The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1862-03-27
How the Hon. Charles Sumner
Meets with u Rebuff.

Meets with u Rebuff.
In the Senate, on the 28th Of February
Mr.. Sumner. Of Massachusetts,, INDUCED
in harangue in which he spoke, with
his accustomed ascsrbity. Of the action o'
the Senate in admitting Mr.. Starks. oI
Oregon. to his seat. Mr.. Fessenden, IN
questionably the leader of the dominant
party in tha. body. not liking the matter
or manper Of Summers speech. responded
to it in part as follows:
What does he [Sumner mean BY
saying that he does not wonder that men
who have done this deed wish to relieve
themselves of the responsibility? Sir. is
no, my responsibility as great as his? l
am one OF them. What right has he to
assume to lecture me and my friend from
Vermont. Mr.. Collamer. and the majori-
ty of the Senate. for the decision they
have made? Is his standing 80 lofty tha,
he has a right to lecture. Senators for what
they do under the responsibilities Of their
oath and their position before the country?
Sir, am as ready TO defend my action. il
it needs defence. ne he Is TO defend his
and l can do 1t. trust, to as much effect.
No one, l believe, in this country doubts
that can &C. upon Conscientious princi-
pies any more than himself or any less
than himself do not like this style sir.
am responsible for what | do; and when
e1hibi; any fear Of the consequences OF
my own actions here. or any disposition to
shake off the views which have express
ed or the votes which have given. it will
be time enough for that eminent Senator
to stand up and say that he does not won
der that Senators older than himself, not
older here. pehaps. 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 no. entitled to as much respect As his?
What right then has he to say before the
country that he does not wonder that
Senators seek to relieve themselves Of re-
sponsibili,y? l, will be time enough for
him to say that when they ask his aid to
escape from the responsibilities Of their
nctiop; bu, it will be long. trust. before
ask it."
Mr.. Senator Browning of Illinois. also
paid his respects TO the Immaculate
Charles. lie said
Il, will be time enough for him Sum
ner to come to my relief from any re
.pon.ibiliiy which have incurred by that
vote, or which shall incur by any other
vote, when ask his services. an as
willing as that Senator TO meet the re-
spon.ib,ity OF that vote and every other
vote that | give, rs willing as he can be.
and | reflect now with as much satisfactio
upon the vote gave yesterday as upon
any vote / have ever given in this cham
ber, aud have no fear that the hour will
ever come whom shall have one single
regret for my course in this case. dc
not think it is becoming in him to expend
SO much of his sympathy for the benefit Of
his brother Senators, who occupy As inde
pendent position upon thi, floor. ap.
prehend, Az he does; who are as much al
liberty to form their opinions for them
selves. aud control their actions for them
selves. AS he is: and who are responsible
10 those who sent them here, aud no. tc
him. / do not think il very becoming
that he should undertake TO lecture us for
tho sentiments we have uttered or the
vote we have given. and deplore our
miserable condition before the nation"