The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-02
speech Of Hon, r. B. Rhett, of South Caro-
II lima,
IN RERLY TO MR.. CLEMENS,
IN SENATE.-February 81, 1862.

Mr.. RHETT. Mr.. President, probably owe
an apology to the Senate--at least think il
| due TO myself to state, that the reason why |
have not responded sooner to the animadversons
! of the Senator from Alabama Mr.. CLEMENS
and those Tin n mder strain) of the Senator
from Michigan Mr.. CAss was, that was not
in the city of Washington at the time when
they were uttered in the Senate nor did know
of the personalities which the Senator from Ala
bamn had used towards me until just on the eve
of my departure FROM home to return to WASH
| ington. After had been here for several days
| read them, and have since been watching the
current of business under the hope that the reso
| luton upon which these animadversions were
| made, would come up for consideration; and
that could then address myself with proprety
to the Senate, upon the animadversions of the
Senator from Alabama /; but after waiting some
ten days or fortnight, find that might wait
much longer in vain; and therefore the only
course left to me is to throw myself, as now do,
to make my response, upon the indulgence of
the Senate.
In order that the Senate may appreciate my
position, will read an extract from the speech
delivered by the Senator from Alabama | had
hoped that when the alteration between the
late Senator from Mississippi Mr.. Foote] and
lily SUI uhu CiOStu, LIIAt IL WOulu DC an emo, so
far as | was concerned, of any contention on
this floor. | deprecate all such contention from
the bottom of my heart. have been for twenty
years in Legislative bodies, and have so de-
n,eaned myself, both in my personal and private
intercourse with other gentlemen, as well as in my
official intercourse in my representative capacity,
as 10 bring myself in serious conflict with none
But now, in consequence of having announced
upon the floor Of the Senate, opinions which
sincerely and conscientiousy entertain, in the
discharge of my public duty, find myself the
subject OF vituperation, assault. and calunny
There is but one course left for me- / must de.
fend myself and my position.
The Senator from Alabama, in the speech to
which refer, used the following words:
"The scene we witnessed the other day during
the delivery by the Senator from South Carroll
ma Mr. RHETTl of his harancue, surprised no
| one here; but it would have been matter of
| profound astons hment TO the country if they
| could have been spectators of what occurred
There was the Senator from Massachusetts
| Mr.. SUMNER, the Senator from Ohio, Mr..
| CHASE, and the Senator from New Hampshire,
| mr. HALE.l gathered about him in sort of fra.
ternal ring, while the countenance of the Sena
tor from New York Mr.. SEWARD was radiant
with gadness. Thus was exhibited the specta
Gle of an extreme Southern Senator denouncing,
IN no measured terms, the government Of his
country, and declaring himself a dsunionist, on
account of alleged wrongs heaped upon him,
with four as rabid Abolitionists as this land con-
ta'ns drinking in his words with eager approba-
ton-applauang, cheering, and encouraging
him. All this was nothing new to us, however
strong 1t may appear to the plain and honest
yeomanry of the country. Nor was it, when
calmly considered, at all unnatural
"A fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind.
"There is n sympathy in treason as well as
in knavery and those who are earnestly striv
ing to accomplish the same end need not quar-
rel about the separate means employed"
| This extract and others that shall read TO
the Senate, are taken from the speech printed by
the Senator himself and circulated under his