The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-08
CONGRESSIONAL. L.
SPEECH OF HON. MILES TAYLOR,
OF LOUISIANA,

July H. 1856.
After discussing at full length and with characteristic
cearness and force the legal and constitutional questions
Involved In the subject Mr.. TAYLOR concluded fol-
| lows Il .#"| #.
have now said all wished to say the legal and
constitutional questions involved in the subject under in
vestgation but before closing feel compelled notice
other matters that have been dragged into the dis
cusson BY those the other side Of the House without
any shadow of right or show of propriety.
Not satisfied with giving political and sectional aspect
TO the assault made upon the senator from Massachusetts,
every member who has spoken that side in the debate
has taken advantage Of the occasion to nyegh in good
set terms,
l. n "An hour by the dial"
against slavery and the slave power. And the member
from Ohio, who addressed the House yesterday Mr. Gp
DISGs saw fit to go beyond this, and institute
comparison between the people of the different parts
OF the Union to the different degrees OF civiliza
ton and refinement existing among them That mem
| ner on the assault made by the member from South
Carolina upon the senator from Massachusetts, and telling
us all the while that his heart was perpetuay overflow
ing towards his southern brethren with the milk Of human
kndnessthough we, poor misguided creatures that we
are can but think from his actions that II Is with gall
and not milk that his heart overhows since his actions
have excited and calculated to excite that hostility
to them in the northern mind which has assaed them in
the political world in all the relations of private and
cia life and in the religious sanctuary, and which now
lacks but the public authority to display itself in
open fierce relentless deadly war; upon the South that
member say proceeded by way of pretending deprecae
harsh judgment of the motives of my friend from South
Carolina Mr. Brooks to tell us with air that may be
imagined cannot be described that the North stood
on the very pinnacle of civilization, and everywhere
adorned with all the graces of and the renemens
OF language which give charm to the intercourse
OF social life whilst the South the unhappy South, he
more than intimated was sunk ntoa state of
rism and throughout its whole length and BREADTH
full Of acts of coarseness aud brutality and bloodhed
That member, if have been rightly informed has had
opportunities of becoming acquainted with the dome
tic Of the South He is without the of in
stitutng fair comparison of those with what he
in the North Well sir it has been my fortune to be
situated that have equal acquaintance with people
OF both sections OF our country Sir, was born in the
North My childhood and my youth and early manhood
were all passed in the Empire State where had birth
The relations of kindness and affection which sprang up
years and years ago between myself and those who
connected with by the ties of blood by those other
ties growing out of early intercourse and intimate assoca
on have always been maintained in their original strength
with those who surrounded me in earlier life Well sir
since went forth from my native State driven by that
impulse which makes so many of US seek new homes,
| "with all the world before me, where to choose
My place of rest, with Providence my guide"
my lot has been cast in the South and for than
twenty years the South has been the home Of my deliberate
choice During all that time my pursuits and my position
have brought in with all the various classes of
southern society and it has been my fortune to seeand
that great variety Of persons in all the
sss of and in public places any other person Of
years. and owe it TO myself TO TRUTH and to the State
from which come-whose people with generous conf
dence which regard as the greatest honor of my life have
fit to make adopted citizen of the State their
representative this aoorto that during all that
time whether have been in the domestic circle in crowd
ed saloons or in public assemblages have heard
among gentlemen, single alteration in which--no
ter what might have been the excitement Of the
there were any expressions made of which per-
sonally insulting or made with the design Of wound
ing the feelings of another. And sir | will 10 further
1t was my happiness, during than twenty years
enjoy large practice at the bar in that State Du-
ring that period managed great number Of important
and exciting cases in which not only large pecuniary in
terests involved but where character reputation
rything that hold most dearwere az stake and
say now with all the deberation and soemnity which
a of from
his place in these halls to the people of the whole nation
that never during the whole Of that time have heard
member Of the bar make Of expression which could
with propriey, have been characterized insulting
party or dsrespecful to witness and that during the
whole OF my professional career have never known but
two instances when have been present. In court OF JUS
ce in which counsel far forgot themselves in discus
son-no matter how exciting the topic heated the
oyersythat expressions made Of towards each
other which could have been justly complained OF by the
gentleman and Of honor and that in those two In
stances the Objectionable expression withdrawn and
spoogzed for before there was an opportunity for even
| asking Rp explanation.
And Vow Mr. Speaker let me ask what is the spectacle
presented in your of ustce-the courts justice
Of the civilized North will not speak, sir, Of what
have witnessed there II would i'll become to do SO
but viii refer you to any Of the many reports Of the
proceedings in your courts Of justice which have appear
ed any time these ten years past in lately become
Of the organs OF the great northern parythe New
York Herald-and let these reports the question
Why sir care not which Of the reports Of the many
long and exciting which have recently engaged the
/
sale TO the Herald you may take up. Take any you
please and you will find that the report shows
Of language in the counsel breaches Of the
proprieties Of life in conduct in manners invs-
sions Of the rights OF witnesses and parties entitled to
immunity from abuse TO protection from outrages and
sauls upon their character in 1nge day we to
believe these reports than have taken place in the South
during the whole time have resided there. Did say
"than had taken placer ] was mistaken sir No such
occurrynces witnessed there II courts did
not protect witnesses and parties by their authority
they would be safe from wanon attack from beating
from all that vast variety Of abuse and vhcauon which,
from the covert nsnuaon and ely Galumny to the open
SANDER stain the very pages Of the reports Of judicial pro-
cecdngs appearing your newspapers because they would
lind protection in the serespec Of gentlemen OF the bar
or that better and greater protection extended them
by an apervadng and all-powerlu public sentiment
which would strike down, at and forever that man
who should far forget himself to abuse the privileges
ofa high position by such unworthy conduct
But Mr. Speaker there is still another protection thrown
ton to what fell from the member from Ohio, Mr. GIp
IL IL that which results from the consciousness of
every man In southern society that IL he forget
what war due 10 Others they would not Sir has Of late
become somewhat customary In certain prints TO speak of
the poor white man at the South as II he debased
by bis position. But now tell you and through you the
whole country, that the apoorp white at the South
whether you find him engaged in the abors Of the field
Of the workshop feels that insult attack npon his
character indguy offered TO his person. IL unatoned
unredressed burns into his soul like the brand
Of shame and that he submits TO il whilst he has
heart to feel and hand to strike the bastard who dsres
| offer IL The true southern white man, to the old
Scotch saying, us as much OF gentleman the King
| though not so rich.h
Everywhere n southern society all offensive personalities
condemned by the universal voice Whoever resorts
TO them blamed and visited by the Of is people