Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-10-23

the character Of IL forcibly reminded Of piece
of dOggerel which the House can appreciate, II
can repeat tin this vein:
al sat upon the ocean strand,
saw the pillows rise and fall
Some were most huge aud grand
And some we're most confounded small 2,
ELaughter.1
Mr.. Speaker, the position took on yesterday was
not for the purpose of denying the constitutional
right to elect now he read the two constitutional
clauses, printed in our sketch Of yesterday and c5n-
tinued:l He had read those sections not denying.
but in support Of the eonstitutionality Of posi-
iion he had also stated that the Democratic party
had, on all occasions denounced it rs unconstitu-
tionai; and If the American party were in pow
or. he doubted whether the Democracy would up
hold this election at this time. But now they had
the power, and the case was changed They had
boosted that AmericanIsm was dead. The gentle
man from Lincoln Mr. Dsvidsonl had said the
American party was hopelessly dead, and buried so
deep that the trump Of resurrection reach
1t. II this be so, he would ask with tbs gentleman
| from Jackson, why insist and urge the election at
this time, if you secure in your position? Let
gentlemen look themselves and see what position
it is they have taken, and not attempt TO and
screen themselves behind Wing precedents, and the
principles of Americanism. all he asked of them
was something apprOximating to consistency. He
continued:
had intended on yesterday to make some re
marks in defense Of the course Of Mr.. Bell; but
care not for the puny attacks ofhis enemies know
it is one of the best marks of greatness be picked
at as we have in his case for the last twelve or
fifteen months. | know there is nothing Mr.. Bell
could do to stop it. Let Hercules do what he may,
the cat will NEW and the dog will bark. l an not
going into the discussion of the merits Of Mr. Bell
of his opinions, of the Kansas-Nebrasks bill.
One thing know, the members who now occupy
seats here did not come here q triumph of the
principles Of that bill. Their canVassing did not
come up the dignity of that issue; but their issue
was upon Tax Assessor and County Judge, coupled,
perhaps, in the darker and more benighled regions
with the whisky issue. Those were the issues that
brought them here, and the principles of the Kan
sas Nebraska bill we're only taken advantage of in
the storm which they raised in the State by which
to ride into Office. But, do say this, thai subse-
quent developments in reference to Mr.. Bell, have
satisfied every candid mind, that if the warning
voice of John Bell had been regarded we should not
have seen those events in the Western Territories,
which have shaken the foundations Of this republic
The beautiful streams and the virgin soil Of Kansas
would not have been stained by blood, shed some
times by American hands, but mostly by the hands
of foreigners who have been thrown upon shores
10 support priestly extravaganza and royal luxu-
ries.
In regard to the position Of the American party
in the last Legislature on the subject of ''white
basis" wish to ask the gentleman from Hickman,
whether he believes himself that the American
party in the last Legislature intended to endorse
Andrew Johnsons views?
Mr. WILLIAMS My answer is, the American
party have been on SO many sides Of almost every
question, that / cannot tell where to locate them.
To-day they are in favor of measure and to-mor-
row they are against it. l only look and recognize
them where find them on the record.
MIR WHITE. To-day in favor of measure, to-
morrow against i'll al thank thee, Jew, for that
word" Think of such thing coming from the
Democracy! You may trace the whole history ofthe
Democratic party from the lime of their earliest ap
pesrance in the politics Of this country, and you will
find them fruitful of all the schemes of corruption
for the purpose of caOlng the ignorant, and catch
ing at the prejudice of the foreigners. That party
only been consistent in thing and that is in
all inconsistency-th have been sll sides Of all
questions-all things to all men-JeWs and Gentiles
pigs and puppies.
The resolution 10 which the gentleman referred,
introduced for the purpose of expressing
views but for the purpose Of getting expression
from you. We believed your party, from subservi-
ency to Andrew Johnson, would endorse his views.
Mr. WILLIAMS, (interrupting.) Suppose the demo-
cratic members of the last Legislature had voted for
that resolution, would the American party have SO
ted for it?
