Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-04-15
rae Freedom OF Parliamentary
DE b0tc.

7 The Democratic members of Congress defend
Mr. Lose upon the ground that representa-
tive of the people he has and had the right to
express his convictions of public duty and to dis
cuss the policy of the measures of the Admins
ration, For the views he may entertain and
avow he is not responsible to Congress. but TO
the coustituency he representative tribunal to
which each member is alike amenable. 10
word. the representative speaks not only for fjm
self, but the constituency he represents. hence he
Il not responsible to tyose who occupy the same
position that he does himself. but to those for
whom he speaks and acts There are some sin
guar circumstances connected with the speech OF
Ne. Lone that are worthy of consideration. 1t
is pronounced inside and outside of Congress to
be reasonable. Ii such was its character, is it
not strange that it was listened to by the very
members OF Congress who now denounce it as
disl ,yai, without protest? What apology can
= they offer for thus listening in silence to a
speech full OF treason? IL took Mr. Speaker
CoLFAx from the time when it was delivered
until the Esrt day TO discover the object ouable
character. la fact il took him twenty four
hours to become Indignant, And he, aud his
PARTISAN friends. would not have noticed the
speech of Mr. Lone il they did not hope and ex
pect to make party capital out of it. The At
seuding circumstances plainly show that no 9th
CT considerations influenced them. The action
OF the Republican members of Congress has Civ
en- the speech OF Nr LoSG significance which
il could not otherwise have obtained. And that
significance was given 10 il by the Radicals in
Congress for the sole purpose of fastening upon
the Democratic party the sentiments expressed
by Mr.. LoSe- In his speech that gentleman dis
avowed speaking for the Democratic party. In
. subsequent discussion he stated that he spoke
only for himself he did not presume in any
vay TO density the party with which he
sociated with the sentiments he expressed.
Whether right wrong. contend that Mr..
LONG has the right to express the views he en-
tertained. lie would have been sntrue to himself
and feithless 10 his constituents and his trust IL he
had not done The freedom Of parliamentary
debate justified him in giving utterance to his
sentiments he spoke a, the proper time His
/. remarks were courteous and strictly in accord
snce With parliamentary rules. He spoke as a
freeman. aud A. the representative of free con
stItuency Ii he did injustice to the sentiments
Of the people he represented to them is he &C
countsble for the discharge OF the trust conf led
20 him. And IL his views are obnoxious. or the
expression Of them mpolitic. he manfuly ~
> sumes the entire responsibility II the senu
ments be uttered should make an impression
upon the country. the sin. Il evil should result
sherefrom. may be Justly charged to the Republi.
can partisan. who have given them prominence.
Importance and character
TO give clear idea OF the position occupied
BY the Republican members Of Congress in their
controversy With Mr. LoSs 10 advance partisan
Interests. ne copy the following comments Of the
Neu York World OF Monday last;
Mr.. Colfax-always demagogue--has over
shot the mark in bis attempt TO catch little
cheap popularity. "Vaulting ambition has 'er-
iesped itself aud fallen on t'other side
Three Of the Republican journals of tSis ctv-
thar IL % say. all Of them. except the Tribune,
Nave expressed their disapproval OF this attempt
10 excel Mr. Long Tor words spoken IN debate
The Evening Post. in particular. Ia. declared il.
seatiments ia way which trust may prove
Instructive 70 she poPalarity-hanting busy body
has prossitassd che dignity OF his office
the Poet: