The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-02-10
Speech Of Mr.. Fessenden.

4
Speech Of Mr.. Fessenden.
In the Senate, on the 23d January, in reply
TO The speech Of Mr.. Douglas, on the sub
jet Of the protection Of States and Terrific.
ries against inrdsion.
did not anticipate, Mr.. President, that
the honorable Senator from Illinois, Mr.
Douglas, in his address to-day, would say
anything chat would call upon me, or any
member Of the Senate ON our side OF the
House, to say word in reply; but, cir, be
has followed such line OF remark, unlamil.
iar to those who are in the habit Of listening
to speeches in this body, that, coming from
HIM at this particular time, feel impclled to
say few words, in relation particularly to
what he has said of the Republican party.
Mr.. President, was somewhat at n loss to
imagine what necessity there was for the reso-
luton upon your table, offered by the hon.
orable Senator, upon which he has spoken.
We oil know that, at an early period OF. this
session, the honorable Senator from Virginia
mir. Nlason] offered 4 resolution OF inquiry
in the causes and particulars OF inquiry into
the Harper's Ferry affair; and that he not
only offered that resolution of inquiry, but
went further, and proposed that an inquiry
should be made Us to the remedy, and what
laws ought to be passed, in order to protect
the States of this Union, Unnecessary, against
each other. A very able committee was ap-
pointed to investigate that subject. That
committee has had, and still has, the matter
under consideration. The honorable Senator
from Illinois, not content with that, distrust-
ing. il would seem the ability and the power
of that committee to make all the examina-
tlon necessary, lays resolution upon your
table, and appoints time at which hc ar
sumes to instruct that committee "a to their
duty, and to point out the particular mode
that that they are to adopt in order to ac-
complish the purpose.
Sir, was that the object, or had the hon.
orablc Senator an object beyond simplyspeak.
ing on a question not attended, in my judge
ment, with any very great constitutional or
legal diflcnlty? Had he something beyond
that, to avail himself of an opportunity to
make what certainly have right to de.
nominate political speech, intending to nj
feet the parties of the country with reference
to political objects rather than to accomplish
tho particular purpose apparent upon the
face of the resolution itseli?
Well, sir, following out the apparent pur-
port of his resolution, he has made an argu-
inent, an argument which it is sufficiently
clear, one that think have seen substnn-
J. tally in soms of the newspapsss bslore, with
reference to the constitutional power OF Con.
gress on this subject. take 1t that there il
no very great difference of opinion upon the
matter. think the Senator will permit me
to say that, upon that point, he has advanc-
ed nothing very new and | am yet to know
that there is any member of the Senate, or
any member of this Congress, who is not as
desirous us he is that all attempt to incite in
cite insurrection In the ncighboring States,
or to make attacks upon ncighboring States,
como from what quarter they may. ought to
be suppressed, and that all the power OF this
Government ought to be used To suppress
them. do not know that there has boon u
design anywhere, except in tho minds OF
some few individuals in the country, who
are well known not to belong tO any party,
that is at all opposed to the course which
has been pointed out by him, and which had
been previously suggested by the honorable
Senator from Virginia. =,
have not examined tho constitutional
question myself. have my own general
Impressions with regard to it. hnvc trust
ed il to the able committee who have had 1t
in charge; and supposed that ut the proper
time we should hear from them q scheme
within constitutional limits. calculated, de-
signed, able, to affect the object which the
Senator seems to have 80 much at heart, and
which we all have at heart. And, sir, will
say this that as far as hc has spoken ON
that particular portion of the inquiry, with
regard to the question of constitutional pow
er, as at present advised, am disposed to
agree with his views. | certainly am die
posed to agree with him as 10 the heimportancc,
IL need be, in view of the recent events which
have transpired, and excited so much feeling
throughout the country, that the power of
this Government should bc excrtcd now, in
order to teach the people of all this country
that they have no right in any State to form
schemes Of any description To disturb the
peace of their neighbor. hold with him,
and, presume, with all members of the
Scnate-I know do with all the members OF
my own party.-.that if this power can bc
iouud-and | believe il cxists-it should be
cxertel for that end. ! am ready to 81 US
far as nny man reasonably could 90 in order
to accomplish the purpose.
But, sir, leaving that-lor IL in not To that
particular part of the gentleman's speech
that wished to address u few words to the
Senate in reply--l come to the next point
which he makes. and that is, that for that
event the Republican party OF this country is
responsible. That Substantially his charge.
lie says that it is due to the teachings OF the
Republican party. Sir. we have heard that
before. We heard that in the Senate
during the first part Of this session. IL was
itcrated and reiterated here then. We have
heard Il in tho other branch 0f Congress,
and VIC have heard il in the partizan news
papcrs of the country. The Senator, ! take
Il had no other design in view IN giving u
10 ms again this morning, than to satisfy .ne
country that he held to the sime belief ~,th
regard 10 the Republican party. why, sir'
we should have taken that Tor gran'cu' M''n-
out his declaration. IL has got 10 oe party
dogma on the other side OF this chamber, and
I'm The Democratic party. IL sa part OF the
creed. Il isa portion OF the plan OF the cam-
mjgp. II has rcirrnce to the iall elections.
Tbe object Is TO fix upon the country che idea
that the Republican party is responsible for
the raid of John Brown, and responsible in
consequence Of the teachings Of members Of
that party.
a,n not disposed 10 admit that to be %.
7 was disposed to listen to 1t patiently when
II was iterated and reiterated by gentleman
who came from the southern section OF tho
county, from the slave States, II they ehoss
TO pour II into our ears more than once, ana
to take our own time for discussing that mat