Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-20
House OF Representatives.

Mr.. WALKER rose 10 personal explanation,
defending the Southern Know-nothiDgs from the
attacks of the Mobile Register saying that they
had not only been target for the presses Of the
country, but they had been used here as I" battle
dore and shutiecock" by the Republicans on one
side, and the Democrats on the other. The Dem
ocras here, with obstinate party exclusiveness
before the House assembled, had nominated their
candidate and adopted resolutions which many OF
the more considerate of them admit was an insult
and stigma on members on this floor. The facts
must be realized that, if Southern Know nothings,
on the opening of this contest had thrown them
selves into the ranks of the Democrats, the result
would have been Freesoil organization. Thew
have preventedit it. He denied that the Democratic
party is national party, and claimed nationality
for the American party.
Mr.. JONES, of Pennsylvania said that that
State, instead of being represented by six Ma
tional Democratic votes to-day, would have had
seventeen, had il not been for the Know-nothings,
who were there understood TO BE- perfectly syn
onymous with Freesoilers. The gentleman GER
tainly did not mean to~mpue 10 him, who offered
the resolution in caucus, an intention 20 insult
any individual class. Democracy stands on
what they believed TO be in principle without COM
promise.
Mr.. ALLISON endorsed the idea OF his col
league, who is National man. Had il not been
for the fact that the people of Pennsylvania con-
demned the action of the last Congress- there
would now be seventeen Democrats OF that State
on this floor. But the Freesoi and Know nothing
parties united and Pennsylvania was now repre-
scented by majority of members who condemned
the Nebraska bill.
Mr.. WALKER replied saying, in course of his
remarks, that the adoption of the resolution by
the Democratic caucus shows what by means
is uncommon-the proneness of all men to con-
found principles with party, seeming TO forget
that the two essentially different.
Ii no organization was effected to-day, Mr..
Walker said he would be willing 10 meet in the
Hall this evening with those in favor of abiding
by the existing laws The subject Of slavery,
and admitting new States whether or not their
Constitutions recognize slavery, confer and de-
wise plan for organization. In this he believed
he expressed the views OF majority OF those
with whom he acted.
Mr.. WASHBURN, of Maine, said there was
only one true national party, and that is the
voting for Mr.. Banks. fLaughlerl The Demo
Gratis represent secton-noihng else and moth
ing better The gentleman from Alabama had
shown that he belongs 10 a party as sectional
that, for he admitted that he il controlled by the
same ideas, principles, and thoughts the Demo.
cratic. party which is in favor Of the Nebraska
and Kansas bill, and which makes everything sub
servienf TO the extension and perpetuaton Of the
divinity of human bondage
Mr. ORR asked Mr.. WAsBBuRN when he was
elected TO Congress
Mr. WASHBURN. Year before last
Mr.. ORR. Has not your party been since de-
feated, and the Democrats triumphed?
Mr. WASHBURN explained the position Of
parties IN Maine declaring that the leading issue
was the liquor law. Laughter
Mr.. ORR. am 10 understand, then, that the
people of Maine like whisky better than freedom
Applause, and wild oulbursts Of laughter /
ask another question-was you elected by Know
nothingsq
Mr.. WASHBURN. ! am not aware that
was, not being member Of the order.
The colloquy between these gentlemen was
continued for some time.
Mr.. CAMPBELL, OF Pennsylvnia could tell
his colleague, Mr.. JoNEs, that be would find gen
tlemen here not afraid of the appellation Of Know.
nothings, and argued TO show that the American
party 10 entirely distinct from the Freesoil party
and voted in Pennsylvania for Mr. Nicholson as
their candidate for Canal Commissioner. He and
his friends were now voting for Mr.. BANKS for
Speaker, because no stands iairer on the
American records than he. They consider Kan
sassNebraska open question.
Messrs. JONES and CAMPBELL, of Penn
sylvania, entered into long dialogue about that
States politics, keeping up spirited fire, invov-
ing personal explanations.
Mr. WASHBURNE, ofIIlinois, askedMr JONES, |
whether he did not consider Americanism and |
Kow. N othngism the same thing
Mr. JONES. No am an American, but have |
nothing 10 do with Know othingism, tlaughterl |
which BODIES no good 10 the country.
Mr.. WASHBURNE. understand the gentle |
man 10 say that the Democratic caucus platform, |
as he explains IL, offers no bar to Southern Know
Nothings and Democrats coming together
Mr.. JONES. We will not take one plank from
our plattorrs. Our arms, however, are open to
every man differing from us so soon as he repu.
dates his beresies.
Mr.. WASHBURNE, in the course OF his re-
marks asked Mr. JoSEs whether he and his friends