Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1855-12-29
NEr. EmIIcr1. Snccclf.

The feature of W Wednesday debate was unqucs-
tiogably the speech Of the Hon Henry 81 Fuller Of
Pennsylvania. Much interest has been felt as to
the position of this gentleman, inasmUch as, while
he was put forward by the Southern know -nothings
as an eminenlly national man, he received during
the early stages Of the ballongS the votes OF some
OF the most decided antiN ebraska men of the North
The class of Southern know uothings who have raj
lied around Mr.. Fuller, finding that their position
was becoming uncomfortable, in view Of the record
made by the different and differing supporters Of
that gentleman, seemed TO have determined to have
his sentiments on tue slavery question clearly uh
derstOod. With view to settle the difficulty no
doubt Mr. Fuller Yesterday addressed the House,
and in bief speech Of great good sense and excel
lent temper be defined his position, which including
his prompt r. sponse to Mr.. Percy Walker, Of the
Mobile district, may be summed up as follows:
Atquiesceuce in the legislation OF Congress on the
Nebraska bill a final settlement Of that question
Oh the principle Of popular sovereignty, and a
distinct refusal 10 assist in restoring the Missouri
Compromise. We heard this ayowa with much
pleasure, and desire, here aud now, to express
thanks to him for the involuntary tribute which he
paid to a great democratic principle.
Mr. Fuller however, did not say that he was will
ling to apply the principle of the Nebraska bill in the
organization of anys future Territories, nor is it
understood That lie is separated from the know.
nothing party, between whose unconstitutional
tests aud oalhs and the democratic party there is
impossible gulf But he has done nobly and well
thus far and we fevently hope that when he shall
see that northern know-nothngism and abolidOn-
ism are almost Synonymous terms, and when he
shall realize as he doubtless will realize, and that
very soon that the principle Of the Nebraska bill is
the only one that can reconcile future disputes on
the question Of slavery in the Territories he will
complete the good work by taking his stand under
the tag OF the democracy, and so most truly and
fully represent his own mediate constituents and
the national sentiment of the American people
Washington Union.
This reluctant admission of Mr.. Fuller'S
nationality has been wrung from the Umoa,
by the pressure of facts which even its par
tisanism could not withstand But not
withStahdiug Mr. Fuller has approved him
self true national man, such one as ail
the conservative members Of the House
can unite upon without the sacrifice Of any
principle or particle Of selfrespect, the
Democrats protesting a desire to put down
Sectionalism will not support him. The
Union iutimates that there is something
more necessary to bridge over the impas-
sable gulf" that separates the Democracy
and the American Party, before the Demo
Gratis can vote for him. This is all gam
mon. They do not wish a national man,
out Of their own ranks elected. They
would prefer the election of Banks, although
the caucus that nominated him adopted
the following resolution
"That we will support no man for Speaker,
who is no, pledged TO carry OF, the Pariamen,
tary law, by giving to each proposed measure
ordered bl the House 10 be committed, a ma
jogiiy at such special committee, and 10 a.
gdstl5 tho standing committees q Tho House,
ty placing 0a oaeLd Dali3ri'y cf nc .frieaas e
freedom ,ch0 arr favorable 70 making reports on
aU petitions prSssHtod 70 ttcm."
II they cannot carry Richardson, they
will 90 nothing to prevent the House from
being organized as provided for in this res
olutiou, (which is the offspring Of Giddngs,
the Ohio Aboltionist,) and the anti-slavery
men Of the House placed in positions from
WHICH they can assault more successfully
thc institutions Of the South This Is a
consummation they apparently pray for
most de,outly, believing that it will give
their party an opportunity to hide its sins
IN the agitations which woald euSue, aud
aid in keeping il in power Let the people
Of the whole country ponder these things
The Raleigh papers inform Us that a difficult
~ arose between White, from tennessee, and
singletary, OF North Carolina, both students
At Chapel llil White shot Singletary with
pislol, the ball taking effect just above the
groin, inhiciing a dangerous aud painful, bnt
Il is hoped, not a fatal wound. White lied,
and though pursued, effected his escape