Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-07-01

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ton let them say 80. Sir the gentleman has made hi
declarations with much pomp and must say not with
his usual taste with species Of rhetoric which is in
tended suppose, to feed the fires Of fanatcism which
he has helped to kinde in his own State-a species O.
rhetoric which is not becoming the gravity Of this body
Let tell him that when all those distinguished acts
took place to which ne has alluded they came from hs
organs of public opinion representing peaceful wisdom
those who made compacts to observe them those who
could have their own but could respect and conform
the opinions Of others. They were gentlemen.
Perhaps, sir, have said moro than / ought to have
said on this subject but when gentlemen rise and fla
gravity misrepresent history that gentleman has DONE
by fourth of July Grafton, by vapid rhetoric by spe
cies of rhetoric which, sorry say, ought not 10
come from scholars rhetoric with fine color than
real strength become impatient under it. speak
very differently of the other honorable gentleman from
Massachusetts,, (Mr. RocKwELL) He spoke with calm
ness, gravity, and dignity and attended to him. His
warning would give understanding Of the state
of feeling which would be inclined to respect. re-
spec who speaks under the sanction Of response
bity which seemed to pervade that Senator's bosom He
was the selected representative to present the petition
He has discharged the Office and has spoken in the sober
of expressing conviction and in that spirit not
as rheorican, playing part must regard his repre-
sensations II they shall be the prevailing sentiments of
those for whom he has Spoken they make the issues Of
separation
have never made threat on this floor but will tell
him that if these agitations 60 the consequence will
be that issue will be made between the North and the
South. Each section win become unted-maintaining
the position of units do not undertake to indicate
those things but will say, if sectional agitation is to be
fed by such sentiments such displays, and such things
as come from the honorable gentleman me, mr.
SUMNER, say ought not to be in common Confedera
Icy and should be better off without it. In such state
of ihings might well entertain feelings of respect for
1.-THE gentleman, representing different confederacy
will not suppose hostile confederacy but if such
should be its character if do not mistake the gentle
man, he would extend to the protection honora
BILE apd respected flag My condition is different when
assailed by confederate, making upon me under
the covering of a common camp. In one and plain
word if the proceedings Of this Senate to be made
the vehicle Of denunciaton or assault the thing cannot
be tolerated Sir, / am understood to be somewhat an
exctable man, but have here, any occasion,
made any remark which not willing to qualify and
mako conformabe to the judgment which my RESPONSE
BILE position would require of can, do enter
tain strong feelings but they shall find expression in
violent threats Such may well appeal to the Senate,
has not been my habit. have been betrayed into
marks not intended.
rose however, simply to say that, so far as regards
myself, perfectly willing that this memorial shall be
referred If respond by saying that the law should
not be repealed do not think it is going to appease the
feeling at the North according to the expressions made
by honorable gentlemen and if say it shall be
peaed that certainly will not satisfy the country Then
the object be to make the issue between the North and
the South let the issue Lett come with dignity
let it be met in calmness of spirit do not want any of
these flaming speeches here calculated to excite merely
to feed flame without seeing where it shall extend No.
sir do not let US involve the country in contest to be
decided by mobs Infatuated by the flaming speeches of
never be committed to the chances Of anarchy let live
together under constitution, let separate with
purpose and dignity.
have said am perfectly willing so far as am con-
cerned to let the memorial be referred; but wish to
ask the honorable Senator from Massachusetts who pre-
sented it Mr.. RocKwELL) question; and believe,
from the impression which he made to-day, that
he will answer it. If repeal the fugitive slave law,
will the honorable Senator tell that Massachusetts,
will execute the provision Of the Constitution without any
law of Congress? Suppose we should take away all
I orl C{aka. l,t,nn
that properly belong to them would ask that Senator
whether under the prevalence Of public opinion there
Massachusetts would execute that provision the
constitutional members of this Union2 Would they send
fugitives back to after trial by jury, any other
mode? viii this honorable Senator NIr SUMsER) tell
me that he will do it?
Mr. SUMNER. Does the honorable Senator ask me if
would personally join in sending fellow-man into
bondage Is thy dog, that he should do this
thing ~
Mr. BUTLER. These are the prettiest speeches that
ever heard. [Laughter.l He has them turned down
in book by him, believe and he has them SO elegantly
fixed that cannot reply to them. Laughter They
are too delicate for my Renewed laughter. They
are beautiful things made in factory Of rhetoric
what Of peculiar shape; but must be permitted to
say not of definite texture. Now, what does he mean
by his talking about his not being dog? GContinued
laughter What has that to do with the Constitution or
the constitutional obligations Of State? daughter
Well, sir it beautiful sentiment no doubt as he
thought and perhaps he imagined he expressed il with
psmosthenan abruptness and eloquence. Laughter
askeu MIN whether he would execute the Constitution
Of the United States without any fugitive slave law, and
lie answered me, is he dog
Mr.. SUMNER. The Senator asked me if I would help
to reduce fellow-man to bondage. l answered him.
MIR. BUTLER Then you would not obey the Consti- |
tuition Sir, turning to Mr.. SUMNER standing here be-
lore this tribunal where you to support it, you
rise and tell me that you regard the Office of dog to
enforce It, You stand in my presence, coequa SEN
aor, and tell me it is dogs Office to execute the Con-
stitution Of the United States?
Mr.. PRATT. Which he has sworn to support
MIR. SUMNER. recognise such obligation.
Mr.. BUTLER know you do not But nobody cares |
about your recogntions individual but as Sena-
tor, and constitutional representative you stand dfe
renty related to this body. But enough Of this.
Mr.. MASON. had hoped, Mr.. President after the |
compact f may express it which had been entered
enacting this law that debate would not again have
arisen upon it, and had hoped, ALSO that the dignity
OF the American Senate would have been subjected
the assaults made on it this day by one who is Senator
from Massachusetts,, (Ir. SuMNER) say sir the dig
nifty OF the American Senate has been rudey wantony
grossly assaed by Senator from Massachusetts, and
not only the dignity Of the Senate but of the whole peo
ple red with in the presence of the American Senate
either gnoranty or corruptlyI do not know which, nor
do care Sir, that Senator said that the law for the
reclamation of fugitive slaves denied citizen the pri
vege of the hdbcas corpus which was secured to him by
the Constitution repeat such declaration in refer
to that law made either ignorany or corrupt
y for corrupt purposes There is nothing like it in the
law The law does not deny the privilege of the habeas
corpus; and if did it would have been dead letter.
Why, sir the experience under the law is that the h
beas corpus issues and there is nothing in the law which
says to the contrary and yet the Senator dschargng
what suppose he considers his duty to those who sent
him here has had the temerty declare that this law
violated the Constitution in refusing the babeas corpus
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