Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-12-29
Thirty Fourth CongIess-First Session
HOUSE OF REPREsEN rATIyEs.

genee Of the House for somewhat of a personal
explanation. lie said that he had come from
the district which he had the honor 10 represent
for no special or distinct organization, to repres
ent no particular special party; nor the
par,izan of any man or any Administration. lie
Ind come here TO discharge his duty to the conn.
try us "A representative Of the people in this, one
Of the coordinate branches of tho Government.
Occupying this position. he had. from the com
mencement Of this session 10 the present time,
cast his vote for the distinguished gentleman
from Illinois. tMr. Richardson,) lie looked up
on the gentleman az Northwestern man, aud as
representing. truly and fairly. the great question
in which he aud those whom he represented felt
deeply interested. He looked upon that gentle
man as equal. in respect to personal qualifications
TO any other member who held seat in theHouse.
as distinguished upon the battle field lie had
been distinguished in the councils of the country,
and ms fearless and inhexibe state sman. 1t
had given him great pleasure rs a representa-
tive of the whole people, to cast his suffrage for
him.
Having referred 10 the Constitution as seem
ing to contemplate that the House should be
gnnized on the first day of the session. he desir
cd to know what the positions of the candi
dates of the three parties into which the House
was divided on the great questions before the
country. The gentleman from Pennsylvania
(Mr. Fuller had with great frankness defined
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rchardson)
necessary, il was already known TO the coun-
try; but the position of the gentleman from Mas
sachusetts (Mr. Banks,) was not defined and had
not been. 1t had been charged upon that gem
tleman that in an anti slavery speech delivered
by him in Maine he had used the expression ''let
the Union slide" He (Mr. 81 did not know
nor had he inquired the circumstances under
which this remark Ind been made but it was due
Ia bo lint ybn nj vio in
gard TO the Union should be distinctly and spe
officially stated.
In reference to the organization of the House,
he felt himself bound to adopt some practicable
constitutional mode by which conclusion could
be reached. There n responsibility which
they owed to party and responsibility which
they owed to the country; but they were all res
ponsbe to the country for the manner in which
he discharged tho duties involving upon them
As he had said that he not partisan of
the Administraton,the would remark that SO far
us it should discharge its duty within the pur-
view of the Constitution he would have 10 cause
TO complain.
Mr.. S. then asked leave to fer series Of res
buttons declaring that the House is in favor of
the Union, upon the basis Of the Constitution,
without regard to sections; that, beleivinga con,
tinuance Of the agitation of the slavery question
to be dangerous to the harmony and perpetuity
of the Union, they are opposed To the restora-
Ii of the Missouri compromise aud the repeal OF
the Kansas and Nebraska bill; TINT the States
all equal in their rights aud privileges within
the scope of the Constitution.
Mr.. bingham objected to the consideration of
the IL solutions now, aud insisted on the regular
order Of business.
The Clerk stated the regular order of business
to be the consideration of the resolution submitted
by Mr.. Perry,of Maine, Saturday last, the
pending question being on the substitute offered
therefor 10y Mr.. Rusk of Arkansas
Before the question was taken, however,
Mr. Banks OF Massachusetts, rose an remark
cd that he was mol present at the moment when
the gentleman from Maryland made alluson to
himself and he would therefor beg him to repeat
Whit he Lad snid. that he might respond thrre-
Mr. Stewart repeated what he had said, CON
corning the position Of Mr.. Banks and the remark
attributed to him. "lct the Union slide
Mr. Banks replied that he had never in his Tie
expressed an Indifferent feelings to the Union.
In his speech in Maine he had expressed senti-
ments which had been uttered by almost every
man who had ever alluded TO the Union Of the
Suites, aud had expressed the opinion thatn the
policy indicated at the present time should be
carried to lis Legitimate and possible conclusion,
ii would wean good men from the affection which
they had always entertained for the Onion of
these States. 1t referred to future contingencies.
and not mt all to the state of affairs now eAs-
/ ting. He had never made or revised report of
! the speech delivered by him ut the Convention in
the State of Maine. but no report of thut he had
| ever seen represented him as speaking of the
! Union AS it now was, but in every instance rs
speaking of the Union as il mi gh he If the policy
which he had indicated should be carried out TO
ITS last and legitimate result--that of prostra
ting the gigantic power of the Union t" the ex-
tension of single institution over every part of
the country.
He repeated. he had never in his i,fe expressed
feeling Of indifference Ia the Union OF the
States. am (,aid Mr.. b J for the Union as it is.
and will meet its enemies ia fair field | nm
for it rs II guarantor IF the rights 1T the States,
, as the main prop of the liberties of the American
people, and trust il will he perpetual sn,erm-
nahlr. aud stand in the record If human history
crowned with an immortal fame. Applause !
Mr.. Smith, of Virginia, desired to know of the
gentleman from Massachusetts whether he had
said III the Maine Republican Convention. that
under certain circumstances he would be willing
TO "let the Union slide" and what those ercum.
stances were
Mr.. Banks replied that he had said all that lie
deslad to say upon the subject.
MIR. smith wished the country to understand
distinctly that there were contingencies connec
ted with the present agitation of the country up
ON the happening of which the gentleman from
| Massachusetts would be willing to say "let the
/ Union slide and h desired il TO be distinctly
understood that members were voting for one
who was willing to dissolve the Union.
Mr.. Washburn of Maine. What did the gen
tlenan's coleage say about the Union the ether
day?
Mr.. Grow, of Pennsylvania. said that the gen
tleman from Virginia had wished the country to
understand that there were those who were vot-
ing for the gentleman from Massachusetts, not
withstandng he had declared TINT in certain con
iingenoies he would .'let the Union slide" He