Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-02-18
SPEECH OF MR.. SMITH,
OF VIRGINIA,

party ~ He sotulc 81 4Net0 iOI"'
The House beingin the Committee ofthe Whole
on the state the Union,
Mr.. SMITH said:
Mr.. SPEAKER: At time had the good for
tune obtain the floor, and felt very DESTROYS 10
submit some remarks. Subsequent events, how
ever, have occurred, which have so saddened my
spirits that feel little inclination TO enter into the
passing scenes OF life. But we have listened TO
remarks upon this floor in which those whom !
am at least willing 10 sustain have been strongly
illuminated, and yet we have heard not word
in their behalf
With the permission of the committee, will
present very few remarks, and, in so doing shall
have 10 advert 10 the New York controversy
which has taken place upon this floor. In doing
this, beg 10 say thai / shall not indulge in any
elimination whatever upon either side fthat con-
troversy. | shall advert 10 it merely an intro
duction TO the main body of the few remarks
which propose TO submit.
take this occasion to say 10 this committee,
that this controversy has been OF painful charac-
ter, presenting il did large portion OF the re-
representatives. of this country in very unpleasant
and disagreeable light. What do We see One
of the first States in this Union torn 10 pieces by
conflicting opinions, and her dissensions miro
duced into this hall. will not undertake to COM
ment AT length upon this, but revert 10 II with
feelings ofregret; and beg her representatives
To remember that, in thus presenting this dissen-
sion TO the country, they impairing their just
strength and estimation IN this land New York,
| know is one of the first States in the Union.
She has prodigious wealth and population. She
has very large political power and should have
alareat influence in the councils of the country
and, by comfy has been called the Empire
Stale" How painful il must be, and how distaste-
full then, 10 see this great State introducing her
private quarrels here!
shall not dwell upon this subject but will take
this occasion 10 advert to few facts involved in
this controversy, and in reference 10 which, If
mistake them, shall be happy 70 have gentlemen
correct me. | shall not go back TO the conserva-
tive period 10 which some gentlemen have trav-
eled, Ia time when il is sad the first division in
New York took place j but | go back only 10
1877. | then learn that ut that period resolution
was introduced Into the New York Legislature
approving OF the Wilmot provso, and that it was
almost unanimously passed. AT that lime, with
very few exceptions, there was no division upon
that question:; all were freesoilers, all bowed 10
political freesoilism. In 1913 the representatives
ofthe State of New York met the other delegations
of The Union in convention, AT Baltimore, TO make
presidential nomination. They, by the appear
ance of two sets of delegates, each claiming 10
represent the democracy Of that State, carried
their dissensions into that body; and them because
one party could not have their own way, separated
from the convention, and returned 10 their con-
stituents. That is another fact.
Then what did sect ask the members OF
this House contemplate this view OF the ques-
ton Tor mement. These gentlemen were dis
satisfied with the decision of the Baltimore con-
veption of 1913, when
Mr.. CUTTING, Gnierrupting) Did under
stand the gentleman from Virginia 10 desire, as he
went on, 10 be corrected in case the facts which
he might state were not in accordance with the
recoliectons of the members from New York?
Or dad he prefer that those corrections should take
place after he should have concluded his observa
tons f5
MIR. SMITH am stating certain facts in con-
nexion with this controversy and il they stated
enormously, ! desire that they should be cor
rected
Mr. CUTTING. Does the gentleman desire
that they should be corrected now, after he shall
have concluded his reinarks2
Mr.. SMITH. / prefer that il should be done
now briefly.
Mr.. CUTTING. When the gentleman from
Virginia Mr.. SMITHl states TO this committee that
the New York democracy carried their controversy
into the Baltimore convention, and when matters
did not suit them there both sets of delegates left
The convention, remarks TO that effect, deny
that any Of the members OF the Syracuse delega-
ton, who represented the New York democracy,
left that convention. On the contrary, assert
that when the convention admitted the delegates
from both sections, mean those who afterwards
went 10 Buffalo, as well those sent by the de-
rnocracy, that both delegations took their seats,
and after those who subsequently went TO Buffalo
failed TO obtain the nomination of candidate who
suited them, and after they had in vain struggled
against the nomination OF General Cass, that then
after having submitted themselves the jurisdlc-
ton of the convention, after having participated
at Syracuse and representing the democratic
party remained until the convention adjourned,
those headed by Mr.. Cambreling deserted upon
thai occasion, after General Cass nominated.
MIR. SMITH. i am happy to have the correc-
ton made. l was mistaken as 10 the fact, as ap
pears by the statement of the gentleman from
New York, Mr. CUTTINGJ although another gen.
tleman from New York Mr.. Perkins, denies,
expressly and unequivocaly. that they participated
in those proceedings. ask this committee, when
~ af fIAp
differ how outsiders be able to appreciate the
facts in the cases
Mr.. CUTTING. BY appealing TO the truth of
history
MIR. SMITH. | take il that the statement of
the gentleman from New York Mr.. CuTTIsGl is
correct, although different statement is made by
the venerable gentleman my left, Mr.. PER
KNs.l That being the state things what does one
of these delegations, when they were not able TO
obtain nomination suitable TO themselves
They go home TO New York and get up meeting
al Buffalo, and call upon the country 10 sustain a
nomination made there upon the most extraor.
binary principles. | say, and speak from per
sonal knowledge, that no action OF public body
could have possibly produced profounder sen
sation in my own State than the action of this
body. When Mr.. Van Buren, accepted that nomi
mutton, deep in the south was the feeling OF indig
nation and regret which il produced. Ii had beer
my good fortune, lei say, in the campaign o
1916 TO spend some of the best months OF my Inf,
in sustaining his election TO the presidency.
loiled for him as few men did; and when that de
csion of his in reference 10 the Buffalo nominatior
came 10 the country, deep was my regret TO fine
that he had assumed this position, 50 much at wal
with all the principles upon which had defended
ard sustained him, and much AT war with the
previous history Of his eventiul life.
Mr.. Chairman, | will not dwell longer upon
that branch of the subject. We told by the
gentleman from New York, lMr. HUHGEs,l who
first addressed the committee on the part OF the
sos upon this subIect-and If he is present now
hope he will take notice of my satement-iha,
they went into the nomination Of MIR. Van Buren,
because the hards, then under another name, had
sacrificed distinguished man IN the State OF New
York, MIR. Wright who had occupied an eminent
place in the council chamber adjoining this hal
for many year
Sir, that that never heard sc
much limited at until the gentleman announced
il upon this floor. ! had always understood tha
IL was in consequence of the personal spite of MIR
Van Buren, against General Cass, 10 whom he i'm
puted his disappointment in not receiving the Bal
= a. LII. II