Delaware State reporter., 1856-02-15
sneech Of Hon. E. D. Cullen.

Speech Of Hon. E. d. Cullen.
In the House Of Representatives, January ooh, |
1856, on the inerpetieney Of caucus nomina-
tons for the SpeakersAip.
Mr. CULLEN Mr.. Clerk, rise for the pur.
pose ofsubmitting few remarks on the pend
ing proposition. When | came here to attend
the present Congress, knew nothing of the |
peculiar party divisions ofthis House. knew
not how the members stood. soughtinforma-
ton from all sources from whence it could be |
obtained earnestly desired to cast such
vote for the Speaker of this House as l believed
would be gratifying to my constituents and sat
isfactory TO myself, and such one as ought to
be expected from every man who chershes ma
tional impulses and an unsellish love of country
such vote as is demanded by the Importance
Of the occasion. 1t was soon ascertained, after
the meeting in this House, that there were
three parties in it, each differing from the other
i'll essential points Of policy. | found by com
parison that the party with which have hith-
erto acted was i'll the minority: that it was out
Of our power to elect Speaker out of our ranks
and thus effect an organization. TWAS under
stood that the gentlemen composing what is
called the Republican party sought TO force
sectional organization Of the House on the coun
try. With my feelings and principles L never
could consent TO such an arrangement. 1t was
understood and openly proclaimed upon this
floor that the Democratic party was truly ma
tonal in its views that its members were ma
tonal and patriotic in their feelings and views.
That party presented TO the House and the coup-
try candidate for Speaker, whom we all knew
proessed national principles-a gentleman who
deserved well of his country; one who in de-
fence of our glorious flag exposed himself to the
pestilential climate Of Mexico; man 10 whom
every lover Of our country in the Union must
I E,ni iodnl,lnd WhnO I pn1 tbnt flnsn
were the facts of the case, | confess that was
strongly Of the inclination to go with Mr. Rici-
ardson's friends, and to support that gentleman
for the spcakership: but when | understood
that the caucus which had put him in nomina-
ton had also published a resolution which could
not be considered other than exceedingly often
sive if not insulting TO the party to which be-
long, who are alluded to in it and denounced by
it, and felt that it was impossible for me 10
Join with the friends of the Democratic candi-
date, and thus give sanction to the resolution
adopted by the caucus. That resolution is as
c follows
t Resolucd, That the Democratic members Of
the House Of Representatives though in tenn
: porary minority in this body, deem this fit
occasion TO tender TO their fellow citizens ofthc
e whole Union their heartfelt congratulations on
] the triumph in the recent elections in several
# of the northern, eastern and western, as well
southern States, of the principles Of the Kansas
Nebraska bill, and the doctrines Of civil and io-
ligious liberty, which have been so violently as.
: sailed by secret political order known as the
Know-Nothing party; and though in a MINOR.
= ty we hold it to be our highest duty to pre-
serve our organization, and continue our efforts
l. in the maintenance and defence Of those prnci-
n pies, and the constitutional rights of every sec
. ton and every class Of citizens, against their OPP
!. poncnts Of every description, whether the So
called Republicans, Know Nothings, or Fusion
Il lists; and TO this end we look with confidence
IS to the support and appreciation Of all good and
vi true men-fricnds of the Constitution and The
l. Union throughout the country"
A few days, Mr.. Clerk, made further devel
= opcments What the gentleman from Pcnnsyl
IS vania Mr. Joncsl and the gentleman from
,r Georgia [Mr. Cobb said in relation to that res
ne oiNVSs, - within the recollection of eyerl
member 1t will also be fcinempercu thai III
= gentleman from Alabama Mr.. Walker made
70 proposition; and although he stated that h
= spoke for himself alone, but that in his opinion
n the party with which he acted would join will
!. the Democratic party, in joint meeting Of th'
two parties, for the purpose of selecting can
" didate for Speakcr-a compromise candidate
ID how was the proposition received? The homo
to rable gentleman from Pennsylvania Mr.. Jones
remarked in very strong language that he ant
the Democratic party would only meet as com
=, ing to them and renouncing orr principles ant
confcssing our sins. Cries of mo, no y 1e
t. sir; they said that they would never receive u
be rs other than Democrats coming to them. w
90 were required to so to them as Democrats, re
. nounce our principles, and confess cur sins.
I'd Mr.. FLoRENcE-W Is the gentleman froi
id PENNSYLVANIA who made the assertion
4 Mr.. CULLEN-It will be remembered that uI
=. on the presentation of Mr.. Orr, the presen
NC Democratic nominee, the same original resolr
a. ton was again affirmed by the last caucus
q which nominated him. After hearing the RI
on marks of the gentlemen from Pennsylvania an
~, Georgia, before referred to- And now, for fci
~ that the inference may be drawn from the rC
ca marks of my friend from Kentucky, Mr.. A.
en- Marshall, that we are willing to select airy car
err didate from this Democracy who is or was col
Il nected with the passage of their offensive cat
~ Gus resolution, or who even approves Of it, eI
VII ter my solemn protest against it | will new
ire be willing to vote for any member of that part
thus connected with that resolution while TIL
resolution remains unretracted while this il
w suit stands against us. Yet | am as anXiol
in, for the organization of this House as any 9TH
in gentleman. am willing to meet with 9TH
I'm gentlemen on fair terms in reasonable ar
NO honorable compromise. / am willing TO {
~. anything, except desertion of my principle
l'i- that the House may be organized.
ons A MEMBER--What are you for
lch am wiling to enter into a compromise til
ow will be fair and honorable to all parties in
i, which this House is divided but will ncv
Inc agree, and speak only for myself, to vote t
ted any member OF the Administration party
ere the speakeIship. There are many gentlem
rn here who do not act with me for whom | a
willing to vote; but can never vote for
~ Administration Democrat, with his caucus II
ned olutions, a second time passed and afirmc
staring INC i'll the face yet in full force al
, a effect.
the -,