Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-05-31

fact q participant in the assault but that |
was entirely an erroneous idea, as he did not |
even know that Mr.. Sumner was in the Cap |
ito at the time the assault was committed.
Mr.. Toombs remarked that he was in his
seat ut the time, and how Mr.. Sumner could
have supposed he saw him near Mr. Brooks,
he could not tell. 1t might bc that in the
confusion, Mr.. Sumner mistook Gen. German
for him. In expressing opinions about the
affair st the time. some gentlemen condemned
il, but he told Mr.. Brooks he approved Of it.
Mr.. Butler said he had just arrived in the
city, but he should have assumed all the re-
sponsibilhy which had been taken 10y his gal
liant relative. He denied in the most EN-
phatic manner, the statement of Mr. Sumner.
that what he had said IN his speech was
strictly in response TO what Mr.. Butler had
said on former occasions. lie understood
the State of Massachusetts had passed reso-
lntons in reference to the anIray, and when
these resolutions should be presented TO the
Senate he wanted to speak on the subject rs
it deserved. Not a single one of the remarks
which had been quoted in application to him,
was a response to anything lie had said upon
the Kansas question His friends in South
Carolina, aud some Of his friends here,
thought he had been remarkably moderate
in the character Of lis remarks. He had
scrupulously avoided saying anything TO
violate The courtesies OF Senatorial debate,
and spoken neither Of the Senator from Mas
sachusetts, 10 him, or about him.
Mr. Wade said it was impossible for him
to sit still and hear such principles svowed as
had been on this occasion. As to the Facts
III reference to the assault he knew nothing
about them, and had nothing to cay on that
point He was here, in u lean minority, not
more than one fifth Of the Scrate entertain
ing the opinions similar 10 his but when he
heard it stated on this floor, that assassin
like, cowardly attack had been made upon
man, unarmed and having no power to defend
himself, and that he had been stricken down
and almost murdered and then heard Il SEN
ntor avow, that he approved of such conduct,
it became q matter of some interest and im-
portance to all members of the body, and to
the minority especially. A brave man could
not defend himself against such an attack as
this, and he might be overpowered by num-
bers, but ovprpowered or not. live or die,
(said he) | will vindicate the rights Of liberty
! of debate and the freedom of discussion, SO
, long as live. II the principle announced
here is to prevail, let us come armed for the
combat. Although you are four to one, !
am here TO meet you. a man can die in no
better cause Chan in vndicating the rights Of
debate on this floor. If these principles are
to be approved by the ma iority. and become
part and parcel Of the law Of Congress, let
it be understo tond.
Mr. Wilson thought the explanation Of Mr..
Slidell was not inconsistent with anything
stated by his colleague. He had no idea that
Mr.. Sumner intended to place Mr.. Slidel in
~ false position. The Senator from Illinois
has (he said also made his explanation. and
| see nothing in that Inconsistent with the
| statement Of Mr.. Sumner. He was stricken
down upon this tiocr bya brutal. murdcrous
and cowardly assault. He would not yield
10 the Senator from Souih Carolina, or any
other Senator, in debate upon these matters.
and any assumption Of superiority by the
Senator from South Carolina over him or any
other Senator representing his views, might
pass for what it is worth.
Mr.. Butler said that in discussing the res.
ontions Of the Massachusetts Legislature, if
he should transgress the bounds of nropripty
| 1t would be because he was provoked TO it.
He had never been tile aggressor, and called
upon the Senate 10 bear witness to the fact
lir. Wilson resrmcd-His colleague had
stated the facts to the best of his reeolec-
tion. and it was not 10 be expected that after
such severe blows, which had rendered him
unconscious, he could be perfectly accurate in
every minute particular lie did not believe
ifr. Sumner intended TO do Injustice to any
/ '
able to take his place in the Senate, he would
be ready TO meet the Senator from South
! Carolina.
Alr. Butler, in his seat exclaimed-Yo ou
| are n liar.
! Afr. Stuart called the Senator TO order. and
also urged, as there was no quest ton before
the Senate, and it WAS evident that the de-
bate was becoming acrimonious. that il be
postponed till the matter could be considered
with more camness.
Sfr. Butler apologzed to the Senate for
words which had fallen from him in moment
| of excitement.
| Mr.. Foster alluded to the avowal Of lLr.
! Toomhs, that he approved Of .Ir. Brooks
conduct, and thought it ncnmbent on him. as
he was new member of the SrHate. and had
not participated in It's debates to any consid-
cradle extent, to say word as to the reasons
for his course. If he should remain silent
now, it might be misin,erpreted, and some
might suppose his silence was through fear rf
| like consequences 20 himself lie wished TO
disabuse the minds Of all members Of the
Senate, If any such misapprehenSiun existed.
lie had thas far participated but slightly in
the debates, because. being Il new member.
| he thought il would be more becoming for
| him to listen than to speak. But when an
ntimation of this kind was made. it might he
| supposed, II SrnatOrS dd not speak, Il passion
So base and unworthy us fear. was the reason
of their sileTce. lie now wished to assert
his entire approval Of the freedom of speech.
here or elsewhere, to be maintained at what
ever price. whatever cost and whatever might
be the consequences. If contrary doctrine
should ever prevail in this country, there
would be an end to liberty for he believed as
| reiigiously as he believed any thing, that lib
erty Of the press, liberty Of speech, and the
liberty Of the people would live and die to-
! gether
Hr. Trumbull wished to speak on this topic
about five minutes, but the hour had arrived
for considering the special order
Mr.. Hale moved to postpone the special
order to allow lfr. Trumbull to speak
The motion was negatived-yeaS IL, nays
30. rs follows:
Yeas-lfrssrs. Columer, Foot. Foster
Pale, llamlin. Harlan, Seward. Toonlbs,
| Trunbull, Wade and Wilson-ll.
Nays-Afessrs. Adams. Allen, Ball. of
Tenn. Benjamin., Bisgs, Bright, Brown, But
Ter. Cass. Crittenden Dodge Dauglas, Evans
! Fitzpatrick, Geyer Hunter Iverson, johnson