Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-05-04
a soHsE N oosaREss-akIss HIN. CID

slave and light torch for the destruction Of the
life and property Of the master, arose and fell upon
the neck Of the Know Nothing orator and blessed
him in fervsnt and afectionate manner, and that
thereupon Mr.. HOUsToE, Of Alabams slbeit gentle
nan Of fat and phlegmatie appearance, was moved
70 cry out in 3 loud and sarcastic tone Of voice,
e kiss him, GIDDnGs! kiss him! " thereby making
the best and most eaectual speech Of his life.
The Richmond South suggests that this scene
should be engraved The boary enemy of the South
should be depicted embracing the recreant traitor
who would sell his country to crafty his party
vengeance or personal ambition. The Black Re-
publiOEns should be rejoicing as the devils said
to delight in the unexpected damnation of some
puritanioal pretendsr to goodness. There should
be sentiment of universal scorn and detestation
upon the face Of every Southern man; and the
member from Alabama, in the foreground, should
utter his seathing and contemptuous suggestion,
kiss him, GIDDMas kiss him."
Below we give the controversy in Congress upon
the GIDDrEGs eongratulation. It would seem the
AbOlitiOnists deny having approved the speech Of
Mr.. GIkNER. This is natural; because it will do
them good at.hOme to be seen even speaking to
Southern man, though fugitive from the ground
chosen by his section
The testimony to the oongratulatiOn is conclusive.
GIDDINGs shook GILMER by the hand, smiled pater-
nslly upon him, and manifested so much apparent
approval Of his speech as to extOrt from Mr. HoUs-
TON the immortal exclamation Of " Kiss him, GID
DNos kiss himl"
What is more natural? -the more formal AcknoWl-
sdgments Of affection having been u de before the
company, that the confirmation by kissing should
take place in future and in private.
Mr.. Shawl have not said al that desired to in
reply to my colleague. My time will not admit.
am admonished that it has already expired; but I
cannot resume my seat without giving expression
here in my place TO the ind gnation felt on seeing
the senior member from Ohio Offering his congratu-
latiOns to may colleague at the close of his speech
Once before during my legislative experience here,
it has been my lot 70 witness similar exhitiQn--
Once before have I seen the enemies of the South
congratulate a Southern man account Of speech
he had made upon question in which the rights Of
the South we're involved.
Mr.. Giddings-WiI the gentleman allow me to
interrupt him Did understand the gentleman TO
say that l went to Mr.. Gilmer and cOngratulated
him? May correct him in that statement?
Mr.. Shaw, Of North CARDINAL am aware that
the gentleman from Ohio congratulated him upon
his speech. l saw the gentleman approach my col
league as he approached another gentleman upon
former occasion, who made speech Id reference to
Southern rights. l saw the gentleman approach him
with both hands extended, and 1 imagined that he
was prOnOuncing benediction upon my colleague,
which would be whitening curse upon him to bis
grave.
Mr.. Giddings-Does the gentleman intend to rep
resent me as cOngratnlating Mr.. Gilmer? Does he
understand that l went towards Mr.. Gimer to con-
graduate him?
Mr.. Shaw, Of North Carolina-l say that the gen.
ueman did 90 towards him, shake him by the hand,
and, suppose, congratulated him.
Mr.. Giddings-Let me say that the gentleman is
entirely mistaken.
M Shaw, of North Carolina-Why, sir, I saw it
with my OWE eyes, and there were gentlemen upon
this side whose attention was called to it.
Mr. Giddings-I will correct the gentleman. Let
me explain it
Mr. Shaw Of North CarOlina-Ibeg the gentleman
not 10 interrupt me.
Mr. Giddings-I wish TO correct the gentleman
Loud cries OF 90 Order! ~
Mr.. Shaw, Of North Cardinal ask the gentle
man from Ohio then, if he did not approach my col
league, at the conclusion of his speech shake him
by the hands, and offer his congratulations
Mr.. Giddngs-I did not. Mr.. Gilmer was in his
place, and was in the aisle. inquired of him if
he intended to compare my name with that of James
Buchanan. l neither gave him my hand nor took
his.
