Washington telegraph., 1854-03-29
SPEECH.
of Mr. Wheeler of Nexy York I'm
the House OF Representatives.

.
subject of consideration. after some conten.
ton as to his right to the floor Mr.. Wheeler
'rolled up his sleeves, and said
Nj CHAIRMAN: L rise to address this
committee with some reluctance, notwith
standing the gratutous assertion of the gem
tleman from Alabama, (Mr Smith, that
he knew I wanted to make speech for nv
constituents Sir, when 1 arrive at that
point in my political history of which he
boasts will hold my peace. Until then 1
shall at all times, despite the threats of pow
er and Executive promises, speak the hon.
est sentiments of my heart in behalf of an
honest constituency. In the discharge of
my duty shall be honest and fearless I
came here to sustain the principles of the
Democratic party, and to legislate for the
common good; not to pin my faith to the
coat sleeve of any man or any administration
am here to do my duty to my country and
myself IT, in the discharge of my duty, 1
use language that CRATES harshly upon the
ear, attribute it to the plain garb in which
truth is clothed, rather than desire to
wound the sensibilities of any member of
this House. Sir, to me the most despicable
position for man on this floor is to have a
motive for his vote and be ashamed to own
it. Laughter. I do not insinuate that
such has been the case. | do not say that
the executive sword has been suspended
over the head of any member of this House.
But do say there have been some who,
honored by seat upon this floor. have pro-
gressed in notoriety, and hold conspicuous
places where they do not enjoy the largest
liberty that under the cowardly threat Of
decapitation of one friend, and the refu-
sal to appoint another man, have exposed
themselves to the suspicion Of having forgot
ten their allegiance to their constituency and
the common good.
In passing the White House, at the other
end of the avenue, a few days ago, friend,
looking at its graceful columns and proper
tons, suddenly exclaimed: Axes ground
here Renewed laughter | was then.
for the first time, struck with the force of
the answer when, asking why a certain
member voted as he did, Oh he has an axe
to grind.' Laughter 1t seems, sir.
there is great government grindstone, the
approach to which is guarded by modern
Cerebus, called YIELD-ALL. In order to
use this grindstone. you have to divest your
self of all independence of thought or ac-
tion-you have no will of your own HAY
ing constituted yourself a living corpse, you
are at liberty to give a keen edge to your
axe, in order that you may cut through the
gateway of principle and seize fast hold of
the spois Sir, my constituency did not
send me here to sharpen my axe at the ex-
pense of principle. They sent me here to
yield nothing. They sent me here to stand
up for sound national democracy, against
our common enemy regardless Of spoils or
executive dictation They use no trick or
subterfuge to obtain place. 1t requires no
Interpreter to tell what they speak. They
are independent in their action asking for
nothing to which they are not entitled, and
they will have it, if at all, without favor
There was time in the history of this gov
ernment, when, to insure the success of a
great public measure, it was necessary to
ask, does the President approve it p
How does Mr.. Guthrie feel on this sub
ject ?' won't Jefferson Davis take Of
fence ?" "Will Caleb Gushing (independ-
ent in nothing but polities) sanction 1t q
| say, sir, there was time when such ques-
tions would have been an insult to gentle
men on this floor That was the golden age
of principle, when it was not necessary, dal-
ly, to define ones position-when mems
principles were embodied in their acts
when there was no man-worshiping or time
serving-no getting astride the line, waiting
the issue of the contest. and then leaping to
the side of the victor, and claiming the
spoils Cries Of good coed The man
who dared that, was sure to have his Sims
cracked on both sides of the line, and be
made as be should be. a political cripple Ter
life. Excessive laughter.
But, alas times have sadly changed-
Nothing can now be done without consu!ta-
ton with the powers that be- yon must
trim your sails to be driven amid the break,
ers you must lose all independence, and
submit to dictation as imputent as 1t Is over
bearing. You are commanded to take to
your bosoms the assassins who struck down
the party in 1913. You arc to make
glorious union of all the aSnas OF the hay IN
order that the Democracy may be ihFlnci-
BE.
The old rank and file, who have borne
our banner in triumph through many d "alu,
fought contest, whose courage Is undoaoleu
and whose scars are honorable, are thrust
aside to make room for whom, sir FOR
renegades and traitors-for the ragged camp
followers--the miserable desertefs' "ho'
near starvation through their own tfeaehe, .l &c,
ry, now crave the food that will strengthen
them for still more damplng treason. :.
Has it come to this If the Democfa'lc
party is so powerless-utteriy powe.ae9
as to need the assistance OF It's cheniies l..
Must she not only grant an amnes.y' s. oD'
pay a bounty to traitors, or meet deiea'