Washington sentinel., 1853-11-11

Mr.. BROWN, OF Indiana, desired 10 say, IN
reference to a remark of the gentleman from Vir-
any pledge as 10 what place he would assign gen
temen in constituting the committees in case he
were elected Speaker.
Mr. THOMPSON, of Mississippi rose and
said that whilst he felt deeply mortified at the oc-
currence which had taken place, yet he regarded
il as better that these developments should have
been made before the House had come TO final
result, rather than afterwards. He thought the
House was not sufficiently composed 10 make any
further efforts towards organization to-day; that
il not prepared to 60 on further with the busi
ness at this time; and he hoped that, by general
consent, an adjournment would be agreed to.
Objections were made.
Mr. L. submitted the motion that the House ad-
jonrn until tomorrow, at 12 o'clock.
Mr.. THOMPSON, of Kentucky, demanded
tellers.
Mr.. DUNHAM appealed to MIR. THOMPSON, of
Mississippi, to withdraw the motion adjourn for
few minutes, to enable him (Mr. d. TO saya few
words.
After some hesitation, Mr.. T. withdrew the mo-
tion. on the pledge Of Mr.. DURHAM TO renewit.
Mr.. DUNHAM then said (: / had not expected,
Mr.. Clerk TO mngle in this discussion, il discus
sion il may be called, nor do WISH in the least,
TO add TO this in my opinion uncalled for excite
ment but cannot sit idly by and hear my col
league reproached with improper conduct in this
matter denounced as an aboltionist and free
soer, and this transaction stigmatized as dishon-
orable without al least expressing wish that
gentlemen from the south will be little more spe
cifc in their charges and denunciations. think
il is high time we should know exactly wherein
this transaction is by them considered dishonora-
Bile; what il takes, in their opinion, TO make
freesoler--an abolitonist. Is il dishonorable for
gentleman who is a candidate for a high Office.
when addressed a letter by another gentleman Of
equal responsibility, who wishes TO give him his
vote in reference TO the manner in whichth duties
Of nj Ofi "a n n n e.
spectful answer? @
Mr. KAUFMAN. Will the gentleman from In
diana allow me 10 ask him question?
Mr. DUNHAM. Certainly, Sir
Mr. KAUFMAN. Does the gentleman from
Indiana consider il honorable for gentleman who
is candidate for high Office, in which different
portions Of the Union, embracing different inter-
ests, are interested TO make distinct pledges to
the representatives of one portion, and deny or
conceal such pledges from those ofanoiher!
DIR. DUNHAM. II is sufficient answer for
to say, that have yet to learn that the devel-
opment hitherto made or which can be made,
show such case. What improper pledge is con-
tanned in this letter? ] will admit, fyou separate
it from the conversation between the gentleman
from Pennsylvania Mr.. WILMoTl and my col
league, which preceded it, out Of which il grew,
and which properly and rghtfuy forms, its con-
text--if you isolate il, you may torture from It
meaning il was never intended to bear. But
ask gentlemen if this is fair? Is il right! Is il
ordinary transactions in life, written instruments
or verbal conversations construeda Here is
where think the gentlemen from the south have
gone astray, and have done my colleague (unin-
tentionally, presume) gross injustice.
When you take this letter in connexion with
that conversation, defy the gentleman 10 point
ont any Improperly in The assurances there given.
That conversation, shown by both gentlemen.
amounted to this. The gentleman from Pennsyl-
vania complained that the House had always
L sxL
thereof so arranged that the opinions and senti-
ments entertained by himself and those acting
with him had been stifed and never been permit-
ted to be fairly heard upon this floor, 10 go out
from here to the world; that oil they asked was,
not that committees should be so arranged as that
majority even should be favorable to these views
5Mt spy that the commttses should be fairly co,,stt
tated that those entertaining such opinions should
be placed upon committees in proportion to their
numbers and according to their relative position in
the House; that in their arrangement every portion
of the Union should be fairly and rightfuly repre-
scented, and have chance TO be heard upon this
floor. With this they aconld be satisfied. Mark the
language, for this is the key to the true meaning
fthis letter. To all this, what could, what ought
my colleague, as an honorable man, national
man--which know him TO be in feeling-to reply,
other than what he did, that this request was but
Just and reasonable? Now sir, il was this con-
versation which gave rise to this letter. E
Mr.. KAUFMAN. fthe letter Of the gentleman
from Indiana Mr.. Brownl had corresponded with
the alleged conversation, or if he had pledged him
self to so constitute the committees that all the
great interests of the country would be represent
ed, no honorable man would have objected; but
to pledge himself secretly ito constitute the COM
mttees so as 10 be satisfactory TO Mr.. Wilmot and
his friends" a small squad of some eight or ten
dsorganizers, making no written reservation in
favor ofthe rights or interests of any other party
or section of the Union, IS an insult 10 those who
extended to himtheir confidence not TO be patient
ly endured.
sylvania addressed him letter, simply interrogat-
ing him whether in case,of his election to the
speakership he would carry out these principles.
He this point merely replies in this letter that
"should he be elected he will so constitute the
committees on the District of Columbia the Ter
ritories and the Judiciary, in such manner as
would be satisfactory to the gentleman from Penn
sylvana and his friends. Now, SIR what does
this assurance amount to? Can any one doubt for
a moment that, when my colleague penned that
sentence, he had in his mind the conversation 10
which / have before alluded Does any one doubt
that at the time he believed that all that would be
necessary to satisfy that gentleman and his friends
would be TO constitute the committees Of
this House that every portion Of the people OF
this Union might in them be fairly represented
and have an opportunity to be fairly heard
Then, sir, | ask gentlemen, if in this note my
colleague has undertaken to do, should he be
elected, anything more than, as an honest and an
upright man, and as true republican, he would
have been bound to do had no assurances been
given should like TO know, sir, il there is
man upon this floor who dare rise in his place,
and in the face of the American people say he
wishes this House so organized, these committees
so constituted, that portion of the people shall
have their opinions stifed in this House that they
shall not be heard here. and that they shall not be
permitted 10 give their opinions TO their country
men upon this floor; in short, sir, that they shall
be ostracxed in the halls Of their national egisa
ture? Sir there is not man here that dare do il.
Then, sir, as TO the aboltionsm which has been
charged 10 my colleague
Mr.. KAUFMAN. We do not charge him with
abolitionism or frecsoilism, but with duplicity.
Mr.. DUNHAM. beg the gentleman's pardon;
but il the charge of aboitionism has not been re-
peatedly made on this floor, have very much mis-
heard. But ifthe gentleman discaim those charges,
do not wish TO pursue the subject ! have no
disposition TO speak for the sake of hearing my
sell. l am but young man, sir; this is my first
appearance upon this floor. should not have
spoken at ALL had not felt it to be my imperative
duty TO do so. / WAS about simply to add, that If
10 be in principle opposed to the institution Of