The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-02-02
SPEECH OF Mr.. SHERMAN IN REPLY
TO Mr.. CLARK OF MISSOURI.
Friday. January 20, 1860.


SPEECH OF Mr.. SHERMAN IN REPLY
TO MR.. CLARK OF MISSOURI
Friday, January 20, 1860.
Mr.. Clark, of Missouri, having said that Mr..
Sherman had had two opportunities of explain
ing his connection with the Helper book
Mr.. Sherman. will say that that opportu-
nifty has never been rendered to me. When
the gentleman introduced his resolution, often
sive in its character, at an improper time, In
an improper manner, he cut of-what he says
now he desires to give-an opportunity for ex-
PLANTATION. 1t is true, that, three days after
wards, when the gentleman from Virginia Mr..
Millson appealed to me- stated to him frankly
how my name became connected with that
paper. | did not sign the paper; but it seems
that Hon. L. ID. Morgan, a member of the last
Congress, and friend of mine, came to me
when was in my place, and asked me to sign
a recommendation for the circulation of a po-
litical pamphlet, to be compiled by commit
tee Of which Mr.. Blair, STAKEHOLDER of Mis-
souri,, was one, from large book by Helper, a
North Carolinian. ] said to him that / had
not time to examine the book; but if there was
nothing offensive In it, he might use my name
Thereupon, this gentleman attached my name
10 hat paper. This information did not have
at the time the gentleman from Virginia adj
dressed me; but / said to him | had no recol
lection OF having signed the paper, but pre-
sumed had, from my name appearing in the
printed list / subsequently acquired it from
Mr.. Morgan, whose letter was published. That,
1 believe, was sufficient, under the circum
stances | know there are members on that
side of the House who have considered 1t as
satisfactory, and nv friends so regard it. At
L. IL. II
that | did not know what was IN 1t.
The gentleman alludes to another time.
TIE other day, when this subject was again
broSght before the House by him, in language
which, although he claims to be courteous,
could i.ot regard as such, when | was, by i'm
plication. but with disclaimer of personal Of
fence. charged with disseminating treason, with
lighting the .orch in the dwelling of my South
ern brethren, and with crimes of which, if
was guilty. | should not be entitled to a seat
upon this floor 1 then rose IN my place, and
told the gentleman from Missouri that if he
would withdraw that resolution would answer
this book page by page, or those extracts one
by one, and tell him whether l approved them
or not. The gentleman refused to withdraw
the resolution. Long ago he was nothed by
me, and my friend from Pennsylvania Mr..
Morris announced on the floor that his resolu-
ton was regarded by me as menace, and, If
withdrawn, would lead to q frank avowal or
disayowa. l say now, Mr.. Clerk, that | do not
believe 1t is the desire of the honorable gentle
man to give me that opportunity. If he does
desire it, am willing to do now what / said
would have done then. And | say, with equal
emphasis, that never, so help me God, whether
or not the Speakers chair is to be occupied by
me. will do so while that resolution is before
L ii If rH ~ nffa
sive in its tone, unprecedented, unparliament-
ary. and an invasion of the rights Of represent
alton. Under the menace clearly contained in
1t, never viii explain single word contained
an those extracts. Applause from the Repub-
Gcan benches aRd the gallery. If the gentle
man will withdraw his resolution, even tor a
moi0ent, to relieve me from the menace-he
NAV ,>instate it afterwards if he chooses will
then saS what have to say in regard to those
extracts. Bot while it stands before the House,
intended as stigma upon me, and sustained
by an argumen. without precedent in parlia-
mentary history, he cannot expect me to say
more than | have DONE believe not only my
friends, but the gentlemen on lie other side OF
the House, who have a sense OF honor, believe
that my position is correct. | Know that some
of them regard my statement made on the third
day of the session as full and satisfactory, and
all that under the circumstances, twas propeI
for me to indicate.
For gentlemen now to press this matter; to
agiiate the country; to spread these extracts
all over the South, and to charge the sentiments
of this book u7on me and upon my associates
here; to proclaim, day after day, that the Re
pubhcans entertain these sentiments and en-
dorse them, is not that ingenious, candid, and
manly course, which a great party like the
Democratic party ought to pursue. While We
may conduct our political quarrels with heat
and discuss matters with zeal and determine
ton, it ought to be done with fairness anC
frankness. The mode in which this resolution
has been pressed before the country, and ]
with my hands tied and my lips sealed as
candidate, have been arraigned, day by dav. i
without precedent, not only in history, but il
party caucuses, IN State Legislatures, in Stat
Conventions, or anywhere else.
Mr.. Clerk, said, when | rose the other day
that my public opinions were on record. / sa
so now. Gentlemen upon the other side hav
said that they have examined that record to as
certain what my political opinions were. The
will look in vain for anything tending to excit
instruction, to disturb the peace, TO invade th
rights Of the States, to ALLEVIATE the North an
South from each other, or to loosen the ties G
fraternal fellowship by which our people hav
been. and should be, bound together / am fo
the Union and the Constitution, with all tn
compromises under which it was formed, an,
all the obligations which it imposes. This ha
always been my position; and these opinion
have been avowed by me on this floor, an
stand now upon your records. Who has brough
ANYTHING from that record against me that
worthy of answer?
It IS true that the other day one gentle A
did saw objected to the introduction of Jil
So did; but, when the gentleman who .ntr
duced the bill made what l conceived to be
satisfactory explanation, withdrew it. Thi
was all could do, and that it was proper Fl
me to do. And, sir, the country will take n
tice that that is the only accusation mac
against me while l have been candidate f
Speaker before this House. If there be al
others, bring them forward.
Mr.. Hindman. As am the Democrat refe
red to by the member from Ohio will he pc
NIT me to refresh his recollection as to son
other points which / made in regard to his re
ord l charged the gentleman with havil
previously advocated upon this floor the excl
sion of slavery by Congressional legislatlt
from certain Territories. / charged him wi
having avowed bis intention to oppose the a
mission of new slaveholding States into Il
Confederacy i charged him with having bran
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