Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-02-01
MR. SHERMAN OH THE HELPER BOOK.

vi representatives, W aSninSlon, on the ZUtn.
in the course of which Mr.. Sherman made a
manly and temperate speech. showing the po-
sition he occupies, and the nsincerity of the
tire-eaterS in reference to the ssHelper folly"
Mr.. Sherman asked Mr.. Clark whether he
would withdraw his resolution in order to give
him an opportunity to explain.
Mr.. Clark, Mo-, said he had avowed his pur-
pose, and would tell the gentleman that he had
two opportunities to make his explanation, ,but
has failed to absolve himself from the respon-
sbiiity of recommending the circulation Of
the Helper book
Mr.. Sherman. Ohio.-The gentleman fror,
Missouri has now for the first time announced
that his purpose in offering that resolution was
TO gte gentlemen an opportunity to explain
their relation to this Helper Book. | ask him
now whether he is willing to withdraw his res
olution for that purpose, temporarily, or for
any time.
Mr. Clark.-I avowed my purpose frankly
when introduced the resolution, in the re-
marks which accompanied it. The gentleman
from Ohio now proposes TO question me di-
rectly, whether will withdraw the resolution
for the purpose which avowed | entertained
when offered it. say this-that he has had
two opportunities to make that explanation,
and tell him he has failed upon each oppor-
tunity to exonerate himself from the respon-
sibilty he took when he signed that book and
recommended its circulation.
MIR. Sherman-I will say, Mr.. Clerk, that
that opportunity has never been rendered me.
When the gentleman introduced his resolution,
offensive in its character.at an improper time,
and in an improper manner. he cut oil what ne
SAYS he desired to have-an opportunity for
explanation. 1t is true that three days alter
ward, when the gentleman from Virginia APP
pealed to me, l answered him candidiy, and
stated TO him how my name became connected
with that paper. did not sign it but it seems
hat .nlio 70 mo in my
writing at my desk. and asked me to sign a
recommendation for the circulation of po-
litical pamphlet. | told him had no time to
examine the book, but if there was nothing
im,roper or offensive in it, he might use my
name, and thereupon he attached my name to
the paner | haze stated that L had not that
Information upon which the gentleman of Vir-
ginia addressed me, having forgotten the cir
cumstaDces but the circumstances were re-
called by a letter from the Hon. T.. Morgan,
of New York, member of the last Congress,
after that explanation had been published.
That, believed, was the substance of it, and
also believe that any gentleman should CON
strue it as a satisfactory explanation. | sta
ted that had not read the book, and did not
know what was in it at the time, and stated
how nv name came to be attached to that pa
per The gentlemen alluded to another occa-
sion the other day, when the subject was in
troduced here, in language which, though
1
stand it when was charged with treason, with
disseminating treason, and lighting up the
torch of the incendiary, to be applied to the
houses of my Southern brethren; charged
with crimes which, had been guilty OF them,
would have rendered me unworthy to be enti-
tied To seat on this floor. Then when that
resolution was still pending. | rose and told
the gentleman from Missouri that if he would
withdraw his resolution, would answer page
by page as the book was read or tell him my
opinion of the sentiments of those extracts In
the book as they were'read, one by one,by the
Clerk-whether | approved OF them or not.
But the gentleman refused to Withdraw that re-
solution, and say now that do not believe
that it is the desire of that gentleman to give
that opportunity, or to relieve me from the
difficulty labor under. II he does so desire,
[ say emphatically that l am willing to do it
now. and say with equal emphasis, that new
er while iye-never, so help me God ,wheth-
er the Speakers chair is before me or not
never, while that resolution is before the
House in an improper and unpariiaEentary
manner and it's adoption urged, as it Is, by OF
fensive argument, never will | explain sim
gle word contained in those extracts. Great
applause on the floor and in the galleriesl.
Ifthe gentleman will withdraw his resoiu
ton so that it VIII relieve me from that difli-
Guilty (and he may reinstate it aiierwaid II he
choosc) will then say what have to say IN
and intended as a stigma, and is sustained by
an argument wholly without precedent in par
liamentary history, cannot be expected to
say more than | have already said, ana farther
| believe that gentlemen on that side who nave
an acute sense of honor believe that my posi-
tion is correct. | know that some gentlemen
on that side of the House believe that my
statements were full and satisfactory,an even
more than under the circumstances, 1t was
proper for me to indicate. Under the crcum-
stances..1 say 10 spread this matter abroad, to
agitate the country upon 1t. to spread those
extracts all over the South, charging upon
my associates and prociaimng here from day
to day that the Republican party entertained
these sentiments and indorse them, it seems
to me does not show that ingenious, candid,
and manly course, which great party, as the
Democratic party claims to be, ought TO take.
[ think that while we make up our political
issnes-while may discuss all these matters
with sincerity and determination say 1t ought
also to be done with frankness, fairness, and
courtesy and the mode in which this resolu-
tion was proposed and pressed before the
House the manner in which the debate has
been pressed before the country, while have
sat here hands tied and lips sealed. as the
candidate of my party. arralgned before the
House and before the country from day to day,
l say it is without precedent in parliamentary
bodies. in State Legislatures, in conventions,
in party caucuSeS, or anywhere else. saiu
the other day that my political opinions were
upon public records. l say so now. Gentle
men on the other side say they have examin-
ed those records to see what my political o.
pisions are. Who has brought against me
anything that is worth while to answer. II is
true that one gentleman has said that Mr.. Sher-
man--in other words, that am charged with
being Republican. :,
Voices on the Democratic side-ssThat is it. =
Mr.. Sherman-That is my offence, and no
other. / never sought to invade the rights OF
the Santhern States / never sought to In