The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-03-19
NUMBER asa
. CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF HON. JOHN '. WRIGHT,
on TRssEssEE,

cEIAIH OF hON- JOhN v. w RiGHIs
4 s.- sts TEsSEssEE, . aasst
On the Kansas election case delivered In the House OF
Representatives of the United States March Ill 1856.
The resolution reported by the Committee Elections
empowering them 10 send for and papers, and 10
examine witnesses in relation 70 the Kansas election
being under consideration on the lth March, l856-
lows; - n ..T. N. -. 71-I-T ''T I'M T0- ''t
Dir SPEAKER desire the attention Of the House for
short time for il is not my wish my intention detan
them long in the remarks which shall submit The
main grounds Of argument have already been occupied by
other gentlemen and will OF necessity be compelled TO
notice briefly of the positions taken by others who
have preceded me on this side Of the House a,t .
regard the questions involved in the present conro-
versy as being OF vast magnitude TO the country. We
ought TO consider them in that spirit of candor and fair
ness which becomes American Congress for, il am
not greatly mistaken we are to make decision in which
is involved great principle principle which lies at the
foundation OF our Institutions principle in which
involved the rights of the States and the rights Of the
people under the constitution Of the United Staes We
ought therefore approach the subject with caution
biased by sectional or personal feeling, but with view
to discharge our duties as American representatives to
ourselves to our country, and to posterty. .r
1t certainly very painful to the patriot behold that
condition public affairs to which nation to
be lending The teachings Of history in oil time past and
the solemn warnings Of the Father Of his Country
seen to fall cody the OF this
day speak Of representatives, because my experience
which has been brief has taught that there is great
distinction in many instances between the people and
their represen tatives for whilst believe firmly
believe In the existence of Supreme Ruler Of the universe
devotedy attached to constitution and government
and determined to observe and abide by it's compromises
our fathers made them yet constrained to believe
that there designing who, whilst they may not do
sire the overthrow of beautiful system of government
will persist in ofconduc in the agitation OF ques
tons of sectional character which must inevitably lead
to that dreaded result And hope may be permitted to
say with due respect to all that my brief experience
representative has greatly increased my fears that
cherished system is rapidly Fastening to premature
decay. : A@@s
Why what have transpred within the past twelve
months and even since the meeting of this Congress We
have seen great party built up in the North overriding
everything and moving like tornado, whose opinions
purely sectional, whose watchwords sectional
and whose only objects seemed to be degrade and de-
stroy their brethren Of the souhen States lie who could
use the most insulting ephes aspired to the leadership
and he who could be most bitter in his abuse of the ins
tutons and laws of sovereign States hailed with the
oudest applause Strange it may SEEM and humiliang
it that party succeeded in getting power the House.
and you sir were chosen TO preside the deliberations
Of this body without having received single vote directly
south of Mason and Dixons line This is the first time in
the history Of this government that like spectacle has
been presented to the American people Ah sir in the bet
ter days OF the republic when the warning words of Ve
mons chief were needed by his coun.ymen and when
loved their country better than they loved hemseves Mas
sachuses was neither afraid nor ashamed TO take virgin
las sons-eyen ber slavehoding gonsby the hand and
bail them her chosen leaders and the glorious Old Do
minon in her turn never turned her back upon an Amer
ican citizen because fosootn he lived in the North But
now, sir whilst Virginia remains to her ancient fah
and practices the be said of of her sisters
in the North. ask sir if these facts not ominous
trous consequences which follow the formation Of
oue parties the night follows the day?" But sir,
have dgressed somewhat from the question at issue for
which beg the pardon of the House
The question under consideration is the resolution
of the committee giving them power to send for persons
and papers in the Kansas election One of the
gentlemen, the sitting delegate, TGen WIrrIELpl is a
Teunessean by birth, formerly citizen of the district
which have the honor 10 represent here and faith
full and efficient representative in the State geuate His
reputation Is dear TO Tennesseans and feel that 1t due
to him. aud due to the people which represent that
should say something In relation to this question but
whilst confess my admiration for Gen. WHITFIELD
and representative hope will neither permit
that admiration for him. my personal feelings Of any
kind, to bias me in this matter.
most heartily concur in the opinion expressed by the
majority Of the committee that 1t is OF the first importance
that have full investigation Of the facts involved in
this case far at least regards the questions which
come egitimately and properly before this Bouse and
prepared to assert here that gentleman this floor
courts investigation earnestly than does the sitting
delegate Sir he desires concsalinens he wants
shirkug from just responsibilities he wants the fullest
and the fairest investigation he wants bis claims 10
seat on ths floor scrunized In every reasonable and
just manner / speak what know when I cay that
JoBS w. WHITFIELD would to take a seat this
floor 1t 10 bc procured by corruption fraud
by resort any other than high and honorable
A life Of usefulness and honor spent In my
State and high and noble bearing the gallant leader Of
his countrynen the field Of battle repos tbeides that the
sitting delegate here desires anything but fair and Inn
partial hearing No sir he would soorn conoealmcnt and
he would frown upon his friends if they sought it. ltis
certainly true sir the committee chat this Is
The condition of public affairs Ia the Territory OF Kansas
ia such not only excite the deepest interest but TO
arouse the fears Of all lovers Of law and order But how
exciting and alarming may be the affairs in that Ter
ritory IL will not certainly justify this House In taking
the action recommended by the e~mittee Why send for
persons and papers ascertain how many there
Kansas there by Emigrsnt Aid Societies with Sapes
rifles in their hands to force upon the people Of that Terri
tory what these sanity gentlemen with Horace Greeley at
their head, pleased to freedomT The New
York Tribune that great omenter Of civil dscord and The
organ Of the so-caed black republican party says;
"Tbe people Of Kansas and the friends Of freedom for
Kansas, continue do whof they hare been dosg
the passage Of the kansos Nsbrosta biti they
pour free settlers into Kansas well armed with Sharpss
ae other convenient weapon, wberewh 10 defend thcm-
selves against these border ruflians.' !" #
Now sir do the committee wish TO send for persons and
papers to ascertain what is the condition Of the public
mind In that Territory how faithfully these emigrants
have used their Shrpes rifles placed In their hands by
reckless fanatics and traitors to defend themselves against
the border ruans submit sir whether this House has
any authority or any business institute such inquiry
by sending for persons and papers But ssy they The
Territory has been invaded by people from Missouri with
their proper leaders supplied with provisions fodder
commodations for camping, ammunition, and artillery
and this is another why they desire this unheardo
aud monstrous auhority--a proceeding which at
strikes the mind il to me- as impracticable Why
sir how many persons you to bring from Kansas dis
ance Of thousands miles How much will be the pense
attendant such proceeding1 VIII you not spendyea
wasetens Of thousands of the public in carry
ing II out7 And how long will il require close this in
vesgaon h the House adopt tho resolution Of the
mittee2 But say the committee II is not long since
$40 600 expended by the in recaimng
single fugitive slave and therefore ought not TO urge
the question Of expenditure In this case ask sir In all
capdor If this parallels la the Of the fgi