Speech of Mr. G. Ashmun, of Massachusetts, on the Revolution in France, and Emancipation in Its Colonies: Delivered in the House of Representatives of the United States (Classic Reprint)
(Excerpt from Speech of Mr. G. Ashmun, of Massachusetts, o...)
Excerpt from Speech of Mr. G. Ashmun, of Massachusetts, on the Revolution in France, and Emancipation in Its Colonies: Delivered in the House of Representatives of the United States
Mr. Speaker, I have no desire to prolong the debate upon this point. I have given the reasons which induced me to offer the amendment which has been the subject of so much censure in the House. In the remarks which I have felt it my duty to make in reply to the gentleman from Virginia, I have taken the liberty to speak freely - as freely as the gentleman has done before me. I indeed thought that the gentleman's manner was somewhat supercilious and offensive; but I entertain no resentment, and far less shall I harbor any enmity towards him. I concede to him the same rights which I claim for. Myself, and shall take no offence at their free ex erase.
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Speech of Mr. Ashmun, of Massachusetts, in Reply to the Attack of C. J. Ingersoll Upon Daniel Webster: Delivered in the House of Representatives of the U. S., April 27, 1846 (Classic Reprint)
(Excerpt from Speech of Mr. Ashmun, of Massachusetts, in R...)
Excerpt from Speech of Mr. Ashmun, of Massachusetts, in Reply to the Attack of C. J. Ingersoll Upon Daniel Webster: Delivered in the House of Representatives of the U. S., April 27, 1846
You will have seen Mr. Crittenden, whom I take this occasion to commend to your kindest regard. I have the honor to be, very truly, yours, dan. Webster.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
George Ashmun was born on December 25, 1804 in Blandford, Massachussets, United States. He was the son of Eli Porter and Lucy (Hooker) Ashmun. His mother was a daughter of the Rev. John Hooker, of Northampton, Massachussets. To a surprising extent his career duplicated that of his father, who was also born in Blandford, became a lawyer, served several terms in each branch of the Massachusetts legislature, and became a member of the United States Senate, 1816-1818.
Education
George Ashmun graduated from Yale College in 1823, studied law, and in 1828 began practice in Springfield.
Career
From 1834 to 1851 he was associated in practise with Reuben A. Chapman, later chief justice of the supreme court of Massachusetts. He served five terms in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, in the last (1841) being elected speaker. In 1838 and 1839 he was a member of the Massachusetts Senate.
Elected to Congress as a Whig, he represented his district in three successive terms, 1845-51.
He early took a strong stand against the extension of slave territory. On Feb. 3, 1846, he offered a resolution (upon which action was prevented) calling upon the President for information "whether the army or navy or any part of either, had been ordered to move toward that Republic [Mexico], and what occurrences had come to the knowledge of the President to require such a movement. "
When Polk's message (May 11, 1846) announced to Congress, "War exists, and notwithstanding all our efforts to avoid it, exists by the act of Mexico, " Ashmun made a bold speech, citing official documents to prove that the war with Mexico "has been brought upon us by the men who are administering the offices of Government, in disregard of the principles of the Constitution and of their duties to the people of the country. "
He was one of the fourteen who voted against the army supply bill of May 13, 1846. During his years in Congress he served on committees on the Judiciary, on Indian Affairs, and on Rules. He interested himself in efforts to curb the President's power of patronage, and to restrict the immigration of persons liable to become a public charge. He was a great admirer of Daniel Webster, although he did not follow him in abandoning the Wilmot Proviso.
Aside from his protests against the Mexican War, he made his strongest impress upon the country by his passionate defense of Webster in two speeches, the first in reply to C. J. Ingersoll, and the second in response to a storm of abuse from Charles Allen, following the "7th-of-March Speech. " Through these speeches he won a national reputation, but they caused him to share in Webster's unpopularity, and this led to his retirement from Congress.
In 1852 he was chairman of the committee on resolutions in the Whig Convention. In 1860 he was made permanent chairman of the Republican National Convention at Chicago, and "presided over the excited and enthusiastic assemblage with dignity, tact, and ability. "
President Lincoln often sought his advice. Within a few hours after the fall of Sumter, Ashmun persuaded Stephen Douglas to go with him to the White House where in a long conference Douglas pledged to the President hearty support in efforts to preserve the Union, maintain the government, and defend the capital.
In 1866 Ashmun was chosen a delegate to the National Union Convention in Philadelphia, but took no part in its proceedings. For some time he was a director of the Union Pacific Railroad.
In western Massachusetts he was unmatched in his profession, and was held in high regard as a clear-headed statesman of conscience and courage.