The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-09-02
PERSONAL EXPLANATION.

During Mr. Durkee's absence at Pittsburgh
Mr.. Aiken. Of South Carolina, called in ques-
ton statement made by him in relation to a
negro being sentenced to be hung in Charles
ton, for personal assault upon a white man.
Mr.. Durkee remarked upon the inhumanity
of this law, and commended the people of
Charleston for permitting the negro to go free
after his sentence-thus practically supporting
that Higher Law of justice and humanity,
in preference to cruel and oppressive enact
ments. This statement Mr.. Aiken regarded
as offensive and untrue Mr. Durkee said
The gentleman in his own remarks ad-
mts substantially my statement of the case,
except in one particular and that is, that the
negro that the people of Charleston refused to
execute was guilty of arson instead of per-
sonal assault He himself commends the pco
pie of south Carolina for the course they pur-
| sued in relation to the acts to which alluded.
| The only difference between us is in regard to
| the crime of which the negro was found guilty.
| The statutes of South Carolina, in reference
to such persons, put the crime of arson and of
assault with intent to kill, on the same level
The penalty is the same That is the main
difference between us. He agrees with me a
to the nlodus operandi, the course of procedure
by the court, the refusal of the people and OF
the sheriff, very properly, As he says, to carry
| out that law The circumstances were such
that the law could not be enforced The sheriff
even offered "a reward to any one who would
act as executioner, and no man would accept
That was the very principle for which was
contending in my speech. Sir, it was noble
act and say again that will never be de-
prved of the privilege of bearing testimony in
favor of such humane and just principles"
Some further conversation took place. in the
course of which Mr.. Durkee remarked that
ne knew Southern gentlemen in the Thirty
first Congress willing to support the Wilmo'
Proviso, who declared themselves in favor Of
circumscribing the institution OF savery-o
shutting it out from the vast territory recently
acquired, and of letting it die ont
Mr.. HARRIS. of Tennessee. The gentleman
says that he knew Southern men in the Ihlr
ty-first Congress, who were in favor OF the
Wilmot Proviso ask him to name one.
Mr.. DuRKEE will do so as soon as ! close
my remarks. Their names can be found on
the record
Mr.. HARRIS should be obliged to the gen
tleman if he will name them. want to know
who they are
Mr.. DURKEE recolect one gentleman who
voted for it, and afterwards changed his vote
for the reason, Ms he said, that Northern men
would not stand up in Congress in support OF
principles which they professcd on this sub
ect ut home said to this gentleman, that
believed Southern members were more indie.
pendent in the maintenance of their peculiar
institution than many Northern members were
to carry out the principles of their constitu.
ents lie assented, and added, that the South.
ern people were naturally kind-hearted and
when really convinced they were right in a
good cause, would allow nothing to defeat
them. He then related this case m Charles
ton, Just as have stated it; that the law wa'
rigid, that the lEsn was tried and condemned
but public sentiment was against enforcing the
law in this instance The fact was publ,
sentiment had outgrown the law passed LONG
time previous We have law in this District
that where man is found guilty of the Grim,
of arson, he shall be hanged and drawn il
, quarters; but we have risen above this relic o
barbarism in our judicial proceedings Ii ha
, become imperative and 30 with the case II
South Carolina Was there anything nfiam
matory or disrcspectful in my abiding to thu
progress and reform Of popular sentiment il
South Carolina, in regard to laws Of that char
, acter! | think not.
Mr.. AIKEN said he wished the offensive Ian
guage withdrawn.
Mr.. DuRKEE What is the language tina
is offensive!
Mr.. AIKEN. The gentleman is in error il
his statement of the case. he Gays, in hi
printed speech, that this negro was CONDEMNED
, because he struck white man for having in
terfered with his wife That is offensive Ian
guage. Such thing did not occur. The gen
tleman who gave you the information wa
either mistaken. or else he wished to deceiy
, you.
Mr. DuRKEE. | accept Of course the cor
rection of any error that may have occurred
in describing this case.
He further stated that he had received
letter from person in Philadelphia, in whicl
he states that he was resident Of Charleston
at the time, and there did occur such cas-
= as he had related In his speech, the only mis-
take being that the man was finally executed
instead Of being released. After some furthe
conversation, the matter dropped.
!, We never laugh 30 loud or long as when W
0 would hide our grief
The true way Of enriching ourselves is b
oH