Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-09
speech OF nr. nurton on the Boiling

requiring the Sergeant at Arms 10 arrest and
bring back the boilers, pending which Mr. Bur-
TON, member from Sullivan. sid as reported:
Mr Speaker, had intended to take no part
in this debate, but my course upon this floor
has been reflected upon, aud indirectly assailed
in the discussion by the gen leman from Della
ware Mr. Kilgore. | ieel that now is the proper
time for me 20 vndicate that course. | will say
in the first place, however. that am opposed To
adopting the resolution under discussion. with or
without the proposed amendment. in any shape
or form. / am opposed To making any attempt
whatever to compel or force those boilers or Sc
ceders To return Co their duties upon this floor.
| oppose il, sir. because | now, and ever
have been, opposed to the principle of coercion
being exercised in free Government like this.
am opposed to it applied To States or to in
divlduals representing free people, because IN
either il endansers civil liberty. Sir, when
we undertook 10 preserve the Constitution and
Uerpetuate the Union our fathers made them.
by the sword, we lost sight OF the cardinal doc
trines of our Government. and departed from the
spirit Of our free institutions. So likewise, the
moment that we attempt 70 carry the legiSia
ton OF this General Assembly by forcing and
holding any portion Of the representatives, Of the
free people of Indiana here. at the point Of the
bayonet. that moment we thwart the very object
for which the Assembly was instituted, and de
part from the fundamental principles which dis
tinguIsh free government from monarchy.
But, sir, aside from this objection upon principle,
we must remember that these are indeed critical
times, when excitement runs high. and decided
step OF this character, upon question OF doubtful
policy, might possibly inaugurate bloody revO-
luton in Indiana; and |, for one, am opposed TO
inau. urating revolution. The majority upon
this floor profess to love peac and advocate il
in preference TO war; AMI |, a. one of that num-
Der, will resist to the last, by my vote and my
voice any measure which might result in the
unnecessary shedding OF blood, unless it be
measure of legitimate legislation, absolutely de
manded by the people.
Ii the AbolitOnists who have seeded from
this body desire to inauyurte revolution, let
them shoulder the weighty responsibility aud take
the consequences. II revolution iorced upon
US, we are prepared to meetit II fight We must
let il he on the defensive. not on tie aggressive
We have vet done nothing which. in the least
iusufes the minority in holting from thi Houe
The gentleman from Delaware Mr. ktlgOIel
who presumes to speak tor the minority upon
this floor. took occasion white discussing this
resolution to usiif, his friends in boiling, on the
ground that We were attempting 10 pass an uu-
constitutional law, and were introducing and vo
ting for resolutions here of an Infamous charac-
ter such the people did not indorSe. In this
connection he referred particularly to certain
RESOLUTIONS introduced bS myself must ne per
uni ted TO depart somewhat from the question be-
fore the House TO notice that part OF the gentle
mans speech which referred directly to me
will saw To- the gentleman from Delaware Mr.
KilgOrel that he need give himself trouble
about the resolutions that have introduced. IL
was not expected that they would please him or
his friends Not ut all It was expected. how
ever, that they would crate harshly upon Ado
litIOn ears. Sir, | did introduce, as he says,
a resolution here declaring the Presidents Ado
liton proclamation as infamous Why did do
il! did it because | believed il to he so. And
why did believe itl | believed il because Mr..
Lincoln himself, short time previous to the
issuing OF the proclamation declared over his
own signature. that he believed he had no CON
StitutiOnal right To declare the slaves OF the
Siuth free and if he had, he thought ii inexpe
dent To DO then, tor the reason that 1t would
tend to destroy the Union feeling IT, the seeded
Suites and drive thousands To- the rebeous
standard vino were then loyal, and besides it might
drive from the Union army the strength and
support of the border States He declared fur
Their that the proclamation would not liberate IA
single slave, and admitting that it would set
all free what, said he. would we do with themI
There is provision to COLOMBO them, said heg
and they would necessarily be a dead weight and
heavy expense upon our already overburdened
Government
That, sir, is the substance of his letter to the
Chicago clergy. And few days atterward he
issued the proclamation, in spite of his cOnvic-
tous against its truth, its justice, It's policy and
its constitutonality Why. then, this great ado
about charging the President with nfamy, when.
( by his own admissions. he brands himself with
diSlOyalty. DiSlOyalty is treason, and treason is
/ infamous. Tell me- We friends of the Admins
/ tration and lovers of war. blOodshed and revOIu
/ ton, where stands your immaculate President,
/ according to his own ShOwIngI /, sir, indOrSe
the resolution in spirit aud ia letter, and in doing
SO | stand not alone | can assure the gentle
/ nan from Delaware Mr. Kilgorel that the twenty
two hundred Democratic voters whom have the
honor to represent upon this floor also ndorse it
[ Mr.. KgOre: | would inquire OF the gentleman
whether he went before his people. and advocated
/ from the stump the doctrines of his resolutions,
and whether he opposed the further prosecution
of the war?
! Mr. Burton: will the gentleman. I
did. sir, 20 before my people and advocate the
doctrines now utter. did 20 before them, de
nouncing the Abolition policy OF the President
md opposing the prosecution of the war. as he
! leved then. as from the beginning that this Union
could never be restored bv war that lcar t1as
dSuHiOH mai. eternal separation. and the sooner
IL was stopped the better | advocated then. rs
/ do now the calling OF national convention. that
the people might accomplish bv peace and com
i promise what il was impossible 10 accomplish by
war
/ Mr. Kilgore: You do not answer me fully. /
desire 10 know whether you told your people that
/ you would not vote another man or another dollar
/ TO further prosecute this
Mr. Burton: | will answer to your satisfaction.
sir, before get through. was proceeding TO
say. when the gentleman interrupted me- that the
people desire that this unnatural war should
cease; that the issue was fairly made IN the last
canvass whether they were willing to support a
war for the abolition of slavery They decided,
in thunder tones, through the ballot box. that
they were not. And, in order th Vt my position
may be understood. will repeat here now what
have said 20 INV constituents time and again
here in the face of this House, aud of this peo-
pie will say now. once for all-that | am in
favor of mn armistce and Peace Convention,
and opposed % giving another man or another
dollar for the prosecution OF this for another
day or another hour while the President adheres
to his Abolition policy and disregaris the Consti
tuition OF the country. Is that satisfactory to the
gentlemar?
Mr.. KilgOre: That is satisfactory.
Mr. Burton: In this position am satisfied that
the people are with me, though do not claim to
reflect the sentiments of the majority upon this
floor. Some think me little ultra. bat while
reflect the sentiments OF the people can't be far
wrong These are my individual Oplnious, as
serted upon my own responsibility. Ii | AN
| wrong. it is an error of the head and not OF the
heart, for know love my country and study
her interest The masses of the people are far
ahead Of US here and am satisfied that if "a fair
and honest expression of the people of Indiana
could lie had To day.. majority would ndorse the
resolutions which / have had the honor of sub
hitting to this body. embodying the sentiments
ii. l.