Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-04-06
Disorganization and Disunion.
SPEECH
or
HON. EDWARD MCPHERSON,
OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Delivered In the House of Representa-
tives, February "a, 1860.
OF PENNSYLVANIA.

yves, FeDrudrY n, lo0u.
The House being in Committee Of the Whole on
the state of the Union
Mr.. MCPHERSON said
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: A parliamentary contest, he
most extraordinary in our annals, has recently
closed During its existence, it attracted the at
tention, and finally awakened the anxiety, of the
country. At its termination, every patriot heart
felt glad. In its origin, progress, and issue it chal
enges the study of those who wish to understand
the zeal position and animang spirit of parties, the
capabilities and dangers of our system, the tenden-
cies of events and the nature OF the moulding in
fuences which surround our institutions.
The contest, which has been already noticed in
Europe to the dspaI agement Of the republican form
OF government, was not an ordinary party move
ment, indicating nothing, and wisely forgotten as
soon as made. 1t was not accidental, purposeisss,
unmeaning. 1t was not an isolated fact, coming
one knows not whence, pointing one knows not
whittier. On the contrary, it was a concerted
scheme, had congenal origin, and pointed to
desired result. 1t was political demonstration OF
the very highest significance. Ii came i'll natural
succession OF events. 1t one of chain, the
threats of dsunion in the contingency of Fremonts
election in 1856, made by Democratic leaders, and
their subsequent endorsement of lawlessneSs, crime
and bloodshed, which prevailed in Kansas, as
result of like violent, arbitrary, reckless, and
revolutionary policy on the part of the Democratic
party, being the immediate antecedent links all
these Developments being symptomatc of the loath-
some and deep seated disease which has stolen the
beauty from the fe of the Democratic party, and is
now destroying the life. 1t was genuine growth;
natural outcrop; Legitimate and necessary resnlt
OF the ideas and principles lately infused into the
Democratic party-ideas and principles which have
completely changed its character, and transformed
it into mere machine for factioniSts to handle IN
their with the Government and the interests OF
the people. Neither was it the work of nnknown
or uniniuential men. 1t was coined in tire brains
of prominent officials, approved by the leaders cf
an organized party and carried out with the system,
energy, and determination of men In earnest-its
nature, striking developments significant
gs constituting Il one OF the most and
suggestive indications of the day.
1T STANDS ALONE.
In almost all respects, it was without parallel
In duration only, was it exceeded by that of 1866
g. which can, in no other respect, be compared
Then there resort to parliamentary strategy,
to prevent efforts to elect a Speaker, and more
votes were taken III one week than, this session,
taken in six weeks There was no persistent
speech-making for the same purpose; there was
actious interposition, by minority, prevent the
majority from performing the first duty imposed
upon them by the Constitution and the laws there
no defiant declaration of reasonable purpose
to break up the Government the moment the ad-
ministration of il passes from present hands there
was no organized movement directed towards
dissolution OF the Congress, without discharge Of
its functions. Ia word, then, there in
cipient treason.
ITS NATURE AND EFFECT.
l have endeavored to view this subject calully.
fairly, and impartially. | have looked at 1t in the
light Of the various excuses by which it is sought
to justify palate the of the Administration
party and my conviction is firm that, notwthstand-
ing the approval given it by high officers of State
it not only in violation of the Constitution and
Of parliamentary and statute law, but factious
and revolutionary in character. During it. there
was resort by them to means unusual and unheard
of; there were purposes announced incompatible
with the safety of the people, the peaceful per-
formanco of duty by their Representatives. and the
stability of the Government and there were pre-
cedents set of the most alarming and fearfu. char
acter, which, if followed will place it in the pow
OF fifty members wholly to prevent the organization
of any future House; thus making its existence
matter Of suferance, and the Government fee
BILE as the old Confederation which it suppanted.-
Nothing can save us from this perpetual danger but
the enactment of law, of which | am glad to see
notice has been already gwen, by which these rev.
olutionary precedents will be nulfed, future tur
buent and disorgapizing minority will be dsarmed,
the majority principle preserved, and the rights of
majortes secured against all possible combinations.
TIE LAW AND ITS OBLIGATION.
Let the facts bear testimony We met on the
9th day OF December in pursuance of law, where
upon the names of members elect were called by
the Clerk of the last Congress. On motion, it was
resolved. according to immemorial usage, that the
members proceed to elect Speaker. This
clearly the first duty and the motion was unani-
mousiy agreed to. The Constitution confers upon
the members of the House of Representatives the
power to choose their Speaker and other officers !;
and tie act of Congress of 1889, the first on the
statute book provides that he shall be chosen that
the oath of office shall be administered by one
member of the House to tie Speaker, and by him
to all the members present, and to the Clerk, ttpre
vious to entering on any other business.'' Thus
the organization of the House, by electng Speak
er and Clerk is made condition precedent to en-
teIiRg on any other business, and is the first and
essential step. No member is at liberty to disre
gard this duty. No one can do without infdeli-
ty. And all are hound to perform it at once; /; or,
failing in that to all practicable means to effect
it at the earliest possible moment No one can be
justified in interposng the least obstacle to the per-
formance Of this duty by the House. Tried by
this test, how stand the parties
THE MEANS USED TO KEEP UP DIsCoRD.
After one vote for Speaker had been taken
without result, an Administration member in
trodnced resolution Of an extraordinary
character in violation Of parliamentary law and
practice and Ill contrayention of the act of
1854 resolution which, if adopted, would
have been imperative, which hence had no
practical value and could not in any manner
have facilitated the organization and which
was SO Questionable in its terms that at the con-
ference OF representatives of the three arti-Re-
publican elements of the House tho Admins
tration party, the South Americans, and por-
tion of the Anti Lecompton Democrats--held on
Sunday. January 8, In pursuance OF an arrange
ment publicly made in The House, with the
avowed purpose of securing union Of their
a. Ioeo lu