Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-10-24

.essssl
lhss brolhor's wifa ofths North, and Mr. Bell had
been telling oft; andhe supposed, and It would
seem, thar the gentleman from Maury felt himself
commissioned as sort Of deputy szeeutiOner, 20
take his head
Mr. POLK, rintespOsing.1 Mr. Speaker, desire
to ask the gentleman how many Senators Of the South
voted with Mr. Bell upon the Kansas Nebraska bill
Mr. RICHARDSON. One, sir.
Mr. POLK. Who
Mr. K. Houston.
Mr. P. Was not Bell harloting with the North
Mr. R. That is not true. kAE
Mr. 2. Ihave other questions, but will not prc.
pound them until you have finished
Mr. RICHARDSON continued. He had approved
Mr. Bells course generally, and if the election were
brought on, he should now again vote for him with
more pleasure than ever before There were qnes-
lions IN this connection with reference to the posi-
ton OF candidates, about which members ought to
be informed; such as, do they believein the doctrine
OF secession from this Union7 Why will not gentle
men answer. Did the Speaker Of the House believe
the doctrine of secession without rebellionI He
would like to know their views the limitation Of the
Judges term. 1t mig be more Democratic to elect
the judges; but was not our government already
Democratic enough. Would it not be dangerous p
Would it not be giving advantage to the Free
solism of the country, break down this greatest
conservative feature of government He preferred
to hold the Constitution it is. It the work Of
the best men the sun ever SHOWN upoH-men OF Pc
culiar and extraordinary minds and abilLies-their
work amounting to the dignity of being accounted
divine inteIpostion Of Providence. He felt that,
10 this country the Judiciary was the ark Of the
Covenant to the jews, especially far the South
ern States were concerned and therefore he hoped
70 see no other man go hence to the Senate Of the
. States, with any disposition to this feature
of our government. When he had concluded
Mr. DAVIDSON noticed Mr. Richardson's enquiry
how he and Democracy became associated. When
ne Mr. d came into the State OF Tennessee In 1841,
found the issues to be Bank Tariff Distribution OF
the proceeds of the Public Lands, and Internal I'M
proyement by the General Government In 1914
was there living man in all Tennessee represent
ing the Wing party that made all these issues? Not
one Every man here would remember that the is
sues of 1874 were these: The Tariff question, and
the admission Of Texas. Then (said he) if had
left the Wing party in 1874, there would not have
been so much Of the platform to renounee, as there
was in l941. How was it in 1913! Was it the
Bank question: or the tariff question or internal i'm
provemenls by the General Government? Not at ALL
Does not every man remember hat the great ques-
ton in l648 was whether tn Wing or Democratic
party of that day would Sc the best disposition
OF the public land acquired from Mexico? So that
if had left the party then l would not have had
any difficulty about the platform Of 1874 The
great failing of the Wing party was its departure
from the glorious doctrine Of the necessity of civil
qualifications for high official station. 1t was not
Sam that had killed it, it was the sacrifice of this
leading principle by taking up General Taylor IS
their war horse and running him for the Presi-
dency.
How was it in 1852? How many of the old fash
Toned principles remained then? Was not the issue
upon the Compromise measures of 1S50-Whether
Whiggery or Democracy was the soUndest?
Mr. CARTER (OfCarterj interpos;ng Did not the
gentleman for Gen. Taylor?
Mr. DAVIDSON. Of course did voted with
Il. - e -.
the gentleman from Rutherford (AIr Richardson)
asked me how could affiliate with the Democracy?
The issue of 1852 was who was the soundest In the
Compromises, Scott or Pierce? When that was dis
cussed all was discussed. 1 will offer a reward to
any Wing tn 1t will SHOW any other issue in the can
vass of lo52-that will show me even five or ten
lines of the old issues In the Wing platform of 1852
And yet they tell me l have abandoned WhigEery.
IWalt 10 ask another question Of the gentleman
from rutherford; and l would like TO have an an
swer l want TO ask the gentleman if he thinks
that l, a foreign born man, and former member
of the Wing party, could have joined the know
nothing party and have retained my individual self
respect
Mr.. RICHARDSON, lin his seat) prefer to give |
my answer after the gentleman gets through.
