Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-03
The bright Case.

Ihe Hrfght Case. .ralr-s-
In the Senate on Wednesday last the case of
Mr.. BRIGHT was under discussion. in which Sena-
tor DAVIS Of Kentucky took part. In the course
of his speech be tool occasion TO allude to the
record of Mr. BRIGHr, and said that he understood
it to be, "that every measure proposed at the ex-
ira session of Congress to raise money, to Dor
row money, to issue Treasury notes, he (Mr
Bright h@d either Foted against or had not voted
for it." This record, Mr.. DAVIS commended, was
ample grounds fer the expulsion of Senator
Thereupon the following discussion took places
Mr.. Bright-Ths Senator will allow me mo-
mentl
Mr.. Davis-Certainly, sir. - --
Mr. Bright-Mr. President, yielding to what
seemed TO be the wishes of my friends, had de-
cided not to say another word upon this subject
butt he Senator has just made remark that in
duces me to appeal to what consi Ter that sense
OF justice that every gentleman and every Sena-
tor ought to possess. and have no doubt he does.
/ am ON trial for that which depriyes me of nv
position here, and 10 some extent affects my repu-
tation as public man. The latter care great
deal for; the former, very little. Now, the gen.
tleman announces that he has not examined my
record carefully, but he is told that it is SO and
IL | am arraigned for that which is not only to
deprive me OF my seat here, but of my reputation
in the estimation of many, is il not but Just TO me
that that Senate, should take my record and ex-
anime it carefully, run it ever line by line and
word by word before he undertakes to quote meI
Sir, it he will take the trouble to look into the
proceedings of this body. he will find no such votes
and no such sentiments as he imputes TO me. If
he will take the trouble to read from the letter
that wrote reviewing this letter TO which so much
consequence has been attached, and to which
never attached any, and / am astonished to find
that am sensible man does, he will find that
have spoken OF The doctrine of coercion as a gen.
eral principle, connecting itself with a constitu
tionsl administration of this Government. Has
there not been on the floor of the Senate from
the foundation of the Government to this hour,
Senator's who have uniformly denied, openly and
boldly, the power of the Federal Government to
eoerce any one of the sovereign States of this
Union. that had, by a legislative or conventional
resolve, declared herself no longer party to the
original compact? And has this not been the
theory of leading members in both branches or
Congress in all times pastl
Ii the Senator from Kentucky will take the
trouble TO examine into my poor speeches. the
few that | made, he will find that have ever
opposed this hereSy, the right of secession.
never have admitted the right of single State
TO secede. had the honor of serving for several
years in this body with the great South Carroll
Man, MIR. Calhoun; and during that service he
and those of his peculiar school of politics. fire.
quently favored the Senate and country with Sc
rieS of resolutions euunciating these doctrines of
State rights and State sovereignty. and no doubt
the Journals will show my votes; and if the gen
tleman will take the trouble 70 examine. my re
cord. | have no hesitation in saying tina. he will
find that have ever opposed both the doctrines
of notification and secession. But the question
OF coercion is quite another thing.
Mr.. Howe would like to ask the Senator
from Indiana, for information, it he can refer me
to speech made during the last session of Con-
gress in which he denied the right of secession, or
in which he expressed his opinions upon that
question:
Nlr. Brigbt-Itis well known am not greatly
given to speech making. | have generally been
content to record my opinions upon the yeas and
nays, always inclined to be silent, unless I'M
explained vote was calculated to place me in
false position. | will refer the honorable Sena-
tor, however, to few remarks | made at the last
session, bearing somewhat upon this question.
believe on an amendment offered by my friend
from Ohio, Mr.. Sherman,) | stated that there
were three parties on this floor, as | understood
them-an extreme Northern party. known as abo-
litiOnlsts, that was in favor OF invading the south
ern States, declaring the slaves free, and arming
them against their owners; and at the head OF
that party | classified the Senator from Massa-
chusetts, (Mr. Sumner who, IN prepared, elab-
GRATED speech, has travelled out OF the record to
assault me in this prosecution. | classed him at
the head of it, and the Senator from Kansas as
one of his supporters.
| said there was another class, known as the
Republican patty, that understand to be opposed
To that line of policy, and i named the honorable
Senator from Ohio, Mr.. Sherman and might
have named many Others now in my eye, all in
favor OF furnishing whatever OF men and money
mightbe necessary to invade any and every State
in rebellion against the laws of the United States,
and by military force subecting the people there
in to obedience. believe, sir, that | went fur
ther, and said that understood this class of
Senators as being opposed to interfering with the
rights of property or slavery in those States, ex-
cept as military necessity.
The third party which | referred to embraced
that portion of the Senate opposed to invading
any one of the States that had formally declared
herself out of the Union, and attempting by
force of arms the subjugation of her citizens and
the destruction of their property, until all effort
to effect a reconciliation amp peaceful adjust
ment had been exhausted; that whatever men or
money was necessary to protect or defend the
capital or States vet loyal and faithful to the
Union, ought to be furnished | classed myself
with this third party at that time, and said what
honestly believed that there was still hope for
an adjustment. ufr
But sir, nowhere can the Senator from Ken
lucky, or any other Senator find that ] declared
| would not vote man or a dollar to defend the
capital. or the States faithful to the laws and
Constitution. On the contrary, my votes will
show, when voted at all, either in committee or
the Senate, that have made no tactiouS opposi-
ton to any of the measures of the party in pow
err Where disapprOved the measures OF the
last session, manifested my opposition. | trust,
in a becoming and senatorial manner, and beyond
that it is not the prerogative of any man to IN
quire. l am afraid the Senator from Kentucky
has given his ear to an outside influence that has
arrayed itself against me.
Mr.. Davis--I gave way to enable the gentle
man to make an explanation.
Mr.. Brght-Well, sir, l do not know what
explanation the Senator from Kentucky desires.
Mr.. Davis-The gentleman is charging me
now with leaning to an outside influence. If he
wants Ito carry the war into Africa" am ready
to meet him.
Mr.. Bnght-The Senator from Kentucky can
not alarm me.
The Vice observation-disclosures will preserve
order.
MIR Bright understand him. and no doubt
he understands me. / have not imputed any
thing improper to the Senator from Kentucky
He has admitted that he has not examined my
record; he has not examined the journal that
contains the votes and the speeches that have
made. How then did he get the information that
has justified him in standing here and thus mis-
representing met deny ia toto that if he will
examine my record it will furnish him with any
such facts as he has detailed; he has been msin-
formed. The records will prove whether my
statement is true Present them and will an
swer you.
Mr.. Davis-Mr. President, made precisely
the same statements in relation to the gentle
mans record and votes the other day that have
made on this occasion, and made them express
ly that he might set me right il was wrong in
relation to the facts. sf-@t~
Mr.. Bright did, sir. i rose at the conclu-
sion of your speech and corrected you. r
Mr.. Davis-The gentleman misstates me now