Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-05-02

eoeue VIC Aitti0 tlalt.
Some Of the New York papers, du-
ring the last week. have abounded in
rumors Of a duel about to come of be-
tween Senator Douglass and Col. j.
II. Lane. Of Kansas. But the lovers
Of gossip and Of "some new thing"
seem likely to be disappointed; and no
more serious weapons or missiles are
likely to be used than the old grey
goose-quill. and paper bullets Of the
brain. Col. Lane feeling aggrieyed at
some imputatious which the Senator
had cast upon his integrity. in connec-
ton with Kansas memorial, address,
ed him anote requesting an explana-
ten, and that be might be set right
on the points in which ''the Little Gil
ant. as he asserted. had misrepre-
scented him. Senator Douglas asked
time to considerthe matter, which was
granted After maturely considering
and digesting the circumstances. Mr..
Douglass declined to have any COM
munication with Lane. directly or in
directly on the following grounds:
First--Other Senators used Ian
guage equally Objectionable.
SecoRd--The Senate rejected the
memorial by a large majority.
Ihird--Gen. Cass would not vouch
for its genuineness.
Fourth--Rumors OF the purpose Of
a hostile meeting promulged through
the press, of which my request for an
explanation was the fore runner.
Ffih-As Chairman of the Com
mitter; on Territories. it was his duty
TO compare the memorials: and for
what he has said, stands behind his
privilege and constitutional protection.
Thereupon Col. Lane publishes a
card. scoring the Illinois Senator Sc
verely, and charging that his attempt
to avoid responsibility on the score of
privilege" is a transparent inven-
ton to hide his cowardice." The Col
onel continues:
til said of distinguished Senator.
that after his head was blossoming for
the grave he gave offence to one much
his junior. The young man complain
ed Of his inability to resent the insult
on account Of the disparity 10 years
and position. The venerable Senator
exclaimed, IL ask no exemption on
account of my age; no privilege from
my position; no, sir, none! III have
insulted you. you are entitled to re-
paration, and you shall have IT." But
the Senator from Illinois yields to no
such vulger weakness, and follows no
such vain examples. Like heroic
dog, grown insolent upon fat diet, with
his head out Of the keanel, he growls
with swollen courage. with a constitu-
tional privilege at his back, behind
which to retreat. Honored with a
trust similar to his, from the brave
and loyal people Of Kansas. ! yield to
the Senator's Constitutional exemption
from accountability for language used
in debate, if he sees fit to avail him
self of it; but l yield it in the letter
only, not in its spirit; for, by the spirit,
while aiming to surround with safe.
guards the utmost freedom of opinion
and debate in the Senate Chamber,
and SO preclude all accountability for
it, it implies and comprehends thai
high notion OF Senatorial decorum,
candor and truth, which excludes the
idea Of wanton and malignant wrong
1t was given to protect the Senator,
in the expectation that his duty and
Justice would protect all others. Blu,
tits within the Senator's discretion
mot only that discretion" which sis
the better part ofvalor" to assert bis
legal exemption, as he might also plead
the statute of limitations against 9
confding creditor and an honest debt
He has done so, claiming Shylock's
virtue, that "it is the law" Safely
sheltered and hidden behind this con
stitutional privilege, which exists le'
gally in all cases, but morally in none
Senator Douglas now compels me te
the unpleasant alternative Of protest
ing, before the public. against Thu
personal outrage, perpetrated where
my voice was then silent, and which
he technically declines to repair under
every obligation of honor. AT law h,
knows | can face my accuser and con
front the witnesses; with either cow
ardice or privilege between me ant
my adversary. am compelled to suf
fer without hearing at the hands o
a constitutional assassin -
Senator Douglass cajoled me int,
an undeseryed trust Of his sincerity
lie made me the guest of his hospital
ity to deseive and circumvent me-
He has broken the seals Of friendly
confidence, and published it with Grim
inal effrontery. To make the persona
indignity the greater. he has impeach
ed. me. his friend and witness; and h
has SO distorted what / say that / an
unable to call it my own. He has in
Weighed, with gross criminal imputa
tons. against me, unsustained by ,
single fact in my own history, and al
denied by the public and familiar his
tory OF Kansas. | so stigmatize tn
imputation and charges; and whel
smarting under it. and presuming OF
some sincerity in our past relations.
ask for justice or for explanation tina
shall lead to justice, he hunts out iron
} the Constitution that magical wor'
for weak-kneed spirits--"Privilege'
land flies to his cover. The publ
shall be our judges. To this compiled
ton has it come! Is the ferociou
braggart heroism ofthe Senate Cham
ber-which boasts in its place Of hay
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