The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-19


1.-THE honorable senator, at this point yielded the floor
at the suggestion of Mr. CLAY whose motion the Senate
| adjourned.l
FRIDAY, June 3D. 1866.
| Mr. BUTLER Mr. President whilst am indebted to
my friend from Alabama, Mr. CLAY for asking that this
debate should be adjourned over until to-day regret very
much that did finish my remarks yesterday for do
not wish to detan the Senate this subject longer than
justice and proprety regard the questions involved
| require.
involved in this controversy in such way TO make
me- hope justly sensible to all the consequences which
may grow out Of the issuenot that hold myself at all
directly indirectly responsible for the consequences
which have followed the extraordinary speech which was
delivered by the from Massachusetts bat there
questions which have out of the assault
the speech, of graver import than at time had
thought the subject could think the resolutions
from Massachusetts will present questions here for the
sderaon of the Senate and may say for the considera
ton Of Congress- of character presented before
had yesterday spoken Of those resolutions only in
one point of vew--so far they denounced the as
sau of my friend and relative Mr.. Brooks, a viola
ton of the freedom of debate. | had not ventured to
speak of the resolutions intend to do before have
closed my remarks. From conversation with Others,
well from my reflections satisfied that they
resolutions OF dangerous import and precedence utterly
unknown in the history Of this country before think
they show that State Of the confedeacy may make
fearful issue the Congress of the United States under
the immunes and privileges which by courtesy
times extended States but would otherwise grow up
If it is in the power Of Massachusetts, South Carolina
or in the province of any State in the Union-Ws-
consin Texasto make such quarrel as must neces-
sary result in angry controversy that may array the
different sections of the Union against each other
of the dangerous views in which the power of State
Legislature exercise the privilege couresies which
have been awarded to il.
Sir have intmaed this much with view to show that
intend denounce those resoutions-o denounce them
strongly that denounce the individuals who passed
them hope that 90 higher than the resentment to
the individual who may assault the history of my
State who may impugn my character. This is ques-
ton that goes deeper and higheryery far beyond
thing which is Involved in personal controversy
viii those remarks the resolutions until aer
shall have finished what intended say yesterday in
laon to the actual state of things growing out Of the
speech delivered by the senator from Massachusetts,.
said yesterday that my friend, my representative my
reatiyeone who is associated with by ties than
either of thesehad taken redress in his hands-had
resorted to his own mode OF redress said that there were
considerations connected with the occasion which, though
they could not justify him before legal tribunal would
any of his character and position representing
such constituents he represented and bound in
sympathze with the opinions Of the section with
which he is associated II was impossible that he could
separate himself from those conclusions which others might
appreciate and could understand. But say
that gentleman dare not-I do not say would have adj
yised him-but IN his estimation he could not go home
and face such constituency without mourning what is the
worst Of all judgments-the Judgment OF the country
against who placed q sentinel represent it.
If in the Of these proceedings and the events
which have grown out Of the speech which has been made
by the SENATOR 1t shall be said that Massachusetts, be
justified by falling back opinion which will justify
her senators and representatives tits must be permitted
say Of the unfortunate symptoms Of the times in
regard TO which hgye no common tribunal TO decide
between Sir 1t seems 10 indicate crisis when the
opinion Of the constituency Of portion OF tae coneder
acy appauds whilst II ready TO and put to
the stake another We have always supposed that public
opinion would be right and cir distinguish public opin-
ion very much from popular prejudice Popular prejudice
Is that which would consume IN Ignorance to-day what II
would repent Of tomorrow. Public opinion s the jndE
ment OF intelligent community, not formed under the
excitement of the II is not the sentiment Of
irresponsible mulude il is not the sentiment Of an
"a the Indictment which nd
1t way into the history OF the coEntry or which pos
\ erity will adopt as that which ought 10 BE pro-
uounoed on the occasion. Public opinion Is the high
est the graycst the most solemn Judgment to which
any Of us defer. ] would not give cent for
what IS called public opinion, If IL depended upon
pafs views of any subject And say that the resolu
tons which have been sent here from the legislature Of
Massachusetts, not only part but am sorry say
that fear their councillors were prejudice and malgnity
giving their counsels through the darkness Of gno
rance ! do not mean ignorance far regards the
body individually, for have doubt Il is intelligent
euough but mean Ignorance far
judgment without understanding the facts which that
judgment ought 10 turn. say that my friend has been
condemned without hearing. He has been condemned by
Judgment which If suffered 70 go into history uncontra
dicted unexamined and unrefuted would consgn him TO
fate which his character does deserve and shall
receive long stand here his friend and advo
! cate
Bat sir before approach the constitutional and legal
view Of these resolutions acquit Of the duty
which IN some measure assumed yesterday evening, Of
presenting 10 the public The ccu under which
Il
Massachusetts, occurred
said that my friend and relative was not In the Senate
when the speech being delivered be was summoned
here az have learned from ohers He was excited and
suug by the street and the street commentaries
and by the conversations in the parors where even ladies
pronounced Judgments and sir never fails TO pro-
nounce Judgment where honor concerned and Il al
ways in favor Of the redress Of wrong would trust TO
the instinct Of woman upon subjects of this kind lie could
not go into paror, drawing room or to a dinner par
~, where he did not find implied reproach that there
unmanly submission to insult TO his State and
bis countymep Sir II hard for any man. much less
| for man Of his temperament, to bear this
intended TO n comment ry which was ut once
made the speech of the senator from Massachusetts, as
The most important part OF my concusion but End that
apply i at better time than this nude 10 the
commentary which was pronounced the time; not when
controversy had arsen not when II was supposed that
the temptations OF an adversary even the public mind
bad far made issue that nc was oblied 10 take one
side the other; but IL pronounced by gentleman
of distinguished position sage patriot man who had
anrels in the field and justly deserved TO be consd
cred the Nestor OF the Senate. Sir the remarks made by
the member from Michigan mr. CAssl struck me As TIE
most consuming piece Of criucsmj and think taking II
ALI into consideration II would be more terrible to me than
oil the arguments Of advocate and all the array that
could be brought side the other II was the es
tmony Of voluntary justice.
al have listencdHsaid that distinguished gentleman
mr. CASH. who had The sword and the robes Of The