Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1857-01-03
In Advance.
NUMBER |.


: what | said to members Of the House then
j could not say it publicly, tie previous
, question having been called upon it--that !
f was opposed to some of the compromise
measures Of 1850. | was opposed to the fu-
eitive slave law in its details. I was op-
posed to giving Texas ten millions Of dol
lars for lands to which sue had just as much
right as she had TO so many square miles OF
mo lsshiuc. | believed that these measures
were ill-advi-ed, but ] had come to the cou-
eiusion, before the adoption OF those resolu-
tons, that it would be idle to attempt to
modify or repeal them | believed that any
such attempt would result in nothing, and
had therefore determined, so far as [ was
concerned to present no resolution and make
no speech for re-opcnng the slavery agita-
ton before the country but when | was
asked 10 vote for resolutions which required
me 70 give security that | would not speak
upon tie subject, [ regarded it as an insult
aud declined | never contemplated agi-
tation because ] regarded it rs useless. IF
were called upon BOW to vote upon the re-
peal Of the fugitive slave law. [ should vote
for lis repeal, but shall present no resolu-
ten on the subject. shall make no mo-
were offered when there was no agitation
No resolutions had been introduced no pc
titions were offered. They were mere idle
insult to those who We're opposed to those
compromise measures, and / therefore voted
against them
Mr. LEfGilER. 7 recoliect the gentle
man from 0hio was q member Of this House
at that time, and voted against those resolu-
tons, and, If | am not mistaken. Tao gentle
man was a member of what l.g then called
tie c lservatiyc Wing party.
Mr. STANTON. ] always have been.
Mr. LE'fCHER Towhat party does the
gentleman belong nov?
Mir STANTON. 10 the great Republi-
can party of the Union
Mr. LETCiIER. Then the gentlemon
docs not profess NOW TO belong 10 the Wing
party, and docs not profess now 10 be a con-
sentative man. He has gone of with par
u which has renewed agitation and strife at
the very commencement Of this session upon
the slavery question, which, with view to
this end, has disregarded the certificate Of
Governor Of a Territory showing thai Whit
field was duly elected a Delegate to this
House, aad has undertaken to prevent him
from taking his scat without even giving
him an opportunity Of being heard. Than,
: sir, conservatism is no longer Il prominent
feature in the ranks Of the party 70 which
, the gentleman now belongs. They have
gone ont from their old connexions, and
haze zone into new organization. The
gentleman eannot--will not say, that the
: Repubcan party is conservative.
Dir SHERMAN. | would Ike to have
! the gentleman give q definition of what he
means by conservatism, and then | will an
swer ior the Republican party.
Mr. LETCHER. ] mean precisely what
the gentleman means in the use he has made
of the term. Let him define the conserya-
tis1n which he us Il member of the old Wing
party, maintained / mean precisely that
sort OF conservatism.
Aud now, as the gentleman is in for ask
f ING questions, and answering none, | want
to try one or two more, to see whether
remnant of his conservatism yet remains
Viii he be kind enough to say whether, if
he were assured that bill to abolish slavery
in the District Of Columbia could pass the
present. Congress, and become law he would
vote for it
Mr. SHERMAN. When that question is
presented / VIII vote upon 1t as l think IL
rlgst
Mr. lEFCDER. 1t is little remarkable
that iaa constituents Of spndry gentlemen
from tAe North should have sent so many
here who have no opinions.
As the gentleman has asked me question
/ vii now ask linn one.
MIR LETCHER lss, but you have not
yet answered:
Af SHERMAN, | hive answered one
question ny declining to answer; and de-
sire now to see whether The gentleman will
follow my example by declining to answer
one | Will ask HIM,
MIR LhlCliEk. dc not mean to be CIR
: enmserioed IN fhat way am perfectly
Wiling to raciproeatei Int after have an
saared hait dozen OF the geRtleman,s ques-
lions and M refuses to answer every one,
il IS rather too much to turn around and in
. tefrogate me. 1t IS hardly worth while to
task him another question, hst | believe I
VIII. was about 10 ask the gentleman
: whether he would vote to abolish slavery