Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-02-18

one those who dRIleiii, above all things, in sus-
tanning the character Of our public men. In Vir-
GINA, here take occasion 10 say, | never heard
the character of any of her sons vlied, i'll could
avoid H. without defending them, even though
they might have differed with me in respect 10
public questions. would no less hesitate 10 up
hold the character of public man from any other
State, unjustly assailed; and ! regret that the
same feelings do not manifest themselves on the
part OF other gentlemen.
remember that John w. Taylor. distinguished
son of New York, when he was Speaker OF the
House OF Representatives. think IL was IN 1873
or 4--on one occasion, when the House was IN
The Committee of the Whole on the state OF the
Union, III reply 10 complaints then very common
on the subject of Virginia influence, said, in Just
and eloquent language, that as long as Virginia
continued 10 uphold and magnify her distIne ushed
sons as she had always done, she would have IN
huence, however much others might complain OF
H. He said that, when her sons faltered, she
tanned them when they fell, she raised them she
published their virtues, and threw the mantle of
charity over their faults. Sir, i would commend
this example 10 New York. desire that New
York shall act in reference 10 her distinguished
sons in The same elevated and magnanmous way.
New York, one of the great States of this
Union, is bound by her position, by her greatness,
and by her numbers, TO stand up for State rights.
New York, OF all the States of this Union should
stand by the great principle 10 which refer; If
for no other reason, because II will preserve her
the pride of her greatness 10 hold this federal
government 10 the sternest and strictest rules of
constitutional construction, ought 10 take pride
and pleasure in uphoding her distinguished men,
and ralying around the State-rghts doctrines of
the country.
have adverled 10 these things, Mr. Chairman
without any purpose whatever 10 crimnate any
one. Now, one more word 10 the hards. gen
tleman over the way, Mr.. WAIsH,l who is the
pet oil the New York city demoeracy-a gentle
,l...
hail. and will, no doubt be pet TO some extent
herein reply TO an lnterrogatory 10 the differ
ence between the hards and sots, tarlly remarked
| am sure he could not have meant it--that the
difference was Just that between rogues and hon
est men. Sir, | take this occasion TO express
nv regret at the utterance of such sentiment. /
know the gentleman cannot entertain that senti-
ment but il has gone forth TO the country and will
excite an unpleasant feeling against that great
State and her representatives upon this floor,
which all of us must deplore. But in reference
10 this particular controversy, the gentleman from
New York Mr. WALSH was told the other day
that the hards had the sympathy OF the south.
The gentleman sternly and promptly said: g /
want not your sympathy" The gentleman stands
here proudly and sternly as the representative of
the New York city democracy and declares 10
this House and the country that he wants not
public sympathy. Sir, ask that gentleman and
The hards in this body, what it is they do wantt
Mr.. WALSH Justice.
Il.
What DO they ask OF this bodyi They profess
to be democrats; and have no doubt that they
are democrats. Then l proclaim that they are
bopnd, however much they may feel aggrieved
however they may be dissatisfied with patronage
and management, to stand by the President and
by those who are carrying out in the main, demo-
cratic principles. distinguished and eminent
politician, now no more, has once well and beautiful
iy said that you can more carry out principles
without men than you can carry out love without
women. | ask the gentleman, then, what is it
that he wants! He will not have our sympathy.
No! Ne spurns our sympathy, though tell the
gentleman that he has il in Virginia bit 10 as all
that Krginia has TO gre IN this quarrel He has
our sympathy, but he spurns il, Then, ask him,
what is ii he wants!
MIR. WALSH. 1.-THE gentleman will allow me-
will answer his question.
Mr.. SMITH. Certainly
Mr. WALSH. II is not the sympathy of The
people of the sonth that spurn, but the sympathy
of gentlemen on this floor.
Mr.. SMITH. did not hear the last remark Of
the gentleman.
Mr.. WALSH. / said that il was not the SYM |
pathy of the southern people that i despised, but
the sympathy of gentlemen upon this floor who
give secretly, and falsify that sympathy by their
action here.
ICries of g Good ~" Good ~
Mr.. SMITH Mr.. Chairman, can only saw in
reference TO that point that is the pride of south
representatives 10 truly represent their con-
stituency II is the pride Of the southern charac-
Ter TO act openly and manfully; and when that
sympathy declared 10 exist in the south, the
representatives of that people felt with those they
represented, and spoke truly and understandings
in the face of God and the country, what they
felt.
Well, l again repeat the question, that if they
will not have sympathy, what practical action do
they ask here? put that question 10 this body.
| ask of the New York democracy here. what prac-
teal action they desire at the hands of the demo-
-
To break down the administration No. surely;
for they would not then be democrats. DO
they wish 10 destroy the confidence of the country
in the administration DO they propose 10 unite
with its opponents, and TO strip it of the great
moral element ofits power! No; for they " oud
not then be democrats. Then all they can desire
is that sympathy which the gentleman said that he
was unwilling 10 accept and which. can assure
him, SO far as Virginia is concerned, is generally
felt. With that will pass off from the subject
and call attention to few more views before
close.
am in the performance of a rather delicate
duty. l am here TO applaud, and in some degree,
| to condemn; and ask the calm consideration of
| this committee 10 the view which shall present
| in reference 10 the position Of the administration.
| | will take occasion 10 say that, in speaking on
1 this subject, speak for myself alone 1 do not
| represent anybody that know Of do not speak
with authority; but do speak with knowledge
| What was the condition of things when Presi-
| cent flerce came INTO powers mad been, lust
| after mighty CONFUSION, which shook this Union
to its foundation, elected trumphantly by the peo-
pie, by an overwhelming majority such as rarely
| falls 10 the lot OF any public man. He came into
office with a profound sense of the deep obliga
ton he was under TO paciiy and appease the agi-
tatons of the country. Il was his anxious desire
10 put end at once and forever 10 the agitation
of the slavery question. In looking at this object
| in seeking TO perform this duty, he surveyed the
whole field, with determination 10 exercise all the
means within his power for the advancement of
that great and patriotic end. may say tina, il was
matter Of personal pride and high personal am
| bition the part Of the President TO accomplish
| that object. He saw in the divisions of New York
which was of the first States to be secured an
| apprehension that his object might be defeated.
He saw clearly and maniiestly that if he could
| unite the New York democracy with the democra.
cy OF the other States ofthe Union, there would be
| an end al once to the slavery agitation and that
the proud achievement would he his of healing the
| wounds of the country.
Now, if gentlemen will pause, and look at this
view of the subject, they will see that there was
an obligation on the President Of the highest and