The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-05-15
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF NOV. ). CLANCY JONES,

or PENNsYLvAAIA,
In reply TO Mr. Fuller Of Pennsylvania and in yndicaton
OF Mi. Bnehanan's position the Missouri Compro-
mise delivered in the House OF Representatives May l3
1856
Mr.. JONES. ask the unanimous consent of the House
10 give me thiryhye minutes merely to reply 10 the
marks Of my colleague Saturday and ask my friend
from ONO to allow me to proceed with what have
to say.
Mr.. CAMPBELL. Well, will not object
Mr. JONES, of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker,
what surprised on Saturday last that my colleague Mr.
FuLLERI who obtained question of privilege the
mous consent of the House to make personal explana
tor OF his own position before the country the great
leading questions Of the day should avail himself Of that
same privilege TO make covert attack apon the democracy
Of Pennsylv and her leading men,
Whatever may have been the design of my colleague,
whether In selideience otherwise who heard
him coad arrive at any other conclusion than that the
latter part Of his speech intended place James Bu
chanan of Pennsylvania in false position before the
country name this distinguished gentleman because it
is well known that he stands prominently before the
country presented 6y his own great State candidate
for the presidency.
As far the position of my colleague upon the leading
national questions of the day is concerned have nothing
to say. leave that to others He member of the
democratic party 1t is not responsible for his opn
IONS nor is he recognised exponnder of its doctrines
Whatever may have been his position formerly, how
ever it may conflict with that which he holds at present
1t matter which does not concern the democracy OF the
country. .......
can understand why my colleague should at this juno
turc desire to square himself to his position
tonal by iayokng the noble of James Bucban-
Sir it is the fashion, in the cast of parties in this
hail. appeal to great names as the authors and support
of great George Washington has been quoted
here as knownothing by perverson of one of his mill
ary odes Thomas Jefferson has been introduced before
us as the original inventor of the higher law and have
even been invited TO feast composed OF obscure and dusty
traditions at which both Franklin and Madison have been
made to figure as modern aboitonsts May say to my
colleague that this practice is much better honored in the
breach than in the obseryance2 .. ... ..
Nor is il my purpose either to alude to any of the gentle
men named by my colleague myself included or to explain
will take of ITSELF My purpose is to address myself
entirely to that portion of bis remarks which related to
that distinguished Pcnnsylvanian, James Buchanan
am deeply impressed with the idea that it is work of
supereogaon for to to the of the noble
and glorious stand which the democracy Of Pennsyvan
has taken and maintained fearlesy and boldly leore the
country in every crisis where the constitution the
Union was assaed or endangered. call the attention of
the House and the country to the fact that OF all the north
States there is which has conessedly been
undertaking in its defence of national doctrines than the
State which have the honor in part represent say
eonessedy because the evidence of this is be found
only in the tribute paid to tho record of Pennsyl-
vania by the SQUAD men of all parts of the Union
but by the unceasng and reckless attacks made upon
the democracy Of that State for their perseverance and
fidelity in times Of trial. in resisting the onsets Of fa
natcism, by the leaders of aboitonism Pennsylvania
has always occupied this position and standing
in the centre of the Union between the North and the
South she has been enabled to resist the advance Of abo
onsm and to protect with her gigantic energies and impo
sing example those Institutions which constantly imper
ed In the Of political events The record of the de-
ocraoy of luminous Its acts and deeds
known throughout the length and breadth Of the country
should only that record, and weaken its powerful
force by attempting to defend 1t from assault from
any quarter For its high position before the country for
slong line of brilliant acts known and recognised through
out glorious Union, stand this day indebted
the rm consistent and fearless Of James Bucha
an than any other man living.
Nor Mr. Speaker do deem IL necessary to to his
defence That is not my object He understood at this
day have already stated 10 be prominent candidate
for the presidency presented by his great State with
llple N OT gpryirp
he has made record which emphacally say here needs
no vindcaton at my hands. Upon that record he
stands before the country; but public opinion with
great proprety in exciting crisis like the present is
cesarily drawn to close and scrutinzng investigation
all the acts and opinions of public men, to mis-
represen aon of these opinions deem necessary here
and in my place and for the last time far may be
able to settle this matter, so far as 1t relates to Mr. Bu
chanan. - .a.
The public life and character Of this distinguished gem
teman are completely identified with the history of the
democracy Of his native State that Is impossible sepa-
them and could defend the without defend
ing the other. My object Is, much to
offer defence OF Mr. Buchanan it Is expose the char
acter of the attacks that may be made upon his
public life and political position designed TO have nju-
rous effect upon the country at this cuar crisis In
the other wing of the Capitol be has been associated with
the ables nteects Of the day 10 supporting constitutional
principles Sir, you recolect this well as do and
will the time of tho House by rehearsng his
record familiar it is to the people of the country but
TO the charge Of my colleague that in 1919
Mr. buchanan acted as the chairman OF committee at
resolutions adopted denouncing the Missouri Com
promise. Those resolutions are as follows:
"Rssors That the representatives in Congress from this
district be- and they hereby, most earnestly requested
their utmost endeavors members OF the national eg
latnre the OF in the
7scrorio' Soie' which may be erected by Congress.
esoiUed, That n the opinion of this meeting, the
OF Congress Who at the last session. sustained the
Of justice, humanity and patriotism, in opposing the intro
ducon Of slavery into the States then endeavored To be form
ed Of the Missouri Territory entitled TO the warmest
thanks of every friend Of humanity"
Ifmy colleague is as unfortunate 10 his illusions to 9th
ers think will be able to show he has been to Mr.
Buchanan the speech which he pronounced Saturday
will add much TO his reputation. Ii Is somewhat
markable and unfortunate for my colleague that In speech
made vudcnte his character from charge founded
upon false and spurious document he should in the
speech rake up against Mr. Buchanan a charge founded
upon n document equally false and spurious.
Now sir enabled to state unquestioned author
ity that the declaration that James buchanan was chair
of the committee which framed those resolutions is
founded and untrue undertake here In my place to
10 House and the country that Mr. Buchanan did not
chairman OF the committee by which they reported
and that he them until they appeared in print
But suppose he had reported themsuppose he had been
chairman Of the committee which reported them appeal
TO the South to whether this fact should stand
against him with the long experience Of his life before the
country.
But Mr. Speaker this accusation belongs to the class Of
idle reports invented and circulated to damage him
in the estimation OF the American people, Sir all these
eusatons whether asserted ymousy publicly,
umphanty answered by the record of his public life.
do not deem il necessary Mr. Speaker TO into an
animation Of the other allegations Of my colleague in ref
TO Mr. Buchanan. So much stress seems to have
been laid upon the particular charge which have just
answered that thought IT worthy Of this special notice
As to the rest coness astonshment that my colleague