Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-06-08

other parties
Mr. SMITH, OF Virginia. | trust that the
gentleman will allow me word here. l
will say that | have pretty long record. ana
that no man can put his finger where have
departed from any principle OF the Democrat
ic party; aud the gentleman, must remember
that vas never tOund working against the
Democratic party, as the gentleman has been
IN the recent struggle on the Kansas ques-
ton; and it is remarkable that tae gentleman,
who has aft Hated with the Black RepubII-
cans in oyerthrowing the Democratic party,
and did his best With that object IN view to
the last, should talk about my utilization with
the American party.
Mr.. MARSHALL, of Illinois. Such rehec'
tions. Mr.. Chairman, do not disturb me
particle. ! have never acted 10 opposition
to Democratic principles, or any legitimate or
authorized Democratic organization, and no
man eau. with truth, charge that l have
All that have done 10 regard to this mat
ter, aud every act of mine on the floor OF this
House, has been dictated by my own judy
ment and my convictions OF right and duty
duty to myself, to my constituents, to the
country, and especially 10 the Democratic
party, which never can be benefited by an
Abandonment OF principles. lido not set my
self up as the great organ OF the Democratic
party, to read other men out OF II, or to make
assaults upon them in regard TO their course.
| have done nothing OF the kind. 10 my
course on Kansas, and all other matters,
have acted according to the dictates OF my
own Judgment; and do not object to other
gentlemen doing so. What do object to Is,
that the gentleman should arrogate to him
self the Office of censor, and bring up tar
fetched and unauThentlc charges, having no
foundation 10 fact, against thIse who have
occupied, and DOW occupy, higher POSITIONS
~ the ID IN jcratIC party than he ever did or
ever can occupy; men Who have dev"t ted their
whole lives to Its service, and upon whose re-
cord there is neither spot or blemish.
Mr.. Chairman, | have said all that | de.
sire at this time to say IN regard to this mat
ter. If the gentleman from Virginia Is sat
i,fed. can certainly have 10 motive or de
sire to continue this discussion any further,
and will therefore let it stop here.
MIR. MORRIS, Of Illinois. MIR. Chairman,
the controversy which sprung up some time
ago at the instance Of the member from NIr'
GINA. he has chosen on this occasion, vOlun-
tariY, 20 renew. l. has ever been my OBJ
iect, since have had -elt on this Il ,or. {
treat every gentleman here with courtesy
and kindness. Bat f)und myself uucx'
Eec:edly lnvol 'ed by the exposure which toe
member from Virginia thought proper to
make of what he claimed to bea private con
versation in my private room. SIR, while
seek no controversies, if they are forced upon
me, | shall not shrink from them. The OBJ
ject of the gentleman in renewing the mat
ter here to-day is evident to the House, and
will be evident to the country. lie desired
sir, to assail and, as far he could, to blast
the reputation of the honorable Senator from
Illinois, Judge Douglas, the lachet of whose
shoes he is unworthy ID unloOse.
Mr.. SMITH, Of Virginia. Just want i
distinctly understood that if the gentleman
uters any word OF offence to me | will moi
stand it one Instant.
Mr.. MORRIS, of Illinois. The gentleman
may stand or not, as he peases.
Mr.. SMITH, of Virginia. | call upon the
Chair to preserve order, or will preserve II
myself.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from IL
linois must remember that it is contrary to
the rules Of the House to indulge in remarks
casting personal reflections on any member,
and will please to refrain from doing so.
Mr. MORRIS, OF Illinois. II | have tres
passed upon the order or decorum OF the
House, certainly owe the House an apOlo'
~ for it, while owe none to the member
from Virginia, and have none to make to him
THIS controversy, let me repeat, has been
voluntarily renewed by him; and iDasmuch
as be has read what be says is an article
from the Chicago Times, | ask the Clerk u
read an editorial in that paper in relation &c
the point of controversy involved, which
send up to the desk.
The Clerk read the article, 40 follows:
"a STALE FALsEBOoD In speech delivered
in the House Of Representatives by Mr.. William
Smith, of Virginia otherwise called Extra
Billy) he is reported as having SAID that the
mode adopted by Calhoun and his Lecomptor
a socrates III not submitting the Lee mptor
Constitution to vote OF the people Was adop
ted because it was suggested by the Chicago
Times, which was supposed by Calhoun TO cN
press the opinion OF Judge Douglas on that
point.
The following is he portion Of the speech Of
Mr. Smith in which this statement was made
"'Let me say here, also, that Mr.. Calhoun
wrote TO Judge Douglas, not as Senator, but
as friend, stating the plan that was 10 De pur
sued, and asking his advice IN reference TO 1t
No answer to that letter was ever received; but
the Chicago Times came out and lndorsed the
proposed pl n. state as fact. which will not
be disputed in any quarter, that Senator Doug
las. not as a Senator, but as conspicuous
friend of that gentleman. was written 10 IN the
month of Septemb Der. ASKING his advice as to the
course TO be pursued in the submission OF the
constitution. and that ne never respOnde 10 that
letter by dissent or affirmation. | repeat, the
Chicago Times, understood TO be under his in
huence was published containing an article in.
dorsing the suggestions OF that letter. | have
not time TO go INTO this question as would
like; but such are the facts IN relation TO this
matter.
ave did not meet with this statement by MIR
Smith until we saw il quoted IN a speech by Mr..
Marshall. OF this State, who quoted 1t 10 brand
il as il deserved. But, having met il, we now
nave to state that il is utterly destitute OF truth
No article of the kind ever appeared in the
Chicago Times From the earliest meeting OF
the Convention TO lis adjournment. We always
assumed ii 10 be an a,cer'aIned fact that the
Convention would submit the constitution. and
the whole OF it. 10 the people OF Kansas Tor re.
lection or approval.
when we asc.rtaned that the Convention
mad inserted clause establishing and perpetual.
ing slavery, in defiance of the popular wish, as
expressed in the election OF Parrot, we took the
ground that the constitution was ridiculous
mockery, because the people when they came TO
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