Washington telegraph., 1854-07-26
Abolition Ethics.

L4LkAKGSs
Strange doctrines have obtained among
certain politicians and philosophers" Of 4
particular school among Us, these few wears
past. hut despite the disruption Of sound
morals, which has too often followed their
dissemination. we never dreamed to see the
day when grave Senator of the U States
should rise up in his place and deliberately
declare himself q perjuref--a professional
perjuter-nay, not only that. hut an adyo-
cate Of perjury, and a defender Of perjury
in Its most repulsive and abborrent shape
Yet, so it is The Senate Chamber-ouce
the pride and boast Of every American cit
izen-the Senate, chat was looked upon AZ
at once the sheet anchor and the JulWark of
our federal legislature, in the face Of such
hpniliating spectacle, stands dishonortd
end degraded in the estimation Of every
honorable and patriotic mind. 1t las lost
Its high place in the public esteem.
We should gladly pass over in silence
the scene that presented itself On Monday
evening during the debate which followed
the introduction Of certain petitions from
Massachusetts, praying for tie repeal of Tie
Fugitive Slave Law we could wish to blut
it from the record forever; but as 1t i al-
ready gone forth from one end Of the Union
to the other. to aggravate the irritation
already exist ing between the North and
South-growing out Of the incessant agita-
tion Of the slavery quostion--we can only
gaze upon it. and in common with the rest
OF our countrymen, mnurn over the evil
days on which the Republic has fallen.
a Senator from South Carolina, Mr. But
Ter, on the occasion referred 70, asked:
IF we repeal. tie fugitive slave law, viii
IKE honorable Senator tSumner) ten me that
Massachusetts viii execute the provision Of
the Constitution without any law Of Con
gress? Suppose We should take away all
laws, and devolve ou tile different States the
duties that properly belong to them, would
ask the Senator whether. under the preva-
lence Of public opinion there, Massachusetts
would execute that provision as one Of the
constitutional members Of this Union 2
Would they send fngitives back to W., after
trial by jury or any other mode ? VIII
this honorable Senator tell me that he will
do it,
Mn. SuMNER-Does the honorable Sena-
tor ask me if ] would personally join in
sending fellow-man into bondage! +! "Is
thy servant a Cog that he would Do this
thing ?"
Mr.. BUTLER--These are The prettiest
speeches that ever heard daughter. .)-
lie has them turned down in book w
him. believe, aud he has them % elegant
" fixed that | cannot reply Ia them
(Laughter) # % l asked him whe-
ther he would execute the Constitution Of
the Z. States without any fugitive slave law,
and be answered me. is he dog.
Mr. SUMNER-The Senator asked Inc if
| would help to reduce fellow-man 10 bon
dage / answered him.
MR. BUTLER-Then You would not obey
the Constitution. Sir. Cunning to Mister
Sumner standing here before this tribunal
where you swore to support il. you rise and
tell me that you regard il the Office Of a
dog to enforce it. You stand in my pres
ence, a coeGnal Senator and tell me that il
is dogs Office to execute the Constitution
Of the l.. States
Mr.. PRATT-Wh Which lie has sworn 70 sup
port.
Mr.. SrMYER-r[T RECOGNIZE no
SUCH OBLIGATION 81
We have called this pejury-rank, IN
blushing, bold-faced rerjury-and . it Is.
II is nothing else-if We are capable u Tn
derstanding The English language.
NJ " Express.