Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-01-04


ascertain what tests they intended to apply to my
self and to those acting with In order that
may be distinctly understood, and that gentlemen
; may comprehend my reasons for the course | have
marked out for myself, beg leave to read two ol
three lines only of these oatls taken by portion, il
not by ALL of the know nothing or American party
: OF my own State, as follows:
THAT you will not VOTE or give your influence for
any man for any office in the gift of the people,
less he be an American born citizen, in favor OF
Americans ruling America, nor if he be Roman
Catholic"
Sir, leave ii TO those whose tastes lead them to
inquire to discover whether this openly set forth
in the Philadelphia platform. find it in the oath
And, further
"That you will, when elected or appointed to any
official station conferring you the power 10 do So
remove all foreigners, aliens. or Roman Catholice
from Office place. and that YOU will in no case APP
point such to any Office or place in your gift"
Slr, those principles were openly defended and
justified by the representatives OF this party the
canvass in the State of Georgia, and when they ap-
piled to and TO my friends this new test we
jected it.
Who is responsible for the division in my State =?
Who is responsible for the fact that Georgia, upon
this floor, does not speak Cne united voice !! | put
no test to my friends of the American party. raise
no barriers between them and myself. They erect
ed, they put them there, and they responsible for
it. If gentlemen when they say that their parry is
not IN favor OF prescription, that they have not
1dheH dIlu 10 juSClIy lnese OaCtS, tben Will 20
with such gentlemen 10 inquire where and what their
principles are but if they the defenders, the ad
vocaes, and the apologsts of these oaths, then say
the barrier between US is Deep WIDE and impossible
until, by their own act they have remo'ed it. Zap
! plause.
In my State the contest was carried on upon the
issue formed upon those principles. Georgia. in
common with her sister States in all portions of this
Union pronounced against those principles, and upon
that issue her representatives of the Democratic party
met here at the commencement of this session. :
What did they do! They placed in nomination for
the office of Speaker the gentleman from Illinois.
we have the testimony of more than one of our
friends voting against him this floor that there is
no personal objection to his election.
VOICE. Or political either
MIR. COBB. There may be political with sOme-I
say there is no personal objection to him. Why can
they not support him, and vote for him. agreeing as
they do with him upon this great issue involved in
the Kansas and Nebraska act! Why, sir because
OF the resolution adopted by That reso-
luton extends to our countrymen all over the land
our heartfelt congratulations upon The triumph of
the principle embodied in that Kansas Nebraska act
in many of the States. But friends desire Us to
Withdraw those congratulations What for ? Is
there any objection to that expression of the feeling
of the Democratic party in caucus Does that con-
sttute an impeachment to the support national man
may desire to give to the nominee OF the DemOcat
party! | apprehend not Certainly it cannot TO
those who occupy national position But We eX-
the triumph of civil and religious freedom as antago-
nlstcal to the doctrines and the principles IF those
oaths which have read in your hearing. If they
do not defend, justify and approve the principles i'm
bodied in those oaths the resolution does not touch
them If they do justly those doctrines. then let
me ask Of them what they demand at our hands I?
They themselves have erected the barrier. We have
t'iumphed over it; and because express our con-
gratulatIons 10 the country at the triumph have
gained it, they demand US to retract and with
draw those words of congratulation.
Mr.. READE, MIR Clerk, thought the gentleman
aid that his party in the minority: and had not
trumphed.
Mr.. CoBB Either the gentleman has not listened
attentlvely, or have spoken to very little purpose
| speaking now of the 1rumphs which the
Democratic party has gained since the Congress
sional elections, and the voice Of the people de-
clared in their favor by the defeat in the various
States in this Union, of these proscr ptve oaths and
obligations.
Mr.. READE. 1t the gentleman will permit me- |
understand him 10 mean, in speaking of the triumph
of this party their triumph in the country | would,
then, ask him this How his party have tri-
umphed in the country unless elections show it and
how these elections show it except by the return
of majority of Democratic members to this House,
then where your triumph
Mr.. CoBB. How much trouble will il give the gen
teman from North Carolina, to work out this problem:
that the Democratic party has riumphe in the North
States since the election fer members of the
ale doing so in defiance of public sentiment a, home,
as shown by the result of these ecent elections
hope the gentleman will rake his leisure and let us
know the result when be has ascertained it.
was aluding, sir. 10 the position which we occupy,
and the demands made by our friends
If, MIR, Clerk the principles embodied in those
oaths and obligations do not find any representatives
upon this floor connected with The national Amer
can organization, then the resolution passed by The
Democratic caucus constitutes no impairment the
way OF their giving their support to the nominee of
that party. IT, howe er, they do defend and approve
these principles, then ! ask them with what justice
with what propriety, do they call upon us to with
draw our congratulations to the country when they
refuse to withdraw the obnoxious Principles to which
have alluded? As desirable the organization of the
House may be to the large majority of the people OF
this county for the organ to a into hands
say frankly and candidly to my fren rt The na.
tiona American organization that the Democratic
ganzaton of this House will never be purchased by
my aid and my vOte BY the sacrifice Of The principles
involved in the resolution passed BY the Democratic
caucus on the lst OF December Sir, three great
principles are illustrated ami toreshadowed by thai
resolution The rights of the States freedom of con
science, and the rights OF the foreign born citizens
D When the has ceased by The Republican pa ty
they term themselves, upon the first principle
when the ty the American party upon tht
two others, ii will be time then to consider the ne
cessity of urging these issues longer before the
try. When thai time arrives We shall not only be il
O Georgia and the South, but throughout this broad
land, in every State people, expressing voice
t and one sentiment.
: Another objection IS made because the gentleman
e from Illinois the regular nominee Of The Democratic
party for speaker, well as because he represent
The principles OF the party; and we are asked t
e withdraw him and select anothe candidate, or t
unite in the selection OF ano her manin other words
g they have personal objection TO The candidate O
. he fr0rn .nl bo