Mr. DAVIDSON proceeded further to defend his |
position to the Democratic party and his cordial af
lisiOn with them in the existing issues and to de-
clare his utter detestaiion anu adherence to the |
OF the know n0tnlng party.
As TO the interrOgatories addressed to certain |
democrats by leading knoW-nothings, he desired to
ask would any OF these interrogators vote for |
any one of the men Intercepted? Or was not their
paper thrown out Just "as tub to the whale ?" |
He would ask with all due respect to his friend from
what the use of raising such fuss
and making much ado about these inter-
Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, for one will vote |
for democrat provided my party in caucus do not /
my choice.
MIR DAVIDSON. That is not the thing. Who do |
you prefer
Mr. STANTON. When the time comes 1 expect |
to have an opinion.
Mr. DAVIDSON endorsed generally Mr. Richard
sons views of the Constisution-was opposed to /
neddng with it. But TO the gentleman's decla-
ration that Governor JohnsOn's views were danger
ous, he could not the danger. Governor Johnson
was for direct vote of the people for President.
He confessed that he coudnever the use of Eec-
ors except to represent the principles of party in
Presidential canvass. As to the doctrine of the
election of the Judges by the people, he had never
been afraid to trust the people with the election of
heir officers. This was the foundation of all
,epublicaB government.
Mr. D. closed with this interrogatory to Mr. Rich
lrdson If the Kansas and Nebraska bill was not
he issue last year all over Tennessee what was the
meaning of that cry of Squatter Sovereignty that
We heard on every hill and in every valley In the
State?
Mr. RICHARDSON. l do not think the Kansas
md Nebraska bill was in the ISSUE though know
popular sovereignty was discussed in quarters
As to the othor question; whether any principle OF
he wing party remained when the gentleman left
will simply ask my friend, IN return whether we
Wigs have forsaken any Of our old whig principles?
Whenever the time comes Cor it, am ready to Rdvo-
tate them all. The organization of the American
'arty has made no change in me. The gentlom N
.sks me whether he could cODseientOusy, a Tor
ign born citizen, join the Know Nothing party.
thiuk not. Most of the foreigners were driven off
rom that party. do uOt say that the gentleman
ught to have Joined the Know Nothings. But that
S not the question The question is = the gen.
leman says when he came to this country he joined
he wing party because he believed them to be right
md the democrats wrong; and the democrats are
till advocating the principles they set forth in
hat day.
Mr. DAVIDSON (interposing) Tho question is
his: whether in your opinion, l. IS q foreigner,
ould have Joined the Know Nothings, and have
etsined my personal self-respectl
Mr. RICHARDSON s. me foreigners did join and
ct with them, and | do not censure them for it. |
IS to the printed interrOgaories what advantage do
expect to gain by them! l expect this: | expect
gain knowledge of the fact whether your nOmi- :
Zee for the Senate believes that State peace
bly, secede; whether he is in favor of amending
be constitution; of an elective judiciary, &C. l 6
ont know but what might be induced to vote for
ominee OF the party. +
Mr. DAVIDSON. l want to have an answer to t
~ question: Could have Joined and maintained '
proper selfrespeot? | n
Mr. RICHARDSON. Edo not know what thu gen d
eman could have done under the circumstances;
ut | know this can have connections with his
easons for joining the Democratic party '
Mr. CARTER, of Carter Mr. Speaker, desire
ask the gentleman from Maury, (Mr Polk to re [
eat his question propounded TO me little while
Mr. POLK, 1 asked the gentleman to state to me d
nd to the House, what principle or measure of
onal policy there is now advocated by the Know :
Othing party?
Mr. CARTER, l am ready 10 answer. He gave r
ay, however, for motion to adjourn,
And the House adjourned until tomorrow morn o
g o'clock.
SENATE-MoRNING SESSION. a
FRIDAY, Oct 23d. a
Mr. JONES presented a memorial from certain Fl
items of Lincoln county praying to Bedford county
Mr. WHITTH0RNE from the Committee on Judi b
returDad uhich taka THAR | Is