Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1862-02-27
Remarks Of Hon. Jesse D. Bright.


ed tie judicial Committee for the fa,orabl,
report which had been made through one o.
their number (Nlr. Foster), who had given VIA,
under Unprecedented pressure. The reasons
might be satisfactory TO that member, but h,
doubted whether they would be to even-handeG
justice. His main object in speaking now wa,
to place himself right on the page Of history, il
he could succeed IN that he would be content
lie was amazed at the party spirit exhibited
against him, and the numerous accusations
brought against him. He might with propre,y
have asked for counsel, but conscience having
said that he had done written and voted E,r
nothing incosistcnt with his preroga,ive as an
American Senator, he had not claimed tina,
right, and he did not regret not doing So lie
| should not try to shield himself from partizan
blows, but challenged investigation into all the
acts of his political life. lie had been honored
by the State Of Indiana thrice by seat in the
Senate Of the United States, and had been in
the confidence Of the Senate, and had received
the highest honor they had given lie said this
in answer to those who questioned his antece.
dents, and sought to prejudice him in the minds
of his countrymen. He referred them to the
letter he had written to Mr.. Jefferson Davis.
and to the character given him by Mr. Lincoln,
who had known him for many years, and who
always considered him worthy man. He con-
tended tina, that was simple letter of iutroduc.
ton, and its address had no intention to recog.
nize the right of Mr.. Davis to any title; it was
only mere courtesy, and only followed the ex-
ample of others, on the floor of the Senate.
The Senator from Maine in his assault on him,
said his address was like courtier. If the
Senator had known him better, he would have
known that was not one of his fuults. If he
had been sycophantic, he mi ht have got votes,
but all he asked was for justice. When the let.
ter was written, he did not believe there would
be war. lie referred 10 the Presidents inan.
gural, the acts Of the Post Office Department,
and the Secretary of States dispatches, to show
that, on the LIST Of March, it was not believed
generally that there would be war. lie did not
believe there would be war ill the fall of Sumter
Alter this there was war, and h. should not
have given the letter to Davis. He had not
the most distant recollection Of having written
letter to d Wis or other letter Of introduction
to Capt Franklin. 1t had been argued against
him that he would do The same again. He
would repeat it, auc he meant it, he would give
such letter to an old friend If he had the
least CLEAN of suspicion that there would be
war he should not have given the letter; but
no one who listened to The debate here will sun
pose that the letter has really anything to do
with the attack on him. Bat he was considered
uni; to associate with such patriarch's in the
country's service as the Senator from Mas
'husetts (Sumner) and the Senator from New
Hampshire Clark, aud even the Senate. from
Pcnn-yIvaDi, (Wllmot), and the Senator from
Tennessee (Johnson) we're afflicted ny his pres.
ence here as net loyal enough for them. On
he must have dcgenerated in ten years. In 1850
he was appointed on a Committee with such
men as Clay Webster, Calhoun, Clayton, and
used his humble efforts to maintain peace lie
had even volcd for pence and never gwen a
sectional vote. Every impulse Of my heart, and
every tie that binds me to the earth, is inter-
woven with form Of government under which we
live, and to which acknowledge my allegiance
and will yield to 10 man in my attachment 10
it. Few men Of my years have enjoyed more
Of her glorious advantages and none have fel,
more grateful for them an1 though ] have
been ussailed with all the fury of party spirit,
and my character unjustly aspersed, and my
loyalty aud devotion questioned this shall not
ALLEVIATE me from the faith of my life, or lessen
The deep obligation L feel. [ have devoted the
humble energies Of my life to the support of
the government under which we live and which
[ would not exchange for any other on earth.
This may be the only opportunity | shall have
of expressing my gratitude 10 the members of
the Committee, who have. from that innate
sense ofjusicc thrt always governs the just
Judge. stood by the report, and rsin. above
the storm of passion that seems to control the
hour, resoutely maintain that attitude. They
have done ME all justice, and if my antecedents
as private citizen and public servant have
not proved shield against criticism, and are
not Il sufficient guarantee, | give TO them the
pledge of an honest heart that my future life,
wherever fortune may place ME, shall give them
no occasion to regret this act of Isticc to me
and those whose dcstinicS are interviewer with
mine. am not informed as to the opinion off
Senators, except as they have declared them in
debate. | have approached no Senator to learn
his views. | have had no outside friends tt
solicit the aid of the public press with which
to manufacture public opinion in my favor. 49,
Conscious OF the purity Of my intentions and
pnrp 'ses IN all that relates to the support of the
Government to which owe allegiance, | had u
right to suppose that my peers would rise above
the behe>ts Of party, and look on this transac-
tion in Its true light, But this is matter that
| cannot. and have not attempted to CONTROL
II the Senate has been polled, and, as [ see it
stated in some of The papers, il is forcgone
conclusion that 60 | must, say to my friend,
and my enemies that will lose no time 10 pu-
ing myself on trial again before tribunal,
whose Judgment have ever found Just, and
who am sure, will give me all the benefits re-
suIting from an acquaintance Of forty years aud
upward with u service which entities them TO
Judge whether am n loyal or II 1isloyal subject
-wtether | have been faithful or unflithful
representative Of their rights in the many and
varied duties which they have intrns,ed to me
to perform. will 90 forth with my record in
me ha nd and the record of those who sent mo