Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-09-12
Speech Of Hon Will Cumback on
Withholding money from enior.
Cling tho Laws Of Missouri
In Kansas.

Mr.. Cumback Of Indiana got the
floor. and spoke eloquently as follows:
Mr.. Chairman--I desire that the
amendment just offered by the gen.
tleman from Virginia (Mr. SmIlh).
and upon which be has submitted q
few remarks, may be read.
The amendment was read.
Mr.. Cumback-Mr. Chairman -
The other side Of the House seem to
be divided 10 opinion as to these pros
ecutions. and disposition is manifes-
ted by some to take TO themselves
some credit that hese indictments for
treason are now to be mol. pros'd.
Several Members-Who are they I?
Mr.. Cumbsck-I understood the
gentlemen from South Carolina [ Mr..
0r). to say that IN HIS
Mr.. Orr (interrupsing)-The gen.
tlemsn misunderstood me entirely; |
did not express any opinion on that
point ut all.
Mr.. Cumback-I understood the
gentleman Mr. 0r), to say that
the President now entertain.
ed some doubt as to whether treason
had been committed by the men who
formed the Free State Constitution in
Kansas.
Mr.. Or-l did not express any
opinion as coming from the President
at all.
Mr.. Cumback-Well, so under.
stood the gentleman from South Car.
olina. and rundestood him further to
say that he had doubts whether trea-
son had been committed.
Mr.. Cumback. k.--Well. that is a
hopeful Indication; and ] doubt not
others on the same side OF the House
will soon. il not now, be Of the same
opinion. Be that as IL may. enough
has transpired in this debate to-day TO
let Us know that the President of the
United States has suddenly become
awakened on this subject. but not un.
I'll those galIent men, who dared to
maintain their rights, and defend the
cause Of Freedom, and resist usurpa-
ion and outrage. have for four Iong
months been confined. imprisoned and
with chains. some Ia tents. sweltering
under the burning sun. guarded by
soldiers and posse composed Of non-
resident hirelings. These men. thus
con6ned. subjected TO the t~unts and
insults Of bitter enemies. deprived OF
every comfort, will no dcub, be fully
consoIed when they learn. that
Turing sIl this long time. the President
has been looking diligently after their
interest: and the hint is TO to-day drop.
ped that he will. at the end, conclude
Il know not how soon-that they
have been confined without any cause
whatever. This will not avail him
md has political friends now, while /
confess am rejoiced to hear these
men are TO be released. Sir. he knew
Ill these facts before these prosecu. :.
ions were com nenced. Yea more;
he melted and brought about these
prosecutions by his special message OF
lhe cath Of January. on Kansas affairs;
shcrc he takes the express ground
that the attempt to organize the Gov
ernment ia Kansas under the Free
state Constitution made at Topek ,
would be Unreasonable insu, reclion. -
md would be treated accordingly by
he Executive. For that message,
aud for that position thus assumed by
him. and nfterwaid embodied in his
proclamation. he has received the con :
gratulaticns and hearty commentator
u his political friends on this floor
aud throughout the country. What
change has come over his spirit that
thus indu,es him to take the back
track. and overturn the monstrous doc
lrines contained in his own official pa.
pcr? What meant the high-sounding
words but n few mouths ago uttered
IN the other end Of the Capitol by the
leader of the Administration party
that its policy would be TO require SUBJ
mission to the laws and constituted
authorities in Kansas. "to reduce to
subsection those who resisted them.
"and TO punish rebellion and ,reason?''
What. Sir. has so suddenly brought
this party. that talked so vauntingly
Of "subjeclion." to such sudden
halt? Sir. the question suggests the
answer. 1t is the scathing indignation
that Is borne to as on every breeze
from all sections OF the outraged, but
not yet subjected. North that has done
this, and l am glad that it will do the
work and relieve these men. At this
point the amendment Of the gentle
men from Virginia (Mr. Smith is un.
fortunate. What does it mean? We
are about to stop supplies for tina,
Territory until these prosecutions are
dismissed. Yet the gentleman from
Virginia wishes to provide that moth
ing in our proceedings shall be so con.
strued as to prevent future prosecu.
tions. l regard this as significant,
when taken in connection with the
hints that have been dropped. that the
President intends TO dismiss these ca.
ses whether these amendments prevail
or not. Sir. il reminds me Of the man
who. whel about to die, remembered
that he had long standing difficulty
with his neishbor. and had him called
to his bed 10 make peace with him.
The neighbor came. and was forgiven,
bu. rs the neighbor started out Of the
door TO leave his sick friend. he wa.
called back. and the sick man says
"See here, neighbor. if die this ar
rangement is to stand. but il | get vel
matters ARE to stand as they did be
fore" Laughter. So with the Pres
ident and the Democratic party il
their dying condition. They propos,
TO make peace with the people by dis
missing these prosecutions at this lat,
day. but the amendment Of the gen
tleman from Virginia plainly SAYS lha
If they survive November, and el.c
their candidate for the Presidency
this dying arrangement is to be nul
aud void. but IL ihey die at that linn
it is to stand Laughterl. On thes