Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1860-05-10
Congressional.
WASHINGTON, April 26.

HCUsE-Mr. Smith, of Virginia, rlsIne
to a question of privilege, read an extrac
from Mr.. Bingham's speech, in which th'
latter said that Nd. tolerated open, activ,
efforts among her citizens for the abolish
ing of domestic slavery, and that Virgins
felt and saw in every fibre of her existence
that she must either throw off that giant
wrong or perish by reason of its continu
ance.
Mr.. Smith said that, supposing the
gentlemen from Ohio did not desire 10 dc
injustice, he (Smith) sought to correct him
by remarking that he did not want ths
gentlemen to say that Virginia did that
Some of her politicians did it; but Virgins
rspudiated it.
Mr.. Bingham replied, that in speaking
of the politicians of Virginia, he wished to
say the South has now men superior to all
such narrow, bigoted, selfish, mercenary,
prejudices, but unhappily the gentlemen
from Va is not one of them.
Mr.. Smith, after reading the above, said
it would be absurd to be bold denunci-
alton of the entire south-Virginia es-
peoially. The great body of the people are
accused of being narrow-m'nded, bigoted,
selfish and mercenary, and that be (Smith)
was one of them-that he understood
Mr.. Bingham as meaning what be said.
Mr.. Bingham meant what l said.
Mr.. Smith-It is faRe, and the man
who utters it is a deliberate calumniator
Mr.. Bingham replied that the gentle
mans declaration was not very likely TO
cause him to strike out the facts of history.
What he said be stood by.
He repeated what he had said as to the
former movement in Virginia to abolish the
slave system, but for the last thirty years
the sectional strife has been continued by
making war upon the great and benefcent
policy of free labor. Every one knew it
to be true that no man could to day stand
up in the Legislature of Virginia and ex-
press his anti-slavery sentiments as were
announced there in 1882. Why was Mr..
Underwood driven away? Where was the
gentleman then (Smith) who was anxious
to vindicate the right of free speechs He
knew that large mob assembled in Whee-
ling to suppress peaceable meeting called
to effect Republican organization.
He repeated that he spoke, of politicians
of the South; he did not include every
body in the South; but those who gave
direction to public opinion. The oppo-
sition to free labor rests on nothing but a
mercenary foundation. 1t was the old
story of Alexander, the coppersmith: The
class of men to whom he referred as supe-
rior to all such practices, constitute large
majority in the Southern States, but
unfortunately they have not the power
whichis conferred by wealth and social
position. Mr.. Smith, of Va. returned
the charge; insstead that he had given a
proper Interpretation to Mr.. Bingham's re-
marks. If Mr.. Bingham had spoken of
politicians merely, be (Mr. Smith) would
not have wold 10 say; but if he spoke of
the great body of Virginia, in view Of what
Virginia had done in having given Ohio
and other western States to the Union,
Lhe gentleman dared to describe Virginians
rs selfish and mercenary; the man who
brings such charge is guilty of uttering
a calumny. He said that Mr.. Underwood
was treated with great delicacy, and re-
minded the gentleman that there were
mobs in Ohio, and violation of the law,
and that the Governor of that State refused |
10 surrender witness to the demands of
Justice. Were they to have lectures
On propriety from such source? He
Smith wants to defend an attack on his
State and the South generally.
Mr.. Bingham replied that the gentle
nan drew on his fancy for his facts, and
for his arguments, and in THE
course of his remarks he referred 10 the
opinions of Geo. Mason and Gov. Mellow
III of less than 80 years ago, in favor of
emancipation. He repudiated the charge
hat he did injustice 10 Virginia, and eu-
ogized that State.
Mr.. Smith replied that he knew that
dr. Mcdowell had expressed such opinions,
'ut in 1874 or AS, while he was Governor
# the Commonwealth, his Opinions un-
erwent change, and he was not rejected
'ecause he was friend of emancipation.
Mr.. Florence moved that when the
House adjourn, it adjourn till Monday, in
rider that gentlemen may finish business
Al