Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-10
How the Hon. Charles suFsner Meets
with N ffebuff.

In the Senate. ON the 2Sth of February, Mr.
SUMNER, OF Massachusetts. INDUCED in har
angue in which be spoke, with his accustomed
acerbity, of the scton of the Senate in admit
ting Mr.. SrARKR, Of Oregon, to a seat. Mr.. FEs
skSDEN, unqqestionabIy the leader of toe dom-
nant party in that body, NOS liking the matter or
manner of summers speech, responded to il in
part as follows:
What does he [Sumnerl mean by saying that
he does not wonder that men who have done this
deed wish to relieve themselves of the response
biIitv? Sir. is not my responsibility as great as
his? | am one of them. What right has he to
assume to lecture me and my friend from Yer
mont, Mr.. Colamer, and the majority of the
Senate, for the decision they have nader Is his
standing so lofty that he has right TO lecture
Senators for what they do under the response
bilites of their oath and their position before the
country? Sir, am as ready to defend my ac-
ton If il needs defence as he is tn defend his, and
/ can do it, | trust, to as much effect. No one.
believe, in this country doubts that | act upon
conscientious principles any more than himself or
any less than himself do not like this style
sir am responsible for what do; and when
exhibit any fear Of the consequence of my own
actions here, or any disposition to shake of
| the views which / have expressed or the votes
which | have given, it will be time enough Tor
that eminent Senator to stand up and saw that he
does not wonder that Senators older than himself,
not older here, perhaps, but older in years and
having had some experience, desire TO relieve
themselves of the responsibility Sir, | feel no
responsibility in this matter, except what feel
in all cases acted upon my own individual
| opinions Are they entitled to much re
| spect rs hist What right then has he to say be-
| fire the country that he does not wonder that
Senators seek so relieve themselves of response
blityI IL will be time enough for him to say
that when they ask his aid to escape from the
responsibilities of their action but it will be long
/ trust, before ask it,
Mr.. Senator Browning Of Illinois, also paid his
respects to the immaculate CHARLES He said:
at will be time enough for him [Sumnerl to
come TO nv relief from any responsibility which
| have incurred by that vote, or which shall in
cur by any other vote. when ask his services
am as willing as that Senator to meet the respon
sibility of that vote and every other vote that
give, as willing he can be- and | reflect now
with as much satisfaction upon the vote gave
yesterday as upon any vote | have ever given IN
this chamber. and l have no fear that the hour
will ever come when shall have one single re
greet for nv course in this case / do not think il
is becoming in him to expend so much of hi:
sympathy for the benefit of his brother Senators
who occupy as independent position upon th'
floor, apprehend, as he does who are as mucl
at liberty to form their opinions for themselves
and control their actions for themselves, as he is
and who are responsible to those who sent then
here, and not to him. l do not think it very be
coming that he should undertake to lecture us 10
the sentiments we have uttered or the vote W,
have given, and deplore our miserable condition
before the nation.