Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-04-15

"But there IL more than question Of mere party ex-
pedsncy IN this matter NJ. Longs speech VS. per
the rebels mu.t he allowed in peace - be extrps
tel. and BE- stated his thought eamy ana respectfully.
in propes words We do no, concur Win nlm, ss a. a
Coufederscy (which i impossibily N our view, nor
10 extlrpais the people q The south
are not hs~ever. unwilling that those who have
cone "a other conclusions should have the ful liberty %
.xpress them whether In the newspapers or the floor.
ef Congress they carry that liberty 70 the extent o.
overt acts Of they can be arrested aud punished
but n shsy remain within the limits Of fair debate.
they eoatroyer arzunsn. ey Argument. 'ssy present
they but exercising the ngats which belong 70 al
fresmen"
That the description here given OF the temper
and manner OF Nj. Longs speech - true should
be evident, even TO those who have not read Il.
from the fact that he was not called 10 order,
either by Speaker Collar or any member. during
IL. delivery when his hour was ~ he requested
an extension OF time 10 conclude his speech, a
request which was granted with alacrity BY lead
ing Republican members. II the speech was
reeking with treason why was not Dir. Long
called TO orderl By one of the rules OF the
House. in cases requiring il. 1.-THE Speaker shall.
and any member may, call to order 10 judge
of one part Of Mr. Colfax's conduct by the
other, he sat passive listener 70 hsgrant trea-
son. without calling the traitor TO order; and IL
took him Till the next day 10 fluid out that treason
was an aifront TO the dignity of the House. By
another rule Of the House mo member shall be
held TO answer or be subject to the censure OF the
House for words spoken in debate. u any Jther
member has spoken. or other business interviewed.
after the words spoken and before exception to
them shall have been taken" One might sup
pose that the Speaker. at least, would know the
rules whose Observance To his Office to enforce.
Other business was transacted other members did
speak, nay, whole day interviewed. before Mr.
Long, in the very teeth OF this rule. vas held 10
answer Tor words spoken in debate. model
Speaker, th- Mr Collar, who thus conspicuously
violates rule of the House Of nearly thirty years
standing
On the merits of the question, II il were prop
erly before the House. we have little to add to
What we said Yesterday Ia the language OF
Justice Story, the freedom of Congressional
speech and debate is great and vital privilege.
without which all other privileges would he com
paratiyely unimportant or Intellectual. We can
not approve even OF the vote OF censure passed
upon Mr. Harris, on Saturday, although such a
vote Is technically within the power of the House
When his language began 10 be improper he
should have been called order, and made TO
take his seat. Mr. Quincy. in the last with
Great Britain, expressed wish Identical 10 that
tor which Mr. Harris censured-nameiy, a
wish that our arms might not succeed-wIthout
even being called TO order In our opinion. Me-
Quincy's speech unpatriotic and scandalous
las il was certainly scurrilous,l but the Demo-
cratic party preferred to deal with II only by ar
gumentative retort. The light in which the
supporters OF the war looked upon such attacks Il
illustrated bv this political quotation, made on
the occasion by one OF them:
"when satire few abroad on factions wing,
Short was her life and impoent her sting"
We altogether repudate aud reject the senti
ments of Mr Long and Mr.. Harris. They are
inconsistent with our ideas of patriotism and
public duty The patriotic course for member
ol Congress who disapproves ct existing wal
was well expressed by Mr.. Calhoun. in describing
his own course in reference 20 the Mexican war.
Every Senator" he remarked, knows that
opposed the war; but none knows but
myself the depth OF that opposition. Il adopt
ed the only course" he said which. accordin 6
to my opinion could with propriety-to take no
active or leading part IN reference 70 the me tsures
intended for carrying on the war but TO give a
quiet aud silent vote in favor of all which did
not seem to me decidedly Objectionable; but, il
the meantime TO look out tor the first favorable
opportunity of presenting my views how the wal
should be conducted to bring il most advantage
ously TO successful termination" Ii Me. Long
and Mr. Harris had pursued a similar course, i
would have corresponded better with our ideas o.
an honest and patriotic opposition to the present
war; but they have done nothing to justify tn,
display OF intolerance and demagogsm OF which
the House has been the for the last two
days