Mr. WHITE. Most certainly not.
MIR WILLIAMS. Then l understand that the
members of the American party have no fixed pro-
gramme Of policy or principles, but go against what
soever the Democracy are in favor OF.
Mr. WHITE No, sir, but we wanted TO see wheth-
er The Democracy would go for whatsoever Andrew
johnson would propose. Mr. W then proceeded TO
read the resolution referred to, offered by Mr. Tip
ton in the last House of Representatives and also
to read from the Journal of that House, page, and
the action theTeupon. The reason why the Ameri-
can members refused to vote for Mr. Newmans mo-
ton to lay it upon the table to bring the Demo-
cratic members TO direct vote upon the resolution.
It was notorious that the doctrines advocated by
Andrew johnson were abjured by the Ameri-
an party. Those principles had been dis
cu.sed upon evsry stump in the State, and he was
proud say tina; the chivalrOus people of the noun
iains of East Tennessee had placed upon them the
seal of their condemnation; and if our people In
the western portion of the State had come up and
acted as we did Andrew Johnson would not have
been to day Senator of the United States. Did
the Democratic parry for laying that resolution
upon the table because they opposed TO its doc
trnes? No, sir; and why! Because, by endOrs
ing the man, by the election Of Andrew johnson,
they endorsed his views The Democratic party
was for anything advocated by Andrew johnson,
but still if they would stand by the principles
of Johns on and the Immortal Thirteen Andrew john
son would not be now Senator.
Mr. referred to the refusal of these gentlemen |
waiting for the mantle Of John Bel to answer their
interrogatories, and affirmed the right in all
to require of candidates full disclosure of senti
ment upon any and all questions affecting the pub
lie interest; but these gentlemen refused to answer
there tomorrow; all things by turns and nothing |
long; and such was the record of men charging in
consistency upon the American party.
The gentleman from Cannon, Mr. St john in his |
zeal against u.s. had affirmed of John Bell, if he
not dead he was so near it, that the buzzards were
playing cards for his carcase.
Mr. ST. JOHN Gnterruptng) The &llusion was
not to Mr. Bell, but to the American party. l said,
if the body of the American party not dead it
was nigh to it, that the buzzards were playing
cards for the privilege of picking its bones.
Mr. WHITE Gentlemen are unfortunate in their
similees The gentleman from Hickman was telling of
Democrats who had penetrated the secret recesses
the lodges of Know NOthingism, and come out and
renowned the order, are deserving to be received
like the prodigal returning to the house of his faith
err Wonder if they have ever had eny fstted calves
killed?
Mr. ST. JOHN. There are few more left
Laughter
Mr. WHITE l re gard that as one of the lean
kline; and will say this further, because my name
is Moses; i'll should have the distinguished privi-
lege of leading party through the wilderness of
Democracy aud Aaron should come along, and the
hard hearted and stiff necked people should require
him to make moulten calf, there would be no lack
of good model, if my friend from Cannon could be
found ILaugher.l No, Mr. Speaker so long as
virtue and intelligence shall continue to have an
abiding place in the American heart, the American
parry cannot die.
Mr. w. closed by historical definition of Demo-
cracy, showing that it had been always divided
house Talking long and loud about the virtue and
intelligence of the people, they have by their acts
indicated their disgust and neglect of both hey
had displayed the same dupcity and insincerity on
the subject of education and internal improvements.
He also subscribed the declaration of the gentleman
from Davidson (Mr. Nancy that he was proud the
membership, the obligations and living principles of
the American party. He was opposed to Democrs-
cy from principle, the gentleman from Lincoln
{ Mr.. DavidsOn) was, formerly He referred to some
former declaration Of that gentleman, and speeches
in his reach which might seem to be strangely in
consistent with his recent political course
DIR. DAVIDSON took the floor to reply, but gave
way for
Mr.. ROWLES, who moved recess
And the House took recess till o'clock.