Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-12-12
TII1RTY-sIxTm CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.


Mr. Hickman moved an amendment to the
journal, as therein no mention made of
his resolution for the adoption of the plurality
rule. The Clerk said it was merely read tor
information.
Mr. Hickman insisted that.he had right to
offer the resolution, which took precedence of
all other questions, and asked fora decision of
the question.
Mr.. Grow and Mr.. Washburn (of Mel con-
tended that Mr. Hickman had the right to in
troduce the resolution. Mr.. Houston argued
on the oppo lite side.
MIR. Reagan took occasion to say that the
plurality resolution was designed to enable
men to vote indirectly for a black Republican,
when they would not come up like men and
vote directly for such nominee Mr.. Hick-
mans remark did not apply to him.
MIR. Hlckman-l have never concealed any
where what my ultimate action would be. L
prefer the election OF sound democrat by
that mean democrat opposed to this admin
istration-an anti-L ecompton democrat have
endeavored for week to elect such man, but
L am beginning to fear that shall be unable to
consummate that work. | believe that either
friend of the administration or a Republican
is ultimately to be elected Speaker. am frank
to say that in that event have decided for the
choice of the latter. | have offered this reso-
luton for the purpose of reaching organiza-
ton. Ii the administration party succeed,
trust shall submit in becoming spirit. |
am perfectly willing that every man in the
country should know my views. Let the mo-
ton to amend the journal be put to the House
to decide. He should vote tor Republican in
preference to any gentleman who sustans this
administration. Applause on the Republican
side. There were some Kisses
Mr.. Reagan said nobody doubted that the
gentleman would vote for a Republican as
against democrat. He repeated that the OBJ
Ject of this unlawful attempt to act upon that
resolution was to shield gentlemen from the
responsibility of doing indirectly what they
would not do directly.
Mr.. Smith, of Virginia, said that the motion
was unnecessary, in his view of the subject
1t the gentleman means to vote for the Repub
hcan nominee, he and those thinking with him
can do so, and thus end the question. No man
who has witnessed that gentlemanS course for
the last two years, can doubt that he would at
last land in the Republican ranks. He says he
wants sound Democrats elected, and yet will
vote with the Republicans. Who does he fool
by such doctrines The Democratic party
are here to perform high and holy duty to
their country. Iwant him to be understood as
Black Republican, who only takes the name
OF Democrat for the purpose of misleading
Let me ask him, would he vote for Mr. Bocock
to-day, If he would rise and say he was OPP
posed to the Administration
Mr.. Hickman will state frankly and une
quivocally that would not, and give my rea-
sons which are entirely sufficient for myself
would not do it, because | know that Mr.
Bocock sustained the Administration in every
thing it has done, and | am not a believsr in
eleventh hour repentance. Laughter. AS
TO the charge OF my being Black Republican,
that is question for me to decide, and not for
the gentleman from Virginia. L shall continue
to regard myself a Democrat, until find that
the Democratic party, in the region where l
belong, have the moral and physical force to
exclude me from it. ] think | have always
done so. repudate and condemn the senti.
ments entertained by the Administration and
its followers. If they are Democrats, l am no
Democrat. The question he has undertaken
to declpher is one that cannot be decided by
him or by the whole Virginia delegation. 1t
is aquestion that will be decided by the coun-
try.
MIR. Smith in reply remarked that the in
Junction, "Man know thyself," was one the
most difficult to learn. The gentleman was
not the man to judge himself, but he lSmithl
and Others were to classify him. He there
fore classed the gentleman with the BLACKLIST of
Black republicans, not only this but on
past occasions. There are gentlemen honest
ly opposed to the Kansas policy who are act
ing with Democrats and now cooperating with
them. Since that question has passed to the
future, and is nc longer a living issue, why
should Democrats differ great principles
Mr. Clark Of New York, inquired whether
support Of the Democratic organization was a
test of DemOcracy2
Mr. Smith replied it was. As general
rule an organization is to carry out the prin-
cipes of the party.
Mr. Clark asked what excuse a man could
have who was elected against an organization
without sympathy with any, where no princi-
pie was involved.
Mr.. Smith explained that a man might be
elected against the organization, and yet be a
good Democrat
Mr.. Clark said he represented his constitu-
ents, who were opposed to the political organ
izatons throughout the Union.
Mr.. Smth-Are you Republican or
Democratic
Mr. Clark am opposed to all organiza-
tions.
Mr. Smith-TheR the gentleman is an Ish-
maelite; his hand is against all parties He
was not here against the constitution and the
Union Mr.. Smith was here
Mr.. Clark-No, sir.
Mr.. Smith inquired which party maintains
the principles Of the constitution, the Republi-
can or the Democratic
Mr.. Clark said he came into the last Con
gress Democrat. He was a Democrat now
but not attached to the Democratic party of
tins House or ms district be took his seat in
the last Congress with those whom he supp0s.
ed pledged to the Democratic pattorm-he
meant the Northern exposition of it. He had
not been here long before he found there was
more than one sectional party. He heard the
distinguished gentleman from South Carolina,
Mr. Miles, say the South was extremely sec
tional, and then he began to doubt whether he
belonged anywhere and the doubt was not yet
removed He was national man with North
ern sentiments, looking to the preservation of
the Union, and looking for national men to CO.
operate with him. He cared less about party,
than for his country. Applause
Mr.. Miles in response remarked that on. the
occasion Mr.. Clark alluded to, lie did not say
the South was sectional in all its aims and pur-
poses but did say, and now repeated it, that
he was a sectional man; that he was first de-
voted heart and soul to the interests of his i'm
mediate constituents. He owed his chief and
primary allegiance to South Carolina, which
had prominent claim on his love, affection,
and devotion, as she had on every one of her
sons. Even if it were true that the South was
sectional or that there was sectional spirit
there, would she moi be justified The gen.
tleman from New York said he first came into
the House expecting to find but one sectional
party, but that he very soon discovered anoth-
err sectional party. Was that strange? Did
not like beget like 4? Could you have a section.
al party at the North without expecting to
have one arrayed against it at the South
Were they Of the south to be reproached for
sectionasm thrust upon them ? They would
fight fire. and meet force with force if neces-
sary. BY doing so they would not surrender