The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1865-04-26

Senator Trumbull.

Senator Trumbull.
We 6nd, in one of our exchanges, Il
following remarks, attributed to Hol
Lyman Trumbull, United States Senate
from III. They were made during the r
cent session Of Congress. While so man
members Of Congress have unblushingl
declared their disregard for the Constitutio
and laws, when they came in conflict wit
their wishes. it is refreshing to find s
emphatic . reputation Of the dangerou
heresy-to fnd that he recognizes the su
premacy Of the Constitution. Mr.. Trum
bull said:
"A word or two, and only word or two
as to the Senator from California, fMr
Conncss,1 who modestly assumes 80 mucl
patriotism; and il patriotism consists il
noise and bluster, he certainly is posse sse,
Of good deal. He made hin 3 IL hear,
most certainly. and he talks Of 'croakins,
and Of 'cowards,' and says that he care.
nothing for the Constitution, so he has
country. He had better migrate to Daho
| mey, or some where else, where there is q
country. l care, sir, for the Constitution,
and for liberty, and think country or
life itself scarcely worth having without
liberty without liberty regulate d by law.
But he is bold and bravei Bold enough to
violate his oath and defy the Almighty -
Yes, sir, bold and brave. and would sink
the Government, would vote against all
appropriations, sooner than not to have the
power to try man by court marshal or
military commssioni The great patriot
would stand here and vote-vote against
appropriations for the army or anything
else, if he could not arrest somebody, and
try him in loyal state, where the courts
are open by military commission or court
marshal! He says substantially, II will
not appropriate to sustain our soldiers the
rebels may come here and tear down the
Capitol and destroy the Government, be
cause I, the Infidel Senator from California,
cannot be permitted TO have some one
arrested-no, not arrested; but cannot
have somebody tried by court marshal :"
and that is his patriotism that is his love
Of country! And he says no provost
marshal arrested him. Why, sir, those
who crook the pregnant hinges Of the knee,
where thrift may follow fawning,' are never
arrested"
Mr.. Conness rose.
PRESIDING Orr1cER: docs the Senator
from Illinois give wayf"
Mr.. TRuMBuLL: "When I am through.
the Senator can talk II he wishes. He need
not expect to be arrested oh no, sir!-
But the liberty he talks Of is the liberty of
the highwayman. Disregard the law!-
How is he any better than the brigand who
meets you at night, and calls upon you to
stand and deliver. No regard for law he
cares nothing for the Consti .ution,' so that
he has q country. and he talks Il towards
and croakers! Sir, am not brave enough,
thank God! lam not bold enough to walk
up to that stand and lay my hand upon the
words Of Eternal Life and promise. calling
God to witness. to maintain the Constitu.
ton, and then say care nothing for it -
| am not bold enough to make such drca
ration. ] hope / never may be. Sir, il
nothing else should restrain us from treat
ing with contempt the Constitution of the
country, the oath we have taken should
restrain Us, the appeal We have made to the
Supreme Being should withhold US from
such a declaration. I say that I do care
for the Constitution, and for law, and for
liberty, and that am for preserving them
all, and the country and the Union als., for
it is the Constitution and liberty that make
the Union worth preserving. Without
them Union forced by arbitrary power, a
Union such as is broug ght about by the heel
Of despotism, is not the Union am s;rug-
Cling fer. 1t is not the Union that the
brave soldiers Of the republic are fighting
for. They 60 forth to battle for the pur.
pose of maintaining the Constitution under
which they themselves have enjoyed free
dom, and handing it down for the protec
ton Of their posterity. 1t is for this we are
fighting. and not simply for power, or to
try man by court martial or a military
commission.
l have no disposition to prolong the de-
bate. do not desire the bill to be lost
but I have felt it due to myself, after the
remarks made by the Senator from Califor.
MIA, to say thus much"