The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-12
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF HON. PERCY WALKER,


On the Presidential Esction-the Attitude Of Parties
the Duty 0f Southern Men; dsFered in the House Oi
Representative August 9, 1855.
The House being in Committee Of the Whole
Mr. WALKER said:
Mr. Chairman much a. disapprove the habit Of Appro-
praEng Time which strictly belongs TO Legitimate legislation
for general debate merely allow gentlemen occasion for
expressing their peculiar views the great political topics
Of the dAyin bad taste as esteem it'll notwirhstaad
ing, laced to be consranea 70 follow example
sci by 0thsrA
1t il my purpose to address the committee or to speak
properly address through this COMMITTEES my
constituents in order that they have doubt to
what my position E and what my intentions in regard
70 the political canvass now going on lt may hare been
observed That since the nomination OF Mr. Fillmore in
February last in Philadelphia have been silent least
have anstAined from any public expression Of my opinions
the merits Of this that candidate for the highest
oce OF the country This has NOT been from any inde
ence 70 the result
II has not been from any indispositon 10 canvass the
claims or examine the Av0wed opinions Of the candidatrs
On the contrary sir this silence has been orCea upon
by desire waf for Developments to observe
the movement Of parties how holding leading
positions in this that party should define themselves IN
order that might take the whole guide Lights IN
my own path thereby insuring myself least
certainty that the path should eventually take in this
canvass might be a safe and wise oue-such
moved by right insIincts mindful of bis allegiance to
the constitution and hopeful of the perpetuy Of the
Unon long shall suhstrye the great purposes Of
is creation should take Ii is known to many members
of this committee that II February last delegate
the convention by which Mr. Fillmore nominated for
the presidency.
In April last addressed letter to an editor in my owu
State and that has been the only occasion upon which
have any public FORM alluded the coming election
That letter was as follows, VIZ:
Frum the F7arenee Gazette
LETTER FROM THE Ron. PERCY WALKER.
wAzuRsTOE April 4, 1856
To the Editor Of the Florence Gazette:
SR: Through the kindness Of friend have this mo-
ment received the following slip cut from late number Of
your paper and copied informed By you, from the
Nashville Banner viz
"Perry Walker Of Alabama made speech against the
Introduction Of slavery into American platform He
would tel his southern brethren that Pennsylvania would
sustain platform with slavery plank IL He
could tel them that the great North wond not stand upon
slavery platform The great North demanded restora-
ton Of the Missouri Compromise and they would be satis-
fed with nothing less than that they refused sdis-
sion the Edie council they must the same ground
throw out al the delegates from the North for they AL re-
! pudiAted the twelfth section"
The above Is published purporng have been said
BY NE in the late National American Convention Phil
j adephiA.h
Taking it for granted that there can be no desire either
on your part that Of the editor Of the banner
me Intentional wrong, satisfied that you win al
low in your columns declare smpha1cay that
there Is nat a lrOrd gf truth IN the ADORE szrrGc
used 10 such language as is there attributed to
Was Of the comnittee credentials and concurrA5
IN the minority report prOssfas agassf the Admission Of
the Edie delegates they called upon the ground
thai they appointed BY the councils that had repp-
The rezding Of the reports Mr. Baldwin Of Connec4icnt
addressed the convention in favor Of the majority report
which rrOnmeHsod the admission Of tie Edie delegation
be coutendea tnaz the question Of slavery should be e
out Of tbs pstfOrthA II the intention Of North
to Ahi that question in the halls Of Congres-that tee
must be restoration Of the Missouri restriction &c
When he concluded at the request Of Mr. Imboden Of
Virginia the authur Of the minority report took ts floor
in support af that report spoke nearly two hour re-
viewing the history q parties for several years back
pecAy in relation 70 slavery, dHfendng the aEftuton
being IN evil and declaring emphaticaT that
The southern AmsrcAns ought not and would rot cun-
sent 70 an ignoring Of the question Of slavery the repu-
dlAtlon Of the 18th section
Il Is UunscsAry for attempt give even the sub
stance Of the speech But who beard IL considered
il otherwise JGGn s0Uhsrn-rghts speech As an svi-
dencs 0f this may be pardoned for saving that Al tE c9n
school, thanked for what they pleased my
" full and triumphant vindicaion Of the South"
short time after had concluded and before the con
vsnton adjourned over left he hall AT late hour that
night informed thai the Ede deleEs1esT bad been
admitted That crrumstAncs and the character Of the
speeches which informed had been made bv northern
members aher had returned ny hotel determined
70 withdraw from the ouHTsntiOn and did merit morn
ing.
On the following Monday proposition offered By
northern delegate declaring that the restriction should be
restored Tins r0tsS dorm by majority d nearly
hundred several southern States being represented
This VOTE and t5s urgent solicitations q southern dele
gates induced r.urn the convention The pro-
prsfy Of this step shall disCuzE That design
doing another time and through different medium
Ny for voting fur Mr. Fillmore in The convention
VII then be made puhe Suffice il for the present say
that the southern members nEsurvd that be for
maintaining AZ tht srirtng laws sgoH ne s~bJsr q
siaurV
word murr and am done Nv cOurps IN The ensuing
presidential contest vii governed by what conceive 70
be my duty ths Saut The indicAnons thai he
question q slavery IL to be controlling one and In that
event no southern mAn permit parry allegiance TO stnnd
between him and the solemn duty sf cooperating viii
those who most fully ruovuiss his Fht and ready 70
protect his interests.
Respectfully, y0urS &C. PERCT WALKER
IPruposs in the rst pacs account for my presence
in hAi convention, and for ny action fbsrs
Some months ater had takeE my seat upon this hoor
received notice that had been sppBintsd dsegnas
As svasnc Of the spirit and purposes BY which The
Alabama convention governed rsfr 70 the following
portions of ito platform vrs
ResalBsd Tint he Institution Of slavery existed
IN De States Of the cuudsary PRIOR 70 the adoption o
The constitution Of the United States aad the right
constitution and fully recognised fhsren therefore slS
very exists Independently q the constitution and sls
very is rscaFused and sanctioned By the constitution
Congress which derives al il powers from that instru-
msni lEEats the subject Of slavery excps or
is protection where legally exists that the Territories
tbe property sf an the States and therefore
the people Of Al The States have the right upon
and occupy any territory with their slaves well
other properly, and protected by the constitution and
Gag o The c0untrys thai Congress has right 70 eT
late slavery INTO TO exclude Il from Territory and
thsi usih Congress territorial legislature has any
right power to lsgsiate The subject sxuept nr
may be nscesaary to protect the czsns of the Territory
in the possession and enjoyment Of their property
2 hesgtuee That The power 70 exclude slavery from,
establish il In Territory resides exclusively in
vuutun ~ The people Of suUh Territory legally assembled
under te constitution of the United STATES 10 form
.