Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-04-01

20
Is he beyond the reach Of popular sentiment? In
rather q taunting and sneering manner he says he
is not my competitor IN any sense II you have
never been my competitor, your equals have and in
the conclusion Of their contest they adjusted their
robes and prepared themselves for their fate; and
repeat again, they fell like honorablem | stand
here to-day not as the competitor of any Senator
but stand here, in senatorial sense the compeer
Of any Senator. know my rights, and intend 20
try TO learn the prophecies the Senate and in COM
pliance with those prophecies, my rights and the
rights Of the State which have the honor in part to
represent, shall be maintained Ito use terms very
familiar with us) at all hazards and to the last ex.
tremity. So much for +" competitors"
In the first place, have gone over these insruc-
tons; IN the next place. We haze gone the pro-
per Judgment of sovereign power; and in the third
place, have gone over the idea thrown cut shout
- competitors" l must say, in the eonclusioa Of
these desultory remarks that I have been forced
before the Senate more and oftener than I intended
TO have been, under any reasonable circumstances
for the first twelve months or two years Of my
vice here. My intention was to come here and pass
through that probation which older and more eKpe-
rienced men and Senators more talented than my
self should assign and prescribe for me. ! have,
however, been forced thus often before the Senste
Il has been contrary to my inclination; but believe
that duty to myself duty to my State duty to prin-
cples, required to do so and acting under this
impression l have EentuTed to trespass on the pa.
thence and time Of the Senate. did not intend TO
trespass on the Senate. have come here to vote
and act and shall try to do go. l thGak the Senate
for the attention they have paid me.
TMr. BELL heretook the ioor to reply, but welded
to a molten to adjourn. On the next day, February
18th, be spoke. After he had concluded
Mr. JOHNSON, of Tennessee. Mr.. President
The PRESIDING OFFICER, TMr. BIGGs Will the
Senator from Tennessee indulge the Chair moment?
I yvqg 20 led n fha chs bvy fho
President to preside while he temporarily absent
on private business, when this discussion commenced
1 regret very much the character of the debate
The remarks made yesterday by the Senator from
Tennessee Mr. JOHNsoE1 I did not deem at the
time strictly in order but felt too much embarrass-
ed to interpose as the Presiding Officer, under the
circumstances The Senator therefore, was per-
mitted to proceed, the Chair relying on the usual
course that has been pursued in the Senate of OBJ
serving courtesy in debate. I have been called 70
preside to-day by the Vice-President and it was due
to the Senator from Tennessee Mr.. BELL that he
should have full opportunity to reply to the re-
marks made by the OtheE Senator from Tennessee,
TAlr Johnson The remarks in reply are Of a
character well calculated 10 excite personal feeling
not strictly in order according TO the opinion Of the
Chair, but / now state
Mr.. BELL. put everything on a condition, the
President will understand. It is conditional predi-
Gated my colleagues withdrawal Of those charges
made in his speech Of yesterday.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair will remark
to the Senator that in his opinion on the pending
question before the Senate-the motion 20 print
the resolutions of the Legislature Of the State of
Tennessee-a discussion Of the character that has
been INDUCED in is not strictly in order and that as
Presiding Officer of the Senate it will be his duty to
interpOse and prevent further pursuit of this char
acter Of discussion unless by the unanimous consent
of the Senate
Mr.. BELL Well sir, give my consent if my
colleague wants to say anything
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Tennessee. 1 merely wish tossy
to the Senate that have no disposition to continue
a discussion out Of order. stated this morning in
the explanation l made, that my intention was to
Conne myself strictly within the rules of the SEN
ate, and that if had travelled beyond them so far
as the Senate was concerned vas prepared to make
any apology that was necessary. I felt it due to
place the illusions have made to my honorable col.
league on the proper ground. It was the furthest
thing from my purpose or intention to violate any
rule Of this body or the courtesies of pri-
vate life My colleague made an opening speech on
these resolutions, and the illusions which he made
to the Democratic party, and the connection have
with them, and the Legislature have the honor to
represent here thought made it my duty to reply
as did. In consequence of the announcement
made By the Chair, shall not persist in going on
unless by the consent Of the body. My colleague
has shade speech Of two hours, prepared and conued
and got by rOte, going off this morning in the most
and his party. Al that l ask IS to be heard within
the rules of the Senate, and the rules Of common !
courtesy and propriety.
