Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1864-05-05


have rejected and spurned the commission
/ stand upon this floor, then, to-day, bs
no "conlescension" from that responsible
position. No, sir. In that chair am the
servant of the House to administer its
rules, out on this floor the equal of any
other member, no more, no less.
Duty is often unpleasant. sometimes
distasteful and repulsivej but, sir, the man
who will not fearlessly discharge his dnty
is not fit to be in public life Ifrmy broth
er. under the solemnity of the stringent
oath taken by members of this Congress
| for lite first time since its enactment, had
made this speech which now lies before
me. would have done the same toward
him as toward the gentleman from Ohio,
not that loved him less. but my country
more. AS / stated in the opening of this
debate, II the House did not rebukc and
condemn this sentiment. you would have
no right to complain of foreign countries
recognizing this rebel confederary. which
the gentleman from Ohio was willing to
recognize. Nay. more. if this was the
support which you gave to the soldiers
whom you have sent to the field, if this
was the aid and comfort you gave them
.hey would havethe right to turn upon
us and say, "You called us forth to fight
the battles OF the Union. while you in the
Capitol allow men to make speeches which
viii be quoted with joy in the confederate
congress. which will strengthen the arms
and snews OF the men we have to meet in
battle array. while they paralyze and dis
courage u.s.
The ge ptlemau from Wisconsin. (Mr
Eldridge) the other day appeared to doubt
my statement that this resolution was in i.
troduced upon my own respo visibility, and
said he could not but believe there had
been some consultation. Irepeat the state
ment that | conferred Sith no member
Knowing it was a grave responsibility to
assume proposed to take it alone. The
only member of this House to whom
stated my intention was the gentleman
who now occupies the chair as Speaker
pro tsmpore. Mr.. Rollins, of New Hamp,
shire, who was notified but five minutes
before twelve O'Clock that day that inten-
ded to occupy the hoer. Not even tie
gentleman from Iowa. (Mr. Grinnell who
nrbvcsl that day to dispense with the read
ing of the journal. which has been regard
ed on the other side as part of the arrange
i. .s.ens, knew anything about it, and he will
bear fitness to it.
Mn. Gn.NSEII--I knew nothing of it.
Mn. CoIrAx. But l did consult with
one lifelong friend. and after telling him
nv purpose he said, DO you not know
you will make yourself the target of at
tack?" ] told him yes. / has connted
the cost and was willing to be maj. the
large, Of attack for the sake of my couI-
try, and for tine sake of the thousands OF
my constituents who have gone into the
terrible arena of struggle on the battle
field. and who now themselves are the tar
get Of attack for the sake. Of the country
they love- would have done il had l lost
thereby the honorable privilege Of occupy
ing that chair. to which your partiality
elevated me. or il it had driven me into
private life. because it was my duty to do
it. aa
On Saturday morning after the reading
Of the Journal was dispensed with. rest
ed moment. as may be remembered, and
it was to see if any other member would
offer the re>olution--for would have been
glad to have seen 1t come from the other
side of the HsAse-but as none did. l
took my place upon the floor as a member
and offered it.
desire before proceeding to analyze
this speech of the gentleman of Ohio, in
which its exact language shall be quoted,
to review rapidly few personal remarks
which have fallen from members on the
other side Of the House.
The gentleman from Ohio. from the Col
umbus district. { Mr. Cox was pleased to
although he bore testimony to my
fairness--of my .'condescending" to come
down from that chair TO offer this resolu-
ton. Rut there is an illustrous example
in one whose shoe -latchet l may not be
worthy to unloose; and who in times gone
by. in times of war. filled that seat. al
lude to him "of iron heart and eagle eye"
whose name is closely associated with a
large part Of our past history. and who
during our last war with Great Britain,
vhen he represented the Lexington dirtr'ct
of Kentucky. and wa, Speaker of this
House. came down from that chair. and
frequently upon this floor entered into the
debates Of this House. have looked at
the history OF those times. for desired to
protect myself against any charges of de-
parting from the privileges Of this body.
Mr.. Mallory rose.
Mn. CoLrAx-I cannot yield unless my
time is to be extended. hT 80 To-
(Crics Of agreed" s;.
A long colloquy here ensued between
Messrs. Mallory and Dawes as to Mr..
Quincy, Of Massachusetts. the members on
the Democratic sids agreeing to extend
Mr.. Colfax's remarks. lss
/ have said that Mr.. Clay came down
from the Speakers chair, and made nine
speeches in the frs. session OF the Twelfth
Congress, and used most distinct and en-
phatic language. too: and. during the sec.
ond session of that Congress he followed
that up by coming down upon the floor as
the Representative Of his district and max
ing six speeches more. This was the time
when he had the debate with Mr.. Quincy.
to which reference has been made. But if
Mr.. Quincy hal said--as he did not say
that he WAS willing to surrender the terri
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