Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-04-27
xxxvIth CoNGREss-FIRsT SESSION.

WASHINGTON, april 70.
SENATE.--Several Executive communica-
tions were read.
Mr.. Foster introduced bill TO provide for
progress in the useful arts. Referred.
The veto message of the President, on the
bill for the relief of Arthur Edwards, was Or
dered to be printed.
Adjourned till Monday.
H0USE-Mr. Smith, of Va, rising to a
question of privilege, read an extract from
Mr.. Bingham's speech, in which the latter
said that Maryland tolerated open and active
efforts among her citizens for the abolition of
domestic slavery, and that Virginia felt and
saw in every fiber of her existence that she
must either throw off that giant wrong or
perish by reason of its continuance. Mr..
Smith said that supposing the gentleman
from Ohio did not desire to do him injustice,
he (Smith) sought to correct him by remark
ing he did not want the gentleman to say
that Virginia did it; some other politicians
did it but Virginia repudiated it.
Mr.. Bingham replied that in speaking of
the politicians of Virginia he wished to say
that the South has men superior to such mar
row, bigoted, selfish, mercenary prejudices
but unhappily the gentleman from Virginia
is not one of them.
Mr.. Smith, after reading the above, said it
would be observed to be broad denuncia-
ton of the entire South, and especially the
narrow, bgoted, selfish and mercenary, and
| that he (Smith) was one of them, and that he
understood Mr., Bingham asmeaning what he
said. =. ... ..... ... .-.. .
Mr.. Bingham-I mean what | said.
Mr.. Smith-lt is false, deliberate, calum-
| nious.
Mr.. Bingham replied that gentlemans
| declaration was not likely to cause him to
strike out the facts of history. What he said
he stood by. He repeated what he had said
us to the former movement in Virginia, to
abolish the slave-system, but for the last
thirty years the sectional strife has been con-
tinued by making war on the great and bene-
ficent policy of free labor. Every one knew
it to be true that no man could to-day stand
up in the Legislature of Virginia, and express
his anti-3layery sentiments, as were an
derwood driven away? Where was the gen.
tleman then (SmithG who was anxious to
vindicate the right of free speech? He knew
that a large mob assembled in Wheeling TO
suppress peaceable meeting called to effect
| Republican organization. He repeated
what he spoke of the politicians of the South.
He did not include everybody in the South,
but those who give direction to public opin-
ion. The opposition to free labor rests on
nothing but mercenary foundation.
1t was the old story of Alexander, the cop
persmith. The class of men to whom he re-
ferred as superior to all such practices con-
stitute a large majority in the Southern
States, but unfortunately they have not the
power which is conferred by wealth and
social position, and therefore have not the
power to make themselves felt.
Mr.. Smith, of Va, returned to the charge
insisting that he had given proper inter
| probation to Mr.. Bingham's remarks. If Mr.
| Bingham had spoken merely of politicians,
| he (Mr. S. would not have word to say;
but if he spoke of the great body of Virginia,
| in view of what Virginia had done in having
given Ohio and other Western States to the
| Union, the gentleman dared to describe
Virginians as selfish and mercenary. The
| man who brings such charge is guilty of
uttering a calumny. He defended Virginia
| for preventing persons from going into that
| Commonwealth with torch in hand TO fire
| her social and political edifice. He said that
| Mr. Underwood was treated with great deli
cacy, and reminded the gentleman that there
were raids in Ohio, and violations of the law,
and that the Governor of that State had re-
| fused to surrender witness to the demands
of justice. Were they to have lectures on
propriety from such a source2 He simply
wanted to reply to an attack on his State and
the South generally. -...
Mr.. Bingham replied that the gentleman
| drew on his fancy for his facts, and on imag-
| ination for his arguments; and in the course
| of his remarks referred to the opinion OF Gov
Mason and Gov. Mcdowell, of less than thirty
years ago, in favor of emancipation. He re.
| pudiated the charge that he did injustice to
| Virginia, and eulogized that State.
Mr.. Smith rejoined he knew that Mr.. Nc
Dowell had expressed such opinions in lS43-
IA and '45, while he was Governor Of the
| Commonwealth. His opinions underwent 4
| change, and he was not elected because ht
| was in favor of emancipation. b
Mr.. Florence moved that when the House
adjourn it be till Monday, in order that gen
/ tlemen may attend to business at the Depart
ments. There was an understanding that nj
business should be transacted .'....
Mr.. Ashmore hoped that all the gas anG
Buncombe speeches would be made, SO that
on the return of the absentees the House
might proceed TO business. nI
The House went into Committee OF the
Whole. ....rt.,a ...,..-.-. -..5...5.i
Mr.. Jenkins, of Virginia, argued that thu
success of the Republican party would tent
TO a dissolution OF the Union.
Mr.. Rice spoke upon the Tariff, making al
/ elaborate argument ON the wool question
demonstrating the common interest of tn
manufacturer and the wool-grower, ant
showing that there is a gradual increase 0
prices of American wool under the presen
low duties. He advocated the Tariff Bill a
present before the House. 9sw iaa. 70 s9fggs'
Mr.. Holman made Democratic speech.
Mr.. Washburne, of Wisconsin, replied ;
his colleague, Larrabee, showing that tn
Democratic party OF his State claim TO b