The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-02-02

Constitution of his country, as savage and in
human law. charged him with having stig-
matized domestic institution of the Southern
States of this Union as an injury TO the master
and a crime against the slave. Those matters
are yet to be met by the gentleman, and call
his attention to them.
Mr. Sherman. In other words, am charged
with being Republican. That is my offence !;
none other. / have never sought to invade the
rights ..of the Southern States. | have never
sought to trample upon the rights of citizens of
the Southern States / have my ideas about
slavery in the Territories, and at the proper
time and in the proper way / am willing to dis
cuss the question. / never made but one speech
on the subject of slavery, and that was in refer
ence to what regarded as an improper remark
made by President Pierce in 1856. / then
spread upon the record my opinions on the sub
ject, and have found no man to call them into
question. They are the opinions of the body Of
the Republicans. They are the opinions which
| now entertain. Gentlemen are at liberty to
discuss these questions as much as they choose,
and l will bear my share of the responsibility
for entertaining these opinions.
But now speak to my personal record.
Mr.. Hindman. Will the gentleman allow me
before he proceeds further?
MIR. Sherman. The gentleman will excuse me.
Again: these gentlemen, while publishing in
their speeches all over the country that am,
in effect, a traitor, &C., by implication, il is
true, disavowing, as l am glad to say each of
them have done, any design to be personally
offensive, but in way that answers the same
purpose; yet, when called upon to show proofs
or specifications, they fail to do so and the
only act for which l have been arraigned before
the American people is that, in a moment when
l was sitting here, busy at my desk, and one OF
my friends and late member of this House,
came to me and asked me to sign paper rec
ommending the publication of political tract;
that, when | authorized my name to be put to
that recommendation, by that very act be-
came traitor, and would place the torch in
the hands of the incendiary. / say this is not
fair argument. And l again repeat that, if my
friend from Missouri Mr.. Clark desires to
know what my sentiments are in regard to the
extracts read at the Clerks table, the only por-
ton of the Helper book have seen or read, l
will give them if he will remove a menace from
me. L never did do anything under menace. /
never will. 1t is not in my blood, and these
gentlemen cannot put it there. Applause from
the Republican benches and the galleries.
Mr.. Clark, of Missouri, sought the floor.
Mr.. Sherman. The gentleman will excuse
me. | have, so far as l am concerned in this
contest, been quiet and patient. j desire to
see an organization of the House opposed to
the Administration. l think it is our highest
duty to investigate, to examine, and analyze
the mode in which the executive powers of
this Government have been administered for
few years past That is my desire. Yes, sir
/ said here, in the first remark | made, that
did not believe the slavery question would
come up at all during this session. | came
here with the expectation that we would have
a business session, that we would examine into
the business affairs Of this Government, and
that we would analyze the causes of the in
creased expenditures of the Government, and
the proper measures of redress and retrench-
ment. | did not believe that the slavery ques-
ton would come up; and, but for the unfortu-
nate affair of Brown at Harper's Ferry, did
did not believe there would be any feeling on
the subject. Northern members came here
with kindly feelings, no man approving the
foray of John Brown, and every man willing to
say so every man willing to admit it as an act
OF lawless violence. We came here hoping
that at this time of peace and quiet, we might
examine, inquire into, and pass upon practical
measures of legislation tending to harmonic
the conflicting elements of the Government,
and strengthen the bonds of union. The inter
ests of great and growing people present
practical questions enough to tax the ability
and patriotism of us all.
Such was our duty; but the moment we ar
rived heretofore, sir, we had even formal
vote-this question of slavery was raised by the
introduction of the resolution of the gentleman
from Missouri. 1t has had the effect of ex-
citing the public mind with an irritating con.
troversy. 1t has impaired the public credit,
and retarded the public business. The debate
founded upon it has been unjust, offensive,
wrong not only to the Republicans here, not
only to those with whom act, but TO all our
common constituents, North and South. The
gentlemen who have advocated that resolution
have stirred up bad blood, and all because
certain gentlemen have recommended that a
compilation be made of a book. Even yet we
may retrieve the loss of valuable time We
could now 90 TO work, organize this House, and
administer the powers of this House with fair
ness and impartiality.
In conclusion, let me say, that by no act or
effort have sought the position now occupy
before the House. The honor was rendered
me by the generous confidence and partially
of those with whom it has been my pride to
act, politically. Their conduct in this irrita
ting controversy has justified my attachment
If | shall ever reach the Speakers chair, it
will be with untrammeled hands, and with an
honest purpose to discharge every duty in the
spirit which the oath of Office enjoins and to
organize the House with reference to the rights
and interests of every section, the peace and
prosperity of the Union, and the efficient dis
charge of all the business of the Government.
And whenever the friends, who have so gal
lantly and literally sustained me thus far, be-
lieye that my name in any way presents an
obstacle to success, it is my sincere wish they
should adopt some other. Whenever any one
of my political friends can combine greater
number of votes than i have been honored
with, or sufficient to elect him by majority or
plurality rule, l will not stand in this position
one hour / will retire from the field, and yield
to any other gentleman with whom l act, the
barren honors of the Speakers chair; and /
promise my friends a grateful recognition of
the unsolicited honor conferred upon me, and
a Jealous and earness cooperation. Applause
from the Republican benches and the gale
ries.
CASSIUS NJ. CLAY'S SPEECH.
The following account of the able speech of
NJ CIo1 10 from, a WIKI ond mo