American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-12-22
THIRTY.FOURTH CONGRESS-.
FIRST SESSION.
WASHINGTON, Dec. II.

HOUSE.--Mr. Dunn rose to q per-
sonal explanation as soon as the House
had been called to order.
He read extracts from the Washing
ton correspondence of the New York
Tribune, of the 18th, signed II. G.,
commenting on his course in the effort
to elect Speaker. He said that not
withstanding the attack, he should not
turn his back on his country at the ex-
pense of his time, manliness and honor
though Horace Greely, or the Devil,
or both together, bid him do it! TAP
plause and laughter.
lie complained that he and others,
denominated stragglers, are not daguer-
rcotypod but caricaturcd. He had
said from the first that when all the
anti-N cbraska men come together and
surrender local and personal prejudice
es, and agree to stand on equal terms,
disseminating stabbing men in the dark,
he would feel himself bound to acqui-
esce in their course for the Speaker
ship, whether present ut meetings or
not. The great trouble has been,-
Cesar has a party, and Anthony a par
ty, but Rome none! Certain gentle
men have held themselves aloof, and
the balloting will show who and where
they are. He also commented on an
article in the New York Times, defen-
ded his course, and explained his ground
of action.
Mr.. Banks rose amid cries of "fair
play" ''hear him." "no objection"
&C., remarking that he was not accoun-
able for what Il New York press said
of him, never having solicited their
support. He relied on himself alone,
and begged Mr.. Dunn not to hold him
responsible for compliments or censurc,
either in the New York Times or the
Tribune. ...... ......... .....I
MIR. Dunn distinctly stated that he
did not do so, but was opposed to him
(Banks) upon the grounds given in
those journals in May, 1854, relative
to the lattcr's course pending the pas
sage CT the Nebraska bill. He said,
in candor, he would surrender that OPP
position the moment all the anti-Nc-
braskaltes come together.
Mr.. Banks resumed, repeating that
he is independent of the NewYork press
in all respects; and further in reply
stated that he never yielded particle
on the Nebraska bill. Meeting his
constituents face to face, they gave him
at the last election 1000 majority, the
largest known in the political history
of Massachusetts. [Applausc.1 He
had acted as he thought right regard
ing the Nebraska bill-thcy sustained
him.
Mr.. McMulcn offered proposition
to compromise, saying that it was the
result of his own humble imagination.
Laughter. He begged the gentle
men to remember that he did not, in
submitting it, design building for him
self a popularity at home. 1t was to
the following effect =
THAT Immediately after the organi-
cation no business shall be transacted
unless it be the passage Of necessary
appropriation bills. The members then
to resign and go home. The blank in
the resolution to be filed by the name
of some gentleman to act as Speaker
until the aforesaid purposes are accom-
plishcd."
Mr.. Dunn suggested a modification
of the resolution providing for the re-
peal OF so much of the Kansas and Ne
braska bill as destroys the Missouri
Compromise. Laughter
Mr.. Houston. Only a sight modiG-
cation. [Mcrriment. #.I.
Mr.. McMullen could not think the
gentleman from Indiana made the sur-
gcstion in good faith--adoptin the
resolution all would return to the peo-
pie on that very issue.
Mr.. Grow, referring to the remark
of Mr.. McMullen, that the latter would
take Mr.. Richardson as national man
on national platform, said that only
seventeen northern men had voted for
him with southern mon--that he sup
posed seventeen men from the north
make national party. .'.'
Mr.. McMullen. How many southern
men vote for your candidate?
Mr.. Grow. / don't know. ..
Mr.. McMullen. None. f..
Mr.. Goodc. Have you seventeen
men from the North who will vote for
a southern man, or that number from
the south who will vote for a northern
man You have shown that your ma
tionallsm consists Of sectionalism.
Mr.. Grow stated that the members
in opposition to the seventeen from the
north who support Mr.. Richardson, rep
resent 100000 of citizens living
north of Mason and Dixon's line while