The Port Gibson reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 185?-1857, 1854-05-24

politically with those Representatives from
my own section, who have espoused the Sem
ate bill, and whose views and principles gen.
orally accord with mine. SO far from having
desired to embarrass the authors and friends
OF the measure, have felt strong wish that
they might receive, at the hands Of the House.
that degree Of courtesy and indulgence which
would enable them, at an early period. so far
70 control u as to free it by amendments Of
such objections as might tend to retard, if not
ultimately to defeat its passage.
But. sir, while have been thus Influenced
and thus disposed, the bill itself has never
been acceptable to me. / voted against send
ing It to che Committee of the Whole on the
state Of the Union. desired to see It per-
fected and disposed Of in some way or other,
finally and speedily. / confess. sir, that my
sympathles were somewhat aroased at the
time. The bill had had good time Of il in
the Senate. Q4aughter) Its chief author
had pushed It forward with boldness aud
talert that won nv admiration. He may lose
his BILL but he will not loso my respect-I
am not OF that class Of men who think that a
tellow-citizen should be abused like pick
pocket because he aspires to the Presidency
(renewed laughter.) because he cherishes
noble ambition like him all the better for
It. II fambition is worth anything, let it soar
to the highest point. It bad passed that en-
/ ightened and conservative body by a very
large majority, after much weighty argument; I;
much coming and adjusting of antecedents !;
much quotation and commentary. (prolonged
laughter and that sort Of doye.tailing Of
scraps Of history which passes under the
name Of the vindication Of history. (Contin-
ued laughtcr)
The bill came to the House under very
strong and fayoring breeze. The very mos
senger who accompanied the bill to the House
seemed to have derived more or less Of inspi-
ration from his slight and temporary aSsocia-
ton with the great non.intervention and squat
ter supremacy principles embodied in it,
His chest expanded when he read the title,
and his voice partook Of the natural elevation
of the subject; bis bow at the conclusion was
marked by unusual grace and solemnity.-
The bin, the Nebraska bill. after laying in
state upon the Speakers taole for few days.
at length drifted out upon these placid waters
aud after floating maiesticaly for few brief
moments, suddenly. like shot dropped in wa
ter, sunk into the unfathomable depths of the
Committee Of the Whole on the state of the
Union. (laul lhter,) leaving its frierds gazing
with bewildered air upon the spot where it
went down. Renewed laughter.
say to the friends Of this measure. in Sc
rious candor that they shall, at any time,
have my support TO get this measure up-to
get it on the stocks for repairs Great laugh
ter II is not my nature to leave good-mean-
ing men and .poliii,ians in their dubious atti-
tude-in a sort Of political limb0-with rep.
utations scarce half made up-petrifed in the
chrysalis state--in an incomplete state-in
an unfinished state-like the custom-houses
and marine hospitals, which cling with such
desperate tenacity to the deficiency BILL
Laughter and applause. Sir, it is too bad
too cruel to .eave men in such a condition
a prey TO anxiety and suspense. It is worse
than leaving girl half courted. and that is
said to be a very strong case indeed. APP
plause in the gallery L am not content that
the fame Of all that splendid oratory, that
brave oratory, Of those fine speeches which
have been delivered in the Senate and in the
House, should be linked in our memories
with an abOrive political project.
Ny State, sir, sent an instruction to her
delegation to vote for the Nebraska bill She
struck it while il was on the wing-before il
was matured; at a time when every day was
marked by change-by new amendment,
and TO quote the language Of the great Vir-
gnian, when il got to resemble the Chare.
lion on the aspern leaf, ever trembling ever
changing"
Sir, il is one thing to put my lips to the
water, where the thread Of that giant river
issues from the base of the mountains; u is
quite different thing to tate IL. or swim il,
after the Ohio. the Missouri. the Arkansas.
and Red River. the Big Black and Little
Black have empsied their muddy currents
into IT, Muddy motives have mingled with
the measure. / turn from tue water now
with the invincible repugnance of hydro
phobia.
NV State has claimed obedience from me
at a time wher obedience was thought, by
some. scarcely compatible with honor and
now. sir | would throw my arms around her
if she we're on her way to the gallows. 1t
seems to me, however that she might have
trusted her present delegation on tue slavery
question. II would be well for the States Of
this Confederacy not to exhibit fdgety
eagerness for little praise from the Govern
,nent organ. There is something microscope
cally small in such display Il is descent
to the level Of the steamboat captain. who
bers little praise for the prompt delivery Of
the latest papers. / know where | stand; l
know that to disObey Instructions from my
State is a hazardous thing bat it should be
remembered that The soil Of my district has
not upon its face the imprint Of the iron heel
of conquest it was not oyerrun by that
mixed herd Of politicians. who hesitated not
10 apply the epithet Of traitor to men whose
only crime was an Intellectual struggle 10 pro-
cure a recognition of the principle Of equality
amongst the States and it is my good tor-
tune 70 be able to lift an unshacked arm in
defence Of the respectability Of the party to
which L belong. fh
Z AT the time the resolutions 10 favorof the
Nebraska bin we're passed BY my State. that
bin was still before the Senate. and alter
wards underwent, in my Judgment. an i'm
nortant Modification. To relieve my attitude