The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-03-28

The bingham and Butler Debate.
The full report Of this debate is very
dull reading. Butler evidently wished
chiefly to set himself right with the mill
tary, while Bingham discussed the legal
point as to whether declarations made af-
ter the fact by an accused person were ad-
missible in court as testimony. The Bal
timore Gasette's correspondent, who seems
to have heard the speeches, notices them
as follows:
"A very amusing passage at arms oc-
Cured this morning between Major Gene
raj Butler and Assistant Judge Advocate
General Bingham. The personal appear
ance Of the doughty combatants was ex-
tremely hostile and threatening. Butler
commenced the attack with infinitely more
spirit and strategic effect than he exhibited
at Fort Fisher, and charged the enemy
| upon the right flank, pouring volley into
him in the shape of a charge of s,ppreSSing
important testimony in the conspiracy
case" by which an innocent woman was
murdered by a parcel Of ignorant Judges
and couple Of adroit and INSCRIPTIONS
limbs of the law. lie pledged himself to
probe this, matter, to the bottom "here or
elsewhere" by which it was understood
that he intends to volunteer in the de-
fence of John II. Surratt. Bingham retort-
ed with great rhetorical flourish, that such
charge came from the quarter it did
with very bad grace, since his adversary
not only, in metaphorical sense, "lived in
glass house," but, as is understood, was
"corked up in glass bottle, and had to
be fed with a silver SPOON" The speaker
here "called the gentleman to order 70
and Bingham, forgetting himself, dwelt
with ludicrous emphasis upon the manifest
leaning of Colfax to the side of the COM
handing general of the opposite forces.
But land here is where the laugh came in
suddenly recollecting the true attitude OF
the hostile cliques, swore q solemn oath
that never since the foundation Of the Co
vernment had the House been blessed with
so impartial, enlightened, and gentlemanly
4 Speaker as the great ColfaX has shown
| himself to be.
cit is a great pity that this debate (which
lasted only about an hour) was cut short by
the almost unanimous voice Of the Radi-
Gals. Butler seemed to be during the lat
ter part oft upon hot gridiron, and made
desperate efforts to rise and get in a few
last words. But he was snubbed by disparity
to the great disappointment of those of the
audience who believe in the proverb that
when rogues fall out honest men are apt to
get their dues. Upon the point at issue
acknowledge myself to be Butler man,
and have faith that he may yet be useful
in ferreting out the villainies Of his 'peers,
III Of hripuinn pi thppn IN
condign punishment"
The Suns correspondent says:
Mr.. Butler interrupted Mr.. Bingham
several times, but the latter invariably re-
fused to hear him, and treated him with
the utmost scorn and contempt. "The
hero of Fort Fisher not taken" moved
uneasily in his seat, and looked anxiously
about to catch sympathetic glance among
his ultra Radical brethren. He was nerv-
Gus and agitated, particularly so when Mr..
Bingham'S illusions to Fort Fisher and
the "man in a bottle and fed with a
spoon" created a storm of applause and
laughter, which was confined TO no portion
of the hall and galleries. The whole affair
created no little excitement. Mr.. Butler
wanted to make rejoinder, but the objec-
tions from all sides were loud-loudeSt
from the Republican sde-and Mr.. Wards
effort to have an investigation did not Sc
cure enough supporters to make a cor
porals guard. So much has now been
said that Messrs. Bingham and Butler have
become implacable enemies, and it will be
war between them to the bitter end.
The controversy has called up recollec-
tions of the most unpleasant character.
When Mr.. Butler proclaimS his belief in
Mrs. Surratt's innocence, he does no more
than reiterate the belief honestly enter
tanned by thousands; but it was year
ago supposed to be an indication OF dis
loyal and reasonable feeling to express
sentiment which high priest in the Radi-
cal church now boldly proclaims from the
floor of Radical Congress.