Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-03-06
Speech OF Hon. John He'll.
IN SENATE.
WEDNESDAY, February "a. 1858

The Senate resumed the consideration OF
the motion to print the resolutions of instruc-
ton of the Legislature of Tennessee which
were presented yesterday.
Mr.. BELL. feel under great obligations to
the Senate for doing me the favor OF adjourn
Ing last evening; for when come to reflect
on it. knowing the circumstances and the ex-
element Of the occasion, think that perhaps
might have demeaned myself in manner
which, at q subsequent time. / should have
great reason to regret. AS said yesterday
evening, it must be obvious to the whole Sen
ate that the course of my colleague was I'M
called for, and was entirely unprovoked by
anything had said.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Tennessee. By the per-
mission of my colleague, wish to make a
single remark in this connection. The intro
duction my colleague seems now about max
ing to his speech, and the manner in which he
concluded his remarks yesterday evening, and
what he said in the commencement of his
speech then, have made the impression on my
mind that he supposes it was my intention to
attack his motives or his private character
want to state to my colleague, so that we can
proceed Understandings. that my intention
was to have nothing to do with. and to make
no reference to, his motives a man. Ny
business with him was as Senator, as AN
agent Of the people, representing State, and
not with his personal integrity or his private
character. i am inclined to think that when
the gentleman's feelings subside, and he looks
over my speech, he will find that there is
nothing in it that makes any assault upon his
integrity personally, or his private character.
] want to comply with the conrtesics of the
Senate. l have said thus much for the pur-
pose of making this discussion proceed I'M
derstandingly. My business is not with him
in any other character than as u Senator and
an agent of the people.
We have many cases of this kind in the his
tory of the British Parliament | do not pre-
tend to'understand much about parliamentary
law, but i have tried to make myself familiar
with it to that extent which would enable me
to conduct myself here with reasonable pro-
priety. On one occasion, Colonel Barre in
the British Parliament declared the conduct
Of Lord North to be indecent and scandalous,
to which Lord North replied with great sever
ity, denouncing ii as brutal and inyidious.
The British Parliament called him to order,
and made him observe order. 1t led TO an
explanation that Colonel Barre had the right
to arraign him as a minister; that he might
be arraigned as minister, and his conduct
denounced as indecent and scandalous when
it was no attack on his personal integrity or
his private character.
1t has not been my intention to make use
Of anything that would impugn the motives
of my colleague. 1t has not even been nay
intention to make use of language that was
disrespectful even in relation to his course as
public man, and public servant. Ii can,
i intend to keep myself in the right; do not
intend to be thrown in the wrong; and if,
upon examination of my speech, there is any
thing that inpugns the integrity OF private
character of my colleague, l disclaim it.
have not had time to read it. l did not even
visit the reporters last night. find it here
on my table. have not had time to examine
1t. l have felt it due to my colleague, seeing
that he was laboring under some misapprc-
tensions Of this sort from his manner and one
or two expressions that escaped him, to say
thus much SO that we could proceed under
standingly hereafter.
Mr.. BELL. Mr.. President, 1 am reduced to
this alternative, since the remarks which my
colleague has now made either to suppose
that he is entirely ignorant of The tenor Of his
own argument and the language he used, or
that he does not understand the import If
charges which are made against Senators or
persons out of the Senate. Did he not intend
to assail my motives AMI my character ~ a
public man when he | said 1 wu- influenced
by want of principle (Which hop am not
an example of not equaled anywhcre! Did
he not describe me from "a long period ante
rior to this as having looked to the North and
shaped my course so to have the support Of
the North in my political aspirations. and
now and then giving vote that indicated Il
do not remember my colleague language
that was holding on to the South with
one hand and grasping the North with tue
other!
Now, sir. consider that the most offensive
and insulting charge that can he mad. against
me or any other member of the Senate Ny
colleague should look over his speech, aud see
now Tar ne has gone. He may not be con-
scious of the length To which he has gone
He deprecated the idea that Senator should
ever get into his head an aspiration for the
Presidency he told us how unfortunate il
has been to the country, and how unfortunate
1t must continue to be. All this was not
pointed directly to me, but every gentleman
who beard his speech and who will read il will
understand that it was pointed at me. II he
will disclaim these imputations shall accept
his explanation of what he meant, aud |
will even give him time to read over that
speech.
Mr.. JOHNSON. of Tennessee. am a.
ready now to make reply as l shall be at
any time.
Mr.. BELL l understood my colleague to
say he had not had time TO read his speech.
II he wants to go on, should like 10 call his
attention to some other statements in his
speech in relation to me-
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Tennessee Perhaps il
would be better for me to decline saving any
thing until my, colleague gets through with
his remarks, and shall make my reply ac-
cordingly.
Mr.. BELL Very well, SIR After all this.
i shall not proceed to-day in the manner |
intended yesterday evening. am restrained
by respect for myself, Ia say nothing of the
Senate.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Tennessee | understood
that my colleague preferred that should de-
cline to make an explanation now and take
another time.
Mr.. BELL Go on ut any time Won please
but l shall proceed with some points wish
to notice, without regard 10 what considered
the offensive remarks of the Senator. | pro-
pose to review some of the positions he took
In the outset of his speech which will not in
volve any feeling on either side.
In my observations on the resolutions pre-
sented yesterday morning. | endeayore,i 10
show that there had been no instrumentation
expressed by the people of Tennessee against
my course on the kausas-Nebrash, act or
1854, IN such a form that could feel in any
degree bound TO notice IL, and that th,.r, hal
been no such reasonable certainly exp, css,,l
as to the opinions of that people on the sub
Ject. / said that now consid red il very late.
to bring forward the subject. In his reply 10
this, my colleague referred, in the first place.
TO resolutions which he states, and states truly
1 believe, were pending in the Legislature of
Tennessee when the Kansas braska bill was
under consideration. paid but little atten-
ton to those resolutions because knew that
neither the Wing nor Democratic members of
mat Legislature had considered or contem-
plated the probable consequences OF that m,.a-
sure. Again, from the resolutions quoted by
my colleague in his speech, which nov hold
In my hand, there is apparent on the face of
them the very contest, or something approach
ing IT, winch was manifested between the
Wings and Democrats In the S,nat.. af IA.
United States when the Kansas Nebraska Hill
was first presented. Ii is evident thai The idea
Of the Wing members was, that If til. Demo
cratic party really meant To force ruch a me;.-
sure as that through Congress, they should
do 1t In terms that no man could mIsanIrr-