The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-01-27
The Triumph Of Geo. III. Pendleton.

The Triumph OF Geo. HI. Pendleton.
The debate in the House of Represents
tives upon the proposition to amend the
Constitution 30 as to prohibit slavery
throughout the United States, has not,
with one brilliant exception, been attended
with any impressive exhibition of states
msnship in the broad and conservative
sense OF the word. The exception we al
Jude to is the great debate, in which Mr..
GEORGE b. PENDLEroN of Ohio took the
leading part, maintaining his position with
a force of legal acumen, an inexorable
consistency of logic, display of constitu-
tional wisdom, and an exhibition of perfect
GOODNESS, tact and readiness, under rum
ming fire of questions from the opposition,
which place him head and shoulders over
every other member Of the House, as a
constitutional lawyer, and a master of the
science of debate.
Mr.. PEsDLEToN's position was unassail-
able from the beginning. 1t assumed that
the right OF amendment granted by the
Constitution was limited in two ways.
First by the letter of the instrument itself,
and next by its scope, spirit and intent
by the idea which underlies it as foun-
dation. Mr.. PRNDLRToN claimed, that as
three-fourths of the States ca mot 80
amend the Constitution as to make the
Northern States of this Union slavehold-
ing States, because it is impossible to con-
fer upon the Federal Government power
to make the citizens Of State slaves
within its Jurisdiction neither can three
fourths of the States confer upon the Fed
eral Government power to convert the
Southern slaveholding States into free
States, without robbing those States of
their reserved rights, secured to them un-
der special constitutional enactment. In
both cases, the fundamental idea of the
Constitution would be violated. In the
prosecution of his argument, Mr.. PENp.z-
TON was successfully interrupted by Mr..
THAYER of Pennsylvania, by Mr.. WILSON,
by Mr.. KAssoN, by Mr.. BourwE11, by Mr..
ASHLEY, by Mr.. GoooH, by Mr.. STEVENS,
by Mr.. YRANRN, by Mr.. JENoKEs, and by
Mr.. FARNswoRrH. Mr.. PRNDLRToN meas
ured himself in debate against every one
of them, and one and all came out of the
tournament with shattered lances and
battered helmets. They went at him good
Republican rockets, and left him good
Republican sticks. Such another splendid
exhibition of capacity for debate has not
been witnessed IN Washington since STE
PHKN A. DoUeLAs held his own on the
floor Of the United States Senate against
all corners. Nor could such a triumph
have been won, had not Mr. PEKpIEToH
founded his argument on an impregnable
rock, and fortified his position by all the
resources Of wisdom, assisted by piercing
logic and a captivating rhetoric. We give
the peroration to Mr.. PNDLRroN's remark.
able effort, regretting that our space will
lot allow US to publish the debate in full
But my colleague from Ohio (Mr. Ashley
and the gentleman from Pennsylvania CMr.
Stevens) and the gentlemen from Vermont,
(Mr. MorrilD differing on many particulars.
agree in this, that the power Of their logic ID
such that no honest man can dissent from their
conclusions, and that those who do not intend
to vote with them for this amendment are ac-
tuated either BY sympathy with slavery or by
sympathy with the rebellion. Sir, repel with
indignation the insinuation repel it with that
honest warmth which Is consistent with the
personal respect which those gentlemen know
! feel personally for them. ! say it is unworthy
Of them, that it is unworthy their high char
acter, unworthy OF their position in this House.
1t Is the act OF the demagogue to ascribe I'd
worthy motives to an act which may in itself
he honest.
The Constitution demands the highest admit
ration of my intellect 1t has received the pro.
found homage Of my heart The oath which
md vno IN ,k,o< Al
which my intellect and my heart impose upon
me; and / intend. through evil and Trough
good report, though whatever storm of popular
disfavor, TO stand by it, as understand il. even
to the end. love my whole country, South
as well as North; and it is because love it that
no act Of mine shall retard the restoration of
peace or reconstruction Of the Union which
have their prejudices / love my section; 1
love its people love its institutions am
jealons Of its honor; and no act of mine shall
stain the luster of the fame of its good faith, I
am citizen of Ohio. 1t Is the home of nv
fathers, as it is the home of my children and
will stand by this Constitution because wish
to preserve forever the rights and dignities of
its citizens.
lam not Influenced. therefore, by any pecu-
liar love for the people of the South; by any
peculiar regard for their institutions. stand
unmoved BY the considerations which have
been addressed to us. 1t is nothing to me thar
gentlemen from slaveholding States approve
this amendment; 1t is nothing to me that the
tide of popular sentiment runs in favor of it
it Is nothing to me that we of the Northern
States who believe as do stand alone, If alone
we must stand. I intend to do my duty as
understand it, and am prepared for the con-
sequences be they what they may,
But Mr.. Speaker, If / were induced by the
motives which gentlemen on the other side at
tribute to me, it would be easy for me to fall
into the currant Of public opinion which is car
rying them so rapidly away. 1t is because /
am not that l occupy the position 1 do to-day.
The time is fast passing away when under the
influence of your policy and your legislation
the Southern States or people viii have the
least interest in your laws. Your legislation
has turned to ashes the golden fruits of your
military success. Your policy has verified the
alleged causes of secession. Gentlemen must
not be misled by the syren voices that come up
to them from captured cities of the South.
They WOO you but to ruin. If you misunder.
stand them they win lead you as willing vic
Tins upon quicksands and rocks.
If you drive the Southern people by your
military power to the last extrimity, and super.
add, as the majority Of this House desire,
characterization Of elovoe c0nf, arofioS, If xrov,.