The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-01-13
To see himself as others see him"

have but q little while to stay here, but
while do stay here shall be man. ! shall
act to the last moment with q due appreciation
of the responsibility imposed upon me, and
under a full sense of my duty as understand
it and ! shall neither 90 to Virginia to learn
patriotism nor manners
Now, sir, as regards the resolution. ] stated
ut the outset that every part and particle OF
that resolution, and every word of it, was based
upon charges made by a responsible and an
honorable member of the House of Representa-
tives, in his place upon the floor of the House,
every one of them. They are none of mine,
and ! 50 stated it. | have no Interior motives.
What does the Senator meanl Why does he
suppose that have any Interior motives in at
tackipg Commodore Morgan? 1t must have
been the reflections Of his own heart that
taught him to look for Interior motives influ-
encing member in the discharge of his duties
upon this floor. 1t must have been something
that came from the inside and not from the
outside of him. That sir, is all that have to
say about that part Of it, am willing that
he or anybody else shall take all they can
make by charging Interior motives upon me
but the idea that | have any Interior motives
that prompt me to make these inquiries is too
ridiculous to merit moments consideration
And if it was not that ! might be thought to
be following IA bad example-and bad 1T is
would say that would not descend to answer
it, But | will say no such thing, because
think it is in bad taste and bad manners; for
that reason, SIR will not say it, And having
said this much | do not care one cent about
the resolution, whether it passes or not, whether
the inquiry is instituted or not. But, sir, the
thing will go to the country, and that is all
want and if they find out that we are en-
ployng u navy at all immense expense, and
that We are sending out our ships of war to
lie idle in port year after year, and that il
there is nything to be done by way Of trans
porting supplies, merchantmen are to be hired
at the public expense to transport those sup
plies--if knowing these things, the country is
satisfied with them, ! am, and shall have moth.
ing to say.
| have merely submitted the inquiry; | have
informed the Senate of the source from which
| get my information upon which based the
inquiry AMI having Maid that care as little
about 1T a. any other member Of the Senate
If the Senate is satisfied, am. have no per
sonal objects to he attained-no resentment,
to be gratifed, ! hardly know Commodore
| Morgan, bat believe | met him several years
since and think that however elevated thai
gentleman may be--and do not choose to de
tract one word from that-Commodore Nor
gan will tel him, if he sees tit to inquire thai
in the very little intercourse he had with mt
he had no occasion to find fault either upon
rality Having said thus much, sir, ! leave
the subject.
Mr.. Mason Mr.. President if the Senator
| l.. Ia n,,,ninn hat
meant to make a personal allusion to him il
my remarks, he does me injustice. IL he en-
tertains the opinion that have ever hcrctofor
courted any discussion of personal characte
with him, he does me injustice again. Sir,
spoke of his resoluton-of the paper that h
presented here in the form Of resolution o
inquiry. ] said it was of character that
would not descend to notice and it has al
ready attracted far more attention than it dc
serves, because the Senator av@ils himself o
his position to offer a neutrality-suspicious.
may DO intended for will not inquire into hi
motves-the effect Of which is to take TO
granted the very charges he asks to be inquiries
into Sir, if there was anything in my ton
and in my manner which he deemed worth
of his rebuke, regret it. could never lear
from him, and should utterly despair of hi
ever learning anything from me- meant 3
have none other on this floor than an oihcia
intercourse with that Senator and shall al
ways treat him with the respect which is du
from one Senator to another. Personally upol
this floor, We are as far separated as the poles
and must 10 remain.
| hays said before, that that gallant and die
tinguished otiicsr never will shan investigation
! in any way Let him put the inquiry in tn