The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-01-23

the North and the Fremont party.
Mr.. II. Marshall. want to be under.
stood on this subject
Mr. Orr. And wish to understand the
gentleman; for the comparison he made
was to me somewhat singular.
Mr.. II. Marshall. | said | would not
give the toss OF copper for a choice be-
tween the Wilmot provisosm of Mr.. Ere
mont and the 1uatter-sovcreignty doctrine
of the northern Democracy.
Mr.. Orr. Am | TO understand that the
gentleman, in the last presidential contest,
did not care the toss of a copper whether
the Democratic or the Republican party
was successful
Mr.. ii. Marshall. If the gentleman is
not astute enough to draw a distinction be.
tween remark in regard to my general pol
icy and one in reference TO particular posi-
ton, then cannot expect him to understand
me. | refer the gentleman to the conncc-
ton in which made the remark on which
he comments. | was speaking of the prac-
tlcal consequences of the construction re-
tcrrcd to, and said that they were the same
to us whether we had the Wilnot proviso
or squaltcr sovereignty. If was to b.
hung, | would not care whether it WIS with
rope or grape vine. Laughtcr.] 1fboth
views take away from me my constitutional
rights, 1t makes no difference whether the
deprivation be sudden, or slow but certain.
Mr.. Orr. Did the gentleman feel no in.
terest III the presidential contest Just closed.
rs between the Democratic and Republican
party!
Mr.. II. Marshall. believed that the
Republican party only presented the dis
'inctive feature of the Wilrnot proviso on
the slavery question, and that it did not
present any administrative question.
Mr.. Stanton. 1t presented the question
Of the Pacific railroad.
Mr. II. Marshall. The fact is, that did
not examine the platform of the Republican
party very closely and fully, stopped at
the threshold. Learning their doctr%ae of
Congressional power to prohibit slavery in
the Territories, knew that | had nothing
to do ,rih hrn, and in regard to the
Cincinnati platform I found myself. as in
days gone by, with all nv autagonism to
the Democratic party. Will, reference to
one thing, never did know whether there
WAS any platform Or not. | allule to the
foreign police of the country. Sometimes it
was said that the resolutions on that subject
were part Of the platform, and at Others
that it made little difference how men f.l,
about them.
Mr.. Orr. The gentleman replies to my
| question with good deal Of qualification
| have no doubt that it is my obtuseness
which prevents me from clearly seeing
what is his answer. Let me ask him an
other question. What would have been
his position If Mr.. Fillmore had been out OF
the way? Or, if it was evident that Mr..
Fillmore could not he elected, by which
party, the Democratic or Republican, does
he think the best interest OF the country
would be subservcd
MIR. NJ. Marshall. never contemplated
that proposition, as always knew lie would
be in the way and what there is of us, wc
always keep IN the way.
Mr.. Orr. Not much in the way in No
vemher last. The gentleman twitled us 70,
having so few Democrats Of the floor NJ
hardly to be able to speak for the party.
had supposed that such a suggestion would
hav" called up in the gentlencn's mind the
most unpleasant "reminiscences. 1t is true
tl:;t the Democratic members who usually
swell this side of the House were reduced
in numbers in l854-55. There was then a
wave OF Americanism, or Know Nothing.
Ism, which swept the country. and which
brought my friend from Kentucky into the
House. But he did not ride that wave very
far. When the organization Of the House
demanded the election of Speaker, he found
that unless he cut himself loose from those
with whom lie hal acted previously, he
would be carried to a position from wh,
there would be no rescue in the future 1t is
to him and his coadjutors that the country
is indebted for the paucity of members o
the Democratic party, and he is the last
man that should refer to that fact, when he
considers the sudden and disastrous term
nation of his coalition with the northern
Know, Nothings.
+ Mr. II. Marshall. With the gentleman's
permission, l would state just here that
have had no coalition with anybody outside
Of the American party-pure and simple
Mr.. Orr. l ought 20 have used the word
affiliation.
Mr.. II. Marshall. Nor affiliation. Du
ring the contest for the Speakersl,ip for this
Congress, was voted for four or five times
| afterwards voted for the gentleman from
Pennsylvania. Mr.. Fuller, but not until af
ter he had defined his position on this very
question, ard when that definition lost him
the votes of his own colleagues, who believed
in the power Of Congress, to exclude slavery
from the Territories.
Mr.. Orr. do not find any fault will
the gentcman's action after he came here
My point is this When he and gentlemen
of tho opposite side of tho House wer,
elected on the same cry of Americanism
,then4h had eighty or moro associates in
the North, instead of FIVE. When he came
here. he found lie could not agree with
them, and severed his connection. II,
found that his convictions of duty woul,
not allow him to stay with them any long
er. He refused to vote for the candidai,
presented by the great bulk of the Know
Nothing or American party in the North
Mr.. II. Marshall. If did not vote 70
} aay Of the eighty men the gentleman re
fers to, because of their opinion on th
+ slavery question, I would commend my ex
, ample to his imitation, and advise him t,
{ get rid Of northern Democrats who are no