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

have no idea Of being interrupted at an unworthy
advantage, or whenever the thing Is out OF the
House, or out Of the discussion.
Mr.. Chairman, ask the question again: Would
/ not the President have deserved well OF his coun-
/ try If he could have accomplished this harmonious
adjustment of these unhappy difficulties in con-
nexion with the agitation of the subject OF slavery!
Sir, the President did all in his power TO bring
together, not his enemies, but has friends. HIS
| effort was 10 bring them harmoniousiy together,
and he may have thought that the soits would
grow softer under the meowing influence OF the
| spoils, and that the hards would somewhat relent
| under the same influence. He pursued this course
| for the purpose Of seeing II their hosuiity could
not be reconcied yes, SIR, Tor the purpose OF see
| ing if their hostility could not be reconcilcd and
i / state here with perfect confidence in the cor
RICHNESS of the assertion, that there was nothing
wrong In it.
Isay, if have an influence over my divided
| friends, | have the right, and II Is my duty to
bring that influence TO bear upon them for the
purpose OF making them friends. And especially,
when that influence is sustained by high Official
position, does it become great public duty
| | say, then, with the greatest respect to my
friend over the way, Mr. WALBRIDGE,l that the
course taken by the President and his cabinet 10
no interference in the elections of sovereign
State, none whatever; but high, worthy, Judi
cious exercise of the influence OF their positions,
for the purpose OF bringing together the discord-
ant elements of the democratic party-ior the
4
friends, and bringing about community OF action
among them.
| was remarking that the two divisions Of the
| New York democracy were now united upon this
great question of freesoil Upon the great ques.
ton OF slavery, they united; they are bound
by the force of great moral necessity TO act to-
gether upon the subject of slavery; and, however
much the President may have suffered from dis
appointment or anxiety in the efforts he has made
in bringing about harmony and Cancellation, he
kn,y hat
Nebraska bill these gentlemen must come to-
gether in opinion, and that they will be found
voting together upon its final passage That they
have got TO do, and that they will do, That will
be the test of their democracy; that will show
| that professions are not assumed for the sake of
offices and their own private interests. Let them
4 come up and vindicate--
Mr.. HUGHES. / simply ask the gentleman TO
put me outside of such test of my democracy.
| ! ask that no test may be applied to me. In my
| future action, desire that the voice of my con-
siituency may be heard; and, as understand that
voice, so shall act.
lCries of '.Goodr and considerable excite
ment
Mr.. SMITH, resuming) There is in the
talents and style of eloquence Of the gentleman
" no has Just taken his seat something which has
| struck me; and take this occasion to say that
| the ability he has displayed upon this floor GER
tany entities him 10 very high credit. But /
deeply regret that the gentleman has not the man.
/
| Constitution of his country, but seeks TO sknlk-
| | use that word, though il may be
/ The CHAIRMAN. 1t is rather inappropriate.
Mr.. SMITH. Rather strong, but commenced
! by using it, and do not know but it expresses
the idea ] mean TO convey. say am sorry the
gentleman is disposed, upon the Nebraska bill, to
| skulk behind his constituents. / grieve for ii !;
| am sorry, upon my soul am sorry, because
esteem him TO be a man whose talents would
almost make the wrong appear the better side,
/ r.. - Il
cherish, and with whom would be really gratiied
TO harmonic.
But lie, that pass. will wait for him TO come
| TO judgment, and then shall see, and the country
will see whether he means, in his own individu-
ality, 10 shrink from the performance OF a high
/ Mr.. HUGHES GnterposingJ / trust that
when the time comes, when have to appear in
| judgment, shall prove second Daniel come
| 10 judgment" But trust the gentleman will
not apply the epithet OF {" skulking"to me. Ihave
expressed no opinion as regards what my course
or my vote may be; neither do wish to be so I'M
| derstood But wish it to be understood that no
fhumb-screws will be applied 10 me in advance by
any gentleman or by any administration. ! shall
vote my conscience dictates, in the presence Of
my God. and try to carry out the wishes of my
people.
lCries of" Good" and aThats right!"l
Mr.. SMITH, tresuming) Sir when the gentle
man spoke the other day, we all sat here with adj
\ mlrinS ears anu hstened 10 MIN. we 1eu tndt
he was one of the rising sons Of New York--the
4 rival even OF CUrrfNG. But when q question
was propounded to him, and he turned il off in
the manner that he did, he FELL fear, TO rise no
more. am of those who think that when a
man has lived for years in an agtated atmosphere
| where these questions have been pending he
ought TO have formed a decided opinion upon
them, if he is capable of forming an opinion upon
any subject Why then should gentleman Of
his talent be unable to have an opinion as well as
1 al. IS Ilaa III,
! was il that he had TO consider Of his answer and
now wants to fall back upon the sovereign people?
! Sir, il is deeply to be regretted that gentlemen
| here too frequently hide their own views behind
the alleged voice Of the sovereign people. Instead
| of meeting questions with true sense of duty TO
the Constitution of the country, instead Of march
j ing up with the enlightened views that circum-
| stances spread around them, they run behind the
sovereign people, and say they give expression 10
j what they believe to be their will
Now, am one of those who believe the people
10 be patriotic. / am one fthos8 who think that
| the people love the country, and would not have
the Constitution changed; and believe that il is
only necessary for gentlemen TO deal frankly with
their constituencies, in order TO have their course,
| in the performance of grave public duties, vindi-
| Gated and sustained. / never have known the
people 10 be unpatriotic reasonable. have
4 never known them TO be false; and if dealt with
in spirit Of frankness they will stand by man
ifthey believe him to be honest, even If they be-
lieve him TO be wrong.
] Mr.. Chairman, having presented these views
upon this point, let me turn now TO another branch
Of the subject. was remarking, when ! was in
terrupted by the gentleman from New York, that
the hards do not believe that these new corners
are entitled TO be considered on terms Of perfect
equality with them. Why, the hards would not
drive them from all countenance on the part Of the
powers that be. No, surely not. But they claim
that these softs have no right TO come up side by
side with them in the ranks and claim fair and
just share of the patronage and honors ofthe
try. The hards are not singular in this complaint.
We frequently see gentlemen who come suddenly
into the democratic ranks aspire at once to high
command, without any term of probation what
ever and others might complain as the New
York hards complain, if il were matter worthy OF
considera ion.
But, Mr.. Chairman, we have our principles tie
vindicate; we have ourpduties TO perform; ano
they command us 10 stand by those who ard
clothed with the power of administering this gov
ernment, SO long they maintain the true course
of democratic policy. Now, ! say to this COM
mitee, that though there is great difference OF
IN raE,ra 10 m New