The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-02-27

been disgraced l cannot think much, sir, of that
mans patriotism who, instead Of pursuing the path Of
duty, instead Of @gong ahead" when he is right hike
the arful hawk takes position on some tree top, and
looks out for the prey, flights his own hook"
But sir the gentleman will speak of his position"
The phoe country" knows his position" he tells
usl Yes, sir the country does knowSt; and what IL
in His position is defined as indefnable. Define
his position sir Why, you had asewell attempt 10
define the position Of the tail Of gay cst playing on
farmers hearth, before the fire. Or TO speak more
respectfully of certain distinguished parsonage the
tail Of tiger Yes, sir il you had tiger tanned, and
would lie piece of cork to his TAIL and let him throw
u about hither and thithe caprcious possible,
the position OF that piece of cork would be easily
defined as the position" Of the gentleman from South
Carolina. lie Is, SIR, but piece, joint Of the
tall of tho distinguished individual in another place.
to whom just referred.
In conclusion, have only to say sir 70 the gentle
man from South Carolina that, though my arm may
be "pigmy" though | may be but " sparroe' In
the estimation Of one born nsensble TO fear" am
able, sir any where, as sparropp from North
Carolina" 10 put down dozen such cock robins
as he is.
Mr.. Chairman, in my remarks yesterday, Iexpress-
ly discaimed the intention of saying any thing which
could wound the feelings OF any Of the gentlemen
marks personal, let them do IL, they please
Come one, come ALL ye South Carolina ock-robins
if you dare, am ready for you.
Erening Session.
Mr.. EVANS rose and SAID he wished to call the
attention of the House to debate of very unplea
SAINT character which had occurred in the Committee
ofthe Whole, when he in the chair, upon the bill
which had just passed. He did with view to re-
move any NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. which might exiSt as to
the precise character Of the debate 10 which he refer
red and to prevent unkind feelings being engendered
in the minds Of the honorable gentlemen who had
participated in it. Mr.. Z. proceeded to make remarks
Of general character the necessity Of auon in
Jala tho
understand clearly and distinctly the extent and force
of remarks which may fall from gentlemen in the zeal
Of debate. He then detailed the origin and progress
of the discussion he understood it, and he wished
the gentlemen concerned to inform him if he under
stood them correctly In the first place. the gentle
man from North Carolina, Mr. STANLY, in speech
last evening" upon another subject and before another
committee, had INDUCED in debate upon considerable
variety of topics and, among others, had commented
with great freedom upon the of measures poll
cy, and principles of the State of South Carona-up-
on public measures and public policy and principles,
all which, Mr. f. thought, within the fair scope ofde
bate; but the gentleman had repeatedly and emphati-
cay in the Of that debate, expressly dscaimed
any intention Of wonndng the feelings giving any
occasion Of offence to any member of the House to
either of the Representatives from that State.
Mr. Z. inquired of Mr. STANlY whether he had un
derstood him and represented him correctly
Mr. STANLY answered that he had.
Mr. +. said then, SO far, surely there was, he pre-
sumed occasion for personal offence In the course
of the debate this morning. the gentleman from South
Carolina, (Mr PIcKENs) referring to the debate Of
the preceding evening, used language which ne Mr..
Ed was aware might be construed personally often
sive and he perceived it had been received such,
and answered accordingly. II was language, he must
say although calculated to excite unpleasant feelings
to be considered personally offensive. Mr. b. did
not consider in that light He understood the gentle
man to be replying the arguments Of the gentleman
from North Carolina and whatever terms he had used
TO be applicable to the argument
it inefficient and of too feeble strength to overthrow
the principles policy of the State of South Carolina
He certainly did not understand him as Intentionally
offering insult to the gentleman from North Caro-
lima.
He then wished MIR. PIcKENs to say whether he had
understood him correctly.
Mr.. PICKENS said he did not know what motive
or intention the gentleman from Maine had in address
ing to him the inquiry he had He presumed it was
fair and proper one and he would therefore say that
the language he used he intended only as rdcule, and
he thought that ridcule was fair parliamentary ar
gument As such he meant it, and not intended per-
sonaities.
Mr. EVANS said, certainly ridicule was parlia-
mentary mode of argumcnta test and very often the
most severe test of the strength OF argument lie
sometimes resorted 10 it himself; and undoubtedly
was mode of argument often exciting unpleasant
feelings but such call for the indulgence of
emotions incompatible with personal respect and good
will He now understood the gentleman, MIR. Pick
ems Us he understood him at the time, to be dealing
lima bringing it to this test OF rdlcue and not intend
ing to be personally offensive.
The honorable gentleman from North Carolina
with his ardent feelings much excited, had replied to
these remarks also manner and terms susceptible
Of being easily misunderstood. He CHR. r. had
checked him at the time, and admonisheu him that i
was in order to indulge in personalities; to which
he Mr. s. replied that he was merely answering the
remarks which had been made towards him; from
which he (Mf. L inferred that he Mr.. 50 intended
and designed to meet the remarks of the gentleman
from South Carolina in the spirit and to the same ex-
tent that they had been made that he was repelling
ridicule by rdicule, avowing the soundness OF his
own views and principles and arguments, and ward
ing off the attacks which had been made upon them
He the honorable gentleman from North
Carolina would not place himself In the position 0,
intending deliberate insult as reply to an argument
though that argument of a kind calculated to ex-
cite his feelings. This encounter which all
are subject TO- and which ought not 10 lead to any
other than similar reply. He wished, therefore, to
know if he correctly understood the member from
North Carolina, and he appealed to him to reply.
Mr.. STANLY said, if the House would indulge
him for few moments, he would answer the inter-
rogatory of the gentleman from Maine. That gentle
man has truly said that he has had no consultation
with me- with any friend of mine, with my know
ledge, relative to the motion Of the remarks he now
submits to the House.
Il will be remembered Mr.. Speaker, that, in the
speech made last night, dsclaimcd repeatedly,
rather often discaimed, as thought, all lntimaton
or wish to indulge in personalities, or to wound the
feelings ofany honorable member on this floor did
this, sir with particular emphasis, because am aware
that when excited in debate, am apt to use forclbe
language which is liable to be misunderstood said,
as regard. the members from South Carolina on this
floor, whose doctrines had felt bound to oppose,
begged them all to understand did 50 from no feeling
Of personal unkindncss but in opposition TO their po-
ltical principles which regarded calculated to do
much mischief if they should receive encouragement
from any respectable portion Of the county Towards
the gentleman himself (Mr. Pckens) have always
entertained feelings of personal kindness
After this full disclaimer which every member will
testify to who heard me, surprised to the feel
ing manifested by several members from South Caro-
lima The gentleman from South Carolina TO whom
| especially addressed my arguments, (Mr RnETr,)