The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1881-05-25
Vol. XVII.
1isceIIsueoms.
%
SPEECH
or
NJ. @. BUTLER.
OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
In the Senate of the United States,
Thursday, April %, 1851.
SPEECH

Mr.. PRESIDENT: ! have had nc
| disposition to take part in this de-
bate, anG should have carried out
my purpose to remain silent but
for the most remarkable aud un.
called-for philippe Of the Senator
from Maine Mr.. Frye] and some
novel and extraordinary proposi.
tions of his republican colleagues,
which have made it necessary for
me to enter into a vindication of
my own course and to fulfill a
promise made to the honorable
Senator from Rhode Island. Mr..
Burnside
1t is not an agreeable duty-a
very ungracious duty-but never
theless u duty and | shall en-.
deavor TO discarge it fear!essly,
and with becoming considerable n
for the feelings Of my brother
Senators and due regard for
those amenities Of debate that
should always control US in this
high and digaiied branch Of the
ratiooa! Legislature. And if in
the heat Of earnest discussion |
should appear 70 transcend the
limits of parliamentary propricty'
l trust it may not be regarded as
Intentional or wanting in . pro.
per estimate of senatorial deco
rum.
Mr.. President, on the Goth of
this month referring to some ob-
servation made by the Senator
from Maine, [Mr. Frye,] who I re-
gret very much is not in bis seat,
in a eolloquy between the hon
orable Senator from Rhode Island
{ Mr. Burpsidel and myself, 1 used
the following language:
The Senator sat there and heard
that TRADE; but when | rise and
attempt to vinuicate myself, the
Senator comes to the front and
declares that whoever says there
was bargain in this Chamber,
has uttered u falsehood.
Mr.. Burnside. Well, l do say
so yet.
Mr.. Butler. have made no
such charge; but, Mr.. President,
if do not demonstrate it by IRE
fragable testimony l will resign
my seat in this Senate.
Again 1 said:
The Senator from Maine ar
raigned the entire South almost ;
be arraigned every Senator from
the South, charging that We are
here the representatives Of States
that have repudiated their public
obligation, as an excuse for some
thing that is being done in this
Senate.
Further on | said:
But Mr.. President, [ have been
betrayed into saying a great deal
more than I intended when !
rose. repeat that at the proper
time if the remarks of the Sen
ator from Maine, in my judgment
shall require further notice at my
hands as to what he may have
| said about my State and the con
dition of affairs down there,
shall take occasion to ask the Sen
| ate to hear me in response bu
for the present I desire to repeat
that that is not the issue. The
real issue is whether or not bar
gain has been made on this fool
BY which it is proposed on th'
one part to take something which
| does not belong 10 the republican
| caucus or the democratic caucus
or both combined in exchange fol
the influence or the vote or th'
power of any man or set of men
to wit, the officers of this Senate
They do not belong TO US. They
belong to the sovereign people o.
this country, and we control then
in trust for the people and not tx
barter away for political power.
I regret extremely that the Sen
aLor from Maine who saw tit t.
make this arraignment of myself
aud my associates, and my people
notin his seat Eregretthat circum
stances will not permit me to post
pone what I have to say, uotil hi'
return for shall have somethin;
to say about him, and about hi
! State, which I should prefer t
have Him hear.
! | Sd, Mr.. President, that
made 40 charge Of a bargain i
the Senate. and l repeat it. l sal