Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-05-24
Stirring times nj neutrality-suspicious. &
EDebate i'm the Senate.


EDebate i'm the Senate.
In the SENATE on the goth inst, Mr.. Sum
mer resumed his speech on Kansas affairs and
proceeded 10 consider the varions remedies
proposed for crime against Kansas, which he
successive considered under different aspects:
First-Remedy of Tyranny in shape of sp-
preparations and troops to enforce the
usurpation. Second-Remedy of folly pro-
posed by the Senator from South Carolina
(Mr. Bntler). Third-Remedy of injustice
and civil war proposed by the Senator from
Illinois (Mr. Douglass) Fourth and last
Remedy Of Justice and peace proposed by the
Senator from New York Mr.. Seward) which
last would admit Kansas at once with her
present population. All objections to such
admission were considered, whether grounded
on want of population or irregularity Of form
and the precedent of Michigan was particular
ly reviewed. Here Mr. Buchsnan's opinions
were introduced, who vindicated Michigan on
grounds precisely applicable to Kansas.
In conclusion the comparison was made be-
tween the tyranny of the President in Kansas
and the tyranny of King George the third.
From Congress he appealed to the people in
the coming Presidential election to vindicste
Kansas Let the ballot box Of the Union
with its multitudinous might protect the bal
lot-boK there.
Mr.. Cass characterized Summers speech as
the most IN American to which he had ever
listened. Douglass and Mason were growly
and particularly severe on Sumner accusing
him of being unfit for association with gen
tlsmen and destitute Of truth.
Much sensation, meanwhile, on the part OF
the listeners.
Sumner said he had Just been attacked by
three Senator'S One Cass of venerable years,
and with whom he had been in relations of
personal regard longer than with any other
Senator within sound OF hIs voice. The Sena-
tor from Michigan must know full well that
nothing could fall from him (Sumner) which
could possess anything but kindness, and would
now say to him that his statements respecting
Michigan were founded on legal documents
and on the principles of Jackson, Grundy,
Buchahan, Benton and the Democratic party
of that day. Therefore the attack Of Cass did
MOI touch him, but them. As TO Douglass he
should leave 10 him the privilege Of the com
mon scoid, the last word. That Senator had
the audacity to venture a charge of calumny
against him. lie had said that he (Summer)
had taken an oath to support the Constitution,
yet he was determined not to support partic-
ular clause of that instrument To this state
ment Sumner gave TO his face the --LATEST de-
NAL, saying that he replied to a similar charge
10 June, 1864 as reported in the Globe, from
which he now read in effect He had sworn
10 support the Constitution as he understood
it-no more nor no less, and the clause alluded
to did not impose upon him any obligations to
take part, directly or indirectly, in restoring
fugitive slaves. aud yet in the face of all this,
the calumny had been extensively circulated
discussed, and criticised by the Senator from
Illinois who in the swftness of his audacty
had presumed TO arraign him. He wished To
administer 20 Douglass a word of advice not
TO eKpend himself in gusts of vulgsrity, aud
endeavor TO obtain that truth and character
which is the handmade of wisdom, and let him
remember hereafter that the bowie knife and
bludgeoEs are not proper emblems of Senatori-
al debate. Staggering and ferocity cannot
ado dignity TO this body. The Senator from
Illinois had been sweltering venom, bringing
forth statements utterly without foundation,
heaping upon him personalities, an no person
with the upright form of a man (here Sumner
paused)
(Douglas)-"Say it, say IT,"
Sumner replying)-"I shall not say it,"
No person with the upright form Of man
can be allowed to discharge from his tongue
indecent personalities. The noisome, nameless
animal is not proper animal is not a proper
model for sn American Senator. viii the
Senator taken notice?
Dougss-l shall and certainly not initiate
You in that respect Oaughter)
Sumner-Ah the senator again switches
his tail and again I'll! the senate with offensive
ordor. he would simply say 20 the senator
nom VirginiS-llard words are not arguments
nor do scowls belong to senatorial duty.
Mr.. Mason was understood to say the sena
tor is certainly non cOmpos mentis
The following are remarks of Messsrs. Cass
Douglass aud Mason, upon Summers speeeh
Mr.. Cass said he had listened 10 Mr.. Sum
ners speech with equal regret and surprise
Ii was the most un-AmeTican and unpatrotic
speech he had ever heard on this floor. He
hoped he might never hear such a speech
again, here or elsewhere. He did not rise,
however, 10 make comments on that speech,
open rs it Was 10 censure and disapprobAtion
but, To say the Senator from Massachusetts
had totally misunderstood and misapplied
Michigan TO the Topeka Convention. lie
briefly showed no analogy between the pro-
ceedings in Michigan aud those in Kansas.
Mr.. Douglas adveried 10 the malignity
which characterized Mr.. Summers speech, and
many personalities in which IL abounded. lie
compared il 10 the patchwork OF Il bedquilt,
made up from all the old calico dresses IN the
house, and Astounding in classical illusions,
most OF which were from those portions of
the classics which were suppressed ia respec-
table aud decent colleges That speech was
written aud committed 10 memory, aud prac-
uoed before glass, a negro boy holding a
candle aud watching bis gestures. IL was re-
hearsed TO his friends, aud they repeated in
the saloons OF The city what he WAS going 10
cay. Those libels and insults, 30 gross and
vulgar, had been co0ned over aud written with
cool deliberate maligaiJy, repeated night after
night, 10 order 10 hnd appropriate grace 10
spit them at men who dtiier from htn.
What right had he 10 arraigu three-fourths
OF the SeuaIe lur dereliesion oi dut,l Did
the means by which he got here give him the
superiority Me-. Douglas said no had been
arralgned as 3 c0nspIraior aud traitor BY the
man Sumner, himself guilty OF crime, hSying
taken an oath 10 support the constitution and
then violated H. Abiding TO Summers attack
on Senator Butler, Who Is now absent, Doug
las said Sumner would on his retura whisper
secret apology IN hls ear aud want him to
accept that as proper apology. Dru .lis
knew bow that was dane tla4shlrr.l tie
defended Atchisou fr1an lac charge OF acting
the part at CataiiAe
Mr Mason said political relations, In obedi.
ence % the forms OF our government, brisg
Senators into associations which, beyond The
Senate chamber, is dlshonor and touching
whose hand would be pollution. They were
compelled 20 listen 10 language here 20 which
no gentleman would iend al ear elsewhere
They bear IL 10 obedsnce 10 tho constitution,
the trust Of which they have undertaken 10
eiiOrm. Mr.. Mason defended Atkinson,
whom lie was proud 10 call bis friend, and
said when Mr. Sumner dared 10 the presence
q - "a.
with untFuth ss be did. he presented himself
rs one utterly incapable Of knowing what
truth is. Ia coaclasioH, he accused Mr. sum
ner OF falsfeatiop regarding the lsiteF's REMARKS
concerning Southern Institutions.