Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-06-21
WASHINGTON, D. C.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 81, 1854.
PERSONAL CONTROVERSIES IN CONGRESS

PERSONAL CONTROVERSIES IN CONGRESS
The speech of Mr. Churchwell, of Tennes-
see on the Nebraska BILL as printed in the Globe,
represented that Mr.. Cullom, of the same State,
on closing his speech in opposition to the bill,
was congratulated by the Abolitionists and
Free Sellers by such men as Giddings and
Campbell of Ohio, aud Gefrit Smith of New
York and further, that four of his colleagues
in the House (Messrs. Cullom, Etheridge, Tay-
lor, and Buggy were found acting with Gid
dings and Campbell and with the Free Sellers
against it.
The object of Mr.. Churchwell was, to raise
q prejudice against his colleagues at home, and
destroy their political standing. He knew that
they were no more opposed to Slavery than
himself they withstood the repeal of the
Missouri Compromise, not from any Anti-Sla-
very considerations, but because they believed
it would be violation of good faith, en-
gender fierce sectional discord and form pre-
cedent dangerous to Southern interests; and
yet by such representations as the foregoing,
he intended to make the impression that they
we're associated in action and sympathy with
Abolitionists, knowing that if such an impress
sion could DO made generally upon their con-
stituents, it would be fatal to their political
prospects, This kind of tactics, 80 common in
politics. must be abhorrent to every right,
minded man.
To state facts in such way as to produce
l
| false Judgment and with that intention, is
no better in moral point Of view, than to
utter deliberately false statement. To state
facts, purposely in such way as to arouse a
groundless prejudice against any individual,
calculated to injure his lawful interests, polti-
cal, or otherwise, il no better than to utter q
deliberate and wilful libel. Suppose, during
tho struggle to defeat the Nebraska Bill we had
taken great pains to publish that Gerrit Smith
did not care whether it passed or not, that he
had separated from the friends of freedom on
that measure, would not unite with them in
their protracted efforts to defeat it, and was
congratulated by the shareholders for his
course adding, that on many questions he
was found voting with shareholders The rep
resentation, in its details might have been
true, but who does not see how unjust and
untrue il would have been in the manner of
making it, and its obvious purpose. As to the
impression produced in many minds, it would
have been lie, to all intents and purposes
whatsoever. Men, who appreciate the obliga-
tons Of honor, or rather, what is much moro
authoritative, Truth aud Justice, can never re-
sort to this kind Of tactics
Mr.. Churchwell may not have carefully
weighed tho moral character of his mode Of
warfare against his colleagues-we are not
sitting in judgment upon his motives-we are
simply characterizing as it deserves, q very
common, but not tho less criminal mode Of
partisan wa fare
Last Monday, as our readers are aware the
correctness of the representations made in the
printed speech Of Mr.. Churchwell, was denied,
and prolix personal explanation" as it is
called, followed in the course Of which il was
proved that Mr.. Churchwell had dealt rather
freely in rhetorical fourishes. Mr.. Giddings
said he was in Ohio when MIR. Cullom made
his speech, Of course did not congratulate him.
Gerrit Smith, being called upon, said that he
did not congratulate Mr.. Cullom. Mr.. Camp
bell denied that he had congratulated him,
and said that no had purposely avoided it.
Mr.. Matteson, in reply to q question by Mr..
Churchwell, said that he was OF Utica, New
York, when Mr.. Cullom made his speech; but
If no bad been present, he would have con-
graduated him. Mr.. Sage, being named by
Mr.. Churchwcll, as one Of the congratulators
told him he was mistaken. After polling sew
eral members, at last MIR Morgan, Of New York,
said" thank God had the opportunity Of
congratulating a good and an honest man from
the South - On the other hand, it was shown
that, rs soon as Mr.. Cullom closed his speech,
several Southern members came up, and con-
graduated him on the effort, while differing
from his position among them, Mr.. Preston
Of Kentucky, Mr.. Snodgrass Of Virginia, Gov
ernor Aiken Of s. c., Mr.. Reeee Of Ga. Mr..
Kerr Of N. c., aud several members from
Tennessee.
The truth is, the whole transaction would
be ridiculous, but rs an illustration Of the
manner IN which Congress often spends day,
and Of the disingenuous and interruptions tao
tics Of Pro-Slavery men.
The People Of tho South ought to know that
with the. exception Of I've members Of the
House, tho entire delegation from the FREQ
States is divided between Wings and Demo
crats--bctween Wings who were supporters
Of Henry Clay and Gen. Scott for the Presi-
dency, and Democrats who supported General
Pierce. Those five members are Mr. Lyon,
Of New York, elected as an independent mem