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

arising out Of change OF opinion, Is widely and
manifestly different from that influence which
friend may properly exercise over friend by the
means and influences AT his command.
Sir. the President Of the United States has been
blamed in this matter and take this occasion 10
say that | separate him not from his cabinet. He is
the responsible man; and as long as he retains
his cabinet around him, he is bound 10 father all
that is done by il. There is wide difference, sir,
say, between the attempt TO change mems poltl-
cal opinions by the influence of the government
and that course which seeks TO bring friends who
have become estranged TO harmonious action.
Mr.. EWING. ! do not like to interrupt the
gentleman from Virginia, but would like, with
his permission, to ask him one question.
Mr.. SMITH yielded the floor.
Mr.. EWING. | wish 10 ask the gentleman
this question: If the President had appointed
John Van Buren, Secretary of Stale, or if General
Scott had been elected TO the presidential chair,
and had appointed William II. Seward as Secre-
tary of State, both these appointments or either
Of them being made with view TO harmonze the
distracted elements of the parties in the State of
New York, whether he Mr. SMITHl would defend
these appointments by either General Pierce
General Scott, as well as he now defends General
Pierce, and with the like eloquence and energy
which he has now displayed
MIR. SMITH. Mr.. Chairman, with all due defe-
renee to the gentleman, must be allowed 10 say
that do not understand the point of the inquiry,
unless he assumes that the President has brought
into his cabinet abolitionist.
Mr.. EWING. Will the gentleman from Vir-
ginia allow rae then TO put another question As
famous Mr.. Snagsby would say, not TO put too
fine point upon it," il is: Whether Mr.. John Van
Buren, has ever got time yet TO read the resolu-
tons of the last Syracuse conventions
Mr. SMITH. did expect, really Mr. Chair
man, that the honorable gentleman from Kentucky,
in making point, and not putting too fine point
upon il, would actually make a point. On my
honor am perfectly amazed that the gentleman
could apprehend that John Van Buren, was any
thing but an object of universal apprehension, and
that any cabinet would ever dare TO organize with
him as cabinet officer.
Mr. EWING. perceive the gentleman from
Virginia is beginning TO give something like direct
answer.
Mr.. SMITH. My dear sir, that is the wish of
my soul that is exactly the metal of which am
made and would be glad, Of all things, to an
swer the genteman's questions fully and satisfac-
tory. But my hour is almost expired, having
but few minutes left. | would be glad TO afford
the gentleman from Kentucky every opportunity,
and expect some of these days 10 have the op-
portunty of meeting him before the sovereign
people upon these questions and, my life upon
it, shall be ready and prepared at any instant.
But. Mr.. Chairman
Mr.. WESTBROOK, VIII the gentleman from
Virginia permit TO interrupt him for in
slant.
Mr. SMITH yielded the floor.
Mr., WESTBROOK. With the permission of
the gentleman, desire to say that | have consulted
the records, and find the following in the National
IateHigencer, of May 81, 1915:
Both sets Of the New York delegates Withdrew from
the convention before the nomination leaving the whole
number of members voting two hundred and fifty four; of
whom Mr. Cass received the fouh ballot the votes of
hundred and seventy nine being nine than
thirds of the whole number present and he accord
ingiy declared duly chosen"
Mr.. CUTTING There are gentlemen here
who attended that convention, and they can speak
in reference 10 that error.
Mr.. SMITH, resumingj ! have passed away
from New York, and hope gentlemen from that
State will never bring their squabbes into this
hall again.
But was going on TO remark, and take this
occasion 10 remark, that the late administration,
even if it had appointed John Van Buren,, would
not have appointed more obnoxious individual
than some whom they did appoint, nor greater
abolitionist.
Mr. EWING, dnte rrupting) Have you read
Mr.. Foote'S speech yet
Mr.. SMITH. | have not, leave that and
all such growing disappointed politicians as the
late governor of Mississippi TO comfort the wings.
Laughter
was stating to this House that, in the perform
ance of this duty, which was before the President.
he may have, through his advisers, attempted to
exercise an influence for the purpose Of healing
division among his friends. Now, ask the ques-
ton, was that wrong put il 10 this House. was
question before the democracy ofthe Union. And
| ask the wings, who never hesitate at appliances
if it is wrong for one friend to endeavor to heal
differences among friends?
If then, this be plain, if the proposition be as
evident as the first OF Euclid. ask in what re-
spect has he erred? Not in an attempt TO adjust
the difficulty not in attempt to bring differing
friends together; not that not that Under high
sense OF duty to his country, he has resorted TO
the means necessary, in his judgment, TO effect
~ tnl,.. ht,f TO- lors
tent the democracy thought were unhappy, nju-
dicious, and unwise Certain il is they failed in
accomplishing their object, and instead of bring
ing the parties together in one harmonious action,
they unhappiy led TO violent arrangements, Of
which we have had illustrations in this hall.
Would il not have been cheering fact if this pol
icy of the administration had been carried out !?
II he could have brought those gentlemen togeth-
cr, if he could have harmonZed them ALL if he
could have brought the fragments into one homo
geneous whole ask one and all if it would moi
have been glorious contamination devoutly to
be wished But he failed in his object. And why,
ask, did he fail The gentlemen from New York
upon the hard" side felt that those the soft"
side were not as old, if as good soldiers as them
selves. They felt that they, the softs, had no
right to march up and receive equal share ofthe
spoils of the enemy Yes, / use the phrase spoils.
That is the grief.
Now, gentlemen, there is no question whatever
as to tie democracy OF both those parties at the
present moment Unhappy the sections in New
York have taught us TO lack much'confidence in
any division among them. II is so. The ''softs"
are under general distrust, and the " hards" en-
JOY the general confidence of large portion Of the
people.
Ii is believed that the softs are placed in posi-
! ton in which they must renonnce their Buffalo
| platform, and all their former affiliations The
hards are comforted with the thought that they,
| the soits, will be soon brought TO TESTIFY TO the
faith that is in them 1t is expected that certain
interesting bill will be soon brought into this hail.
and he presented as test of the new opinions OF
the New York democracy. The hards exaspe-
rated as they are, will come TO the test like men,
and support it fully Under the deep solemn, moral
necessity in which they are placed the softs will
meet the crisis irmy-fcarlessly discharge their
duty TO themselves and the country. Ifthey shrink
upon this occasion, let me say that they will
sink so low that the hand of resurrection can
not drag them from the profound depths into which
| they will have fallen. | tell them, as men, tina,
the slow finger of scorn will be pointed al them
from every part OF the country. Thus this quarre
will have the good effect of bringing these parties
together in the common support of that important
| bill, which will soon be before us and which viii
furnish an unmistakable lest of their deviation n