Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-05-12

PORTRAIT OF SUNNER.-The following is life-like
portrait of Charles Sumner, of Mass, drawn by Hon.
c. c. Clay. of Ala, in 1854, when Sumner tried to
back out from his statement that he would not re-
turn fugitive slave in accordance with his oath
TO support the Constitution
Now, Mr. President | have few more words to
say which utter with great dlHdence to older SEN
ators on tins floor We have no means OF prevent
ing these violations of the dignity and propretes OF
the Senate There is no penal statute which can
reach man who only avOws his willingness to COM
nit crime. But, let ask, suppose private citl-
zen, however wealthy and well born, however high
ly cultivated his mind however great his talents or
rich his requirements, should openly avow a readi-
ness to commit moral perjury-Should day by day
evincc disposition to instgate other men to crime,
which, from want of personal courage, he did not
dare to perpetrate hmselE-shoud daily encourage
other to Vi pate the rights of his neighbors, TO
steal their property, TO kidnap their slaves, and to
refuse to return them-shoud daily assai the feel
ings of his neighbors by wanton, rude and uncaled
for assaults upon their characterS-and when rebu-
ked for it in the harShcst most offensive and oppro
brOus language like the spaniel should quietly sub
mt or beg for quarter, but never repair the wrong
resent the inSut-a Sneaking sinuous, snake like
poltroon who Guild violate all the rights Of assUcI
atcS or friends, and never make reparatOn or ac-
knowledge his error and who held himself irreSpon-
Sbr TO all law, feeling the obligation neither Of the
Divine law nor If the law of the land, nor Of the
creant be treated: Why, if you could not reach him
with the Of municipal law, if you could not send
HIM TO the pcnitentiary, you would send him TO
CoreRtry. You would exclude him from the pale of
society; you would neither extend to him the cour
tcsts that shown gentlemen. permit him TO
offer such to you. You would make him feel that
he was Stunned like 1epcr, and lcathed like Ill
thy reptile; and you would soon render him nI-
potent for evil he was di>nclincd for good Such
characters, though rare, may DC found. and have
been known. ! can give from memory the general
outlines of portrayed 10y Dickens, in his novel,
David Coppcriicld-tlat of Uriah mean, yet af
fectcd honor; malignant yet feisned bcnevO-
lence; prc>umptuous, yet pretended humility; in
Stigacd others 10 violence he dared not commit yet
assumed an air Of mecknes; suggested crimes, and
melted others to their commission, yet bore himself
with studied ancnity Of manner and choice EXPIRES
SiOns of bcnignty. We have such character on
this floor. have suggested our means of rebuk;ng
if we cannot silence him; OF disabling, if cannot
.diSarm him. IL we cannot check individual abuses,
may preserve the dignity of this body. IL we
cannot restrain prevent this eternal warfare upon
the feelings and rights of southern gentlemen, we
may rob the serpent # his fangS. We can para
lyze his influence 10y Ilacing him in that nadir of
social degradation winch he merits. ain surprised
| repeat, ! am surprised, that honorable men, but
especially southern men, should far forget their
rights and those of their constituents and their du
ties to them well 10 themselves to lend any
cOuntenancc to such character as have portrayed