Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-12-30
Mr.. MORRIS, of Pennsylvania said.--

=
fectly independent political position, am
at liberty, free from any particular party
bias, to vote in the election of Speaker, and
on all questions which shall come before
the House, when it shall have been duly
organized, according to my sense of duty to
the country and my constituents. In such
n position, do not sympathize with ex-
treme men or measures, on either hand,
and shall, as far as possible, avoid any coun-
tenance of, or participation in, the discussion
Of topics of an exclusively sectional charac-
ter, introduced merely to stimulate party
passions, and inflame local prejudices.
As Representative, Mr.. Clerk, of an
eminently conservative constituency, am
surprised to see the deeply exciting ques-
tion of slavery, the agitation of which has
been so constantly deprecated as iufaming
the public mind and disturbing the peace
of the country, prematurely introduced
here by gentlemen representing slavehold
ing constituencies. Sir, am opposed tc
all unnecessary agitation on the subject.
am willing to meet it only when it come;
befoIe US in the ordinary action of legisla
tive body. But l protest against its being
thrust upon us now, before the House is or
ganized. and to the obstruction of public
business, and in order to confuse the elec
tion of Speaker.
There are many tests, Mr.. Clerk, of the
fidelity of men to the Constitution of the
United States, and to the union and harmo
ny of the country. Crises in our political
! history from time to time occur which put
mems principles to a stern proof, when 10y
atty to the party and devotion to the coun
try come in conflict; when the voice of pat
riotism or faction must be needed when thu
popular will or that of the Executive mus
be observed. In such crisis stood my
honorable friend from Ohio (Mr. .Sherman) il
the last Congress during the memorable
struggle on the admission of Kansas unde
the Lecompton constitution. Upon our act
ion at that time depended not only the tran
quillity of the particular district Of countr,
about which we were legislating, but tn
peace of the whole nation.
Under previous legislation the people c
4 Kansas were allowed to determine for them
selves whether they would come into tn
Union as free or a slave State. Will
engaged in the solution of that importan
question, every act of fraud, violence an,
ruffianism perpetrated against them to pre-
vent the free expression of opinion wa
countenanced by this wicked Administra
ton, and constitution was brought int
this House which was not the act of th
people of Kansas. 1t was fraudulent fror
beginning to end; one which would NO
bear the test of investigation. When tn
House raised a committee for the purpose {
investigating the frauds with which it wa
tainted, the Speaker-for whom / entertai
personally the most profound respective
lated the first principles of parliamentar
law, and appointed majority on the com
mitteo opposed to the very object forwhic
the House had created it, and thus defeate
the exposure of the iniquitous proceeding
by which the legal voice of the people {
Kansas had been counterfeted.
$ Here we sat, sir, for months debatin
whether the mandate of an arbitrary Exc,
utive should be obeyed, and that frauduler
constitution be forced on Kansas by tt
Federal Government We knew that if
were, it would lead to bloody civil war
, a war that might overspread the limits
: Kansas, and embrace the whole nation
its flames. Where stood my honorab
friend from Ohio? With his back firml
set against this despotic Administrator
> nobly maintaining the cause of law and o
, der, and the rights of the people, yieldin
= not an inch during all that glorious stru,
gle of popular privilege against Executi,
uSurpation; from first TO last, true as ste
to truth and justice, formost among Il
s most able champions of the people. F,
! his gallant conduct during all that contes
= he shall have my vote, as long as there is
: possibility of electing him Speaker of th
- House.
| know, sir, that there is not in tb
L House a member more obnoxious, politics
n ly, to the Administration, than the gentl
,e man from Ohio, (Mr. Sherman,) and who
q election as Speaker is more Justly dreadC
e by it. To him the country is indebted f
!, the Investigation in the last Congress whi(
y, brought to light the abuses and corruption
u of the naval department, and which led
n n reformatory legislation, by which the Trea
p ury will be in future guarded against sin
ss lar practices. If further investigation
r. necessary into the conduct of the Admin
~ tration, and if rumor and general suspici'
y are to be relied on it is absolutely necess
y ry, the Administration, has just reasc
J, to fear from the we'll known frmness al
K integrity of the character of my frieI
n, (Mr. Sherman) that he will so appoi
/ the requisite committees, as to procu
as a thorough and unspariug scrutiny
r. to all the mslpractices of the Governmer
= The fact that his resoluteness of purpo
k and fearless energy in the exposure of CO
N, N, ruption, has provoked the fierce and mali
l nant hate of the ruling dynasty and its 81
1y vile minious, should commend him to Il
r support of all wish to see the purity of 4
ne Government vindicated, and venality al
pS pS political proAigacy cbastised with tho SCI
< < pion lash of public indignation.
: My constituents, Mr.. Clerk, have too gre
y interests at stake in the organization
sh this House to permit me to hesitate as
my choice of Speaker. | will vote for
n candidate for that Office who is not tr
h and proved friend of the cause of prot,
,e SI ton. l know Mr.. Sherman to be SUI
X and | know that he will so organize I