The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-08-22
Speech of Hon. W. P. Fessenden,
IN THE TOO NJ B 8 BI L l.
In the Senate, July, 1850.

lon THE TOO NJ BIS BI L l. q.
In the Senate, July, 1850.
It was certainly not my intention, when
I made the few remarks which submitted
this morning, in relation to the motion to
print, to give occasion to the debate which
has followed. I carefully avoided NIL allu-
sion, by way of argument, to tho proceed
ings which had taken place here in relation
to the bill itself. If anybody is responsible
for this debate, l think it must be the hon.
orablc Senator from Connecticut, mr.. Tou-
cEY) who chose to avail himself Of this oc-
casion to give us re-touch Of the argu-
ment which we heard yesterday, and upon
previous days. l think our friends in the
majority have no reason to complain Of us
for introducing this discussion to-day. 1t
has, however, taken such range, that l
feel called upon to say few words in self
defence; although I do not design to enter
into the argument upon the general qucs-
ton, and have had no such intention from
the beginning, because my opinion has been,
that the question must be fought before the
people, and We should gain nothing on eli
ther side by debating it here in the manner
in which IL has been, and Is likely to be-,
discussed. Sir, l made remark last week,
which l reiterated this morning that had
my own opinion with reference to the object
Of this bill and that opinion was that the
bill was designed to make Kansas Slave
State. stated that entertained this opin-
ion, and believed it to bc perfectly parliament
tary to express it; because, while l cannot
with propriety, single out any Senator, and
say, "Sir, you have motives which you
choose now to ayow," have right to ex
anime any measure, and to consider tie
surrounding circumstances, its anteccdents
and consequences, in order to form an opin.
ion as to what the result would be; and
from that to infer that such resalt must
have been contemplated by those who intro
duccd and supported it. Such course Of
argument I believe to bc perfectly parlia-
mentary and logical.
For that remark, l have been alluded to-,
among Others, by tho honorable Senator
from Illinois, (Nr. DouoLAs) who intima-
ted, somewhat plainly, that Senator's would
have occasion, from the course which he
should adopt, to regret having introduced q
topic of that description, or having advert
ed to motives. Sir, suppose he thought
that his own severity Of language, and his
own overpowcring majesty of manner, were
such as to make us feel very sorrowful when
ever he chose to rebuko us. wish to in
form the honorable Senator that, with oil
the respect may entertain for his ability,
as shown on this floor, I do not feel very
scnsibly any rebuke coming from him in re-
lation to questions Of this description, and
the opinions hold in regard to them. My
respect for his ability is not at all enhanced
by the manner in which he chooses to ex-
press his opinions, and the demeanor which
he delights to assume towards members on
this side of the chamber, whether generally
or individually.
Sir, am opposed, always, to the use Of
unparliamentary language. do not think
It Unstable to call gentlemen by names
which they do not wish to assume. If a
party wishes to assume distinctive name,
do not think it either parliamentary or
becoming to apply an epithet intended to
be an epithet of reproach or Of degradation,
to the party having thus taken its name, or
to the individuals who use it. We call our
selves Republicans. The honorable Senator
never speaks of us without calling us Black
Republicans. We call ourselves Republic
cans he never speaks Of us without calling
us abolitionists. Here, on the floor Of the
Senate, in his own peculiar manner, when
he speaks to the body with reference to us,
ho designates us as {" the Abolitionists on
the other side of the Chamber" taxing, for
cuntemptuous bitterness, his very expressive
features, and thinking, Isuppose, he wounds
our sensibilities very deeply, and places u'
| in very uncomfortable attitude. think
sir, the only attitude in which he places
anybody is one not creditable to himself.
lido not deal in epithets. Ifthe gentle.
men on the other side Of the Chambe,
choose to call themselves democrats, cal
them democrats. I may not bc perfectly
willing to agreo that they are entitled to b
considered democrats, in the true sense o.
the word, but that is the appellation b,
which they choose TO be distinguished, ant
I am willing to allow them oil tho bencf
they can derive from ii. do not call you,
sir, speckled, or spotted, red or blue dem
ocrat, but democnt; and whether 20,
arc good democrat or not, Is for you +
sottle with the country and with your con
stitution, not with mo. would merel..
suggest to gentlemen that II would proba
bly, be quito as well to let us be distinguish
3 ed by the namc we select for ourselves, In
stead of amusing themselves by trying :
{ aiix another which we do not choose to u
q sumo. Understand me l have no oc,e'
!, ton, personally it does not change my =
n la.ion to my country, or to any party
; any way; /. does not change the nature
( leh.s.c.sr Of that party. Isonly shows th'