Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-01-03
rhirty-Fomth consress-rrst Session
Remarks Of Mr.. Smith Of Virginia

ufftTsFt fH ~ fiOhst ~
esmber 1s. 1855.
Mr.. EtheridRe moved an adjournment.
Mr.. Smith Of Virginia. | would ask the gen.
sleman to Withdraw his motion for a moment !
Mr.. Etheridge. If withdraw the motion to
adjourn. will the gentleman renew IT when he has
finished his remarks!
Mr. Smith. ] will.
Mr. Etheridge. Then | withdraw il.
Mr. Smith. Mr.. Clerk ! desire TO ask the gen
tleman from Pennsylvania. mr.. Campbell. n
. question or two. presume that il will he con
ceded by every gentleman in the Hall TO be i'm
portant that we should ascertain the exact opin-
ions and sentiments of the various candidates
for the Speakership.-The gentleman from the
Schuylkil district, Mr.. Campbell said, if un-
dersiood him Alright that he was voting for Mr.
Banks as an American. Did | understand the
gentleman arightf
Mr. Campbell assented.
Mr. Smith. Of Virginia. The gentleman says
] did understand him Alright. | then ask him if
Mr.. Banks did not quit the American party last
fall!
Mr. Campbell. Not to my knowledge.
Mr.. Smith. Of Virginia. Not to your knowl-
edge
Mr. Campbell. No sir.
Mr.. Smith. ! ask the gentleman if he does not
know, or if it is not the fact-and | am seeking in
formation now-tbat Mr.. Banks voted for Il sup
ported Mr.. Rockwell, against Mr.. Gardiner this
fall Is the gentleman informed upon that sub
jeotl
Mr. Campbell, 1 have heard about that matter,
but can only answer | do not know.
Mr. Smith. The gentleman does not know be-
cause he was not present when the vote was east.
He is no doubt perfectly satisfied that Mr.. Banks
left the American pnrty last fall presume he is
perfectly satisfied that Mr.. Banks supported Mr.
Rockwell against Mr.. Gardiner, and yet under.
stand him to tell this House that he is supporting
Mr.. Banks because he is an American.
Mr. Campbell. Will the gentleman lei me ask
him n question now
Mr. Smith. Certainly.
Mr.. Campbell. Was not the gentleman elect
ed as an American! Will he'answer that qucs-
ton :
Mr.. Smith. Yes sir.
Mr.. Campbell. You wcre7
Mr.. Smith. No sir, | was not.
Mr.. Campbell. Not elected as an American ,
Mr.. Smith. | will enlighten the gentleman.
Mr.. Camphrll. We aid like 10 he enlighien-
cd on that point. ! have been wanting to know
why the gentleman has been voting fer Mr., Rich
ard-on. when he was elected ~ an American.
Mr.. Smith. Yes sir The gentleman is not
well informed of my history. huve always
supported the Democratic party. ! always dur.
ing my canvas from every stand from which adj
dressed my fellow citizens. proclaimed that wns
an old ironside Democrat, that was not n Know
Nothing, and thHt | had never even sought nd
mission into the order. proclaimed ihat.I say.
in every speech TINT ! nude. ! went further.
Mr.. Clerk, and gentleman ofthis House and said
that | was against the secrecy That prevailed in
the organization. went further still, and said
TINT while there was nothing in their platform
TINT was not the echo Of Mr.. Jetferson's celebrn-
ted net establishing religious freedom, yet if there
was n purpose 10 practice prescription. | was OPP
posed 10 il. Bat | said ihis-and | proclaim il in
this Hall; ] said, in every speech | made, that
the ninth and eleventh basis principles as pro
claimed by .ho Virginia Know Nothings, wer,
sound Democratic doctrine, and TINT doctrin,
! pledged the whole of the American party to sup.
port a strict construction Of tho Constitution.
MIR. Gliding. Will the gentleman say wleih
er he voted for Mr. Wisel fcres o." That's it,
and laughter.
Mr.. Smith. One thing at n time. sir. Laugh
ter | ssid. further. that in reference to for
eignism. the sentiments that were promulged i,
the hasi, principles Of the Anrrican rarity Of Nlr
ginia, were PRINCIPLES that / could approve.
said, nv cuuBtryfnen, and | Ni-h it To be hear,
eyery~here, that in Virginia. the representative,
OF n minority s'efion IT this Union, the Know
Nothing. upon the principles there ptomulgcl
were t. be booked UPON a. a!lies, and not as enc
mics, said that | would not abuse them tina
| would not denounce them that il they were il
error, ! would reason with them "a brothers. bu
| would not quarrel with them. That is what
said, aud It has been the labor Of all my feblr
e%xertlons for the last two years to try aud max
the whole southern population n unit, that
might be reared up IA Il hreastwnrk of living an
intelligent fire 10 stay the foul tide of iunati
cism.
Mr.. Campbell, of PENNSYLVANIA. VIII th
gentleman allow mo To ask him another que
ton?
Mr.. Smith. | suppose you understand my posi-
ton now.
Mr.. Campbell. | would like to ask tn
gentleman if he did not call at the office ,
the American Organ in the city of Washing
Mr.. Smith, Cnterrupting.) Often, sir.
Mr.. Campbell. And did he not say to I'll
editors that he agreed in sentiment with the view
OF those gentlemen, as expressed in their p,
peri
Mr.. Smith. | never said anything ON the sui
iect except what | have stated here, and that
said throughout the length and breadth of my di
trict. Any more questions!
Mr.. Giddings. | would only ask the gcntlemr
if he voted foi Wiscl
Mr.. Smith. | did not. Is the gentleman sa
isfied
Mr.. Giddings. Perfectly. laughter.
Mr.. Smith. | did not vote for Mr., Wise. I'll
reasons will perhaps be given, and | doubt N
they will prove satisfactory to my constituent
' l uiu nWt Nbte u MI lSt, nWI uu l Nbte II
. his adversary. | chase to adopt in hat canvas
quoad hoc,a ''masterIy inactivity" if you choos
and you can make the most of it.
Mr.. Giddings. The same policy now won
enable US TO elect II Speaker. Laughter.
Mr.. Smith. | desire further to know, brcau,
| am a Union man, loyal in all my relations toll
: Constitution, and loyal to this Union as the gre
/, element by which the m~ightiest nationality tn
: ever existed upon earth can, it we be wise. |
,aara1 and m aintaippl-I lnsiro Ia L,ov &c :,
true
Mr.. Campbell, (interpoSinu) dill not say