Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1856-05-24
MR. BENJAaIIN,s sPEEon.

Senate ot1khe United States 1fdys1, 1856.
When in the month OF January, 1852, / was hon
ored by election TO seat on this floor there ex-
listed in this country but two great parties divided
in opinion upon political questions differing in their
views as to the measures best calculated to promote
the common interests of the country, but both uni
ted in a devotion to those common interests, both
scorniug both rejecting With horroranY proposition
tending to instil into the minds of the people the
faintest suspicion that the powers of this government
could he consttutionaliy welded for the exclusive
benefit of section the country the exclusive
detriment of another.
In the presidential contest which followed, norman
labored with better will or with more nnwearied
assduiy than did, in opposition to the election of
the present Chief Magistrate. In doing this, Twas
but faithful TO the political antecedents of my en-
tire life, faithful to the principles of that glorious
old Wing party; which in my Judgment was the true
conservative party Of the country, adhering to the
traditions of ther'hthers rejecting every innovation
on their time honored precepts, holding up the ex-
ample of Washington as the model of wise adj
miuistration of public affairs; and whether victo-
rious or vanquished, treadng the path OF duty
with unfaltering courage, led by such men as their
Clay and their Webster.
In that contest we were beaten-beaten by a ma
orty almost unparalleled in our political annals
One of the principle of that defeat is but too
well known. The of theper pie of this couH-
try could not overlook their invincble repugnance
TO voting for the gallant Scott, SO soon as it was
known that he the favorite candidate of the
Honorable Senator from New York. Rightfully or
wrongfully, justly unjusy, that Senator had sue
ceeded in instillng into the minds of the people of
fifteen States of this Coafederacy the deep seated
IT,
the harmony of the Union an6te tbsperpetuitJ ofits
institutions. The bare suggestion that the election
of the Wing nominee would be followed by peri
lous influence on his part over the councils of the
administration, sufced to secure for the Democratic
nomine" an almost undivided southern vote.
Si7, do not speak my own convictions alone I
speak the convictions of almost every southarn lead
or that know, when say that violent opposition
the part of that Senator TO the election of Gen.
Scott would have secured-for him many electoral
votes which cast for his Democratic rival.
When We met on this floor on the 4th of March,
1853, at the special session convoked by the new
President, it became necessary to nominate commit
tees for this body and in the Wing caucus which
assembled for that purpose, nineteen Senators were
present. 1t a minority indeed but minority
whose attitude commanded the respect of even its
Political opponents. Gracefully yielding to the re-
cently-expresscd will of The people, yet watchtul
guardians of the principles of which they were the
chosen cxpounderS, they RETAINED from aught that
could bear the scmblance of Fictitious opposition,
but ready to sound nOtcsof alarm, whenever
in their judgment, the course or policy of the Ad-
niinistration might thrcatea danger to the int
rcstsof the country.
This was the attitude of parties when the homo
reble Senator from Illinois introduced into this body
the bill for the organization of the Kansas and Nc
bragka Territories. Sir,no sooner had the discus
sions opened upon that bill than startling de-
velopmeuts took place. On amendment offered
TO the bill by the honorable Senator from MGssachu-
sets, Mr. Sumner,l in which he proposed 10 strike
out every thing after tao euacug clause and TO in
scrt provision for the repeal of the fugitive slave
law northern Wing Senators voted for the PROPOSE
ton As the debates continued in both Houses, and
the contest grew hot this further fact developed
that there was not member of the Wing party
North, in either branch, who did not believe in the
power of Congress 10 cgislate the subject of sa-
Try in the territories, and who not disposed TO
exercise that power to the exclusion of the South.
A vote like this, given with such unprecedented
unanimity, could not be taken by the South forany
thing but the just reflex of the opinion of the
sti,uency represented by those who were in Wash
ington. The discovery of this fact, like the expO-
sion of mine, rent the Wing party into fragments
fragments that no mortal skill can re-unite
| or the cement of common principle is wanting.
Scarcely had that bill been passed, when, amidst tue
turmoil and confusion created BY the exciting APP
peals addressed TO northern passions and prejudcCs
by those who assumed the leadership of the oppose
tiun TO the BILL secret whispers began TO lie heard of
some new organization that 10 raise into power
from the ruins of both the old parties. Mysterious
movements attracted the curiosity of the people,
| An eager desire TO learn what these movements
meant operated on weak minds. The paraphnrnala
of grps and signs, an passwords and degrees
and lodges tickled the vulgar fncy. Above all the
necessity felt for central point around which,
as a nucleus, all the scattered clements of the oPpo-
sition to the Administration could crystalize into
shape or form, lent a sudden growth to the new
ganization. 1t became formidable. Rejecting men
| began to inquire what its objects and purpo-
| seS. When | returned home to Louisiana, found
four ffths of the Wings enrolled in its ranks yet
| my most earnest enquiry did not succeed in fur
nishing information as TO the principles Of their
lodges. Before left Washington, it had been said
that Native americanism was the leading principle
| of this party; but others rassured me that this
| but a mask, and / was told, rom parties in whose
judgment had reliance that the true parents of
this new birth New England predjudices against
Catholicism and against slavery. did not like the
| parent; did not believe in the brood
When in Louisiana these facts were suggested to
the people, they reated-with scornful incred-
Utility and southern Catholics and southern slave
holders enrolled themselves by thousands in the
ranks of the new party. Fortunately for the good
of the country, the sudden aud overwhelming sue
cess OF the new party in of the northern States
emboldened it to throw the mask; and in the eel
ebrated Philadelphia Convention the hideous fea-
lures of this yelled prophet were displayed in all
their naked deformty There the entire Louisiana
delegation ANONYMOUSLY expelled from the
portals of the convention because they protested the
Catholic religion. There sir, it openly avowed
that the object of the organization was net sim
ply to repeal amend the naturalization laws for
the future, butit was avowed that they intended to