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

Senate with distinction and dignity with equal regret
and surprise 10 the speech Of the honorable senator from
Massachusetts, Such speechthe most una American and
unpatoo that grated Of the members Of this
high bodyas hope never 70 hear again, here or else
where But sir did not rise to make any comments on
the speech OF the honorable SENATOR open II Is TO the
highest Censure and disapprobationa
am not as young man as Mr.. SUARRR, nor dol pre-
tend TO be in condition 10 dsy place myself against
the testimony which would put into operation current Of
public opinion such pronounced by the honorable
senator from Michigan in his place but sir can say that
with my nature could not have slept that night on my
pillow with such censure and such criticism pro-
nounced in the Senate Of the United States should
have been ready TO send to make atonement in
some way. should have wiped out far as could BY
repentance and atonemen the unmany aggression and
insult which had been offered and condemned by the
highest authority. do not undertake 10 say what was
the opinion Of that SENATOR but quote from his State
the most consuming Judgment ever heard pronounced.
The sentiments expressed In the paragraph TO which al
lude and In Others show that when the eeryeseence Of
popular prejudice shall have subsidized this might be
tried in Massachusetts, itself should not be afraid
TO try il there They not slaves 10 be governed by
ianatica madness One OF the journals there in re-
markedly wel-written article, which adopt says:
Charles Summers recent speeches in the United States
Senate have not any respect enhanced his reputation
man. as debater statesman. 1t impossible, ~
seems to us for any fair minded man. who loves truth and
regards honor and decency read these esons all reek
ing with asehood, bitterness aud wrath, and indeceney
without feeling that Massachusetts has been dsgraced by
unworthy in the Senate chamber before the country and
in the face Of the world We venture the assertion that
parallel 70 these ituperatye ouburs Of sumner can be
isative assembly in the world overpowerng passion
madness se seems to have bere him OF his senses and
left him obivous of truth and honor of the couresies OF in
eent and dgnihed debate and of the propetes OF civil
lied life.
"we do not we cannot terms strong in relation
70 this 1t the OF Charles Sumner
alone that involved The fair fame OF Massachusetts, su
ers Whatever may have been the political OF Mas
achuset she has ever heretofore been represented in the
Senate OF the United States and we might also s in the
winthrop, Everett, Choate Davis, and Bateswho knew
their rights and knowing dared to maintain and maintained
as s1arts c s o
Of their friends and the admiration Of all their countrymen
knew some of the gentlemen here named, and should
be afraid TO meet them in debate anywhere because
with them should never apprehend the assaults OF canmn
and Islander. be reduced to such issue that
discount caumny and Islander by the language of
blackguard If it be the theory Of gentlemen that when
language in debate ranscendng the sphere pre-
scribed by proprety and justice to resort to the
mode for redress and satisfaction am noncom-
baant cannot enter into controversy with gentlemen
in which they are to handy words.
These remarks not without their direction / have
used them show what the impression the public
mind at the time when the assault was committed Mr..
BINGHAM friend of Mr. SUMNER / presume, says in his
testimony that hearing the speech he anticipated some
thing Ii the general impression OF the whole COM
munity that he deserved TO receive chastsement
least that he bound to make atonement in way
for the insults and the wantonness OF his insults to gen
teman las hope any then absent This was the COM
mon sentiment pervading the public mind at Washington
What was my friend to do Sue him Indict him !?
he had better 60 South Carolina again. Was he
to challenge him +? That would have been exhibition
of chiyalry having no meaning. Although he has been
upon the field both in open war and in aprivae affair
should be very sorry to any crisis requiring ii again
challenge would have been advertisement to the
world OF his courage, when there was not probability OF
its being tried lie would have made himself contempt
be and perhaps might have been committed to the pen-
Tertiary for sending challenge.
Then, what left 10 him to pursue Mr.. SUM-
SER had opportunities enough TO make an apology. God
knows could have resisted the admontory criticism
Of the distinguished senator from Michigan, perhaps the
imposing authority in the Senate. He paid
gard to him. and for very good his speech was
written and had gone and be could not contradict
what be had sent forth to the public with malice aiore
thought.
Well sir what did Mr. Books do7 II is said he sought
Mr. SUMNER in the Senate chamber the last place in
which he wished TO seek him. He would have met him in
open combat far field, and under free sky, at
any time. And when the legislature of Massachusetts
chooses say that his conduct cowardy let her try
him in any way she cho ses. ApplauseJ
Mr.. STUART. hope the Chair will enforce the rules.
think sir what have Just witnessed has been repeated
this session quite often If the amenities and propre-
ties of the Senate cannot be kept by gentlemen, they
should not enter its chamber
The PRESIDENT pro TEN. Does the senator desire the
galleries to be cleared
Mr.. STUART / shall not make any motion now but
hope ii will be understood by everybody who visits this
chamber that the properties of the place shall be observed
The PRESIDENT pro enpore. Persons in the galleries
will distinctly understand that IL there be any further
demonstration the galleries will be cleared of all except
MIR FEsSENDEN In justice to the galleries will sug-
ges that the impression this side Of the house is that
the disturbance from the floor Of the Senate chamber
and from the galleries hope the galleries will
be punished Tor the act OF persons the floor
Mr.. BUTLER. Well, sir will go on in such way
that nobody shall be dsturbed-not that intend to sup
press any single ment Of mine but shall express In
the severity Of truth tell the senator from Maine
with whom have always been good terms, that shall
say nothing out Of the way
Sir who occupies place in the Senate represent
ing great Commonwealth like Massachusetts, repre-
sentng any State Of her senator's occupies very
high position from which be send forth TO the public
what may Affect the character Of almost any except
General Washington, upon whose character
the verdict of history has been rendered There scarcely
any who Withstand the Islander which may be
pronounced from the Senate chamber OF the United States
For this reason ! would never look, and | never have
looked beyond the public position Of member here 60
into his private and personal character would not do
IL because by 60 doing should do wrong which could
not redress. Even word escaping my tongue in this
chamber, as a senator might 20 far TO injure
where he could not correct We in position which
requires high considerations for the regulation Of
duct agree thoroughly, with General Jackson that the
slanderer who involves third persons in difficulty and dan
ger Is incendary against whom should guard
than any else, In parliamentary point Of view will
quote General Jacksohs language. He said "0yer the
doors OF zach house Of Congress in letters Of gold should
be inscribed the words the slanderer than the
murderer single murder is horrible. II may take
single individual from society But when look at the
mischevous influence OF SANDER find that IL pervades
whole community makes In society; sets family
against family; individual against individuals section
against section 1t is the most cowardy mode in which
war can he conducted
With the state Of opinion to which have alluded pre-
willing what did Mr. Brooks do7 OF course he did not
undetske challenge Mr. SCNNKR to fist fight stick
fight any other kind II fight He thought Mr. SUMNER