Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-09

know from the gentleman from Kentucky,
! whether he will, or will not, explicitly and un-
equivocally, disclaim any intention to apply
these offensive expressions to me personally, OF
| whom he was pleased to speak throughout, as
his friend from South Cardinal"
Mr. TRMBLE replied; When commenced
the debate this morning, thought that put
myself and the gentleman from South Carolina
on perfect footing of equality-I said, that we
were both "lookers on in Venice" assumed
to myself neither any purity, nor any privilege
here, which did not allow equally to him.
The gentleman made, in this House, yesterday,
one OF the most extraordinary speeches ever
made in any deliberatiye body; and it is for me
first to ask him, whether, in the remark he
then made, he meant to be personal himself?
In what said, meant TO deal out measure
for measure-before God meant no less-&
may heavens lightning blast me if meant any
more. | told him we were both lockers on.
| made no charge of corruption unless he did
il he did, did Twill give no explanation to
the gentleman from South Carolina, until that
gentleman gives one to me. | thought treat
ed the thing family treated him as he meant
to be understood as treating us-I did not in
volve him farther. If he says he meant no per-
sonality, say thar did not; if he did, did.
But, in saying this, as in the whole course Of
my remarks on the subject, put myself entire
ly on the defensive feel no malice to him,
or TO any man, but whatever may follow this,
do not mean 10 have imputations cast upon
myself or my friends. The gentlemen's an
swer is with himself-when he answers, do.
Mr.. McDuFFIE said-Every gentleman here
must have heard the language | used yesterday,
relative to Mr.. Clay's friends in this House /
ask the gentleman if he did net hear III"
Mr.. TRIMBLE answered: did not hear the
whole, heard part Of il-but my friends
told me that there was qualification Of very
offensive kind
MIR. McDuFFIE then said-It is useless 10
press the subject of explanation any farther
1t would lave been perhaps, better if had not
asked for any, but proceeded at once in The
course have determined TO pursue, under ex-
listing circumstances. In the first place, then,
| wish the Secretary of State, the skulking
manager who moves the wires Of this whole
concerted operation, 10 know that perfectly
understand the game that he is playing. The
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. VANCE, has told The
Committee, with an air ofvulgar boasting, that
he 'came from the very lo,rssi order Of society,""
Sir, he need not have told us that The fact is too
apparent 10 tSCdpt liie ilOSb
observer. And that is not all. 1t is equally APP
parent to every one who hears him, that he has
neither changed his original destiny nor shaken
off the habits Of his primitive condition. Now,
sir, once for ALL give the Secretary Of State to
understand. that when he wishes TO avoid the re-
| sponsiblity of repelling imputa,ions upon his
character, and chooses 10 send his mini3nS and
tools and un9eTsfrappers TO utter insolence and
scurriity on this floor, Shall not feel bound
to notice them, in certain way, until he com.
mission. to "do his eyrand'' men, WHO have al
least the semblance Of gentlemen. But, sir,
though am resolved that never will Uofunfa-
riiy recognize as gentlemen, men with whom
never have associated. and never will associate,
by giciag them an limitation that would place
them on footing Of equality; yet should be
thrown into defensive attitude, even with
such men, would be willing, in order to avoid
any possible impution upon my personal honor,
TO admit that they are gentlemen, pro lorna,
and for the occasion merely, though in point
of fact, they have no pretensions to that charac'
ter.