Connecticut western news., 1872-01-26
The Late Roger Williams and the U. s.
 OP A.

In the U. s. House of Representatives 8 singular debate took place, arising from euIogy pronounced by MT. Flames of R. l., oN the life and character of Roger Williams:
 MT. Banks thought 1t due to himself and the State of Massachusetts to tra- verse some of the statements made by Mr. Flames in reference to the banish- ment of Roger Williams from the Colony of Massachusetts. He denied that the question of soul liberty, or religious liberty had entered into the cause of that that Williams denied the title of the people to their lands as derived by grant from the crown of England, and held that there could be no valid or just title to lands except derived from the Indians. Of course, the Puritans could not admit the denial of the title to their lands, made in public manner, which unsettled the rights not only of the colony, but of in- dividuals. MT. Williams had also opposed vigorously the custom then established of conference between the different ministers of the colony, and had declar- ed that their church was not such as Christians could communicate with, in- as1nuch as it received its authority from the Church of England, which he con- demned: After thus assailing the very foundations of the State, and deny the Christian character of the church, the Pu''tans were of course compelled to resist him. He had gone so far as to say that in the Christian assemblies the women should be veiled-a custom which never had been and never would be ac- ceptable to the men of Massachusetts. (Laughter.) Roger Williams had un- questionably been to the Pilgrims 8 troublesome man, and he hoped no ex- ception would be taken by any of his colleagues if he said there were still a few more of that sort left in the State. Naughter.) Turning to MT. Butler, who sat by his side, MT. Banks remarked "There is no exception to that, is there ?" Mir. Butler nodded in acqui- essence. "None at all," continued Mir Banks; ''I am sure none ofmy colleagues will take exception to that" He then went on to enlarge upon and enforce the views expressed by him as to the real causes of the banishment of Williams, to whom he conceded all the virtues and high traits of character claimed fo1 him.
 MT. Flames undertook to reafirm what he had already said, and which he said, was supported by history, but he denied that he had made the slightest imputa' tion against the pilgrims.
 The discussion attracted much atten- tion in the House, and after MT. Banks had finished his remarks, members from the Democratic side of the House, appa- renty enjoying the scene, focked to the neighborhood of MT. Flames to hear what he had to say, as he spoke too indistinct. ly to be heard at any distance. eff you deny," he said, "the Yankees title tc bis land he will fight with you at once, whether you belong to the same church with him or not" Naughter.)
 Mir. Cox (Dem., N. Y, addressed the Speaker, and the audience immediately moved over to the Democratic side of the House. He poked fun at the memory o1 the Puritans and eulogized that of Roger Williams, whese statue he hailed as g standing protest against their meanness, intolerance, and bigotry.
 MT. Butler (Rep., Mass.,) who had been attentively listening to Mir. Cox and enjoying his jokes. moved back to his own seat, and next engaged the atten- tion of the House, the audience flowing backward to the Republican side. He proceeded to defend and eulogize the character of the Puritans, alluding to the remark of MT. Cox that the Pilgrims had intended to land on Manhatten Island, but had by dispensation of Providence gone to Massachusetts Bay. He said he would stop for moment to contemplate what would have been the change in Manhatten Island if the Pil- grims had stopped there.
 Mir. Niblack (Dem., Ind. J took excep- tion to the phraseology of the resolu- ton in the sentence that this work of art is accepted in the name of the na- tion,' and suggested that the proper phraseoIogy would be, "in the name of the United States" and he moved to amend it in that respect.
 MT. Beck (Dem., Ky.,) suggested sar- castically the word ''emp pire.' ,
 MT. Eldridge (Dera., Wis, ) su ggested that MT. Niblack's amendment cores bonded exactly with the Constitution =" Che people of the United States.''
 MT. Hoar (Rep., Mass.,) trusted that the House would pause before striking from resolution the assertion that this country is nation.
 MT. Niblack denied that his purpose was an attack upon what gentleman might please to call the nationality of the United States. Nothing of that sort Was involved ill it. It was mere Ques- tion of phraseology. The word " nation appeared to him as having sort of schoolmaster or pedagogue twang about it which might suit some localities, but did net suit him. He called for the yeas and nays. The vote was taken and re- suited, ayes, 78; nays, 113; the Demo crats all voting aye, and the Republicans all voting no. The joint resolution was then passed.