The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1867-12-13
TENN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER l3, 1867. j

s"'HN N"''S WHICH HG COUucHlUH luG
Republican party for having done.
lie makes an attack upon member
from tennessee, and enters his pro-
test against his admission. With this
femark | leave the gentleman from
Wisconsin;
next come to the gentleman from
Illinois, [Mr Marshall,l He used the
following language during the discus
sion to which have referred:
"Mr. MARSHALL. do not deny at dur
Ing the rebellion, and subsequent to the Rd-
ting of that Duncan letter, he did enter the
Federal Service and perform hi. duty well in
the Federal Army. Bit that does not affect
the question here resented. Can hp consc-
entiously tnke the oath Can he swear that
he never, at any time, gave aid, countenance,
or support to the armed rebels Of tile United
States ~
| say 10 that gentleman from Hi.
OiS and to this HOuse that | can stand
Here and swear | can take the oath pro.
scribed with clear conscience that !
have never given any aid counte-
nance; or support in any shape or
form to the rebels against the Govern
ment of ;he United States.
hey have alluded to the Duncan
letter. The,honolable gentlemen do
not choose to point ott In the Dun
can letter what portion If it they
cOnstrue TO be diSIbyal. They make
the clear, broad, sweeping charge
without pretending to argue the queS-
tion to this House or attempting to
show what | wrote in the Duncan let
ter which would forbid my taking the
oath and my seat in this House.
The gentleman from Illinois goes
on to say:
I" He cannot so swear, for that letter would
give .he lie itself to any such oath. 1t is ut
terly impossible for him to do SO, and it is
clearly the duty of the House to step in, as
they did in the case Of the Kentucky mem
bers, if the majority do not intend to aban-
don the precedent made in that case, and III
quire into the fact whether this letter, ad-
mitted 20 be genuine, is not utterly iDconsist-
ent with the oath 10 be taken by every mem
ber."
was sorry, sir, to hear my distin.
guished friend from Illinois use that
language. When / took that oath,
sir, as Federal soldier and officer,
there was no objection made. took
it twice when mustered in as an off.
Ger of the United States. took it
twice when candidate for Congress,
once in 1865 and again in 1861 | look
that oath in this Houseas u member
OF Congress from Tennessee, and at
this late day say was sorry to hear
the GENTLEMAN fir m Illinois use such
language in this House without show
ing in that letter wherein | was guilty
of swearing to u ialHehood, or in
what manner | was guilty Of perjury
Row, Mr.. Speaker, II great deal has
been said in regard to the Duncan let
ter, and propose to take itup para
graph by paragraph to the House,
and if this House will decide that
there is anything in that letter treas
onablc | bind myself to prove that the
Democratic party was guilty of. trea-
son When thay assembled in conven-
tinn ut Chicago This letter was writ
ten on the 10Th day of May.
LIBERTY, May 10, 1861.
Mr.. JoHS DUSUAa, NcMinnvile, T.nn
DEAR SIR: | have just learned from a
friend that there is some gross mlsrepresen-
iations going the rounds Of your section in
regard to my position in this trying crisis
and for the benefit Of yourself and others !
write ;his."
There il ho treason in that.
4" | have been n jealous advocate of the
Union up 20 the time OF Lincon'3 call for
twenty-five thousand troops that being in
'ioAtion Of the law and for the suhjugation
If the South, | commend Governor Harris
or his course and for arwing the State and
or resisting Bincolu 20 the point Of the bay
,het"-
In this opinion ! may have erred,
Is who has not, but was that treason
Dur judges Of the inferior courts de-
iver erroneous charges to the jury Of |
he law, and when the case is decided |
I goes to the Supreme. Court for re.
'iew. It the court reverse the decis-
on, does that render the Judge who
delivered the Charge either criminal
II unworthy judge Z
and have enrolled myself as q volunteer to
esist his usurpati1n have in Congress and |
mt opposed coercion and all forced meas
res, believing il was better to recognize the
Of the Southern Conlrderacy'
han to attempt to coerce them back"
Why, sir, sou remember that Mr..
Buchanan and almost the whole Dem
,tratit party was opposed to coercion,
md said leave tho States to them.
elve5. II was an opinion, and an
opinion maintained by the Democrat
C party generally.
{" have always opposed secession. | claim
BE righ. Of revolution and The right to re-
ist the oppression Of the Federal Govern
lent, and to throw Of allegiance to the
anne when that oppression becomes intolei-
ble.h
That, sir. Is n doctrine common to
N parties in this country, and il is a
Doctrine held to-day by perhaps nine
enths of the American people, that
hoy have tho right when oppression
,ecomes intolrrable to throw It off.
.