The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-12-27
SPEECHES IN coNeREss-rHE UNION.

Since our last issue, there have been few
ballotings in the House, but many speeches.
With the exception of remarks from Mr..
Giddings, and few Northern men, in the be-
ginning of last week, the Anti-Nebraska party
has remained quiet. Its members have taken
their position, and cannot recede. They know
that they are representing faithfully the con-
stituencies that elected them. If time is vast
ed in proftless speeches, and organization pre-
vented, the Administration men and the Know
Nothings are responsible, not they. Again
and again have they proposed the plurality
rule, under which an election would take place
on the first calling of the roll, but the two fac
tons resist it. So they have been patient,
calm, and steadfast.
The speech of Mr. Giddings in the early part
of last week is to appear in full. 1t was rather
exciting to some of the Slaveholding members,
but was listened to with profound attention.
1t brought out Mr.. McMullen, Of Virginia, in a
series of hypothetical attacks on the Union.
1t is characteristic of the class to which he be-
longs, that whenever they load up for a ire
mendous voley, they let fly at the Union. The
discreet and sedate men rarely venture upon
, these desperate onslaughts, but Mr.. McMullen
is an excitable man, and cannot always hold
himself in:
"sSir, let me tell that member and this House
ne country, that should this country ever
that unfortunate state of affairs that
rmeht should pass into the hands of
crh of such Northern man as that
alea laracter over the way, laughter, |
a. mat lat Government should restore the
l.ssau.. Compromise or repeal the Fugitive
Ave Law, then in such case / would have to
endorse the declaration of the honorable gentle
man from Kentucky, Mr.. Campbell that is
to say, that this Union must and will be dis
solved, cries of "Oh, no! the declaration
of the gray-headed man over the way Mr..
Giddings,l Notwithstanding"
Mr.. McMullen, finding, by the q" Oh, nos"
that some rather doubted ON this point, proceed
ed to satisfy them that there could be no mis-
take about it. Il tell you, sir, and | want the
country to know i'll want the gentlemen from
the free States, our Republicans, our Seward
Republicans, our Abolitionists, or whatever else
you may be called, to know it-that if you re-
store the Missouri Compromise, or repeal the
EugltlVe OidVe LAW InlS Union VIII De us
solved. Laughter, and cries of ooh no, oh.
no!"]
The uproarious merrment of the House
evidently vexed the orator, and he rebuked
them, saying, "Gentlemen, laughing is no part
of our duty. If laughing were arguments, the
subject would be we'll argued here to-day but
this is no laughing subject"
Whereat, the incorrigibles only laughed the
more and the House for the time was fairly
carried away, when he closed his grand display
by the following heroic outburst:
"The Capitol now belongs to no section. 1t
belongs alike to North, South, East, and West.
But, sir, it was erected upon slave territory, and
if the hand of disunion shall ever sever the
States of this Republic, you shall never take
possession of it while occupy my seat as
Representative upon this floor. And more, |
tell them that when the North and the South
sever the connection which now binds them
together the North will never take possession
of this Capitol, unless they pass over my dead
body. Laughter. p"
After this, the country may sleep in peace.
Speaker or no Speaker, the country is SAFE