The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-06
Massachusetts Anxious to Rescind the
Resolution Of CenSure.
Splendid Arguments and Sound Logic on the
Battle Flag Question-speeches by Ex-Gover-
nors ClaAin and Washburn and Others
Shall We Censure Faithful Public
Servant, While Bribe-Takers and
q. n. Congrssmen EscapsV


resolutions passed at the extra session OF the
Legislature on the 18th OF December. 1872, which
are known as the sumner resolutions, and which
were construed to imply censure OF the course or
Senator Sumner in introducing into the National
Congress bill for the erasing Of the names OF
battles with fellow citizens from the Army
Register and regimental colors of the
United states Army. Quite q large num-
Der Of people gathered before the hearing was
commenced including good share ladies. The
poet Whittier, Ex-Governor Emory WashAprn,
William Lloyd Garrison, Rev. John 5. Sargent, ex-
Governor Claim, Surgeon General Dale, Rev.
James Freeman Clarke, General e. Sewell Rev.
Dr. Thompson. OF Jamaica Plains; Rev. DR.. g.
A. Bartol, and other warm personal friends
OF Mr.. Sumner were present. Colonel George II.
Hoyt, as . remonstrant, said he desired at the
same time to submit question as to the power Of
the Legislature to do what the petitioners ask but
the committee concluded not to hear petitioners
unless they desired to argue the question of power
OF that time.
REMARKS OF EX-GOVERNOR CLAFLIN.
The chairman OF the committee, Senator George
A. Torrey OF Fitchburg, read the petition, and ex
Governor Claim stated that he was requested by
Mr.. Whittier to open the hearing. He said these
resolutions were passed at session OF the Legis-
| lature called to consider great calamity, when
the minds OF the people not directed to this
matter. 1t was stated that the resolutions
never passed by majority OF the committee,
though reported by one OF their number to the
House. The people felt that these resolutions did
not express the feelings OF the people Of
the State Mr.. Sumner had been Senator
for twenty years, and he had been faithful to his
post, and there was No imputatiOn on his charac-
ter for honesty He had always held the sent-
ments expressed in the resolutions and presented
oOfo tpoiio IN IN lar
read from the inaugural OF President Grant to show
that the matter was in harmony with his views
ana the sentiment OF the community. His fame
was secure and could not be furnished but the
good name OF the State was in danger. II the
cause appeared small or insignificant it would not
,be credit to the state in the future.
REMARKS OF EX-GOVERNOR wAsHBURN.
Ex-Governor Washburn said he came to the
hearing OF his own accord, and no one was
responsible for what he might say. The resolutions
we're somewhat vague, but they implied a censure
OF the senator, and he signed the petition with
great cheerfulnese. He wanted an expression of
this Legislature as to the sober second thought OF
the people OF the state, and he cared not whether
the resolutions should be explanatory or annulling
for resembling Or expunging. tnasnueh as they ex-
pressed the sense Of the Legislature He then read
the resolves In question, and said he did
not standrhere to defend the course ofMr. Sumner,
but ne desired TO speak OF the effect upon Massa-
petitioners were not partisanS. It was question
to the honor Of the State among the other States
| and in the cause OF human rights. The course OF
legislation which had been based the course OF
| Mr.. Sumner in Introducing bill was injuring the
character OF the State for consistency. Massachu.
sets could not pass the resolution and had no right
| to stand up and condemn the man for present.
ing resolution embodying the views ne had
| In Boston as early as 1s45. Since then the State
had three times elected him to represent it in
| IA v(iQ half of uoa haf fvEoQ "a hos fvo
| committed under mistaken idea and all that re-
NAMED for the State to do was to put herself back
thought. While the State was passing the resolu.
| tions
draped In the national nag, in her Capitol. Here
was another inconsistency. II the resolutions
tSa e Was DC san.
was an error in Judgment or taste, Tor It was
merely resolution OF INQUIRY. For this error in
taste by man who had been faithful for twenty-five
years in everything else. the Legislature puts this
resolve on record Massachusetts, would be true
to her own honor when she maintained the honor Of
| the man who had been true to her. Granting that
| the Judgment was wrong and the taste bad, the
State had iunicted the severest punishment on
man OF sensitive honor. II his hand had been
stained with brides, as those Of many had been
stained so freely this season. there might have
been an excuse but he had ever been free from
such faint. (Applause.) He was condemned be-
cause he advanced the opinion that the striking OF
would be better for the country. II the people OF
| the State were noti In sympathy with the resolve
| u
SOLID REASONING.
| II he was so unfortunate as to be In minority
| in a matter OF opinion was that reason why he
should be condemncds Did they want their Sena-
tor a mere autOmaton who should not be allowed
to think for hmsefs The State was inconsistent
with her own history in this condemnation and
she was the last to condemn him for boldly
ana openly speaking his opinions whatever
most IN the De- world Inc sne '0re
independent thought and freedom Of speech.
|
members OF Parliament were sent TO prison for
daring TO speak OF the tyrannous taxation Of
Charles but the State had always led the van in
free speech. In 1929 these people came to establish
"a state where free speech should be maintained.
forth there should be no slavery and he read from
the Bill Of Rights, which secured to every man the
which secured freedom Of deIiberation was
adopted. In 1885, when the national constitution
came to the people for adoption, 1t met with much
objection, because II contained no bill Of
rights. The first amendment offered by Massa-
chusetts man. was to the effect that Congress
se speech n The Aw spirit of these
Of censure. was inconsistent with this
free speech and destroy a free government Il
was the old doctrine OF the Inqusftfon applied to
politics instead Of religion. lie wondered they
did not remember the attempt to censure John
resolution, when they attempted TO: censsre
Z ssHss .ass ;sgs a0"n MI sum
THB BLUDGEo ,.0F BROOKS,
and Tor the same reason ne cared not WQerner 1t
done by the blow OF this resolution or censure
| or the blow OF the backguard. (Applause.)
Mr.. Washburn then defcndod v.3 principle en-
bodied In Mr.. Summers proposition az wise
| policy and one that ought to be followed. The
question was one tor all time. This nation could
only live as united people. These soldiers fought
and died for the perpetuity OF the Union and any
| measure that served that purpose was one OF the
| highest which legislator could present. The
danger had always been from local jealousies and
| discomfort, and this proposition was to take away
one OF the causes for such danger. This dscrimina
ton OF part OF the army from the other should
| not be perpetuated.
Mr. GILBERT (oftne committee) --To carry out this
principle wouldn't you pull down all the soldiers
| monumental
Mr.. wAsHBURN-Not at all. When we 90 South
| we DOM carry our soldiers monuments VITA us.
| (Applause This was national act The soldiers
monuments were erected By friends, by those ASSOC