The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-07-04
SENDING AN ABoLIrroNrsr TO COVENTRY.

There are few questions on which southern men have
differed widely than that which involves the proper
mode both socially and politically of treating ebctonsts
Mr. Clay of opinion that it best to receive their
petitions consider them calmly, and reuto their positions
BY reason and argument Other southern have shown
less total aversion to showing this much respect either to
the petitioners their prayers The late extraordinary
ayowal of Mr. Summer in the Senate in regard to his view
of the obligations under the constitution has revived the
question In the special stated by Mr. Clay of Ala
bana in his late whitening denunciatoH Of Mr. Sumner,
it be difficult to see how any doubt could
the that ought to be given At the same
time we bound to say that do doubt the policy of
giving such noiorety to Mr.. Sumner given to him
by the late debate in the Senate But without discussing
this question: We invite attention 10 the remarks of Mr.
Clay, of Alabama
'Excuse moment ! not in the habit of tres
passing often the Senate Mr. President could go
show that there is intrinsic evidence in this report
tain the original report Of the reporters and what t2 Why
sir that, notwithstanding this qualified denial, the
from South Carolina treated it positive denial of
the senator from Massachusetts, that he would support
the constitution of the United States. Now, ask does
any believe if the senator had qualified
denial in tho in which appears that the
tor South Carolina would still have maintained that he
refused to obey his oathhat he had refused sustain the
constitutions Does believe that the senator from
Virginia mr. Masonl would have repeated charge?
Does believe that the from Indiana mr. Pettt
would also have repeated it? Certainly Then there
intrinsic evidence in the report itself that these words
been iaterpolatcd; that they were not uttered.
" Now, Mr.. President, have few words 10 say.
which utter with great ddcnce, end with the profound
Difference older senator's this floor. We have
of preventing these violations of the dignity and
pretes of the Senate There penal statute which
reach who only his willingness commit crime
But let ask, suppose private citizen however wealthy
and wcborn, however highly cultivated his mind
great his talents rich his requirements should openly
readiness TO commit moral perjury should day by
day evince disposition to nstigate other men to crime
which, from want ofpersona he did not dare
trac HIMSELF should daily encourage other violate
rights of his neighbours, steal property to kdnap
their slaves and to refuse return them should daily
sail the feelings of his neghbors by wanton rude and
caeo assaults upon their characters and when ebuked
Cor it in the harshet most offensive, and opprobrous Ian
guage like the spaniel should quietly submit beg for
quarter, but repsr the wrong the insult
meakng snuous poltroon, who woud violate all
the rights Of associates friends and make
acknowledge his and who held himself irresponsible
all law feeling the obligation neither Of the divine law
of the rw of the land of the law Of honor ask
YOU how would such miscreant be treated2 Why if you
could reach bin with the Of the municipal law if
You could not send him TO tie peatentiary you would end
him 70 Copeny. You would exclude him from the pale Of
society You would neither extend him the
shown gentlemen, permit him to offer such
You would make him feel that he Stunned like cper
ioaihed lie filthy reptie ana ynn would render
him impotent for evil DO was dsnclined for good
Such characters, though rare may be cuad end have
been known give from memory genea outlines
portrayed by Mr. Dickens in his novel, David Copper
fed-that Of Urah Heap. Uriah mean, yet affected
honor, malignant, yet fegned benevolcncc presump-
uous yet pretended humility intgated others to violence
he dared not commit yet assumed air of meeknea sug