The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-18

sldcred them honest and patriotic at heart. but
thought that they had suffered themselves TO
be misguided by the articles of partisan lead.
ers. But objections had been made by the
Senator from New York, Mr. Seward that
the discussion of such topics in the Presidents
message was unprecedented.
Mr.. Pugh thought that the Senator seemed
to be as little acquainted with the language of
Washington as he was imbued with his spirit
Much stress had been laid on the assertion that
the election of Mr.. Buchanan was not to be re.
garded as an endorsement by the people of the
country of the principles and policy of the pres
ent Administration. This was a most remark.
able statement, in view of the fact that the lead
ers of the Republican party had declared. in all
Imaginable forms, during the recent campaign.
that the election of Mr.. Buchanan would be a
continuation of the policy of this Administra-
ton. What they then asserted with all posi-
BILE emphasis, they now deny in terms equally
strong. 1t was in early times favorite naxim
with the Democratic party, that their President
should be elected for single term, and that
rule has only been violated on special occa
sions, as in the case of General Jackson,
Mr.. Pugh further replied to the arguments OF
the opposition Senators.
Mr.. Wilson remarked that he desired to speak
on this subject, but yielded the floor to Mr. Cass
the latter saying that he proposed to allude to
few points which had been raised in course
of the discussion, and would take occasion to
do so tomorrow.
The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE.
The House resumed the consideration of the
Presidents annual Message, the question being
| on the motion that it be referred to the Commit
tee of the Whole on the state of the Union, and
that the Committee on Printing be instructed
to inquire into the expediency of printing ten
thousand extra copies thereof, with the accom-.
panying documents.
MIR. Washburn, of Maine, remarked hat it
was perfectly apparent that the President, in
his sweeping charges, referred to the r ,publi-
can party, alleging that, while pretending to
seek only to prevent the spread of the inst tuition
of Slavery into the present or future in ,hoate
States of the Union" they were "really fnham-
| ed with desire to change the domestic Snstitu.
tons of the existing States" Not ONLY were
the charges untrue, that the Republican, party
sought revolutionary object, and that II cir de-
sire was to subvert the Government, Eat the
negative proposition was susceptible IF the
strongest proof. 1t was by the Cincinnati Plat
form that the principles and purposes of the
| Democratic party were judged; and the ltepub-
lican party claimed that they had the right TO
be judged by the solemn declaration O! their
principles, made by Convention representing
some twenty States, embracing as much of the
intelligence, property, and integrity of the Union,
as had ever been represented in any assesablage
convened in this land. Instead of enter aiming
the purposes ascribed to them by the Prs sident,
the Republican party had expressly declared
that the Union of the States must AMI shall
be preserved" That party had neve acted
with a view to the emancipation of he.slaves
in the South, their great object being to pre-
vent the extension Of Slavery into terrific " now
free.
Mr.. Smith, of Virginia, inquired if IL gen.
tleman from Maine would, by his vote, ;'dmit
new State into the Union, with the Ill erty of
forming its own institutions, according to the
pleasure of the people thus applying?
Mr.. Washburn replied, that when tha. ques-
ton should be presented, he would be prepared
to act upon it, end would not shirk the issue.
His vote would depend upon circumstances /;
but it should be in accordance with the.princi-
pies of the Republican party. He would ask
the gentleman from Virginia whether, e Utah
presented herself with Consultation ,cogni-
sing polygamy, he would vote for her admis-
sion?
Mr.. Smith. When the gentleman re lies to
the question put to him, will reply to,the in
quiry he has propounded to me. He is l!laying
| the Yankee upon me completely. Ial yhter. !
| put my question again to the gentlemsh.
Mr.. Keitt, of South Carolina, remark d that
there was something ominous and gloomy in
the aspect of affairs. The House part ID last
summer in the midst of contest upon t-e Sla-
very question, and now, after the Presidential
election, while they were counting the res ,ments
that had been swept down and the b1nners
which mad fallen in the fight, this discussion
had again been sprung upon both Ho, ses of
Congress by members of the Republican party.
Gentlemen on the other side had said, Il at but
for the action of the Democratic side Of the
Chamber and the Presidents message, there
would have been no discussion; but d. they
not, on the first day of the session, rel pen it
by Objecting to the admission of the Delegate
from Kansas, who, with the seal of the overn-
or of the Territory upon his credentials, Lppear-
ed for the purpose of taking his seat?
Mr.. Giddings, of Ohio, after some pref. pinary
remarks on the general subject of Slave?y, dis
cussed that portion of the message referring to
the issues involved in the late electiofa. He
charged the President with unequivocl mis-
representation, though he would not say that it
was Intentional. So far as he was concer led, he
had never presented a petition, bill, mo- ion, or
paper, nor had he ever delivered sps ech in
the House, touching the emancipation of the
slaves in the Southern States. To the extent
of his knowledge and belief, no proposi'io of
such nature had ever been made on tie floor
of the House.
Mr. Morrison, of Illinois, thanked tn, Presi-
dent for the boldness, independence, and stgaight
forwardness, that characterized his meseage.
Mr.. Norton, of Illinois, here asked Els col
league if at one time he did not conde an the
repeal of the Missouri Compromised d
Mr.. Morrison. did disapprove of the repeal
of the Missouri Compromise, and assai ed the
Democrats for voting for its abrogatiol and,
to make clean breast of it, I will say that
have assailed every prominent Democrafof this
Union within the last fifteen years. Laughter.
If the gentleman asks me whether / approve
the principles of the Nebraska bill, WI ich in
volved the repeal of the Missouri Comp omise,
/ answer my colleague emphatically tn I do.
Mr.. Norton desired further to ask rs col
league If he was not elected to the Senate of
the State of Illinois as an Anti-Nebrask, man !;
in other words, upon the same principles upon
which Judge Trumbull was elected a riember
of the House of Representatives of the United
| States?
Mr.. Morrison. Two years ago, was elected
to the Senate of the State of Illinois, a which
time Judge Trumbull was elected me- aber of
this House. l did all / could to sec re the
election of Judge Trumbull, and / wai "a very
strong Auti-Nebraska man. But l saw that
Anti-Nebraska would lead me into this ranks
of abolitionism, and l desired to be liz ing ex-
ample, that one man at least who st ok the
first false step, did not to hel's perditii CO."
Great laughter Although supported Judge
Trumbull as Representative, l refused to sup
port him for the Senate / went bach to my
district, united myself to the Democratic party,
l fought its battle, and came to do the ;orious
"deed that gilds my humble name" laugh
ter.