Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-05-24


cerned--those laws which, | think, the Senator
from South Carolina Mr.. BUrLERl once men,
toned as q subject Of reproach against the peo-
pie of Ohio, by which bonds were required for
the good behavior Of every colored person COM
ipg into the State, and by which every colored
person was excluded as witness upon the trial
i Of awhile man-that whole matter OF repeal oc-
Cured prior to the election, and had no connec-
ton with it as far as know.
Mr. WELLER. Was not that part Of the agree
ment which resulted in your election! l know
these laws were repealed at the same session,
and always understood il was part of the bar
gain
Mr.. CHASE. Ii had no connection with 1t, SO
far us I know | have no doubt that the Sena-
tor thinks it had, but he is mistaken. Now, l
take occasion to say that the repeal OF those IN
human and oppressive laws was a measure de-
manded by the people. rejoiced at their re-
peal. believe that everybody who has inves-
tigated the subject thinks that that repeal was a
humane measure, a wise, fit, and proper meas
ure. Everybody who knows anything about the
nopplation of nv State since that knows, that
far from having been productive of any injury, 1t
has resulted in great good. That is all have to
say. m,
Mr.. SUMNER. Will the Senator from Illinois
yield the floor to me for moment
Mr.. DOUGLAS. AS presume It is on the same
point, / will hear the testimony
Mr.. SUMSER. Mr. President | shrink always
instnctively from any effort to repel personal
assault | do not recognize the jurisdiction OF
this body to try my election to the Senate; but
do state in reply to the Senator from Illinois,
that If he means to suggest that came into this
body by any waiver of principles; by any aban-
donment of my principles Of any kind; by any
effort or activity of my own, in any degree, lie
states that which cannot be sustained by the
facts. / never sought in any way, the otlce
which now hold; nor was party, IN any way,
directly or indirectly, to those efforts which pac:
ed me here.
Mr.. WELLER My only excuse for intermed-
ding with this matter was, that am, believe,
the only member of the Senate who is native
of Ohio. took occasion to say, some days ago,
that was very much mortified that my native
State should be represented in the manner she is
left this floor l happened TO be familiar as
stated with the circumstances under which
the Senator on my right Mr.. CHASE was elect
ed He was elected to the Senate the very year
that left the State of Ohio, and | was glad to
have an opportunity of changing my residence on
that remarkable occasion. Laughter. That
Is the only apology for which have to offer for
intermedding with what is otherwise personal
matter between the Senator from Ohio and the
Senator from Illinois. Usually, have as much
" a volunteer in the controversies of others.
Mr.. DOUGLAS. do not complain ofmy friend
from California for interposng in the manner he
has; for l see that it was very appropriate IN
him to do so. But, sir, the Senator from Massa-
chusetts comes up with very bold front, and
denies the right of any man to put him on de-
fense for the manner of his election. He says it
is contrary to his principles to engage in personal
assaults. If he expects to avail himself OF the
benefit of such plea, he should act in accord
ance with his professed principles, and refrain
from assaulting the character and impugning the
motives of better men than himself. Everybody
knows that he came here by coalition or combi-
notion between political parties holding opposite
and hostile opinions. But it is not my purpose
to 90 into the morality of the matters involved in
his election. The public know the history of that
notorious coalition, and have formed its judgment
upon it. It will not do for the Senator to say
that he was not party to it. for he thereby be-
trays consciousness of the Immortality of the
transaction, without acquitting himself Of the re-
sponsiSilities which justly attach to him. AS
well might tie receiver Of stolen goods deny any
responsibility for the larceny, while luxuriatng
in the proceeds of the crime, the Senator to
avoid the consequences resulting from the mode
of his election, while he cngs to the office.
must be permitted to remind him of what he GER
tainly can never forget, that when he arrived here
to take his seat Cor the first time, so firmly
Senators impressed with the conviction that he
had been elected by dshonorable and corrupt
means, three were very few who. for long time,
could deem, it consistent with personal honor to
hold private iatercouse with him. So general
was that impression, that for long time he was
avoided and shunned as person unworthy of the
association Of gentlemen. Gradually, however,
these injurious impressions were worn away by
his bland manners and amiable department.; and
regret that the Senator should now, by viola
tion of all the rules of courtesy and propriety,
compel me to refresh his mind upon these GRwel-
come remenicences.
Mr. CHASE If the Senator refers to me, he is
statiHs a fact of which have no knowledge at
all. came here
Mr.. DOUGLAS. | was not speaking of the
Senator from Ohio, but of his confederate in SLAM
der the senator from Massachusetts, Mr.. Sum
ner.l ] have word now to say to the other Sen
ator from Ohio. Mr.. Wade. On the day when
Iexposed this Abolition Address, SO full of SLAM
ders and calnmnies, he rose and stated, that al
though his name was signed to it he had never
read it; and so willing was he to endorse an Abo-
lition document, that he signed it in blank, With
out knowing what it contained.
Mr. WADE. / have always found them true.
Mr.. DOUGLAS. He stated that from what |
had exposed of its contents he did not hesitate to
indorse every word In the same speech be said
that in Ohio a negro was as good as white man:
with the avowaI that he did not consider himself
any better than free negro. have only to say
that should not have noticed it if none bnt free
negroes had signed it!
The Senator from New York, Mr. Seward
when was about to call him to account for this
slanderous production, promptly denied that he
ever signed the document. Now, / say, it has
been circulated with his name attached to it, then
want to know of the senators who sent out the
from New York?
Mr. CHASE. am glad that the senator has
asked that questions i have only to say, in refer
ence to that matter, that have not the slightest
knowledge in regard to the manner in which va
l. IL L