Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-12-12

If to differ from the administration as to its
whole territorial policy; if to dissent from the
action of the majority of the democratic organ
izatlon in Congress as to the admission of Kan
sas into the Union, requires those who differ
and dissent to be classed as abolitionists then
he claimed the right to bear the name, and
claim the honor. lfhe was an Abolitionist for
these reasons, then there were millions of them
in the North.
Mr.. Smith, resuming, said he was well &C
quainted with Mr.. Clark, and did not believe
there was any abolition feeling in his heart, or
a drop of Abolition blood in his veins. The
principles Of a party are those acted on.
p3rty and its organizations are the means to
perpetuate them. Differences exist in every
party; they exist in the Democratic party.
Mr.. Bocock was not put up because he was an
Administration man, but because he had been
long an honored democrat lie (Smith) de-
nounced the inconsistency Of Clark's conduct
in being elected as Democrat, and refusing to
act with the party.
Mr.. Clark inquired whether Mr.. Smith
would deem it good ground for dissolution of
the Union if he should find the people Of the
North combined as sectional party, as at the
South
Mr.. Smith-Whenever combination of a
majority is formed for the purpose of warning
on the constitutional rights of any section of
the country, L am out OF it, Applause
MIR. Clark-So am |, sir; but that is not my
question. If a President of the United States
should be elected by one section, either North
or South who was unsatisfactory to the other
portion, would you regard that as just cause
for dissolving the Union, in advance of any
trampling on the rights of the South
Mr.. Smith-No man can tell what day may
bring forth. 1t is unnecessary to declare what
will do i'll contingency which may never
arise. Having been elected as Democrat,
and the issue in which you differ with the par
ty having passed away, will you redeem your
agreement by declaring yourself a Democrat,
and acting with the party?
Mr.. Cark-My constituents would never
sustain me if l should give political consort
with those who in the event Of certain men
being elected President, however obnoxious
they might be, without waiting for some
overt act or violation of constitutional rights,
would deem it sufficient ground for the disco
luton of the Union. | must beg my friend to
answer my questions.
Mr.. Smith-The gentleman really tries
very earnestly to get rid of the necessity of
dealing with his present position | ask him
whether he means to act with the Democratic
party or the Black Republicans
Mr. Clark-1 will answer that question.
Mr.. Smith-Say yes or no don't make
speech about it.
MIR. Clark cannot exactly find out where
the Democratic party is. | have looked for it
in the Cincinnati platform, and it is not there.
Applause. am willing to act with any par
ty in this House which is determined to up
hold the constitution and its guarantee to
trampe on no right, North or South. intend
to exercise whatever Of discretion intellect, or
conscience may have, upon any measure
which may come before the House. | care
nothing about party but intend TO give my
votes Tor that which | think is right. | found
myself compelled during much of the last
Congress to act with the Republicans,
because, upon the question of Kansas
and OF the admission Of new states, which is,
after all, the most important political question
before the. people, | found they voted right,
whether they talked right or not. Whenever
question arises where my honorable friend
and myself can stand together in defense of
every one of the constitutional rights of the
South, assure him he will find me at his side
Mr. Smith-Then l understand the gentle
man from New York to say he has found the
constitutional party in the Black Republican
party, for he has got to find it either there or
III the Democratic party He tells us that he
| acted with them during the last session upon
certain leading issues, and from the character
he has found them to be the national, Union
loving party in this country.
Mr. Clark, interrupting-I did not say so.
Mr. Smith--Ityou did not say SO, you mean
to act So
Mr. Clark made no reply.
Dlr, Smith went on to say he had taken his
present ground ever since 1854 when he saw
from the developments in this hail, there was
an absolute necessity that the South should
present itself as a unit 10 preserve itself. He
would not undertake to say if any particular
man should be elected President of the Unit
ed States, he would Immediately favor
dissolution of the Union, Sufficient to the
day is the evil thereof" He maintained that
the House had no right to let minority or
ganize ii. 1t is well known that a certain
number intend to go over to Mr.. Sherman
whenever it is necessary Let do it like
men and let their constituents settle the
question.
Mr.. Curry Of Alabama made a speech
thoroughly acquitting the Republican party of
all complication with the Harper's Ferry
case.
The debate was continued at great length,
when, at a quarter to three O'Clock, the House
adjourned till Monday by a vote of 112 to 1OS.