desire appropriate party uses
and robe effort of patriotism, which BY iaintex-
sr,on aud influence ofrepresentatives Of all parties
I and Of All sections. snalched the Union from The
Fery jaws q destruction. and gave renewed hope a
the stal ility and Rermanence Of goveFnmen, undsr
which we haye h<en blessed with so Inuch of psc-
gress and prosperity.
But, said be- in deiesee Of the Southern Wig
party, shey cogAf nc eolpparisons, but they shrink
from no scrutiny. Thcirpoliticai history win COM
.pare with the hiA,ey Of any parry known in The an
mails Of the Repnble. Theft raAas exhibit brich
ana shining examples ofdero,ed patriotism, Of exa
Ted talents Of wise slaiesmanshp and Of characters
vhichihroush ages win form models or falure in,-
saion. Their political principle. viii successfully
plss he examination Of history whose province il
iapscan1be philosophy Of action, and 10 decide il.
~ good or sval Units tendency