Mr.. Shaw, of North Carolina know not, nor do
pretend to say, what occurred between the gentle
men. say, again. that l not only saw the gentle
man approach my colleage and extend towards him
both hands
Mr.. Giddings-I did not The gentleman is mis-
taken. l did not. Loud cries of d" Order!"l
Mr.. Shaw, Of North Carolna-I not only saw him,
but some fifteen or twenty others saw him approach
my clllesge; and must be permitted to say that
when witnessed that spectacle, felt then feel
now, that whenever the time should come
Mr.. Giddings-I say the gentleman is entirely
mistaken. Renewed and deafening shouts of
"Order." from the Democratic side of the House.
Mr. Clingman-I call the gentleman to order.
Mr.. Keilt-I insist that order shall be preserved
in the committee The gentleman from North Car
DINA is entitled to the hoor and declines yield it.
The Chairman-The gentleman from South Caro-.
lima is out of order
Mr.. Keitt-The gentleman from Ohio Loud
and continued shouts of s. Order" from the Repub
Hcan side Of the House
Mr.. Kett-Let the blackguards over there act
thus out Of the House.
The Chsirman-The gentleman from North Caro-
lima is entitled 10 the floor, and will proceed
Mr.. Shaw, Of North Cardinals l said before, l
do not undertake to say what passed between the
gentleman from Ohio and my colleague l know not
what the gentleman from Ohio said, but l know he
said something very grateful to my colleagues feel
ings for there was smile of cOmplacency on his
face.
Mr.. Giddings-I say did not take Mr.. Gilmer's
hand [Cries of ''Order!'
here know the scene occurred Ihaye described
it; and, sir, about to say when l in
teTrUpted, when / Witnessed it. felt. as feel now
that if ever the time sh Guild come when | should be
so far capable Of misrepresentng the honorable and
cOn6ding constituency which had sent me here to
protect their rights and defend their honor, to
make speech that would bring down upon my head
the appreciation and congratulations Of the gentle
man from Ohio and his allies upon that side, should
instinctivey raise my bands to Heaven, and in the
language Of the Indian prince, exclaim, "What have
1 done that the enemies Of my country should
praise me-"
Mr. Giddings-Mr Chairman, we are in the Com
mttee of the Whee the state Of the Onion, and
will say few words in reply to VIII has been said
By the gentleman from North Carolina, MIR Shaw
understood him to assert, that, when one of his |
colleagues Nv Gilmer) had concluded his speech
went to him, extending my hands and taking his, |
and congratulated him on his speech. l endeavored |
TO put the gentleman right at the time he making
this statement, but there was so much noise and |
confusion am not sure whether gentlemen heard or
understood me However that may be- I desire the |
country, this House, and the gentleman, to know, |
that there was not one word of truth in what he ut
tered on that point l went no nearer 10 the gentle
mans colleague mir. Gilmer) than the aisle up which
! was passing; and, instead Of congratulating him /
on his speech, inquired whether he had used my |
name with the name Of Mr.. Buchanan. l remarked /
further, that if he did should hold him response
bic for it. did not congratulate him his speech
nor did hear the remark Of the gentleman, except
as it told me by another gentleman. This isall |
there was oft l did not congratulate him; l did |
not extend my hand to him; and did not leave the
aisle in passing up.
Mr.. Campbell-In corrobOration of what my col |
league has just stated, desire to say at this point
thar was near the honorable gentleman from North
Carolina (Nlr Gilmer) when he made his speech. |
My colleague, who has just taken his seat passed |
up the aisle and protested against the use which had
been made Of his name in connection with that of /
James Buchanan, and then ne passed on.
IL L L. - n.