The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-03-30
Sharp Passage between Butler and
BINGHAM

The telegraph brings us the following synop-
sis of sharp passage in Congress, on the 22d
inst between B. +. Butler and Bingham, of
Ohio The charges these conspicuous radical
leaders make against each other will astonish
! the people, not so much because the admis-
sions here made established their truth, but
because men like these make such atlmis-
sions.
The debate was on the bill to appropriate
| 81 000. 900 for the relief of the destituten at
| the South.
Mr.. Bingham said at does not become gentle
man who recorded his vote 80 times Eldridge
suggested 81 times for the arbitrator of the
| rebellion Cor president of the United States TO
undertake to cast an imputation either on my in
tegrity or my honor. | repel with scorn and
| contempt any utterance of that kind by any man.
| whether he be the hero of Fort Fisher taken, or
| the hero Of Fort Fisher not taken" Roars of
| laughter from both sides of the house
! Mr.. Bingham also stand here, sir in the
name of the American people, to repel with scorn
any attempt 10 levy charities by contiscation,
| in violation of the constitution of my country.
That, sir is the proposition which the gentleman
| Butler darcs 10 utter in the American congress
in the sacred name Of CHART. Applause and
laughter.
! Mr.. Butler rose to reply, but the chairman an
nounced that the time to which the house had
limited debate had expired.
Mr.. Butler asked the privilege of the honse to
reply.
The chairman said the gentleman could not
ask that privilege when the house was in COM
mittcc of the whole.
Mr.. Butler then asked unanimous consent to
| speak ten minutes.
Mr.. Eldrdge expressed the hope that the
house would not "bottlo up" the gentleman from
Massachusetts. Laughter.
Unanimous consent having been given, Mr.
Butler expressed his infinite obligations to the
house for its Kindness and said: 81 have never
concealed the fact which is now so Extensively put
| forward that | voted for jeff Davis in the con-
vention of my party 55 times. l thought him the
best statesman of the south, and hoped thereby
to stay the threatened dsunion, which as fear.
ed. was in the distance. failed, and dsunion
came The difference between mo and the honor.
able gentleman from Ohio il this that while jeff
Davis was senator of the United States and was
claiming TO be the friend of the unioi, support.
ed him, while the gentleman Bingham supports
him while he is traitor. l have changed my
support.
81 saw the error OF my way, and repented, but
did not expect blow to be aimed at me in
that direction--from that side of the house which
supported him then, has supported him ever
since and is still supporting him and his friends
[Binghams seat is on tho democratic side of the
house.
81 did not mean to impugn the honor or integ.
rity of the gentleman from Ohio. / only said
l thought he was leading the other side Of the
house,
Mr.. BinghamIf the gentleman had qualified
his words by saying he thought So l would not
have said ono word.
Mr.. Butler-l never speak of anything with.
ont thinking. ] will try to repeat the words
used. said the gentleman had gone in spirit,
az he had gone in body, over to tho other side Of
the house. thought so then think so now
said 40 then; say so now. Laughter l cam
not take it back, sir. Manifestations of encour-
agcment. The gentleman has had the good taste
to attack me for the reason that could not do
any more injury to the enemies of my country.
did the best could. Other men, of more ability,
could do more, and no man il more ready 10 give
the higher plaudit for their valor. their discre.
ton, and their conduct than myself because