Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1860-01-19
Correct Version.

The following are Mr.. Vallandigham's re,
marks in reply to Mr., Grow, December 30,
1859.
Mr.. Vallandigham-Mr. Clerk, | was one
of the twenty nine Democrats who voted for
the resolution of the gentleman from Pa
GMr. Grow, and deem it proper that n word
should be said by way of explanation and
reply. | am Of the Horatian school Of phi
losophy, and adopt the nil ddmirori in oil
its extent, especially a gentleman who.
thoroughly and wholly responsible, SO far
as this House is concerned, for whatever of
misfortune and embarrassment has befallen
the seven thousand mail contractors to
whom be had just alluded, can yet rise aud
seek TO place that responsibility anywhere
else than just where it belongs. ] voted for
his resolution, in the last Congress, because
l doubted whether the Senate had this con-
stitutioual power 10 attach such an amend
ment es they did attach to the Post Office
bill sent from this House, and thought that,
wherever there was q real doubt as to con
stitutional power, it ought, as a general rule,
to be resolved against the power. would
have much preferred, indeed, to have voted
against the amendment directly; but | ga W
plainly that the resolution Of the gentleman
mr.. Grow returning the bill to the Sem
ate, would pass, and that if | voted against
it, and thon failed to indicate my opposition
to the increase of postage, (for | am opposed
to it, and my doubt of the constitutionality
of the Senate amendment, ! might be placed
in a false position upon the record. take,
then, my share of the responsibility and
should 80 vote again precisely under similar
circumstances; but ] tell the gentleman from
Pa, Mr.. Grow, and | tell the country,
that | would scorn myself il, being thus re.
sponsible in part for whatsoever of disaster,
embarrassment, or bankruptcy may have
fallen upon that class Of contractors, | could
rise here In this House, in presence of my
fellow members, and before the country,
and, seeking to place that responsibility
whore it does not belong pour out the signs
and tears of insincerity over the sufferings
Of those whom | may have wrongel. And,
cir, when the gentleman makes assaults OF
this character, he ought 10 remember that
he is the man above all others to whom this
embarrassment, disaster, and bankruptcy
must be ascribed: and, responsible as he is,
propriety and decorum should have imposed
silence upon him; or, if not silent, certainly.
at least he should have spoken in a tone
and temper very different from that in
which his remarks were delivered.
Sir the gentleman from Pa, the other
day, with a rudeness and indecorum which
l trust will find no imitators on any side Of
this House, retailcd to us the stale old Jest,
that the N. Y, Herald had furnished the
brains for this side Of the Chamber, in this
discussion. Very well. How easy would it
be to retort that the N. York Tribune had
furnished both brains and decency to that
side Of the House, and in very small, infni-
tessimal quantities at that and moreover,
that il is very doubtful whether the geutle-
man from Pa, has received a full share in
the distribution. Laughter and applause.
But / forbear.
desire, then, that the responsibility shall
rest where it belongs. shall take my part
of it willingly and freely, having stated the
reasons for my vote in favor of the resolu
ton. want the gentleman from Pa t.
bear his part Of the burden; | bear nine
l want the distinguished Senator from Ga.
GMr, Toombs,l and the Senate, to bear theil
portion. Let us have no more Of the mat
ter, the language, or the manner, in which
this subject has been discussed.