Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-01-27

/ StuiS. 1uis was Idukly dCKnOWltUgeu D.
some Of the signers.
Adjourned.
When the voting for Speaker began, if it
had been kept up ,citf0m debate, Sherman
would have been elected in less than "a
hours. The democrats knew that, and hence
the interruption with the howl raised
against him by Clark, of Missouri-about
the Helper book If that occasion had not
been 10 hand another would have been found
| the obec; being TO p event -u election till
/ by fair or foul means tire democrats could
combine votes enough to defeat him and
elect a man Of their own. Eor seven weeks
it has been yelp-yelp, about the Helper
book. and about Slermans having recon-
meuded Is circuiation-the yelps being in
terspersed with vociierous disunion below
ings, threats OF personal violence, and vulgar
and abusive charges of all sorts against re-
publicans aud the northern people generally.
That the clamor 70 Mr.. Sherman to disavow
the Helper book is all a pretence, a con-
temptible humbug, is evident enough from
abundant proofs The passage, on Friday
day night last, between Harderman of Geor-
gia, Sherman Hindman, of Arkansas, and
Clark of Missouri, given below, is the
last. bat not least Of them
MIR Clark OF Missouri made some explain
alton as TO his object in introducing the res
outon that no endorser of the Helper book
was fit TO be Speaker of the House
Mr. Sherman asked Mr.. Clark whether he
would withdraw MS resolution, in order to
give him an opportunity to explain.
Mr.. Clark said he had avowed his purpose,
and would tell the gentleman his explana-
tion has failed to absolve himself from the
recommending the circulation Of the Helper
book
Mr., sherman replied that an opportunity
had never been rendered him. When the
gentleman from Missouri introduced the res
0lution offensive in character and at an i'm
proper time and manner, he cut off what he
said he desired % do, namely-Otfer an op-
p0rtunity for explanation. When, three
days after. the gentleman from Virginia, Mr.
MIlls0n, appealed to him, he stated that he
never had seen or read the book, and had no
recollection OF signing any accommodation,
After that explanation was published, he re-
ceived letter from f. B. Morgan, mem
Der OF the last Congress, recalling the cir
cumstances under which his name became
connected with the publication. Mr. Nor
gan stated that while he (Nlr. Sherman) was
writing at his desk, he asked permission to
use his recommendation in circulating a po-
litical pamphlet. He consented, provided
there was nothing in it offensive or improper,
and confding IN the Judgment Of the friend
who requested the favor. This was the whole
story, and presented plain, unvarnished
statement Of facts. which had been so much
These were all the circum-
stances under which his name had become |
associated with the book The other day, |
when the subject was brought before the |
House, and in language which he did not |
consider courteous. when he was charged with |
treason and lighting up the |
torch to be applied to the dwellings, of his
Southern brethren-charged with crimes,
which, If he were guilty OF them, would take
from him his title to a seat on that floor
when he rose in his place, and told the gen
tleman from Missouri that if the resolution
was withdrawn, he would answer, as the
book was read, page by page, whether he
avowed or dlsayowed the sentiments therein,
the gentleman refused to withdraw it.
He did not believe it was the desire of the
gentleman to give him the opportunity, or to
relieve the opportunity. If so, he would
now withdraw it, to give him an opportuni-
ty to do what he proposed. Never, so help
me God. whether the Speakers chair stands
befor me or not-never, while the resolution
is before the House improperly and in an
way. and its adoption is
urged by offensive arguments-will l explain
a single word in those extracts (Applause
from the Republican side and galleries
While the resolution is intended as stigma,
and is sustained by ,pithets, he cannot ex-
pect me to say more.
Mr.. Hardeman-I charge the gentleman
with having advocated on this floor PROPOSE
ton to exclude slavery from the territories
by Congressional legislation, and of having
lvowed his intention to oppose the admission
Of any slave State into the Union and of
having branded the fugitive slave law as
savage and inhuman. | charge him with
having stigmatized Southern slavery as in
furious and a crime.
Mr.. Sherman-ln other words am charg-
cd with being a Republican. This is my
other. | never sought to in
wade the rights OF the Southern States, nor
the rights Of any citizen I have my ideas
Of slavery IN the territories, and at proper
time am willing to define them. | have
made but one speech on the subject in Con-
SreSs, and that growing out of the offensive
message of President Pierce. They are the
opinions OF the body of the Republicans, and
gentlemen may discuss them. l stand by
my political record
believe the resolutions are unjust, often
5lve and wrong, not only to Republicans but
to our common constituency. This agitation
has struck up bad blood. If this obstacle
were removed, believe we can yet go to
work and organise the House, and admInist-
er Its power with impartially. Whenever
my name stands as a barrier to organization,
and my friends are satisfied they can combine
a larger number of votes, either by majori-
ty or plurality, | will not stand in my pres
ent position one hour. | will cheerfully
retire from the field and give place to any other
Republican who will except the barren hon
ors OF the Speakers Chair. (Applause.)
Mr.. Clark of Mo, expressed his astonish-
ment that the gentleman had taken the
ground he had. He had by his remarks,
destroyed the LAST hope that he Clark
would withdraw the resolution.
The gentleman has passed the day of
grace. He has been arraigned before the
country. He Clark would never withdraw
the resolution.
In the recent cold weather in London, three