The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1881-05-25
miscellaneous.
SPEECH
SPEECH
or
M. @. BUTLER,
OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
In the Senate Of the United States,
Thursday, April 20, 1881.

Thursday, April 20, 1881.
Mr.. PRESIDENT I have had no
disposition to take part in this de-
bate, and should have carried out
my purpose to remain silent but
for the most remarkable aud un-
caIIed-for philippe Of the Senator
from Maine Mr.. Frye] and some
novel and extraordinary PROPOSE
tions Of his republican colleagues,
which have made it necessary for
me to enter into a vindication Of
my own course and to fulfill
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 a due regard for
those amenities Of debate that
should always control US in this
high and digaifed branch of the
national Legislature. And if in
the heat Of earnest discussion I
should appear 70 transcend the
limits Of parliamentary proprlcty'
l trust it may not be regarded as
intentional or wanting in q pro.
per estimate of senatorial deco
rum.
Mr.. President, on the goth Of
this month referring to some OBJ
servation made by the Senator
from Maine, [Mr. Frye,] who I re-
gret very much is not in bis seat,
in a col!oquy between the hon.
orable Senator from Rhode Island
Mr. Buruside] and myself, I used
the following language
The Senator sat there and heard
that TRADE but when | rise and
attempt to vindicato myself, the
Senator comes to the front and
| declares that whoever says there
! was bargain in this Chamber,
has uttered falsehood.
Mr.. Burnside. Well, I do say
so yet.
Mr.. Butler. 1 have made no
snch charge; but, Mr.. President,
if | do not demonstrate it by IRE
fragable testimony l will resign
my seat in this Senate.
Again l said:
! The Senator from Maine ar.
raigned the entire South almost
be arraigoed 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
I-Senate.
| Further on | said:
| But Mr.. President, have beer
betrayed into saying great dea
more than I intended when
rose. repeat that at the proper
time if tho rema rks Of the Sen
ator from Maine, in my judgment
shall require further notice at my
bands as to what he may hav
said about my State and the con
dition of affairs down there,
shall take occasion to ask the Ser
ate to hear me in response; bn
for the present desire to repea
that that is not the issue. Th'
real issue is whether or not bar
gain has been made on this foo
by which it is proposed on til
one part TO take something whicI
does not belong TO the Republican
caucus or the democratic caucu
. or both combined in exchange 10
the influence or the vote or tn
power of any man or set OF men
to wit, the officers of this Senate
They do not belong to US. The.
belong to the sovereign people o
this country, and we control ther
in trust for the people and not t
barter away for political power.
l regret extremely that the Ser
ator from Maine who saw fit t
make this arraigument of mysel
aud my associates, and my people
notin his seat; Iregretthat circun
, stances will not permit me to pos
pone what have to say, until hi
return ; for l shall have somethin
to say about him, and about b
}. State, which l should prefer
have him hear.