Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-03-29
House of representatives. March 80.

on the state of the Union, ". Bocock, of
Virginia, in the chair and resumed the con-
sic GRAFTON of the Deficiency bill.
Mr.. SMITH, of Virginia, reviewed the pur-
chase of Louisiana, and the admission of
Missouri in connection with the issues in
volved in the application Of Kansas to be
admitted under the LecOmpton constitution,
and the part taken by Senator Douglas in
the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska act, and
his present opposition to its principles
They bad two applications, one to ADM.
Kansas under the Topeka constitution, and
the other to admit that Territory under tie
Lecom pton constitution. The President hav
ing recommended the admission of Kansas,
the State of Virginia had passed resolutions
endorsing that recommendation, and he de-
ferred with pleasure to those resolutions.
The Legislature of Virginia had pursued
this course, because gentleman 10 high OH
cial position had spoken his individual opin-
ions on this question, aud not the sentiments
of the Governor of Virginia, in response to
an invitation to participate 10 demonstra-
ton at Tammaoy Hall. =,
MIR. ENGLISH, of Indiana, inquired whether
Gov. Wise was in or out Of the Democratic
party.
Mr.. SMITH replied that he held him to be
out Of the Democratic party. lie did not
hesitate to say that be and all gentlemen
who refused to cooperate with the great
Democratic family, must necessarily be out
OF it.
Mr.. ENGLISH remarked that he was assault
ing the Governor of Virginia.
Mr.. SMITH replied that he was protecting
the Governor of Virginia, and attacking
Henry A. Wise.
Mr.. ENGLISH inquired whether the gentle
man had not opposed the election OF Gov
Wisei
Mr.. Smith replied that he did not support
Governor Wise, but be had not made himself
active and prominent in warning upon the
Democratic party. He co.operated with the
Democratic party, and would have held his
tongue in this respect if he had not been
assailed. He held that, as long as contor-
nifty in sentiment existed, there might be a
community of action. A party was COM
bination Of gentlemen entertaining commu-
nity of sentiments, and the opposition Demo-
Gratis could not be of party, the great body
Of which was entertaining community OF
septimt Mt on the Kansas question. The gen
teman from Indiana Mr.. Davis had said
last night that be should not vote for the
LEGION, pton constitution, and that was the
measure of the Democratic party of the two
Houses of Congress.
MIR. DAVIS OF Indiana, said the gentleman
had no right to read him, OF any other Dem
ocrat. out of the party. Ii reading out OF
the party was to exist, they would read that
gentleman out. -,
Mr.. SMITH replied that there was. The
gentleman put him very much in mlnd OF a
Jury which could not agree. When brought
into court aud interrOgated, one OF them
said that be could not agree in the verdict,
because his fellow;jurors were unqueston-
ably the mos. obstioate set of fellows IN the
world. Tuat was precisely the case with
the gentleman from Indiana. II one OF them
came here and undertook to dissent from the
great body of the Democratic party, 1t was
that great body, and not he, that was out
Of it.
Mr.. DAVIS asked whether Mr.. Smith had
not time and again run against the Demo
cratic party!
Mr.. SMITH replied that he never had.
Mr.. DAYS. said that was bis understand
ing.
Mr.. SHITh replied that it was wrong, and
O great deal of his understanding was very
wrong. lie bad never run against the Dem
ocrstic party, though tempted to DO 30
Mr. DAVIS said he would like for the gen.
tleman to point to q single vote of his, that
had not been With the Democratic party on
all questions?
Mr. SMITH replied, did not the gentleman
tell them last night that he was gong To vote
against the Lecompton constitution? Did he
not know that the Chief Magistrate had
urged and recommended the adoption OF that
constitution? Did he not know that IT 1t
passed, il would be done by the Democratic
party, and some few patriotic know-noth'
ings?
MIR. DAVIS asked if, because the President
recommended this measure, every Democrat
was to come forward and vote for 1t? The
President had not the right to command
him against the will of his constituents
That would be political despotism.
Mr.. SMITH replied that he had said before.
that parties only existed for community OF
sentiment. The President was the repre-
sentative of the American Democracy, and
was elected as the representative Of the Kan,
sas question in all its shapes and lorms, and
be Represented il now.
Mr.. DAVIS inquired whether he was re.
uuired to conform to the Presidents opln-
ions.
Mr.. SnITh said be did not ask him to con-
form to the Presidents opinions at all lie
could do it or not, but be would say, do not
profess to be Democrat when you associate
with those who are not-do not affect to be
Democrat when you refuse to cooperate with
those who carry out Democratic policy. The
gentleman had been in Congress on the pas:
sage of the Nebraska bill, and was on the
"anzious bench" On the last night be told
them be was jealous and cordial in his sup
port of that measure. lie was beaten at the
next election, and the returning wave bad
horne him into this hall. Did be come here
to pursue the policy of 1854, or not, or to
pursue the policy Of those who had beaten
him in 1855, and who we're bis associates
Just now?
Mr.. DAVIS said he came to carry out the
principles of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, tor
which he voted.
MIR. SMITH. Exactly. That's the language
of rebellion. Laughter.
Mr.. DAVIS. It's the language OF ireemen.
Mr. HAsKlx, of New York, inquired whe.
tber the President was the Democratic party!
Mr.. SMITH replied that he was the head
and front of the Democratic party: MT.
Smith then reviewed the settlement OF Nan