Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-05-30
Senators Summer and Butler.

Senators Sumner and Butler.
The following is that portion of Senator Summers
speech relating to Senator Butler which provoked the
attack upon him by Mr. Brooks, who S relative of
the South Carolina Senator:
SC But, before entering upon the argument, must
say something of general character particularly in
response to what has fallen from Senators who have
raised themselves to emnenCe this floor in cham
plonshlp OF human wrongs; | mean the Senator from
South Carolina, MIR. Butler and the Senator from
Illinois, MIR. Douglass who though unlike as Don
Quxote and Sancho Panza yet, like this couple, sally
forth together III the same cause. The Senator from
South Carolina has read many books of chivary and
believes himself chivarous knight, with sentiments
Of honor and courage OF course be has chosen q
mistress 10 whom he has made his vows, and who,
tho uglyto Others is always lovely to him tho pol
luted in the sight OF the world is chase in his ght;
mean the harlot, Slavery. For her, his tongue is
always profuse in words. Let her be impeached in
character, or any proposition made TO shut her out
from The extension OF her WanlOnnesS and no eXtrav-
agance of manner or hardihool or assertion is then
too great for this Senator The frenzy of Don. Qux-
ote in behalf of his wench Dulcnea del Toboso is
all surpassed. The asserted rights Of Slavery, which
shock equality Of all kinds, cloaked by fantas-
tic claim equality. If the Slave States cannot enjoy
what in mockery of the great fathers of the Repub-
lie, he misnames equality under the Constitution
in other words, the full power in the National Terri
tories to compel felow-men TO unpaid toll, to sepa-
rate husband and wife, and to sell little children at
conduct the State of South Carolina out of the IN
ion Heroic Knight! Exalted Senator! second
Moses come for second Exodus.
But not content with his poor menace, which VIC
have been twice told was measured, )" the Senator
in the unrestrained chivary of his nature has under
taken to apply opprobi0us words to those who differ
from him on this floor. He calls them sectional
and fanaical " and opposition to the usurpation in
Kansas, he denounceS as an uncalcuating fanati-
cism" TO be sure, these charges lack all grace OF
originality and all sentiment Of truth; hut the ad-
venturous Senator does not hesitate He is the un-
compromising, unhlushing representative on this
floor OF fragrant sectiOnGHSm, which d0mineers
over the Republic, and yet with ludicrous gno-
rance of his own position-unable to himself as
others see hm-or with an effrontery which even his
white head ought not 10 protect from rebuke, he ap-
plies TO those here who resist his sectonaIi5m the
very epithet which esignates himself The men
who strive to bring back the government to its ORR
gnal policy, when Freedom not Slavery was national
he alrai gns SECTIONAL This will not do 1t in
wolves too great perVerslOn Of terms | tell that
Senator, that it is himself, and to the organiza
toD of which he is the committed advocate" that
this epithet belongs | now fasten it upon them
For MYSELF little for Names but since the ques
ton has been raised here, affirm that the Repub-
can party of the Union is in Just sense sectional,
but, more than any other party national; and that
II now goes forth to dlslodge from the high places of
Government the tyrannical seconalism of which the
Senator from South Carolina is one of the maddest
zealos
In the charge of fana,lcism also reply. Sir, apati
clsm IS found IN an enthusiasm or exaggeration of
opinions, particularly religious subjects but there
may be a tanatIclsm for evil as well as for good
Now, will not deny that there are persons among
US loving Liberty too well for their personal good in
selfish generation Such there may be- and. for
the sake of their example, would that there were
more! In calling them " fanatics )" you cast con-
! tumely upon the whole army of martyrs, from the
earliest day down to this hour, upon the great tri
Dunes OF human rights by whom life liberty and
happiners on EARTH have been secured upon The long
line OF devoted PATRIOTS who throughout history,
nave truly loved their country; and, upon all, who,
IN NOBLE aspirations for the general good and in for
geuness OF self have stood out before their age and
gathered into their generous bosoms the shafts of
tyranny and wrong, in order to make pathway for
Truth. -
You discredit Luther, when alone he nailed his ar
uces 10 the door of the church at Wittemberg. nd
then to the imperial demand that he should retrac
firmly replied, " Here stand | cannot do other
wise, so help me God !" You discredt Hamnden
when alone he refused to pay the few sbilIines 81
ship-money, and shook the throne of Charles Won
oiscredll Milton, when, amidst the corruptons Of
nealesS court, he lived on, the lofty friend of Lber-
Sn 10y queSton or suspicion; you dscredit Rus.
sell and Sidney, when for the sake of their coun,rv
Ihey calmly turned from family and friends, to tread
Tue narrow steps of the scaffold you dscredt the
ea'y FOUNDERS OF American Institutions who prefer
red the hardships of Wilderness surrounded bv a
savage ioe TO injustice beds of ease; you iscre-
i' ou' ia'eF lathers, who, few In numbers and wea
resources, yet strong in their cause did not hest.
tate 10 brave the mighty power of England already
enclrcllng the globe with her morning drum beats.
| Yes, sir OF such are the fanatics of history ac-
cordlng to the Senator. But tell that Senator that
lhere are characters badly eminent of whose fanati
Gent Egyptians. who worshipped divnities in bru.
fish forms; the Druds who darkened the forasts Of