Washington sentinel., 1855-03-14
of all have any fear for the section to which

slss11.-z -
of all have any fear for the section to which
belong.
l say, then, to gentlemen, argue anything
else, say anything else, but do not threaten dis
solution, because it has no terrors for me. If
this great people cannot find it TO be their com
mon interest to keep together, / know full
well they will not remain united. The very
moment q majority Of the North and South
shall find that it is incompatible with their in
terest to be united, they will separate and
nothing can prevent it. Let me assure gen.
tlemen that nothing will lead to such a result
sooner than the Introduction, at times like this,
OF bills of this description, without any re-
gard to the feelings or principles Of the free
North. Here it is proposed, by the power of
the FEDERAL courts, to 60 into the free States,
overrdet their jurisdiction, take from them a man
who has to be adjudged by them, carry him off
from his home, to be tried before your federal
tribunals. Do you believe you can execute it
against the settled convictions of the North
Inc senator from Connecticut said, if under
stood him Alright, that this was necessary be-
cause the feelings of the whole North had
risen up in opposition to the Nebraska bill.
Here question of order was raised by Mr..
SUMMER, which required some time to de.
eide. After its decision, Mr. BUTLER re-
| sumed his remarks. e'...t4H .sE
Mr.. BUTLER. did not even intend to i'm.
peach his memory, but simply to impeach his
| want OF information. The Senator from, Mas
| sachusetts, SIT, has put his hand in too soon.
Deiieve my courtesy towards the gentleman
from Ohio is generally rather cordial, and do
not belieye would ever allow myself to yio-
late, will not say the beautiful proprieties
which should characterize the conduct of men
occupying the relations of gentlemen. know.
| sir, under what sanctions speak when speak
here as q gentleman at least, and had not
the least idea Of throwing an impeachment on
his personal veracity. ' s.
said that l owed debt of Justice to nv
honorable friend from Connecticut. must
stand here and perform my duty as chairman
OF the Committee on the Judiciary, of which
my honorable friend from Connecticut is a
member: 1t has been said, by the Senator
rom Ohio, that this measure could be borne
II 1t had originated with and been advocated
by southern men; but that, when ii came from
northern man, it was one Of those things
which was to be treated with scorn and con
tempt. Now, what is the situation of my hon.
orable friend from Connecticut? Did this
originate with him2 Is it the truth? Let the
Senator from Massachusetts call me to order
again. The fact is, Mr.. President, that this
matter came before the committee by a regular
reference. 1T was referred to them upon peti.
tons, resolutions, and remonstrances, | NAV
say, from many of the district attorneys. mar
shals, and, | may add, judges of the Federal
courts OF the United States, and they came
from the free States. The subject was fairly
referred to the committee, and it devolved up.
on my Trend from Connecticut, indiferently,
without regard to sections, to make the report,
as ne did by the direction of the committee.
Deiieve was the only one--but we ought not
to mention what takes place in committee, and
l shall not do so. My friend is and has been
acting upon the authority of the committee, and
not on his own mere motion, as nv honorable
friend from Missouri Mr. GEYER1 can bear
testimony. / said that rose to do Justice to
that honorable gentleman, Mr.. ToucEY. I
I Why sir, if | can state what took place in the
committee, but L believe cannot
Mr.. BRODHEAD. You can state it.
Mr.. BUTLER. CanI
Mr.. BRODHEAD. Certainly.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee. State il all.
Mr.. BUTLER. Since it is to be disclosed.
will state that | told the committee, substan.
italy Gentlemen, / am the chairman Of this
committee; but when il is said that constitu-
uonal law Of Congress cannot be enforced in
me state courts and that an individual dis
charging the duties Of an officer under the
authority of the Constitution and laws of the
United States is to be made victim by the
decision of an irresponsible multitude, in the
form OF court what am / to think? Are
you asking for law against public opinion I?
! say, gentlemen, this has gone further than
you think" Now, will say, sir, that nv
friend from Connecticut then remarked: AS
long as we are in this confederacy-and he
hoped it might continue-he was for presery.
ing the constitutional legislation of Congress !;
not as northern man, not as a southern man,
but as jurist, statesman, and a gentleman.
as he is, and a patriot, as firmly believe. He
did not originate it. The fact is, there were
petitions poured 10 upon that committee; and
believe was the only one who said nothing
upon the subject. The committee authorized
my friend from Connecticut to report the bill;
and, allow me to say, he stands here in this
temple of the Constitution maintaining his
rights upon the altar Of the Constitution Of his
country, not as a northern or southern
man, but as the organ Of the Judiciary Com.
mittee OF this body, desiring TO preserve the
Constitution of the United States.