The PRESIDING OFFICER The question is on'the /
motion Of the Senator from Tennessee Mr. Bell to
print the resolutions.
Mr. JOHNSON, Of Tennessee. I am in hopes the |
Presiding Officer will put the question l under. |
stood was ruled out unless by the unanimous con-
sent of the Senate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Does the Senator from |
Tennessee desire to proceed?
Dir. JOHNSON, Of Tennessee. Yes, sir.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator has per-
ect right to proceed in order. There can be no
opposition to the Senator's proceeding in order; and
+ there be no objection, the Senator can proceed |
without interruption from the Chair at al. The
hair hears no objection The Senator from Ten
lessee will proceed.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Tennessee. I shall occupy the
attention Of the Senate but a short time will not
make long speech on this occasion, for l do not
ieem 1t necessary; because when the reply made by
ny honorable colleague, this morning, is reviewed
viii be found that he has not controverted sin
lie fact that stated yesterday; he has not answer
d a single argument that presented. He has, in
he run Of his remarks, attempted to extenuate or
PologIze for some of the facts l presented, and
ONE Of the arguments / urged but there has been
10 answer, and his speech furnishes the most con-
elusive evidence of the correctness and force Of
what l stated yesterday. In the little reply that
intend to make on this occasion, perhaps had bet.
er InVert the order of proceedings, and commence
where my colleague concluded.
Ee seems in the conclusion of his remarks, to
YORK himself up into somewhat Of an excitement
thought the remarks l made this morning. when
lie commenced his speech, would place this matter
Pon proper grounds. said that my business was
nth him as a Senator, as a public agent that did
lot attack his personal integrity or hie private
hsrscter as man and gentleman. The conduct
the agents OF the people can be scrutinIEed, and
IS parliamentary to scrutinize it with severity
to their course as private citizens
r their integrity as gentlemen l made no allusion
0 him as private man; I made no assault on his
ersonal integrity. l attacked him ass public man,
nd as public agent
But my colleague has said that his statements
Ist made, viii stand until l take back what have
aid in reference to him as public man snd as a
enator. made the distinction here clearly this
forming. / have stated facts in copuection with !
he course Of my colleague From those facts 1
Aye drawn some conclusions and expressed some !
DinIOns. Those opinions as given, and those con-
Usons drawn from the facts 7 stated in CON- {
ectiOn with his course as public man, stand now
st as they stood then. l have no other apology /
make than the one made this morning That {
biology, believe, and know, according to nv IN
Of parliamentary law, makes the true
roper distinction, and brings what l said within L
lie court estes and prOPrieties Of this Chamber.
My honorable colleague, however, has thought J,
Oper 70 introduce into the discussion here private
l never lug in private conversations
it'll individual with whom may be in contest
addressing the people or in q deliberative body P
nee the honorable gentleman and myself have met Ct
re Senators, we have occasionally, without s.
sign, presume, on the part of either, fallen in
th each other; we have had causal conversations -
i'd In those casual conversations it has been said
at we're here as Senators representing the same
ate, and though we might disagree fundamentally
reference TO the principles upon which the Gov
nment should be administered, yet personally we
oud cultivate those relations that should chsrsc-
-lze representatives Of the same State. respOn-
TO ny colleague. told him had no DISPOSE
n to be on other than friendly terms, in per. Z
nal point OF view; that it was always my pride
d pleasure to cultivate relations of personal as
endship with those amongst whom lived, who o66
Tered with me politically in sentiment; and that 4
far as l was concerned, in social intercourse he a
uld find that would not depart from these prin- q
les I think have not done so. 1t was nv in =
tion not to depart from them. In reference to Is
question now before the Senate my colleague =
empted to elicit from me, as l thought state .
Mt to what my course would be when these re- q
utions we're introduced. replied to him. frank 3:
hat did not know that it would depend on cir =
and that should be controlled by the pie
or Of his remarks and the circumstances that
ne up on their presentation. Was there any vio-
ION Of that courtesy and comfy which should
'slst between gentlemen, in this He presented 7
resolutions he made his speech he attacked 4