Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-09-28
.rPrice Two Cents.
GBe qailp Spp,
FRIDAY, SEPT. 30, 1854.
SennforinI Mnnnern.

thereon, we take. not from an abolition OF
Free Soil journal, but that respectable and
ease-loving old fogy, the New York CONNER
ciat Aagei9isey. We commend the article to
the attention of our readers -
Mr.. Clay, (of Alabama.)-Mr President,
the Senator quotes one old saying from the
common law There is another, sir, to be de-
rived from higher authority, from the sayings
of the wise man of Israel 90 the dog will re-
turn to his vomit." l do not expect, sir, that
that we shall be able to correct vicious and
depraved instincts or corrupt taste; but do
protest against toerating an abuse Of the rules
OF the Senate, in order to relterate these
hackneyed set phrases which we have heard
repeated so often.
Mr.. Sumner (of Massachusetts)-I am ac-
customed to answer on this floor, anything in
the shape Of argument, and l hold myself
ready at all times to meet it. hold myself
at all mesrealy to meet any Senator here who
keeps within the rules and orders Of debate,
for that man is my peer; but Senator who
does not keep within the rules and the orders
of debate is not my peer.-Prooeedsags IN the
U. S. Sonata.
The above, in substance, has previously APP
peared in our columns, but no one will be
hurt by reading it second time, and we de-
sign to make text of it. The Commercial
has never hestated tc condemn i'll strong Ian
guage the coarSeness, vulgarity, and offensive
personality so frequently INDUCED in both
Houses of Congress, without the slightest re-
gard to the politics sentiments and atinites of
the offending members We have also made
frequent and earnest appeals to the presiding
officers of the two Houses and to the members
themselves, to discountenancs all vulgar and
provoking language, and to punish every act
of violence. And such has been the tone OF
the press generally. But journalists have
labored in vain in this cause and the lie is
given, and blows are exchanged, and firearms
presented, and after the momentary excite
neut the barbarism of such scenes is over
looked, and neither officers nor members utter
word of censure; and there has seemed to
be no preventing their almost daily recurrence,
Whatever may be Mr.. Summers errors OF
opinion or popularity OF tenets, the country
is indebted to him for adopting line of con-
duct as a member OF the United States Senate
by which alone the vulgar, insolent, quarrel
some, overbearing, and ungentlemanly MEN,
bers of that body can be ehectually rebuked
and covered with the contempt they merit.
On two occasions he has done this ;-once i'll
a speech of some length, in which, without
departing in single iota from the manly
fearlessness which every American admires,
he retorted in tone of elevated courtesy
with whitening effect upon those assailants who
had heaped upon him the coarsest invectives
and abuse. Every reader of the public jour-
nails felt that by his department ON that occa-
sion he had placed himself UNNECESSARILY
above his assail ants, and had set an example
to Senators and Representatives which, II iol-
lowed, would speedily improve the tone OF
Congressional discussion.
1t was well understood that portion of
that speech, the severity of which was height
ened by the lofty courtesy, was directed
against the very Senator who, in the passage
abave quoted, again pointed his coarse inso-
lence against his brother Senator from Massa-
chusetts. Mr.. Clay is, we believe, young
Senator and probably to his comparative
| youth is to be attributed this his second provo
cation and his second humiliating experience
| of a dignifed and Notifying rebuke. The
reply OF Mr.. Sumner to the "young Senators
impertinence and coarse vulgarity deserves to
be printed in large capitals, framed and hung
in front of the Presidents desk, so just a
sentiment does it contain, and tersely ex-
pressed; and so efectual remedy does it
supply for those disgraceful scenes which have
been too often enacted ON the floor of the SEN
ate Chamber. Indeed its effect upon the SEN
ate seems to have correspondent with It's force
and truth. The young Senator from Ala
Oana had MS answer, ana was silent, the
Senate proceeding Immediately with the gem
eral discussion with propriety and dignity.
And now let every Senator and Represent
alive, who feels any pride in the reputation of
the Congress of the United States before the
country and before the world, resolutely and
uniformly act upon the rule laid down by Mr..
Sumner for his own guidance, and refuse to
recognize as his peer the man who departs
from the rules of debate and the courtesy of
gentlemen, and such men as Mr.. Clay of Ala
lama will be compelled to try to learn the
language and emulate the conduct of civilized
legislators.