Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1856-07-05
XXXIV. SURROUNDINGS.

HOUsE-Mr. Burlingame defended Massachu-
sets against several specific charges, claiming that
In all that constitutes true greatness she is the
first State, and her present performances are su-
periOr to her past rccollectf6ns. He was sorry
to find, at the head of the list of her assalants,
the President of the United States, who had
deliberately perverted history, and euiogzed the
South at the expense of the North. Massachu-
sets believed, with South Carolina, the Fugitive
Slave Law to be unconstitutional, and he cited
the Charleston 'ercury as authority. In conclu-
sion he referred to Summers speech, the noble
ness of its sentiments and the severity Of its
structures against tyranny. Mr.. Sumner, he
said, never had a personal enemy, was as pure as
the snow that falls On his native hills, and his
heart was overaowing with xiii iness for every
human being bearing the upward form of man.
He is an accomplished scholar and gentleman.
member of the House who had taken an oath
to support the Constitution, stole into the Senate
and smote him, as Cain smote his brother.
Mr.. keitt-it is false. [Sensation].
Mr.. Burlingame replied, he would not 'tandy
epithets, but was responsible for his own IAN
guage only, and doubtless the gentleman was re-
sponsible for his.
Mr.. KEITH am.
Mr.. Burlngame, after describing and severely
condemning the assault, asked, "Call you that
chivalry? In what code Of honor got you au-
thority for it? If we are not to have freedom
VI Speecn, wnaI Is al l1lS UOVernmcnt worm
1t we are to be called to account by some gallant
nephew of some gallant uncle for saying some
thing not suited to their sensitive nerves, we
want to know it. If the conflict is to be trans
ferred from this useful and intellectual field,
where the hOnOrs are equal and easy, we desire
to know it. The time may come when Massachu-
sets may withdraw her representatives to her
own bosom, where safety can be found for them
under the flag of our common country but
SAnto hQrn how v-sl1
speak how and when they will uncaring for the
consequences, and if pressed too long and too
far, they will not shrink from defending the COM
monwealth of Massachusetts and the freedom of
speech.
MIR. Keitt now sought the floor, but it was
awarded to MIR. Carlisle, who refused to yield.
Mr.. Keitt gave notice that he should, on Monday,
reply to some Of the points Of Mr.. Burlingame's
speech.
MIR. Carlisle continued on the resolution of
the Cincinnati Convention--as, he said, tho fill
clustering platform of the Democrats-held that
Fremont would not receive the vote Of any dis
trict except that represented by Mr.. Giddings.
The contest is between Mr.. Fillmore, the candi-
date of tho National Party, and Mr.. Buchanan,
who is supported by a faction.
Washburne, of Me, urged the necessity of a
union of the opponents of the Administration
and those adverse to the extension of Slavery
in the Territories. He then examined the
platform of the Cincinnati Convention, with
the principles and antecedents o(M Buchanan
and the Democratic party. 1t was an mex
pressible relief to emerge from this dark and
fetid atmosphere, reeking with shame, into the
clear light and healthy breezes OF Truth and
Liberty. He spoke of Mr.. Fremont as the
standard bearer and tru man, whose aim it
would be to mantain the principles of the con-
stitution, and bring back the Government to the
policy of Washington and Jefferson. Mr..
Washburn triumphed in the faith, nay in the
unboubting conviction, that the proceedings of
the Republican Convention will be sustained by
large majority of the American neople