Washington sentinel., 1854-01-25
SPEECH OF HON. F b. CUTTING,
OF NEW YORK,
In the House of Representatives
January 20, 1854.

january ~, lS04.
In Committee Of the Whole on the state of the
Union, in reply TO Mr.. HUGHEs of New York,
and Mr.. SMITH, Of Alabama,
MIR. CUTTING said:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: II is very common siratagem,
when positions destitute of merit attacked and
exposed, ior him upon whom the burden of sus-
tanning and bolstering them up is devolved, 10
shrink from and evade the real questions in dis
pute, and, instead of graphing with theni TO resort
10 the feeble expedent ofdiscussing collateral and
immaterial issues
Guided by these instincts, my colleague, MIR
HUGHEs, in his speech of yesterday which was
characterized in that respect, am happy 10 ac-
knowledge, with marked ability aud dexterity, re-
sorted 10 this system Of tactics. The committee,
think, did not fail TO perceive that he made no
attempt TO answer or 10 controveri the charge
that made, that the coalition formed in the State
OF New York IN the year 1919 was the result OF
the intrgues of unscrupuous and ambitious poll
ticians in order 10 promote their own aggrandizc-
ment. | insisted, few days ago, that the aili-
ance formed with the Buffalo freesoilers was a
mere league between men OF opposite principles,
under the specious pretext OF "union ana harlno-
n.y., entered into by the leaders from no higher
: motives than the desire 10 obtain power at the
expense of the great principles involved in The
bitter controversy of 1915, though | admit they
carried with them many who were acting with
disinterestedness.
During a speech of an hours duration, ! did not
hear my colleague advance any denial of my
propositions nor did he utter a suggestion in JUS
titcaton ofthe league, which attempted to show
was based upon considerations which make ii an
Sexample, II countenanced, omlnous Of evil 10
the political institutions of the country Nor did
my colleague attempt TO deny that coalitions be-
tween factions of repugnant principles, animated
by the passion of predatory politicians for power
and place, are corrupt in themselves, hostile TO the
spirit and policy of our institutions, of general
pernicious tendency, and calculated TO produce
nnf HAr A1 ..nIl hr
HuGHEsl comes from the State of New York, he
is probably better informed than most of the other
members of this body of the baleful effects of the
fatal coalition with the freesoiers in various local
tiles OF our State, and more especially in the city
OF New York, where the most open and shameless
political proaigacy has since then been openly ex-
hibited. Rowdyism and fraud have been con-
stantly resorted 10 at the primary meetings, in
order TO carry delegates favorable 10 section or
portion OF the party The violence VIGOROUSLY
exerted upon repeated occasions IN Iammany
Hall, and almost always at The primary meetings,
is one of the direct consequences OF the struggles
of the sections" for supremacy. and the result has
been that general discredu has been cast upon the
system OF representative government. as 1t ope-
rated in the city Of New York; and it became
manifest that, unless proceedings destructive in
their tendencies were arrested the cause of re-
publican principles and of democratic institutions
would fall into contempt 1t being impossible 10
justify, by any plausible arguments, the combina-
attempted 10 divert the attention ofthe committee
from that topic 10 an assault upon me individ.
ually. Even il he had succeeded in disparaging
me in your estimation, il would not have tended
10 justify or to have convinced you OF the polti-
cal integrity of the coalition nor would il in any
degree have vindicated its principles or its ten
denotes in the particulars 10 which / have ad-
verted. 1fit were conceded. 10 the full extent Of
his accusation, that had been active partici-
pant in producing the alliance upon which have
animadverted, wonld ii do more than simply de-
tract from my own personal standing Could the
most signal success on his part in this attempt
have done more than fasien upon share Of
The odium Justly 10 be attached 10 the authors of
the movement and would not the real subject
under discussion slill remain untouched and un
answered.
But | will now proceed to prove that my col
leagues Mr. HuGHEs, in his anxiety TO imp1icaie
me as one OF the promoters OF the coalition OF
lS49, Is altogether wrong in his facts, and is con-
tradcted by the history of that period. As so
much prominence has been given TO this issue
personal TO myself in order that my justification
may be more clear!y presented, ! will resiate the
charge preferred against me yesterday by my col
league. and on former day by the gentleman from
Alabama, iMr SMITH It is, that in the year
1SI9 took active and leading part in two con-
veutions OF the democracy of the State of New
York of one ot which was president and that
in both of them / devoted my jealous efforts To-
wards patching up and promoting the league that
was finally formed. The design of my colleague
is 10 create the impression that was al that time
one of the sofls," and as consequence, one Of
the individuals whose acts and conduct were the
subject OF my comments when | complied, the
other day, with the invitation Of the gentleman
from Alabama. 10 explain the difference between
The "hards and the sots." ~
] meet my colleague Mr.. HUGHESl distinctly
upoI. this personal issue. deny that occupied
the position, or that enacted the part be airib-
ntes TO me; and, on the contrary. assert that so
far from haying assisted III either OF the conven-
tons referred TO BY hin--io The formation of the
icague-I devoted my best efforts 10 prevent and
defeat any union not based upon the adoption of
sound principles. ! further assert, that, III conse-
quence of my Jealous endeavors io prevent any
coalition except upon principle, was denounced,
illuminated, and assailed by the reesci assu-
ciaieS and friehds of my colleague, Mr. HUGHES
and by their leading journals, by whom was
openly charged with having actively endeaVored
10 prevent the contemplated union, and 10 break
up the convention held al Rome. few historical
facts to which / will refer will throw some light
npon this subject, and mag assist the committee 10
a clearer comprehension of the case,
In The summer OF the year 1Si9, few leading,
seasoned politicians Of our party, whose names
were no; revealed, and perhaps may say were
studously concealed, formed the project of effect
ing union or rather kagne, between the sup
po,ters OF the candidate OF the democratic party in
lSfs General Cass, and the freesoil followers of
Mr. Van Buren, and thus 10 bring inio line and
into concerted action. Two parties protesting oPpi-
site and hostile political sentiments. majority
Of the democratic State central committee was
induced by the persuasions of these leaders, 10 IN
vite the State central freesoil committee 10 adopt
measures with a view TO an armistice, and TO the
formation OF an organization which would produce
the cooperation Of the two parties. The ayowed
oh, ect of this movement was 10 wrest from the
wings the political power and supremacy IN the
State. The invitation accepted by the free
soil committee, and arrangements were made for
the holding OF separate conventions in the city OF
Rome, the 18th Of August, lS49, with the de-
sign there TO carry negotiations for an alliance.
Each OF the central committees issued formal no.
ticcs, addressed to their respective followers, call
ing upon them TO choose delegates 10 tho conven
lions. But majority OF the general committee of
The democracy OF the city Of New York, who met
nj Tammany Hail. were unwilling TO ground their
arms, or 10 fraternize with those WHO had been
warrng against the rights of the south and The
spirit of the Constitution. They refused 10 coan-
t.nance the action of their State committee and
resolved not 10 call or 10 authorize meetings OF
the partyi that city, for the purpose of sending
delegates 10 Rome, or 10 sanction any representa-.
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