Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-12-26
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,
Washington, December 26th, 1855.

9
To the Editors Of tho american Organ;
GENTLEMEN: 1t is said that an honest tale speeds
best when plainly told, and fully believe in the
truth of the remark. For nineteen days this House
has been in remarkable state of chaos, and never
before in the history of the country has there
been witnessed such condition of things as now
arrests attention and rightfuly demands of the
American people searching investigation. Dis
guise it as we may, there is palpable issue di-
recty before us, and, we must either stand by and
defend the constitution and the laws, or suffer them
to be sneered at and trampled upon as Of every
mans Interpretation, thing of shreds and patch
es and not the edict Of immortal minds. There are
many screws loose in our political machinery, and
events fast Fastening into the bitter waters of
domestic hate and possible revolution. II is emf
nently desirable that the people should perceive
this, and apply the remedy, ere the poisoned chal-
ice is commended to their own lips, and they be-
come forced to drink of the deadly cup preparing
for them by unfaithful servants.
No man ever took his seat in the hall of the ma
tional representatives more free and unrestrained
than myself / was quietly nominated for Con-
grese by the Americans Of my district and as
quietly elected by very handsome majority. /
came here under no pledges or promises of any
kind 10 any man or set Of men, but as one Of the
representatives of the United States from the State
of New York. Il felt that my duties and obliga-
tional. l felt that owed paramount duty to the
whole people, and that, my American sentiments
and principles were not be "cribbed, cabncd, and
confined" within the narrow limits OF local preju-
dces or hercsies. To ',my constituents" (now
got to be Buncombe phrase) felt myself indebt-
ed for my position, that is, TO that portion of the
people by whom | was elected, and in no wise to
those who opposed my election. AS national,
conservative, constitutional American, and proud
hasn o,t <xf he Trr.ta I
upon my representative career with high hopes
and expectations, but these have proved dream,
and an experience Of three weeks has, TO all in
tents and purposes, satisfied me that sectional sem
timents prevail over higher obligations, and that
slavery is the "hobby horse upon which politi-
clans are now mounted, booted, and spurred, pre-
pared TO ride into the gulf Of ruin and disunion.
It is emphatically the "rule or ruin" experiment,
and if 1t does not end in grand explosion some
where, then the political barometer is out of repair
aud needs mending with reasonable expedition.
In the House, what Is the daily spectacleS The
gentlemen who have so steadily voted for Mr..
Banks have flung their banner 10 the breeze and
there is inscribed upon it. aAm Banks, am nuL-
lus." The Richardson phalanx stand out defiant
y, and upon their flag you may SEQ written, erich
ardson and Democracy - Down with the Know
Nothings-To the victors belong the spoils.",
These are the two armies bold, cunning, and def
in martial array between these two opposing forces,
yet not willing 10 60 10 either. These are the
Americans Upon the broad and ample folds Of
their country's flag you can perceive embossed the
language Of patriotism "God and our native
land-the Constitution and the Union" Firm as
a rock they stand between the two great opposing
armies and calmly they bidc their time. 1t is
moral spectacle worthy of them, and tribute of
affection 10 the institutions Of their beloved coun-
Trlia atill l;vac hnaopna ~
few, and with Il upon their lips and In their hearts,
they cling TO their brth1ght with the tenacity of
despair. Let II be recorded upon the pages Of fl-
ture historians that In the Thirty fourth Congress
there was a small band Of Americans, ready and
willing TO sacrifice themselves, and to be offered
up IL needs be, upon the altar OF their country's
peace, and inundated at the shrine Of philanthropy
in Jesuitical dapery.
Nothing daunted, they will maintain their posi-.
ton. Falsehood, calumny, rebuke, nor misrepre-
sentation viii move them, though these missiles
be sent through the public press in anonymous let
tiers and editorial correspondence Shall we Join
the administration and Dem ocratic forces, and
elect Richardson Must we 70 over TO the Free
sellers and Abolitionistsi Never We have
planted ourselves upon the Constitution, the great
Magma Charta Of the American Government and
there we mean 70 stand, be the consequences what
they may.
Had been in the last Congress, should not
have voted for the Kansas and Nebraska bill. In
this Congress- If the question is brought TO a VOTE
| shall answer No, on proposition 70 restore the
Missouri line. Upon the question Of slavery,
have nothing TO say. II is recognised in the Con-
sttution as existing institution, and the rights
Of the owners protected. IL is represented in the
popular branch Of the National Legislature, and
where il is leave Il, with a firm conviction that
Congress has no rightful authority whatever to
makp N n ai,hioct If looialaf;an IL In. thua far
only proved nettle 10 sting those who handle Il
and, In some cases, stepping-stone to ambitious
but INSCRIPTIONS demagogues. It must needs
be that offences come, but wo 10 those by whom
they do come"
Your obedent servant,