The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-24
THE SUMNER ASSAULT.
SPEECH OF HON. JOHN ALLISON.
OF Penpavlvania
IN THB HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
July ii, 1856.

Mr.. ALLISON. 1t is not my purpose, Mr..
Speaker, to occupy a great deal of time in what
L have to say upon this subject. shall try TO
narrow it down as much as possible, and to pre-.
sent it in the smallest possible compass.
before, however, I ohter upon my argument,
feel called upon to notice remark made by the
gentleman from North Carolina, Mr.. Cling
MAN, who opened this discussion. l under
stood him to say, that when he first came to this
House, the Senate was an orderly and dignifed
body, until four or FIVE Abolitionists, as be was
pleased to call them, entered into the Senate of
the United States; and we are to infer, SUP
pose, that the entrance into the Senate of those
who held to the opinion that there should be no
extension of Slavery, was the cause of all the
difficulties that have arisen there, and agitated
the country during the last five or six years.
Now, sir, think it is due to the Senators to
whom the gentleman alluded, and to the States
which they represent, that the facts should be
understood by the people.
believe, SIR. If my recollection serves me,
that the gentleman from New York, [Mr. SEW.
ARD, who is distinguished not more for his en-
inent ability than he has ever been for the cour-
teous department that has characterized his SEN
atorial life, entered upon the duties that he was
called upon to discharge by that great State, in
the tall OF ls49, at time when the country was
agitated on account of the disposition of terri;
tory acquired by the war with Mexico. The
question OF Slavery was incidental to the dispo-
sitiOn of that territory. 1t was brought up OF
necessity, and the Senator from New York,
shortly stter entering upon the daties OF his of.
fce, felt called upon to resist the effort that was
then being made to extend Slavery over the
territories that we had acquired. Every gen.
tleman present willremember with what inter
est those discussions were listened to and read
throughout the country, and they illremember
that very great excitement was produced bv
these discussions,
The gentleman from New York, to whom
allude, delivered speech Of signal ability,
which thrilled the country, defining his position,
and sustaining the views and principles of the
people that he represented. That speech was
not received py some Senators With tho ,appro.
baton that had been accorded to many other
speeches that had been made, in which different
ground had been taken. A very distinguished
Senator from South Carolina, mo- In his grave
felt called upon to notice that speech, and to
notice the Senator who made it, and to notice
him in such way as was calc"la.-, 70 ,,;nre
..ccG a gentleman newly entering mon
such . theatre. After tho debate had progressed
tor some time, there was proposition to raise
committee of thirteen, for the purpose of sub.
mlttlng plan by which peace should be restor-
ed to the country and quiet throughout the land.
u was discussed for sdme time. A good deal
OF acrimony and bitterness was aroused: and a
Senator from Mississippi, Mr.. Foote, now a resi-
dent of California, participated in the discus
sion, and was very active in using his influence
to induce the Senate to appoint the committee.
At one point in speaking of the probable result
of that effort he said that he thought, upon con-
sultalon with various members of the Senate,
that that proposition would be acceded to, and
that the committee would be raised. Mr.. Cal
houn, to whom | allude, said that be had not
consulted with the Senators: l0
MI Me-. ESorr Ct Mississippi am on good terms with
"Mr. CALHOUN am not. will not be OH good terms
with aose who wish to my throat The honorable SEN