Washington sentinel., 1854-01-29
SPEECH OF THE HON. MIKE WALSH.
OF NEW YORK;
In the House Of Representatives,

In the House Of Representatives,
January II, 1854.
The House being in Committee Of the Whole
on the state Of the Union
Mr.. HOUSTON said move that the commit
lee now take up for consideration House bill No.
~, making appropriations for the support of the
Military Academy, for the year ending the 30th of
June 1855.
The question was taken, and the motion was
agreed 10.
The Clerk then read the bill through by Sec
The CHAIRMAN. The question will be on
laying aside bill No. Al, and reporting ii TO the
House.
Mr.. WALSH. Mr.. Speaker, wish TO inquire
what latitude of debate is allowed on these bills.
The CHAIRMAN. The widest latitude is al
lowed TO gentlemen, according TO the practice OF
the committee, on any of the general appropria-
lon bills
Mr. WALSH. Then, Mr.. Chairman, l -
Mr. HOUSTON. Will the gentleman from
New York yield the floor
Mr.. WALSH. The gentleman from New York
will certainly yield the floor to gentleman who
is always entitled TO il.
Mr.. HOUSTON. am just going 10 ask the
gentleman from New York 10 lei the committee
report that bill to the House, and then take up the
deficiency bill, when he will have an opportunity
to make a speech.
Mr. WALSH. shall dispense with making
speech, and yield the floor have no particular
desire 10 make a speech.
The question that House bill AZ should be laid
aside to be reported 10 the House, with recon-
mendation that il do pass, was agreed 10.
Mr., HOUSTON. | now ask that House bill
No 40, being bill 10 supply the Deficiencies In
the appropriations for the service of the fiscal
year ending 3oth Of June 1854 be taken up for con-
sideration.
. The question was taken: and the motion
agreed 70.
Mr.. WALSH. Mr.. Chairman, do not pro-
pose TO detain the House at any length; neither
do propose 10 make what is called speech /;
but, from the evident disposition manifested by
this House, no other opportunity will probably
occur wherein shall be enabled TO say anything
upon the subject Of which now propose 10 speak.
On previous occasion felt called upon IN re-
ply TO some remarks made by gentlemen on this
toor 10 say thai, if time should arrive rendering
it necessary for the democracysof New York TO
speak out in their own vndication that voice
would be uttered in language which the meanest
and dullest understanding not wiltully blinded TO
the truth, could not fail TO clearly and fully COM
prehend. In using the word democracy, ! OF
course meant to be understood as alone referring
to that patriotic, chivarous, and self.sacrihcing
party which whether in the pride OF victory and
plenitude OF power, or amid the resolute and un-
despairing vcissitudes Of defeat has ever upheld
and preserved the Constitution in the purity and
mistaken integrity ofits letter and its spirit against
the open assaults of insane. though perhaps not
dishonest, fanatics, and the more wily dangerous,
and dastardy Vaccinations of that most despca-
BILE mercenary, and hollow hearted set of wretched
renegades and migrate traitors, who, AT the mixed
pepper erand.sat convention held at Buffalo in lS4S,
traiernized, with such braZen and pertinacous
assumption of well dissembled sincerity, with dis
loyal wings, rampant abotonists, aad long -heeled
negroes, pampered into the most intolerabe inso-
lence by the treacherous articles Of pitiful dema-
gogues, whose hearts and purposes were backer
than the sooty faces Of the poor benighted dupes
they were deluding. ! used the word "democ.
racy" then as use it now, as ever have used
aud ever shall use il for, whatever the present
cabinet may be in this respect-and beyond its ser
vile panders and profigate parasites il is appre
hend matter ofthe slightest possible consequence
10 any one what il is-the democratic party is,
ever has been, and ever will remain indivisible
unit. Is
Those, who in unselfsh recklessness revolt
against its authority, as well as those who from
like cause temporarily disregard its ennobling and
humaniziDg precepts during the sunshine of its
prosperity and power, il has always, on a frank
and proper acknowledgment of their errors. free
ly fully, and magnanmousy forgiven; but those
who basely betray and desert il in the hour Of its
dark dreary, and perilous trial. mast come back,
II at all permitted to do in sackcloth and ashes
-as humble penitents-and in that capacity attest
by the humility Of their demeanor, and the readi-
of their efforts atone for past apostacy, the sin
cerity Of their contrition and the completeness Of
their reformation, before they can ever be again
taken into anything like full communion.
This sir, as all aware, is, and has long
been-at least among the trnly orthodox and faith
fu-a well established rule in the church; and
see no good reason why few years penitent pro-
baton the anxious seat can prove otherwise
than productive Of the most healthy and purifying
effect upon the corrupt morals and depraved
hearts Of political backsliders. The time to which
Ithen passingy alluded as requiring the New York
democracy 10 thus speak has in my opinion.
already more than fully arrived; and though |
have been anxiousy desrous that some one else
among my associates should give utterance TO our
views, the fact that they have all declined doing
so would render further silence on my part culpa-
bic, and subject the noble party which in part
have the honor 10 represent TO unjust and nvid-
ious impuatons.
Sir, we have borne, not only in comparative,
but lin the estimation Of many) in ignomnious
silence, the most fragrant wrongs, the most perse-
vering prosecutions, from those whom we elevated
TO power on principles which they s,renuously
preached in theory, but which, / regret TO say
they have sadly and shamelessy violated in prac-
lice.
With them our forbearance has but served a.
an incentive 10 renewed and aggravated aggres-
sion (; and. notwithstanding the bitter lesson admin
stered by the triumphant result of onr last elec.
ton in New York-a lesson which, 10 not in
toxicatcd with power unwsely conferred, and ye,
more unwisely not 10 say ungraiefully and auda
ciousiy exercised, would have proved as unmis
taxable and instructive il was unexpected--the
administration actually still seems TO egregously
underrate and totally misunderstood the true char
dCief Oh lne men Win whose OVer-taXeu patience
they have been SO long stupldly and insanely tri
fling ss-
Every opportunity has been afforded them &c
partially retrieve their bunders, and make what
ever reparaton the case would now admit of fol-
the unexampled outrages perpetrated upon us
but so far from availing themselves of the golden
opportunity thus generously presented, they have
with the most inexpicabe obtuseness, construed
our magnanimity into cowardice, our forbearance
into slavish submission.
In this, sir they have, they will soon learn 10
their bitter cost, been laborng under most
miserable misiake--yes under fatal and sui
cidal delusion--and can therefore no longer re-
main passive, with just regard for my own self
respect. or with a becoming appreciation Of what |
owe 10 the character and dignity of the time
honored party 10 which beong-a party, the
fond remembrance of whose virtues services
sacrifices, and undertaking devotion TO principle
will live embalmed in the respect and affections
Of all honorable, intelligent, and patriotic men,
long, long after the corrupt and ncongruous
coalitions which surround and disgrace us
are resolved back into the conflicting elements OF
which they are composed, and the hideoas official
skeletons Of their huckstering leaders are left
dangling from the gbbets TO which public exc
Grafton and condemnation has con sig ned Them M