Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-04-14

nave never been guilty OF that crime have never,
peat belonged to party that takes this oath with
tai reservation 1t to that if my colleague had
desired 10 stand right before the House aud before the
country before he assumed the responsibility of charging
me individually with being traitor he would have
numbered the authorities that brought before the House
and when BIO branded traitor would have recol-
ected that the leaders OF his party and the organs Of
bis party from the New York Tribune down 10 the
Columbus journal of the State la which he and lve had
advocated the doctrines that have gated here to-
day and that the Secretary Of the Treasury hang from
our State too advocates this identical doctrine Then
sir. if that be treason, all these men are traitors
preferred to get my authority from the party to which
my colleague belongs when put myself before the House
and country have done today then say If that
be treason make the most of it-maks the most of ito
i have brought here the authorities la nv Judgment
they correct and sound have not perhaps had the
opportunities Of some other gentlemen this floor but
earliest inspirations those of love and admiration
for my country aud for the distinguished statesmen who
have adorned the pages Of her history have not been
an unconcerned spectator of what has taken place When
heard or read the eloquent appeals of Clay aud Web.
ster when read the eloquent Grafton OF John Quincy
Adams when read the report which have produced
day Of Thomas II. Benton, Martin Van Buren,, and VIII
ham d. HARRISON when referred, have to what the
Secretary Of STATE said three days before the Sunday when
the proclamation for seventy FIVE thousand issued
and to what Edward Everett said before had
commenced, when referred to Mat said by Sena-
tor from Ohio (B f. WADE) and the present occupant of
the Presidential chsir-When referred to all these
knew that they al leaders of the party to which
gentlemen the other side of the chamber belong Then
sir if traitor equally so are they An that ask
is that may be credited with honesty and sincerity Of
CONVICTIONS and for Independence in declaring them in his
House and before the country willing to abide the
consequences and take the responsibility
Now sir to the charge in respect to Knights of the
Golden Circle. Ihave no knowledge of any such thing
So help me God, never had and with Gods help I
never will have--never! / am member of no political
secret organization have been member of any
except one, which was known the Mami tribe in the
county where live defy the world to point to sin
gle instance in my life where have ever had any con-
necton with any knowledge of any other secret pot
cal organization 30 much for the gentemans charge
against me on that score.
gentleman rs belonging to the Knights of the Golden Cir
Gle Ii were understood here distinctly disavow
any such intention. think did not say only said
that such organization existed and regarded it as
under the protection and direction of the Democratic
party
Mr.. LONG Such an organization may exist for aught
know, but have knowledge If it, and no commune
cation with it, do not know that any such organization
exists; trust in God that it has existence carry
no banners sound no key note speak for party.
know that utter sentiments which those on this tide of
the House disapprove; but say what believe to be
true and what my judgment dictates to be right have
said II because it meets the approval my own Judgment
stand upon IT, believe there is no power under the
Constitution to coerce sovereign States in the Union.
Foil wing the lead of the distinguished gentleman from
Pennsylva (Mr. STEVENS sm opposed to coercDg
them out of the Union referred to authorities sustain
log me IN that positions and il the gentleman (Mr GAR
FIGLD) were quick in his response to the doctrine
ask him why he did not rise in his place and make the
same denuncation against the leader of his party
(Mr. STEyENs) when he made his speech at early
day of the session in reference to the position of the South
ern States
Mr.. GARFIELD. II the gentleman will refer to the
speech on confscaton which had the honor deliver
he will that dssened from the doctrine of the gem
teuan from Pennsylvania, in very pointed and precise
tor
Mr. LONG That is all very true / have read the
geDtleman's speech think also heard him say upon
another that he would leap over the barriers of
the Constitution to put down this rebellion. think
heard that escape from bis lips during this session.
Mr.. GARFIELD. I said what did say upon that oc.
csson with great crcumspection aud care and all ask
is that the gentleman will fairly quote me- presume
he intended to do ln reply to the gentleman from the
central district of Ohio (Mr Cox who is in his
seat, when he asked if would break the Constitution
answered that would not break the Constitution at all
unless should become necessary to overesp its barriers
to save the Union did not say then as do say
that such occasion would overlap the barriers Of
the Constitution but would leap into the Of viii
ling people who made the Constitution.
Mr.. LONG Then give my colleague credit for honesty
and fra6kness. The ference between him and to
day is that while he would violate that oath which took
before that desk the first day Of the session. and would
overeap the barriers OF the Constitution Which he has
to support choose rather to stand tbs floor
and be denounced traitor for keeping my obligation to
my country, To my conscience, and to my God That
s the difference between my colleague and self that
point.
know my colleague replied in his speech to the dstin
guisbed gentleman from Pennsylvania, (Mr. STEVENS
but be did not reply in the tome the manner in the style
with the force with which he has replied to to-day
He made regular common, PLAIN set speech dissenting
from the views Of the gentleman from Pennsylvania but
he where in any part If his speech as recollect it,
denounced him traitor dsloys fathle to
lie Government.
Mr.. GARFIELD. In the remarks the gentleman has
has just made he has mistaken sgain Though have
no personal pride for what did say wish the gentleman
not understand that made set speech will say to
him here that had note other than what took
while the gentleman from Ohio Mr. FINCK) speaking
who preceded me IL not set speech but made for
a particular and specific purpose Mt the time.
Mr. LONG i accord to the gentleman the full bene Git
of his explanation. supposed IL set speech but
l am perfectly willing that be should put hmsef right
before the House. He certainly sincere in what he
said them and he is certainly to day when he says
be would leap the OF the Constitution There
puts himself IN that position Upon that point have
done
choose rather to consult my conscience and udg
ment than to follow my coieagues lead in the ranks of
party that always ready take oath to support the
Constitution with mental reservation have never so
taken it, and, help me God, never will will sup
port the Constitution despite the threats which may be
brought from quarter and with the fixed purpose and
full determination to stand upon the principles which
haze avowed here to-day stand solitary sud alone even
il necessary TO brave bayODets and prisons and all
the tyranny which may be imposed by the whole power
aud force OF the Administration l have deliberately
uttered my sentiments 10 that speech and will not retract
syllable Of it. l am willing to trust to lime. am
willing to await Its arbrament. III am mistaken
much the better Tor the gentleman and the country
Would to God were mistaken. Would TO God could
earliest aspirations have been for the glory Of my country
have admired its institutions have goried it's states
they have been the pride my heart would make
ce to restore the Union rs il before that