The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1850-01-26
SPEECH OF MIR. OLDs, OF PICKAWAY,

FOR THE SENATE By J. " SMITH.
Mr. Speaker: / remarked, sir, when had the
attention of the senate for moment this morning,
that it was but very recently that felt impressed
with strong sense of duty, to ask the indulgence
of the senate while I alluded to some of those
scenes which have been passing before US for sew
eral weeks During the present session, l have
been for the most part silent spectator here, tho
by no MEANS an uninterested one 1t is well known
to senator's that in the first week of the session.
was called away from my seat by severe domes-
tic affection; and since my return, have found
little relish for the subjects that have absorbed
attention.
must be permitted to say further, that if upon
the present OCCASION it is the expectation of any
this side of the chamber, the other side, that
come before them with an elaborate argument, /
am sorry to say, that they must he disappointed
in that expectation. For the last three days, sir
every hour believe, of the above time which
has not been occupied by my presence in the SEN
ate, has been spent by the sick-bed of member
of my family: and this, too, by night as well as by
day state this in justice to myself; and if it were
not for the extraordinary circumstances which sur
round us here, should still remain silent spec
tator of these scenes But sir when reflect that
have place upon this floor, as the representa-
tive of large, intelligent and honorable consttu
ency-when | remember that they are deeply in
terested in these transactions and closely watch
ing all our proceedings-and above all, when | see
this discussion assuming form intended to make
the impression as believe, that these charges of
dishonorable conduct and violated faith, urged
against the speaker of this senate also reflect upon
the honor of Senators this side of the chamber,
should be less than man, were | to remain silent
in my seat 1t was announced In our hearing this
morning by the senator from Cuyahoga, that the
presiding officer of this body had violated his hon
orable pledges made to certain gentlemen, for the
purpose of eHecting an organization, and that he
had been driven to that violation by the conduct of
the gentleman from Cincinnati, (Mr BroadwelD and
his friends on this side of the chamber And the
speaker is now held Jy as according to the an
nouncement of that SENATOR in this painful dilemma
that he must continue to violate faith that he has
honorably pledged to them, or break away from our
thraldom and the sacred engagements that bind
him to u.s. Sir understand it to be distinctly an
nounced, that you are not only held in this "dilem-
ma" but that you have been thrust into it by the
conduct of the senators who occupy the east side
of this chamber
Mr.. Speaker this must be my apology for at
tempting TO occupy the time of the senate while
present. not an argument but simply those thoughts
which passing through my own mind; and if
these thoughts appear crude and undigested, sena-
tors WILL trust, remember that my only hours of
reflection have been found amid the excitement and
disorder which have too often prevailed here during
the daily sessions of this body
| / have said, Mr. Speaker, we were here under
extraordinary circumstances We met here on the
third day of last month, when the effort commenc-
ed to organize this senate. At the close of the
fourth week. these efforts resulted in your election
to that chair. And now, sir, in less than one week
from that time, we have resolution offered to re-
move you from your seat, and to that extent, to
disorganize again this senate, and throw us back
into that state of chaos and confusion unpleasant
to us ALL And we find another remarkable thing
in this II ansaction
| We find that these charges presented against
you are not only intended to remove you from that
chair, but also to reflect upon your standing and
honor as man. and that they are to be followed,
if the senator from Wayne is to be believed, by
your expulsion from this body. More than this, sir,
we find these charges presented and advocated on
the other side of this chamber under crcumstan-
ces in a manner, with tone, and with epithets,
unparalleled in the history of any deliberatve or
Legislative body in any civilized land I had hop
ed this morning, sir, that reason and sense of
right had taken the place of passion and vindictive
hate l rejoiced to hear the senator from Cuya-
1hoga announce in his opening remarks, that, so far
\ as he was concerned, that manner of discussion
was to cease. But must express my surprise
and sorrow that the distinguished senator did not
adhere to his good intentions-that his worthy re-
solves were not strong enough to control the excl
ted state Of his feelings The object of attack may
have been"changed, but the tone and manner have
remained too much the same. | am sorry to find
that to-day the senator from the first district OF
Hamilton county has been substituted in the place
of the speaker. | would ask whether there has
been any thing in the bearing and conduct of that
gentleman making him obnoxious to such remarks =?
| would also ask if there has been any thing in the
conduct of senators on this side towards that gen
tletnan's competitor Mr. Johnson) that will either
justify this treatment of the senator from
the first district? Why, sir, we are told in the re-
marks of the senator from Cuyahoga, made this
morning, and attended with so many professions Of
courtesy, that "the senator from Belmont asserts,
generously asserts that Mr. Broadwel a0as respect
able in his early boyhood." Why this tone OF
irony? Has there been any one thing in all the
bearing of Mr. Broadwel since he took his seat
among US, during all the exciting scenes through
which he has passed, that can authorize or even
lexcuse the senator from Cuyahoga in drawing the
inference that since early boyhood his character
may have undergone a change? Sir, true gentil-
;ty of soul and manly, noble bearing NEITHER
acquired nor lost in day When these are the
characteristics of boyhood, they will usually mark
ones ripper years also. But Mr.. Broadwes con-
duct on this floor in attempting with quiet dignity
to assert his rights and the rights of his constitu
ents. is denounced as "a simple puppet farce "-as
conduct that would not be reputable in the IoaUn
Of circus" Is this right? Is it deserved? And
I would ask sir with much Lin6.,ecs coy