body of reformers of the State had esteemed
worthy of their unlimited confidence—men who
had shared the storm and sunshine of popular
opinion, and had proved unflinching champions
of reform at all times and upon all occasions. He
was glad to follow the lead of such men.
Mr. BRENT asked whether his colleague inten-
ded to be understood that he did not follow his
own judgment, but the leadership of others. For
himself he would say, that while he respected the
opinions of others, he followed the leadership of
no man.
Mr. PRESSTMAN remarked, that words had
been said to be intended for the purpose of con-
cealing thoughts. He did not mean to say that
like a Spaniel he would obey, the bidding of a
master, but that in his moral and intellectual na-
ture, he was proud to recognize leaders. The
American army had looked to Washington as a
leader. And all political parties had recognised
leading men, such as Cass, Webster, and oth-
ers.
He, (Mr. P.,) had no difficulty in submitting
his own judgment to be, in some degree, controled
by a man in whom virtue and intelligence, he
reposed confidence, but he was rather slow in
the selection of a leader, and he never would
choose one who had been tried and found wan-
ting.
He hoped that in any mere matter of personal
consequence he would be able to meet the issue
be it what it might; but he thanked God that he
had not the. never to hazard upon his individual
judgment the great and growing interests of his
constituency. His most esteemed friend from
Baltimore county, (Mr. Howard,) was one of
that class of men he had been early taught to regard
as worthy of all confidence. He had been
taught every principle of government recognized
as correct in the school in which such a man was
held in high esteem, and whose words were re-
garded as full of wisdom and patriotism. Times
may have changed, but sir, it is not in my power
to change one sentiment long since formed, and
will be forever cherished, that no great or good
cause can triumph, if the public sentiment is in-
different to the voice of those, who, in every po-
sition of life, adorn the character of a good citi-
zen. If to be distinguished tor learning, tried pa-
triotism, incorruptible integrity is to be a sure
mark of public odium, then indeed the past of
honor will have become the private station. He
was not unwilling to admit that he would be
ready to follow the lead of the gentleman from
Baltimore county, (Mr. Howard.) The name
which he had used, had been identified with the
battle fields of the revolution, and was now cherished
with just pride by the descendants of the
Maryland line.
He did not know what new names might be
invoked; what new lights were to dawn upon us;
but he would declare that when the influence of
such men was lost in the city of Baltimore, eve-
ry patriotic emotion would be extinct, under the
shadow of her monuments. |
He knew well the character of his friend and
colleague, (Mr, Brent.) He was a bold, fearless,
honorable advocate of any principle he adopted.
But he might also add, that while he accorded
him these characteristics, he regretted to say
that he was not as prudent as he was honest,
Mr. BRENT said that he reciprocated the com-
pliment.
Mr. PRESSTMAN resuming, remarked that he
was not aware there could be so much difference
of a personal nature between himself and col-
league, (Mr. B.,) each understrod the other well
enough to know that though they might differ in
the conclusions to which they had come upon
the subject, there was no room for any unkind
feeling.
And he would take the liberty to say to his
colleague, that in the remarks of the gentleman
from Baltimore county, he had seep nothing un-
warranted by the freedom of debate. As the
delegation from the city of Baltimore was divid-
ed, in opinion, and as the gentleman from Balti-
more county, (Mr, H.,) was familiar with the
social, political and business relations of their
constituency, he regarded as well-timed. The
appeal which had been made to them, not for an
instance supposing that his colleague's motives
had been called in question, in the issue made
up upon the sentiment of the people of Balti-
more city, in reference to compromise, my col-
league had said he was more familiar with their
views, at this time, than the gentleman from Balti-
more county, (Mr. Howard;) but he forgets that
in this avowal, he by implication denies to those
of us, from the city, who approve the compro-
mise, the same means of judging as he posseses.
Mr BRENT, of Baltimore city, explained. He
wished to be distinctly understood. He had
nothing to do with the quo animo of the gentle-
man from Baltimore county's attack upon him,
but what he, (Mr. B.,) objected to, was the pub.
lie arraignment of his vote here. That was a
matter between himself and his constituents. He
(Mr. Howard,) had said that he had known the
people of Baltimore for twenty-five years, and he,
(Mr. B.,) replied by saying he professed lo un-
derstand the sentiments of the people of Balti-
more, as well as any man living, if it was
regarded as an implied censure upon his col-
league, he could not help it, but he certainly did
not mean it to be so.
Mr. PRESSTMAN did not for a moment suspect
that his colleague had intentionally claimed a
superior knowledge of the constituency which
they, in part, mutually represented. He was justified,
however, in saying that his opportunities
of forming a correct judgment of the public sen-
timent of Baltimore, was equal to that of his col-
league, (Mr. B.) Born and reared in that city,
he could not be supposed to be ignorant of pub-
lic sentiment. He had had the honor to have
been through a period of more than fifteen years,
an active participant in public affairs. The sev-
eral situations of honor and trust bestowed upon
him by his fellow-citizens were some evidences, at |
