The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-09-25


him to correct the inaccuracies in my reported re-
marks, it was fair for him to make use of the Ian
guage he has. What gentleman could have refused
to give me reasonable opportunity to correct those
misapprehensions
"Tl now say that find no fault with the repOr-
ter except this; it would have been more agreeable
to me had opportunity been afforded of revising
my remarks before they were published, (Nlr. L.
left the city in the morning after the speech was de-
livered & the reporter not knowing when he would
RETURN suffered it TO 20 TO press believing it to be
substantially correctly
"[Nlr. l.. then explained that the portion of his
speech, published in The Globe, consisted of re-
marks not directed TO the main object Tor which he
had risen, but merely incidental, and in the latter
portion of his speech he had found as much fault
as he could with other appropriations made by
Congress.
"IWhen the member commenced he invited me
to stay and hear his remarks. lacccrdingy waited,
not only while he made his attack on me, but also
while he related great number of anecdotes with
view of turning into ridcule what had told him
were inaccuracies. And again ask would it not
have been more consistent with the character of u
gentleman TO have first given me an opportunity of
revising those remarks, on which he has thought
proper to pour out ridicue and abuse; But it is
so much in accordance with the remainder of his
conduct UPWARDS me, that have no right to be sur
prised,
"[Ihe member has undertaken to say, that am
no Wing, neither am | IA representative of the
Wings. | defy him to show that am no Wing,
But will say that am no such representative
of the Wings as himself. If the member will place
himself in the relnlion of constituent to me, Will
very soon satisfy him on that subject. But II he is
a representative of the Wings, then am perfectly
willing to renounce the relation. II all the wings
are like that member, then must admit that am
no representative of the wings, neither in taste,
morals, language, nor manners. man who rep
rcscnis the wings, must have no such qualifications
as that member.
"[I claim, said Mr. l.. to be as good represent
tative of the wings as any other wing member OF
congress on this floor.
"CNIr. OGLE here explained that what he had
said was ''thc gentleman claimed to be the repre-
sentative of the wing party on the committee,
JNIr LINCOLN; If the gentleman had sad on
" that, | should have thought it very proper; but
he SAID was no representative OF the wings, and
that he would 80 to my constituents and orralgn me
before them and the country Did he not mean 10
say that was no representative of wing principles;
Ifnot why should he talk of arraigning me before
my constituents thank the member for utter
ing this threat before the House and the people,
For am willing, not only that he should arrngn
me before the wings of this House, but am glad
that somc of my constituents are now here, and
they can Judge for themselves how much reliance
can be placed on his charges But can tell HIM
that in carrying this question before my cons'i,u-
cnts, | will not depend on the manner in which he
may choose to write out his speech as To how
shall be represented but on the manner in which
lie h"s hrpn understood here.
| "1What have done to incur this rcpronch
said the appropriation in my opinion was proper
one; and because had the misfortune to think the
appropriation right, am | to be denounced by the
member, as IN unworthy representative of the
whigs' Bu tell that member that am willing
to stand the test of my conduct in relation to this
matter, both here and elsewhere.
ssT'rhe member also insuualcs that, in my con-
duct have been influenced by desire OF getting
into favor with the President. lie not only arrugn.
my conduct, but my motives also, for he speaks OF
the influence of the White House or palace in
nuencc.' Also that Il have shaken the taper fin
gers of the President, aud drank wine at his table.
| Now | have this remark to male--thut none but
one who is capable of being Influenced by sucl
things would suggest it in reference to the conduct
of anolhcr.
"[Whnt right has he TO suppose that have beer
influenced by such motives in the discharge OF m,
duty? What right has he TO Judge Others by hi
own corrupt standard, and inputc to them molivc'
which existed only in his own corrupt Imagination
ANY man felt conscious that he could not rcss
those Influences it is perhaps very natural for hin
TO suppose that others should do the same But i
that member is capable of being thus influenced,
deny his rght. to inpute such meanness TO any on
else. Because the member may he afraid to trus
himself at the White House, fearing that. if III
drank the Presidents wine, he should lose his IN
tegrily, is that any reason why others should no
venture within the precincts of the building IN ih
discharge of their duty? For my part can 81.
that am not afraid, in the discharge Of my duty
TO 20 to the White House, take the President by tn
hand, and parlake of his hospitality, because hav
sufficient confidence in myself to believe that in 81
doing, can still remain an honest man. Let hin
who has not that confidence, and who feels that hi
t integrity would be endangered thereby, abstain
from the temptation
"[Am to be arraigncd by the member becaus
happen to differ with him in mere measure q
eNpcdicncy on a question whether money shall b
expended in one manner or another; or whethe
= more or less money shall be expended This Is
mere matter of taste, and no one suppose 1t 1
be any derogalion of principle because my inst
NAV happen 10 differ from his. For instace, 1t ma
be the taste of one man to have very plain furnlur
while another NAV prefer rich furniture But wh
can believe that this difference oil TASTE argues
want of principle and integrity, or ought to iurnS
ground for denuncldon !?
2 The member from Pennsylvania, (sad Mr. LIN
con y has insisted that the tendency OF my remark
was to Justify the purchase Of exravagant article
e of furniture for the Presidents house. | repc'
! that attempted no such justification, for ! hi
neither seen many of the eNceptonahle articles n'
II inquired into their price. The argument, so TAR
1t WENT was against that false standard OF econon
: which measures the value of thing by ITS cosi'
and decides upon its fitness with no reference VIVA
o ever to the place or occasion FOR It's use The IS
V lection of furniture for such an establishment
il matter of taste, about which minds may well d'iie
f and said that while some would consider as mo
appropriate the rich and snowy. others would PR
is fer the plain and simple in fashion, hut that, for
l.. mansion so spacious and so magnificent as TN
IS which the nation had provided for the chief magl
tate. the furniture, far as had seen. was nc
! ther too good nor too abundant In this am III
IS aware that | am alone among the wings, althoug
| may not indeed he so happy as TO meet the ~
l. pro, ing voice of ALL But does such diteren,
= imply dereciicn of principle any where; ~
= member suggests that my manner Of lie and nan
Al L., n IA AZ