Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-01-04
Speech Of Hon. Howell Cobb. of Georgia.

circumstances prompting it, an effort worthy the hrs
orator in the world. It was bold comprehensive an,
eloquent coupled with the cogent reasoning. Th'
w ashington Union of Saturday, says: "Ihos
who heard that reply will not soon forget It's manne
or lis matter its effect upon the House and upol
the crowded galleries The solid and answering
columns of The Democracy gathered around tn
speaker, and gave assent 10 his manly sentiments b.
that brealhless attention which proved how truly h
spoke to their hearts while the opposition benches
paid respectful attention 10 man who met great is
and spoke great truths with all the dignity
tofce OF well. poised statesman. 1t was an eHor
worthy of the fame OF Howell Cobb, and worth,
of that Democracy whose honor and whose principles
he ably vndicated. The Democracy of the natol
will read the speech with much pleasure as thos
who enjoyed the privilege OF hearing it."
REMARKS OF MR.. COBB.
MIR. COBB Mr.. Clerk, we are at the close of the
third week of the session without an organization
and the charge has been made from every quarter
Of the House that the Democratic party is response
BILE for it, AS member of that party, acting with
it, and giving TO its actions here since the commence
ment of this session my hearty and cordial approval
rise to say word or two in reference 10 the posi-
tlon which occupies before the country, and to JUS
THY and defend that position. When the charge is
made by those who profess to have a majority in
this House, those whose sentiments have been re.
fected by the senior member, the gentleman from
Ohio, MIR. Giddings,l the most of whom casting
sachusets for Speaker, the only reply that | feel
called upon to make in behalf o. the Democratic
party is, that we are in the minority. 1t is
of high qualification 10 them, and they Rave con-
graduated the country upon it. The minority there
fore, is not responsible for the want of organization
The charge is made by another political organza-
ton in the House, and more extended reply is per-
haps demanded. 1t has been said repeatedly that it
has gone to the country that the failure of the
onal men i'll this House to unite in the election Of
Speaker, is attributed to the resolution passed by
the Democratic caucus which nominated the gentle
man from Illinois [Mr. richardson for Speaker ;
that the resolution has erected barrier between the
Democratic party and those who hold national sent-
mcnts on some subjects in common with that party,
and that barrier cannot be passed by them; and,
therefore, that we responsible for the failure to
organize. 1t requires brief return to the history of
the past two years, to respond to the change.
At the time, sir when the contest was waging and
waxing warm in the Southern States when all the
political organizations in the Northern States out
OF the Democratic party were waring upon it on
account OF its nationality when for years it had
stood firm against these assaults from every quarter
and from every faction, there Ideny springs up
secret political organization shown by subsequent
history to be either the offspring or the natural ally
of this ree-soil organization which had for years
warred upon the national principles OF the Demo
cratic party. Elections transpired the friends Of
this tiona principle, which had been illustrated in
the passage of the Nebraska and Kansas bill, and
which had been maintained by the national Demo.
cracy of the North stricken down. | need only
ask you TO cast your eyes over this House and notice
those who occupy the seats filled by the friends
OF the Constitution, and desire you to tell me through
whose instrumentality those driven from
this hall, and their places supplied by those who
now respond to the sentiments OF the gentleman from
Ohlo and who cast their votes tOr the gentleman
from Massachusetts. his was not the work of old
organization existing at the North. They were in
nal Of / phpnf
thlzng with them in their free soil sentiments struck
down, If you please, the banners carried in broad
daylight and resorted to their midnight aSsemblages
hid out from the light of the day, and there consp
ring against the best interests of this country and
the constitutional rights OF that section of it which
hi We the honor III part to represent, combining thei
power and with the open enemies Of the
Constitution and the rights of the States, were ena
bled TO destroy and break down the power of the Ma
tional Democratic party in the Northern States, anc
TO I'LL their seats with the advocates of those princ
pies to which have alluded
Sir, when the tidings of these results Were hearl
by the people OF my section of the country there was
one general expression OF regret and modification
from all who could forget their enmity to the Demo
cratic party If there were any who DICED in these
results, It there were any whose feelings and view.
represented by that portion of the public press
which heralied in, not the triumph of Free-soilism
but the defeat of national Democracy, such, | trust
were few in numbers 1t created, however, these re-
results: universal feeling through all the Southern
States that the time had arrived when of us there
should be but one voice; people, party, in de
fence of rights dear to the constitution of the
country, which were now being warTed upon by q
sectional organization at the North which was-as
was indicated by the return of members to this House
carrying before it triumph and success throughout
the Northern and Western States We felt, all q
our people felt, that the time had come when We
should stand firm and true by those men and tha
party of the North who, by their votes and conduct
had proven themselves true to the Constitution -
There was no man in that hour who would have ris
before Southern constituency AM called to the
stand Northern Free soilers to prove the want 0
soundness and nationality and true principles, in th
men who had been sacrificed in the defence of thei
constitutional rights. Why the South lot
unit ? Why did not she speak hut one voice in com
mon with those national Democrats, who, in time
past, stood by her, and have stood here in defence
the constitution, firm and unbroken phalanx, from
the commencement of the session down to the presen
moment Sir, do not feel authorized to speak O
what occurred in other States, but | will speak il
reference 10 what transplIed in my In the hou
in which this universal sentiment prevailed ther
was unknown to US, unknown 10 the Democratic par
ty as it stands organized, secret political or
ganizaton sprlnging up in our own midst, and, be
fore were aware OF H. Il large portion of our peo
pie were bound by solemn oaths and obligations
subject their fellow citizens 10 test, unknow
TO the past political history of our country, and
we honestly believe, then and now, volatve of III
constitutional rights of many good, worthy, an
patriotic citizens of this land. Sir, the Demo
cratic party OF my own Stale stood prepared t
unite with every man, North and south, wh
y would stand by the Constitution. and seeing ths
0 this question 10 which | have alluded had owe
whelmed all other questions, had indeed becom
the paramount question of the day as illustrate
here, we wanted to be united we wanted to spea
as one man, with voice. and heart, as ther
!, was universal spirit and feeling of sympath
: throughout our rrgion. But this secret party brok
Z h.. nergnffed 10 he hnnel