The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-03-29

| If he had had the least CLEAN Of suspi-
ciOn that there would be war, he should
not have given the letter; but no one who
| listened to the debate here, will suppose
that the letter really has anything to do
with the attack on him. But he was
considered unfit TO associate with such
patriarchS in the country'S service as the
Senator from Massachusetts (Sumner).
and the Senator from New Hampshire
Clark, and even the Senator from Penn
sylvania (WilmoO, and the Senator from
Tennessee (JOhnSou), were afflicted by his
presence here, as not loyal enough for
them. Oh he must have degeneTated in
ten years. In 1850, he was appointed on
committee with such men as Clay, Web.
ster, Calhoun and Clayton, and used his
humble efforts to maintain peace. He
had ever voted for peace, and never given
sectional vote. Every impulse of my
heart, and every tie that binds mRe ito
earth, is interviewer with the YOrn oS
government under which we live, and to
which acknowledge my allegiance, and
| will yield to no man in my attachment
to it. Few men of my years have enjoyed
more of her glorious advantages, and none
have felt more grateful for them; and,
though have been asSaled with all the
fury OF party spirit, and my character un-
Justly aspersed, and my loyalty and devo-
tion questioned. this shah not ALLEVIATE me
from the faith of my life, or lessen the
deep obligation | 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 express
ing my gratitude to the JaembeEs of the
CSm&ittee, 1~nO nave, fruin that innate
ES0ss Of j0stice that always governs the
best judge stood by the report, and. ri
sing HoSSc1n snrmN'r passive, t"- Sseetns'
to control the hour, reSolutely maintained
that attitude. They have done me all
justice, and if my antecedents as a pri
vate citizen and public servant have not
proved a shield against criticism, and are
not sufficient guaranty, ! give to them
the pledge of an honest heart that my fu-
ture life, wherever fortune may place me,
shall give them no occasion to regret this
act Of justice to me and those whose deS.
TIMES are interviewer with mine. am
not informed as to the opinion Of Senators,
except as they have declared them in de-
bate. | have approached no Senator to
learn his views. | have had no outside
friends to solicit the aid Of the public
press, with which to manufacture public
opinion in my favor. Conscious Of the
purity of my intentions and purposes in
all that relates to the support of the Gov
ernment to which owe allegiance, | had
a right to suppose that my peers would
rise above the bcheSts Of party, and look
on this transaction in its tue light. But
this is a matter that cannot and have not
attempted to control. If the SeEate has
been polled, and, as see it stated in some
of the papers, it is a foregone conclusion
that go must, say to my friends and
my enemies that ] will lose no time in
putting myself on trial again before tri
bunal whose Judgment | have ever found
just. and who, am sure, will give me all
the benefits resulting from an acq"aint-
ance Of forty years and upward with
service which entities them TO Judge
whether | am loyal or diSloyal subject
whether | have been a faithful or nn-
faithful representative Of their rights in
the many and varied duties which they
have intruSted to me to perform. | will
go forth with my record IN one hand and
the record Of those that sent me here in
the other, and will submit to the people
Of the State of Indiana the question Of
right or wrong in this case. | will go
with the platform Of principles laid down
bv that patty hare acted with through
life, and in the name of those principles,
and in the name Of the Constitution that
| have ever tried to support, in letter and
in spirit, I will ask fair and impartial
hearing. This, and this only, is the tri-
bunal with which intend to be content
Mr.. B. then referred to the question Of the
Senator from Virginia (Mr. Willcy), ask
ing him to define the letter of September
to the Senator. Twill say that have had
but one countersign since | have been on
duty here, and that has been-peace,
peace, peace. War, never, never, never,
as remedy for any supposed grievance.
But how different was the tone of the
honorable Senator from Tennessee (Mr.
Johnson). Causes of complaint know
he has, and SympathiSe with him in his
Affections. Would that had the power
TO lift the load of sorrow that has bowed
him and tens of thousands Of others to
the earth. Point out the road that leads
to peace with the restoration Of the Union,
making ours one Government, with one
flag, not star cffaccd, and | will travel
it with him as lorg as there is one gleam
of light to guide US. And, sir, forgetting
and forgiving, would even consent to
take as travelling companions the Sena'
tors from Massachusetts, New Hampshire
and Pennsylvania, with all their hcresieS.
The Senator from Tennessee has done one
great injustice. S;Darting under blows
inflicted by the conduct of those he called
a close corporation when here, he points
to my association with them, forgetting,
at the same time, his own. History,
facts and living witnesses repel this ab-
surd and unlounded accusation. The
honorable Senator from Maryland (Mr.
Kennedy, moved by sense of justice 70
arrive at the truth, vindicates history in
Ills IdtC SPCCSh OL luSHN POtbbS'
He well recOllccts the appeals made by
himself, myself, and other Senator's, some
of whom still see here, to Southern Sem
atOrs to remain in their seats and give
the incoming administration trial. The
Senator from Tennessee knows | had no
part or lot in any movement having for
its object the disruption Of this Govern
ment. In replying to the request of the
gentleman from Virginia do not want to
be considered rs seeking votes or any
change of opinions. said on former
occasion, my opinions were fixed. In
the execution of details connected with
the administration of government affairs
have always endeavored to conform my
action to the policy of those in charge of
the Government. So under this Admin
istration; when differing from them |
have said SO in becoming manner, |
trust. have been opposed to the prin-
ciple of coercion. believe, in the Ian