Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-11

the charge of dssloyaity 10 the Uni-
ted states, and I'm yiudication OF
tsse Freedom Of Opinion and speech.
In the Senate on Wednesday. the 9Th in
slant. the resolution proposing the expulsion
of Nf. BRIGHr being under consideration, he
made the following remarks before the vote was
taken in vindication Of his devotion to the Con
stituronal Union, to the best interests of the
Governments, and against the proposed outrage on
the freedom Of speech and the right Of voting
according to the dictates of conscience and judg
ment:
In the personal aspect of the question i would
perhaps be better that should have said weeks
ago what shall say to day: but not anticipating
that the subject would occupy much time as il
has consumed. OF that such importance would be
attached To il. content to leave IL with the
members of the Judiciary Committee | stated nc
the close OF the debate ON Friday last that might
before a final vote vas taken offer a few remarks
more in the form OF statement Of facts than an
argument in my own defence. | realize the truth
OF what believe i generally regarded a max
im. that mo man Is a wise or safe counsellor in
his own capxs" but "a there are now three Sena
tors present who not here for several days
after this subject had engaged the attention of the
Senate | think il due TO them that | should
make brief explanation of the facts which form
honorable Senator from Virginia., Mr. Wiley
who has been absent account Of indispositon.
and the honorable Senators from Missouri lately
admitted
Further. Mr. President, wish 10 make my &C.
Acknowledgements 60 the members of the Commit
tee who unanimously reported against the adop
ton OF this resolution, even although one of the
number Mr.. Fosterl has since given way under
the unprecedented pressure that has been brought
Ia bear upon him | regret this, sir, "a much on
his my own account The lac has
assigned may be- and no doubt are. very
satisfactory % himself hut apprehend they
will not be so 90 the friends of even handed jus
tice.
tis due - myself 10 say that | do not propose
10 appeal TO any Senator TO support the report of
the committee. No, SIR NV main object j. TO place
myself right on the page OF history. II ! can
accomplish this. am content, let the result be
what /, may.
confess SIR that have been amazed at the
party organization exhibited on what has been
SO Justly and ably treated Us a judicial question
by every member of the Judiciary Committee
who has spoken in favor of the report | may
well fear my inability 70 succeed against for
midabe an array OF accusers aud such variety
of accusations. | said on a former occasion that
had known OF the full proportions OF this or
gained effort 10 take my scat from me. and the
means TO be employed 10 effect it-that the charge
of disloyaty (for that IL the only specification i'm
the resolution) was To be added TO and multiplied
at the will and pleasure of every speaker-that
every vote given opinion expressed not in
formity with the peculiar views of those who
NV accusers and prosecutor was 20 be brought
against "a crime. | might, with the greatest
propriety have asked for counsel: but conscious
that have not said. done, written or voted any
thing Inconsistent with tire prerogatves of an
American Senator. did nc. ask it, and | do not
regret not having done 80.
4 shall npt atfempt shield u1vsef from
the partisan blows leveled az me with such
fury by iuterpOsing legal forms and technical.
ties. Let the light of day be poured In upon
every act OF INV political life proper TO be iuqur
ell into In this connection. and. n I said on
former OCCASION. repeat now. challenge inves
tigation.
have had hitherto no reason To doubt that my
political action was approved by the people of the
State OF Indiana for thrice has she honorel me
hy election To this body. aud on etch occasion
with unanimity among my political friends. and
by maj0rtes OF which any man might we'll feel
proud Nav. more. SIR the journals of this
body during INV long service here. contain the
evidence that have shared largely in the conf
dence of it, members and the honors they have
had To confer | do not refer ~ these facts ia
spirit OF egotlsm. but ~ atordng the most point
Ell answer that can be given to such Senators as
have questioned my antecedents. and sought 10
prejudice me IN the estimation of my country
men.
come now. sir. 70 the graramen OF the Of
Tense charged against me
Ga the lst day OF March 1861. wrote tho
following letter;
wAsaSaros. March I, lsGl
nv DrAs sra Allow me 10 introduce your acqaaint-
my freud Thomas A. lincoln. Texas he
your capital mainly dispose of what he regards
vorsbe consideration gentleman Of the nr,t respect
ability snd reliahle in every respect.
Very truly your-, JESSE ~ BRIGHT
To hi, fNcricpcy, JHFrKvsoN DAVIS.
President Of the Confederation 81 State.
II be-omes important at the threshold of this
inquiry 60 ascertain Who Thomas b Lincoln is:
whether he j. "a gentleman OF the hr-t tespecta
bIliy and reliable IA every respect. ln the Ian
guage OF the introductory j. he man Of
doubtful character Would his past lie prove
him o. be an honest a dishonest man. l. he
or was he layal or disloyal citizen at the date
Of nay letter. an9 upon What 10 Toe did base
my Opiniuusf These deem Important Inquiries
10 bS answered before ! 20 further. for IN giving
such an Endorsement a. gave to Nj. Lincoln.
am responsible for the truth a. what said
My acquantauce with Mr. Lsncolu CO mlncuced
about the year 1897. He removed from the city
OF Philadelphia 10 Madison. Indiana, where
then resided. and wa> puctciug my profession.
NJ Lincoln vas both wholesale AMI retail lner
chant, tnd Did very extensl, eba,iue,, During
hs residence az the place last mentioned which
wss between three ald four years | generally Al.
tended % h. legal business Ga wipllng un his
mercafule Affairs. which think waS la l-ll or
so. he removed % Texas. leaving with me
the collection OF large amount OF outstanding
debts think Il WIS not until 1871 or So that
had hnal settlement with Nc L'acoln, which
resulted In my purchasing from hlm a CONSIDER
able amount OF real estate. aitd there Le.ng a dc
feet in the titles. vas kept ia occasional genres
pondence with him up 10 leai or 1850 About
this time. Mr. Lncoln connected himself with
what was known the Texas laud grant and
formei one OF many of large comiant that con.
c-tvef the idea OF making railroad the l'sci
nc coast About this TIME Consgess had aIsdeg
consideration the same subject This brought
Mr. Lincoln - Washington each session there
after as regularly Congress met Ii 80 hap
pened that was one OF special ceupsittee of
nine raised ia the Senate the s,,lI-
slider and report upon some plan or route III rail
road o. the Pacific THIS ass,in bronehi m- in
communication with NJ Lhcoln seldom a
week passed that be dbl nat ist nae al lny house
| was always glad % see him. and whenever and
wherever we met. | recognized and treated him
friend and gentleman. | NAV here add
that Thomss Lincoln i we'll and ftvorabiy
known in his native city Of PHILADELPHIA anu IN
the community Ia which live He i kn0~n %
many of the citizens OF Washington and very