The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-03-23


and il he Jailed with another noted char.
acter, he failed where Satan could not
stand. lie set forllf sir, with the charge
of treason, Of perjury, nay Of cowardice,
which | confess grated more harshly than
all the other accusations made use off,
We were lold that we, with the untold
millions that we represent, had so lost our
an injury. Did he believe we we're arrant
towards on this side? If he did-and |
have no doubt he did--if he believes this
side OF tie chamber are ak non combat
ants, 1 will not believe he intended TO
earn a cheap reputation for valor against
those whom he supposed would never
meet The challenge.
II is known to everybody that tho people
Of tho Free States have utterly ropudia'co
this old, aud thoy contend, barbarous mode
Of settling difficulties with duel. Every
intelligent man knows full vol that tho man
who endorsed this practice in the North has
so far fallen under tho ban of public opin.
ion that no could afterwards receiVo no of.
fce Of trust orhouor in any OF those states.
llu is treated as an outcast, and IL. by any
accident he should happen TO be triumph.
ant. he would be deemed criminal, aud
held as such in society. know Full we'll.
and regret it, that this state Of things. al.
though undoubtedly just in itself, has placed
us at disadvantage hero. l toel that this
sentiment, prevailing at the North. although
righteously, has frequently placed us, as it
were. at the mercy Of those who construo
our forbearance as n want of courage. II is
not strange that this state Of things should
exist among the Northern people We have
had no reason to distrust tho courage of tho
people there. Why. sir. physical courage
with our northern pcoplo is u sentiment SO
general that it is cheapened by it's univer.
salty. Who ever has seen tho northern
man fail on tho field Of combat: Was It
not known that bravnr men never stepped
on tho quarterback. nor entered tho peril
ous breach? Who ever heard Of a coward
at the North when duty called? But if ]
understand tho senator. We on this side, and
tho untold millions we represent, have not
tho courage to maintain our honor.
. Toombs-I would refer the senator 20 my
speech. made no such allegation; mere
~ said that a people who would violate the
compacIs they have made were not to be-
dreaded when ihoy threatened to march
down upon u.s. made no such allegation
against tho North. The gontloinan seems
to consider that they cn that side are The
people; do not.
MIR. Wade said he had read tho speech
and supposed il was declaration that those
on thar side, and the people they represent
lacked tho courage which was necessary to
maintain their own honor when impeachcd.
Mr.. Toombs-I said those persons who
were not faithful to their contracts. and who
passed Personal Liberty bills, were not to
DO dreaded. ....a..
Mr.. Wadc--I am very glad to hear the
senator's explanation. because I say il is ne
particular merit or honor to gentlemou on
that side to have general courage. Wo in
hcrited il from our common ancestors. whJ
dragged kings from their thrones whoE the,
undertook % trrspass On the rights OF IN,
people; and | trust IN God that we, theii
descendants, shall ever be us ready to vindi
cate, not only our honor, but our rights, a.
J wore our ancestors at any period. But |
that is all tho senator meant. would no
much disugrec with him. The mon whC
could DO faithlcss would be very apt to b,
towards.
But 1 don't wish to be misunderstood il
regard to this barbarous mo 10 of settling
difficulties in thinly sottled aud PARTIAL,
civilized countries, whero there were no re
straints OF law, and whora self. barbnrisn
reigns, don't know but this code might b,
necessary. II men cannot bc restrained b,
a moro elevated principle than fear, il may
DO necessary. TO teach respect for the rights
of others even by fear of the combat. Bu
tho Senator accused us of being perjureC
and faithless to tho Constitution, aud ready
TO traplple it under foot. And now, sir. jus
500 how Inconsistent IL gentleman may bc
| have no idea that he meant to ex
press the full import of his language, be
cause he came hor6 taking tho same oath a
did, and yet no told us that he was cage
for the Old Dominion to declare war.
He was ready. prompt ard eager 10 sec
ond her motion; for, he said, ''one blast @
her bugle horn would raise q million mon.
For what? Why to throw down tho pill
lars of tho Republic! If to do that is no
treason, don't know what is. If that is no
u violation of tho oath no has taken, d.
not understand tho import of il. To be sure
| these things arc said in tho heat of debate
hut they go out to the country, and mus
be noticed here. The Senator went back Il
the ancient history of Greece TO ilustrat,
his argument. Ho accused US because W,
did not happen to be quite nimble'toote'
enough. rs no supposed, in tho execution o
his Fugitive law, but he did not instance
single case, ii remember rightly, hut it wa
general charge. There has not been
single case of resistance to that Law in m.
state. When the cases came before TIN
courts, they received tho most rigid scruti
nv, and tho law has beou most rigorousl,
applied. There have been cases OF a mos
doubtful character. Men have been kid
mapped and carried off. A case occurred
not long since. And that was not the onl
one. meet the general charge with gen
oral denial. When has mt there been faith
full execution of this most rigorous, odiouS
and | believe. in many provisions, unc0n
s:itutional law? Mr.. Webster thought it hat
no warrant, except in judlciA! decisions. =
But he was nOt going to argue this point
MIR. Wade referred to the clause givini
power to commissioners as decidedly uncOD
stitutional. 1t gives them $40 10 decide on
way. IS the other. We are told this ~onl'
not buy magistrates, but that the maeis
tratcs who generally decide. these wonld b
influenced by "f'penny Bit" MIR. Wad
went On 10 speak of other provisions of thl
law. and said the North never denied an
constitutional Law. and never will resist sue
law. The law is unpopular, for it goe
against the hearts and consciances OF I'll
great masses OF the NOrth.and nothing shor
Of the Almighty power changing their heart
can make them eager 10 execute this law
In tho South, where tho feeling 10 dffsren
when slaves are brought .here from the A
rican coast, in violation of the Law again