The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-04-23
Senator FeSSenden and the Maine
Resolutions.

Resolutions.
On the 25th ult. Mr.. Fessenden present.
cd in the Senate of the United States the
Resolutions "relating to Kansas and Slav-
cry" adopted by the Legislature Of Maine
land already published in the .fdreHiser)
and after they were read by the clerk, the
following discussion ensued:
Mr.. Fessendrn. move that the resolu-
tions be laid on the table and printed.
Mr.. Mason. Mr. President, there is a
rule of the Senate, think, which requires
that all petitions or other communications
made to il should be couched in respectful
langua ge-a rule adopted not to preserve,
or from regard to, the dignity of those who
are Senators, but to the character and dig.
nifty of those whom Senators represent. |
take for granted that the honorable Senator
from Maine, who presented these resolutions,
considered that his duty as the Senator OF
the State, whose resolutions they are, re-
auired him to present them; but the honor
able Senator knows that in those resolu-
sions, the act Of the Legislature of Maine,
there is charged directly and in terms,
periidy upon Congress, falsehood upon the
President, and infamy on the judiciary.
Now, sir, have always considered 1t
duty in the Senate to receive communlca-
tons from one of the States Of this Union,
whatever may be contained in the general
rules of the Senate, taking for granted that
the States of this Union would respect them
selves in their intercourse with the Senate
of the Union. | have not word to say
either in ccnsure or advice to the honorable
Senator representing the State Of Maine,
and who has thought it his duty TO present
resolutions Of this character. N.Y. respect
for the States of the Union will deter me
from doing what, ifthc communication came
from any other quarter | should deem It my
duty to those whom ! represent to do
moving that the resolutions be rejected
VIII continue 10 respect tile States Of tii's
Union, who are particularly represented here
in the Senate, and who are parties to the
Government. But have risen only to call
the attention of the country to the fact that,
because of this slavery agitation, one OF the
States of this Union has thought IL not un-
becoming in her, in n communication to the
Senate, to charge, in terms, pcrtidy upon
Congress, falschood upon the President, and
infamy upon the judiciary; shall make no
motion.
Mr.. Fessenden. Mr.. President, | sup
pose the fact that presented these reso!u-
iions renders it incumbent on me to say
&ord or two in reply to the honorable Son.
ntor from Virginia, although he has been
kind enough to say that he would not hold
mo responsiblc for the action of the Legis.
lature in adopting them. | think he must
have misapprehended somewhat the rcsolu-
tions, or else have Inexperienced them;
and say to him that have no desire to
escape from the responsibility OF presenting
them, because it was my duty to do so; but
| 90 further, and say most distinctly, that l
opproye and ndorse what has been said In
these resolutions. | say, sir, the Senator
has Inexperienced them, because they
make no charge whatever upon the present
Congress. In speaking Of perfidy, they
speak of the past. The resolution with
reference to the Missouri restriction, has
reference to previous Congress; and !
have yet to learn that It Is dsrespeciful 10
this Congress to speak in disIespectiul terms
of one OF its predecessors. | DO not Know
that VIC are called upon to vindicate, In this
way, what may have been done by our
predecessors here.
With reference to the opinion expressed
Us to the repeal Of the Missouri restriction,
have said the same thing upon this floor
substa ntially, apd upon any proper occasion
am ready to say it again. l always have
considered the repeal OF that restriction
breach OF the plighted faith Of the nation,
and | have said SO here; and think that
resolution says no more. ! may have mis-
apprehended it. read the resolutions hast
ily. II am incorrect, the Senator will cor
rect me, as he has the resolutions before
him.
The Senator has spoken Of the charge OF
corruption upon the judiciary. Why, sir,
the judiciary Of Kansas, not Of the United
States. l 60 just as far as the Legislature
Of Maine does, aud say that | consider It q
corrupt judiciary. to all intents and purposes.
! have expressed that opinion in private, and
] aln perfectly willing TO express II in pub.
lie. The acts Of the judiciary OF Kansas !
consider to have been disgraceful to any
persons holding the judicial office.
There is one other point OF which the
Senator has spoken, and that is the charge
made upon the President Of the United
States Of having falsi6ed the state Of things
in Kansas. am yet to learn that It is a
breach Of the privileges Of this body to pre-
sent resolution here disrespectful in terms
TO the President of tho United States. /
do not know on what ground we should re-
ject petition or resolution for that reason.
I'VE have rule or an understanding among
ourselves that resolutions and petitions pre-
sented to Congress should be respectful in
their terms to the body TO which they are
presented. That rule is very well, but
think the immunity goes no further than
that; and know of no reason why the peo-
pie should not, in their addresses to Con-
gress, speak as they feel with reference to
other branches Of the Government. know
nothing that they infringe.
II, in the hasty reading that / gave TO
these resolutions, misapprehend their ten
or in any particular, the Senator, as he has
them before him, can correct me; but IL
there is any breach Of the privileges OF this
body, SO far us have committed any, ! am
ready to be responsible for it in the proPer,
way. Sir, have spoken Of the message OF