The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-12-22

Udnls PtOTIt
section of the country there was one general expression OF
regret and modification from all who could forget their
enmity the democratic party. II there were any who
rejoced in these results if there any whose feelings
and views were represented by portion of the public
press which heralded in not the triumph Of freesolsm
but the defeat of national democracy SUCH trust were
few in numbers 1t created, however, these results a
universal feeling through all the southern States that the
time had arrived when OF us there should be but one
voice. people one party In defence OF rights dear 10
the constitution of the country which were now
being warred upon by a sectional organization at the
North which indicated by the return OF mem
bers 10 this housekeeping before triumph and success
through the northern and western States We felt all
Of people felt that the time had when should
stand firm and by those and that party OF the North
who their votes and conduct had themselves true
the constitution There in that hour who
would have before southern constituency and called
the stand northern eesoes prove the want of sound
and nationality and true principles In the men VINO
had been sacrificed in their defence of their constitutional
rights. Why was the South not uniti Why did not
she speak but voice in with those national
democrats who in times past stood by her. and have stood
here, in defence of the constitution firm and unbroaen
phaanY, from the commencement OF the session down to
the present moment? Sir do not feel authorized to speak
Of what occurred in other States but will speak in refer
to what ranspred in my In the hour in which
this universal sentiment prevailed there unknown to
u.s. unknown to the democratic party it stands or
gained secret political organization sprnging in our
own midst and before of il large portion
of people bound by solemn oahs and obligations
subject their fellow-cizens to test unknown to
the past political history of country, and as we
honestly believe, then and now yolaye of the con-
stitutiona rights of many good worthy, and patri-
otto citizens of this land. Sir, the democratic party
Of my. State stood prepared to unite with every
man. North and South, who would stand by the
constitution and seeing that this question TO which
have alluded had overwhelmed all other questions, had
indeed become the paramount question OF the day as Illus
trated here, wanted to be united, wanted TO speak
man, with voice and heart as there was
universal spirit and feeling OF sympathy throughout our
region But this party broke upon us be
United to the homely ilusraton--ke clap Of thun-
der from clear sky proving that there existed in our
midst secret political organization having for its prnc
pie the prescription Of Catholics and foreign born citizens
and these be applied to judge of the
thodoxy Of every in State before to be
permitted cooperate with Them. Gentlemen say there
such tests submitted such tests to be found in
their Philadelphia PLATFORM and such TO be found in
their published declaration of principles reply that
know not how It may be in their own States but IN mine
looked not merely to your Philadelphia platform, did
content myself with inquirng as to their published
declarations but being enabled little further into
this matter inquired into their oaths and obligations to
ascertain what they intended apply and to
those acting with me. In order that may be distinctly
understood and that gentlemen may comprehend my
for the have marked out for my self beg
leave three lines only of these oaths taken
by portion if not by ALL of the knownothing Amer
party of my own State, as follows:
"That you will vote, give your influence for any
for office in the gift of the people unless he be
American born citizen in favor of Americans ruling Amer
lea, nor if he be Roman Catholic"
Sir leave it to those whose tastes lead them to inquire
discover whether this openly set forth in the Pbia
"That YOU WILL when elected or appointed any official
station comforting you the power do remove all for
eigners aliens Roman Catholics from once or place. and
thsa W in no case appoint such to any once Or
Sir those principles openly defended and justified
by the representatives of this party the in the
State Of Georgia, and when tley applied to and my
friends this test rejected it.
Who is responsible for the division in my Stae2 Who
responsible for the fact that Georgia. upon this floor
not speak united voice. put test to my friends
of the American party raise barriers between them
and myself They erected they put them there and they
responsible for it. ii gentlemen when they say that
their party not in favor Of prescription that they
have taken, and do justify, these oahs then will
go with such gentlemen inquire where and what their
principles but ihey the defenders the advocates
and the apologss Of these oaths then the barrier be-
tween ia deep, wide and impossible until by their
act, they have removed it. Applause.
In my State the contest carried upon the issue
formed upon those principles Georgia in common with
her sister States in all portions Of this Union pronounced
against those principles and upon that issue her represent
avcs Of the democratic party met here at the
ment Of this session What did they do2 They placed in
nomination for the Office OF Speaker the gentleman from
Illinois We have the testimony Of more than Of
friends voting against him this floor that there is
personal objection to his election.
VOICE Or political either
Mr.. COBB There may be political with some--I say
there is personal objection to him Why they not
support him. and vote for him. agreeing as they do with
braska act Why sir because Of the resolution adopted
by That resolution extends counrymen
all over the and our heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS upon
the triumph of the principle Embodied in that Kansas
Nebraska act in many of the States But friends de-
sire us to withdraw those congratulations. What for Is
there any objection that expression of the feeling of
the democratic party in caucus Does that constitute
impeachment 10 the support national man may desire to
give to the nominee Of the democratic party ! appre-
bend not Certainly it cannot to those who profess
cupy national position Bnt we extended our congratu-
ations countrymen upon the triumph of civil and
religious freedom antagonsca to the doctrines and the
principles of those oahs which have read in your hearing
If they do not Defend justify and approve the principles
Embodied in those oaths the resolution does not touch
them If they do justify those doctrines then let ask
of them what they demand at our hands, They them
selves have erected the barrier We have rumphed
it; and, because express congratulations to the
country at the triumph have gained it, they de-
mand to retract and withdraw those words Of con-
graduation
Mr. READE Mr.. Clerk, thought the gentleman said
that his party in the minority, and had not tri
umphed.
Mr.. COBB Either the gentleman has not listened Mt
entvey, or have spoken to very little purpose.
speaking of the trumphs which the democratic party
has gained since the congressional elections and the voice
Of the people declared in their favor by the defeat the
various States of this Union of those who before
them holding the banner of these proscrpve oaths and
obligations.
Mr.. READE II the gentleman will permit me- under
stand him to mean in speaking Of the triumph Of this
party their triumph In the country would then, ask
him this How his party have triumphed in the
try unless the elections show it and how those cleo
tons show it except by the of majority demo-
cratic members this House If you have not a ma
jority in the House, then where your triumph
Mr. COBB. How much trouble will it give the gentle
from North Carolina to work this problems that
the democratic party has rumphed in the northern States
since the elections for members of the present Congress
and that many members holding are doing SO
AnEa ~unfa .,l.I, -.