The New York herald., 1869-04-16
FORTY-FIRsT CONGRESS.
EXTRA SESSION.
Scnate.

Senate.
WASHINGTON, April is, 1859.
The Senate was called to order at noon, and alter
q prayer and the reading OF the journal Mr.. An
ThoNY. the President pro ef,., vacated the chair In
favor Of Mr.. Morrill,. ana from his seat on the floor
spoke as follows:-
Mir. PRESIDENT Before the Senate proceeds to the
regular business OF the day desire to interpose an
act OF justice 1t VIII be remembered that few days
ago certain persons OF respectable standing pr
vae citizens my constituents-were assaied In this
chamber in an extraordinary ymanner-cons!derng
that the assault was made by one OF their own SEN
atOrs. l may say an unprecedented manner. |
spoke some words in reply IN vindicaton OF the
honor OF Rhode Island-in defence OF the sacred
memory OF the dead and the reputation OF the
living men among them-those to whom !
have referred THIS a.saut was not. confined
cult to answer because it is almost I'm os
sble to define. IL contained, at least one specific,
positive definite allegation that the persons accused
had proposed to enter upon o conspiracy fOT en-.
riching themselves at the expense Of their fellow
citizens; for arranging their business in such man.
ner as to insure and enlarge their own prosperity,
but breaking the others engaged In the same
business-a charge which, although defining no.
thing prohibited by statute Is so abhorrent to all
sense or fairness, so damaging to honest reputation
as not to be lightly made and never to be credited
except on ample proofo or open confession. charge
made In this chamber has peculiar significance and
peculiar effect 1t does not die upon the air with
the breath that uters 1t. II s placed upon record;
Globe. 1t passes into history. The Senate has
high privileges privileges essential to its dignity and
tuition tnat are acknowledged and respected by
the people, and that are sometimes liable to abuse
upon the floor. And Others, not entitled to seats In
this chamber have privileges, which, although not
defined by statute nor protected by the enduring
principles OF justice, are the unwritten law Of hon.
Orable men. And OF the privileges is that when
their names are brought into the chamber, and
without offence or agency crime OF their own,
covered with Obloquy they should have hearing
JOY the same publicity and have the same enduring
record. ask the Secretary to read the card which
send to the desk.
The Secretary read the card Of Messrs. Brown h
Ives, published in the New York papers Of April IA.
Mr.. ANTHONY resumed as fOllOws:-My purpose
has been accomplished. have placed In the Con-
gessiOndl Globe the denial by the side of the accu
knowledge OF the persons who have signed the state
ment that has just been read. would, under the
same circumstances. have done 1t for the humbest
Of my constituents Indeed, to q generous mind
1t Is more pleasant to defend the poor and the Owly
who unable to defend themselves, than the rich
and powerful, whO in some way or another, vim
dictate their own wrongs But to honest men, whether
rich poor there s but one possession dearer than
any other, and that Is honor No righ-mnded man is
Indifferent to the judgment OF his fellow men, and
although the CONSCIOUSNESS OF right will sustain
man under the imputatlon Of wrong, even that will
not take the sting from slander nor make him care
less of unanswered caumny. have done this as
Rhode Island Senator, speaking In defence OF Rhode
Island men unjuStly assaed, on the floor where they
cannot speak for themselves, and where they, and
all others in the constituency to which they belong
them.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration Of
executive business, and adjourned at half-p past
four.