The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-24

July II, Is5s.
Mr. SPEAKER: / feel oppressed with the re-
sponsibility under which we are acting. Con-
shutting this high judicatory of the nation, we
are sitting in judgment upon a fellow-member.
The eyes OF the people are upon us, and the
attention of civilized nations is directed toward
US. We are about to discharge the highest,
the most solemn duty, to our Government, TO
the cause of Freedom and Of Human Progress,
which will probably ever devolve upon us. On
every hand, we are admonished to divest our
selves Of every feeling of partisan attachment I;
ard, bringing with all the intelligence, pru-
dence, patriotism, and justice, we can command,
We should approach the question in the light
Of that wisdom which shall guide US to just
and proper conclusion.
The accused is a member Of our body. Our
sylnpathies for him, at this most trying period,
cannot and ought not to be withheld. Gentle
men have spoken of personal feelings. If
were conscious of harboring unkind feelings
toward any human being, should myself feel
most unhappy. That man is morally disqual-
flied TO discharge the duties of a statesman, who
can look upon any person in distress with other
emotions than those which elevate and ennoble
our common nature.
| speak with more than ordinary feelings.
Fifteen years since, | was myself arraigned
before my peers OF this House. l then stood
where the accused now stands, but under diff
ferent charge, and under different circumstsn-
ces. Twas denied the freedom Of speech-not
permitted 10 defend myself-nor any friend
permitted to utter a word in my behalf. was
condemned and driven from my seat under an
memorable tyranny, which, thank God, is un-
known at the present time. | tender to the
accused the kindest sympathies of my heart
Sooner should nv own right arm be torn from
Its socket, than / would see him treated as
was dealt with. | would deal out to him the
same measure Of Justice that | would to a son
or brother. Indeed, he is nay brother; for |
recognise God our common father, and man.
kind as my brethren. His happiness is as dear
to my heart that of any other individual out
side the circle of personal friends.
While these are my feelings toward the &C.
cused, | recognise, also, the stern obligations
which / owe to the Constitution of my country
10 the People of these States, to Christianity,
and to Civilization.
Representing thirty-o sovereign States
convened, under our Federal Constitution for
the performance of Legislative duties-we look
TO that instrument, which delegates to
only powers, for rule of action. That
charter of our Liberties pro tides, that "the SEN
ate shall be composed of two members from
each State" In the labors of that body, each
Of the several States-the people of all the
States-have an interest And to secure this
service to the States, and to the people of the
whole Republic, they proceeded to ordain, fur
ther that, during the session Of Congress, and
al going 10 and returning from the same, such
Se'lators shall be privileged from arrest, ercept
for treason, feiOny or breach Of the peace !;
and for any speech or debate ia That 6ody, shall
not he questioned IN any other place. l repeat,
that this was intended to secure to the nation
the services of each and every Senator, by ex-
tending to the individuals elected this immu-
nifty from arrest-this personal security.
This same charter, under which we are now
acting, provides that each House may punish
is members for disorderly behaviour, and by
vote of two thirds may expel a member; and
that the freedom OF speech shall never be
abridged.
Under this Constitution" Massachu sets, in
her sovereign capacity, some five years since,
elected Senator, and charged him with the
maintenance of her interests, the support of
her dignity, and the protection of her rights.
He took his seat in thai body with these special
duties resting upon him but under equal obi
cations To exert his best efforts for the honor
of our Government, for the welfare of all the
people of this growing Empire, for the eleva-
ton of mankind to higher intelligence, civil
izatiOn, and refinement, than that which We
now enjoy. His duties had been performed to
the acceptance of his State, and to the satisfac-
lion of the nation generally.
At the commencement of the present session
of Congress, a matter of intense interest touch
ing the civil which now RACES in Kansas, &C.
cuped the public mind, and continued to re-
ceive the attention of the Senate during most
Of ITS sittings for the last seven months. In
relation TO this subject the Senator from Mas
sachusetts, acting in accordance with his judg.
ment, aud the popular feeling of his State, was
known to stand on the side Of Liberty. A Sen
iltor from South Carolina, acting upon the die
tates of his own feelings and those of his State
known to have espoused the cause Of Sa
very.
l have taken some pains to ascertain facts
far L could, and am assured, by one com
petent 10 make the examination that the Sena
tor from South Carolina spoke on this subject
thirty-six times during the present session
This includ,s his regular and irregular speeches
interruptions, and audible assertions. In eacf
and in every instance, / am told, he threw ou
ideas intended to operate against Freedom il
Kansas.
On the 10Th and 10th May, the Senator from
Massachusetts spoke upon the same subject
As he was bound by that respect which h,
owed to his State, to the people of the severa
States, and TO his own reputation, he came t,
and his argument elaborated. / am not abou
TO speak of the merits of his effort-on tina
point his address speaks for itsef-but inten,
say that, SO far he aludes to South Caro-
lima, or the Senator from that State, it is mere
ly an answer full and ample to be sure, yet
nevertheless, in answer to the thirty six speeche
of the Senator from South Carolina | refer d
these facts, at this time, for the reason tina
gentlemen have attempted TO Justify the &C
cused by reason of the severity of Language
used by the Senator from Massachusetts But
think that every word uttered by the Senate
from Massachusetts, in reference to the Sena
tor from South Carolina, or his State, was cal
ed for, and strictly in response to the remark
of that Senator. Another important fact whic
would call attention TO is, that, during the dc
] livery of that speech, q Senator from Sout
Carolina was present, and listened TO it in pre-
found silence, not even intimating that o WORD
sentence, or paragraph, transcribed the rule
of the body the parliamentary law, or the prope
amenities of debate. 1T was the imperativ
duty OF the presiding officer of that body to ca
him TO order, If in any respect he violated th
rules of debate. Indeed, it was the duty {
every member of that body to preserve its dig
nifty, and the proper decorum which is enjoit
ed on every member by the parliamentary Law
But, SIR, neither the presiding officer, nor tn
Senator from South Carolina who wa presen
nor any member of that body, dreamed thst II
Senator from Massachusetts uttered a sentenc
or paragraph not strictly authorized by th
rules of that body. Nor was the Senator fror
Massachusetts supposed TO transcend the rule
OF debate, through the forbearsnce or matte,
ton of gentlemen opposed to him in politics.
listened to the whole Of that speech. l sat mes
the Senator who delivered IL, nor was an III
Interested spectator. And to shoS that he wa