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

have full occupation in making known the bit
teruess of legal pressure. We who oppose,
the proposed arrangement have been describe,
as hostile TO the Union and Repnblic
and determined at all hazards to prescribe an,
put them down. In theAfirst place, this conclu
sion rests upon an egregious error. In the mex
place, the enterprise was SO small tim couIs
not NEEDLE in il, if that was the only result I,
be accomplished but above all the rest, wa
anxious 10 record my solemn protest against tn,
connection of the public press with the treasury
desire to bring about new state Of things
that the newspapers shall be sustained by tbe
own merits, and shall not look to the treasury
for their support trust We shall hear no more
of the coalition Of Southern State Rights mer
with those having strong feelings Of abolition
with the purpose Of disturbing the harmony OF
the country, and destroying the Union. This
clamor has performed IFS mission and has had
its day 1t has passed over the country like a
whirlwind, and has produced its mischief, and il
cannot be revived. People know better, and il
cannot come again No one cares about having
the Popisll plot revived here, and do not care
upon what question the cry of disunion, aboli-
ton secession, combination or coalition is raised
whether the printing of Congress or other
wise--it is done for the purpose of black baling
certain gentlemen, because they happened to
vote together for the purpose of public economy,
and the protection Of the public treasury.
Mr.GIDDINGS. BY the permission and kind
ness OF the gentleman from North Carolina, !
will say word do otthink that il is neces.
sary for The Frcesoiers TO deny the charge r
which the gentleman has referred. WOO
think the Freesoil party had sunk low befoI
the country, and the people Of this Union, if "
were necessary for one member of that party to
deny the accusation which has been alluded to-
Mr.. VENABLE. That is matter of TASTE,
which do not want to decide. Laughter]
Mr.. GlDDlNGS. | say further, that, so far
MS the Freesoilers are concerned, we should
have looked upon this transaction with much
more favor, bad the party in power selected the
Union, as the sole organ to execute this printing.
We reject with scorn, and contenn everything
in favor of the Republic. Laughter, And if
the Freesoers are to coalesce, il will be witt
the Democrats in favor of the Union, and n6o
in favor of the Republic.
Mr.. VENABLE. AS to the position the
Freesoil party may choose to occupy--whether
they prefer the Union newspaper to the Repub-
iic--is no concern of mine ! do not wish to
control their preference 1t is a matter of taste,
which will not decide
Ar. McMHLLIN. Will the gentleman al
low ne to ask the gentleman from Ohio ques-
ton?
Mr. VENABLE. cannot farm the floor out
to the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. McMuL
LIN and the gentleman from Ohio, Mr.. GID
DIHGs.
Mr. FREEMAN. trust my friend will
permit me TO call bis attention to practical
point, TO which | desire him to speak. 1t is
this: there must be an end to all things; and,
of course, to this discussion, and we will come
by and by to what this committee is TO do.
Now, as understand it, that committee have
rendered portions of the printing to the Repub
lie and the Union, upon certain terms, which
have been refused by both papers, except upon
certain other conditions stated, TO which the
have not acceded The matter, there
fore, stands where it stood originally, where il
would have stood had the committee not acted
at all. Neither the Republic nor the Union
have accepted the contract for the printing.
want the gentleman to state what his objection
is TO the course Of the Committee on Printing
and inasmuch as he is in favor of carrying out
the contract system, desire that he shall say
whether he wishes to instruct the committee
to declare that the contract with A. Boyd Ham
ilton is already null and void, or whether or not
the committee shall go on, as they have hereto
fore done, and execute the law of the land as il
now exists!
Mr. VENABLE. / will reply 10 my friend
that my resolution explains itself 1t refers TO
that printing which has not been executed by the
public printer and requests that it shall be let out
to the lowest bidder on ten days Advertisement
II is not to declare A. Boyd Hamiltons con-
tract void | am not prepared to do that, look
ing at the printing we have had placed upon
our table, which is TIE best We have yet had.
Mr. MARSHALL, of Kentucky desire to
know from the gentleman from North Carolina
whether he supposes that it is within the power
Of this House 10 instruct the Joint Committee on
Printing! If his resolution passes, would it be
productive Of any effect except upon the mem.
bers of the House?
Mr.. VENABLE. That is precisely what
desire--to instruct, by distinct request, the
members of the House upon that committee.
wish to have an expression OF the opinion OF
the House upon the matter.
Mr.. STANTON, of Kentucky ] ask the
gentleman whether the printing TO which he
has referred was done ut the Office Of the con.
tractor, or whether il was done IL Philadelphia
Mr.. VENABLE. tits very good do not
care if il was executed IN the moon, and came
uoNu % n iaihboWi u " lS uoUe ID compliance
with his contract. do not care If il were
drifted from tie waves of the sea, If it is in
accordance with the terms Of the contract
am satisfied with IT, Frequent interruptions
have broken the connection Of my remarks,
which shall endsavor 10 restore when prepare
them for publication. | shall take that occasion
to expand and enforce them. Whilst have no
sympathy with the doctrines OF Freesoil and
shall never be weak enough 10 re-.
pudisle aud reject theassisiauce of any member
Of this House who concors with me in what
regard an honest purpose To regulate my
votes by those OF Others, either acceding or op
posing, as prejudice may lead, would be to sur.
render the privilege Of free thought, and the
Of free and independent action. ]
trust that ] shall ever hail with pleasure.xIn
rally Of The members Of this House 10 a
honest purpose. ! rejoice when members, ~
whatever shade Of opinion, come TO the rescue {:
neither will ceasure them for saving the pub
lie money
Mr. STANTON. Of Tennessee. Does the
gentleman mean, then, TO say, that those who
have voted contrary 10 himself are dishonest!
Mr.. VENABlE | question no mans mo