Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-12-16
THIRTY-SIXTH CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
SdtSddy's Proeecdings.
Y 2 Pfocecdings.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10

The clerk said that the resolution was merely read
for information. -.-..-.....-..
Mr.. Hickman. insisted that he had the right to
offer the resolution, which took precedence Of all
other questions. lie asked for decision of the
question.
Messrs. Grow, Pa, and washtdre, of Me-, con-
cluded that Mr. Hickman had the right to introduce
the resolution. .r ...
Mr.. Houston, of Ala, took the opposite side of
the argument.
Mr.. Stanton, of Ohio, said that even If he should
yield the floor to which he was entitled the resolu-
ton could not be entertained now as other questions
were pending. ..
Mr., Reagan Of Texas took occasion to say that the
plurality resolution was designed TO enable men to
vote indirectly for Black Republican, when they
would not come up like men and vote directly for
such a nominee
Mr. Hickman replied that the remark did not ap-
! ply to him. He should vote for Republican in
preference to any gentleman who sustains this Ad-
mnstration. Applause on the Republican side
intermingled with Misses frsm the other side.1
Mr. Reagan said no body doubted the gentleman
would vote for the Republican as against the DEM
ocrat. He repeated that the object of this unlaw-
full attempt to act upon that resolution was to
shield gentleman from the responsibility of doing
indirectly what they would not do directly.
Mr.. Hickman have never conceded anywhere
what my ultimate action would be. ] prefer the
election of a sound Democrat BY that, mean
Democrat opposed TO this Administration an anti
Lecompton Democrat. have eBdeavored fol- a
week to elect such man, but am beginning to
fear that | shall be unable to consumate that
work. believe that either a friend of the Admin
istration or Republican is ultimately to be elected
Speaker.
| am frank to say, in that event. have decided
on the choice of the latter. | have offered this
resolution for the purpose of reaching an organza-
he alr airiuf trait r
shall submit in becoming spirit. | am perfectly
willing that every man in the coutry should know
my views. Let the motion TO amend the journal
be put to the House to decide
| Mr.. VIM Smith, of Va. said that the motion
was unnecessary on his view of the subject If the
gentleman means to vote for the Republican nomi-
nee, he and those thinking with him can do So and
thus ends the question. No man who has witnessed
that gentemans course for the last two years could
doubt that he would at last land in the Republican
ranks. He says he wants sound Democrat elected
and yet will vote with the Republicans, Who does
he fool by such doctrine as that.
The members of the Democratic party are here TO
perform high and holy duty to their country. |
want him to be understood Black Republican,
who only takes the name of a Democrat for the pur-
pose of hoodwinking and misleading. Let me ask
him, would vote for Mr.. Bocock to day if he would
rise and say that he was opposed to the Admins
tration?
Houe-Mr. Hickman frankly and uneuuivocally
replied that he would not, because Mr. Bocock sus-
tanned the Administration in everything it has
DONE that he (lIickman) was net a believer in
eieventh-hour repentance Laughter lie would
continue to regard Himself as Democrat, notwth-
standing the remarks of the gentleman from Vir-
GINA. 1t is question that will be decided by the
whole country, whether James Buchanan or those
who hold to the sentiments of the Cincinnati plat
form in its integrity embody the Democratic sent-
ment.
A lengthy discussion ensued between Messrs
Horace F. Clark, of New York. and William Smith,
Of Virginia, on political principles.
Mr. Clark said he never was and never would be
sectional man. He was n representative of the
great city of New YOrk--a city which could not
afford to send sectional man to Congress. lie did
not regard the Republican party as an Abolition
party; he defined Abotionsts as those who would
interfere by violence with the relation of master
and slave.
The recent affair at Harpcrs Ferry furnished
strong illustration Of practical AbotiOnsm in its
most hideous FORM There were Abotionists who
would contribute money otherwise to make COM
pensaton to the master for the service of his slave
and in consideration of the surrender of his title
lie knew there were thousands of them at the
North.
Mr. Smith said he was well acquainted with Mr..
Clark, and did not believe there was an Abolition
feeling in his heart drop of Abolition blood in
his veins. He said Mr.. BOcock was not put up be-
cause he was Administration man. but because
he had been long an honored Democrat lie de-
nounced the inconsistency of Mr.. Clarks conduct in
being elected as Democrat, and refusing to act
with the party. In answer to an inquiry put by
Mr.. Clark whether he would vote for a dissolution
of the Union if he should find the people of the
North combined as sectional party against the peo-
pie of the South, Mr. Smith replied that whenever
. Il. Il
purpose of warning the constitutional rights of
any section of the Union, he was ont. Applause I
Mr.. Clark-So am !, sir but you have not an
swered my question.
Mr. Smith said he would not undertake to say
that if any particular man should be elected Presi-
dent, he would Immediately favor dissolution of
the Union. "Sufiicient unto the day is the evil
thereof"
Mr.. Carry, of Ala, made a lengthy speech on Alb
olitonism. He did not propose to hold the Repub-
lean party responsible for excuses committed by
men holding anti-slavery opinions. He did not in
tend TO charge that party with completely in the
said lately made into Virginia. lie was will
ing to allow the mantle Of ignorance to cover the
act Of the signing of the recommendation of an in
cendiary pamphlet. But he made this averment
that the ideas and principles and politics of the Re-
publican party necessarily hostile to the COnst-
tuition and to the rights and interests Of she South
for the recent invasion made into Virginia although
disayowcd and repudiated, and, as he had no doubt
honestly aud conscieDtiOusly by most of the gen.
temen on IL other side, was in his Judgment, the
necessary logical and inevitable sequence of their
principles and doctrines. He proposed TO show the
effect and the necessary consequence of this anti
slavery agitation and feeling.
The Republican party had been driven by events
into the assumption of doctrines from which, a few
years ago they would have shrank. Mr.. Curry re-
ierred TO the law in Of the States giving ne
groes the right of suffrage, TO the operations of I'M
derground railroads. and to the frequent resistance
of the fugitive slave law aud argued that the South
had good reason to be under apprehension lie
asked II you had the power of the government to
abolish slavery, and render slave property insecure
would You not do it2
MIR. kilgorc of Indiana replied-No not in the
Southern States.
MIR. CuTy-Why, in the free States no legislation
would he necessary ON the subject. But you would
gradually narrow and limit our ground, until all
would have to flee from the country of our occu-
1 l,I, tLats a.