The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-02-08


to-day as any State in the, United
states. In his remarks he criticised the
prominent part that South Carolina
TOOK in the act, CT secession in 1861. In
the course OF his remarks, as under
STOOD him, he took occasion to say that
North Carolina had followed South
carolina out of the Union In secession
and that North Carolina and South Car
DINA, too, had been whipped AS to
that have, nothing TO say. l only in a
1ocuiar way remarked to the gentleman
that he was mistaken; that South Caro-
lima had never been whipped; that she
wore herself out trying to whip the
other fellow. But when he said, in sub
stance, that he was ashamed Of such
action on the part of his State I rose
possibly In an unpariaanentary manner,
and In the heat of the moment impul-
sively said that South Carolina was not
ashamed of the part she took in It; that
she was proud of 1t and that l, for one,
endorsed secession then, / thought we
We're right, | think so yet and that un-
der the same circumstances, surrounded
by the same conditions, would do the
same thing again. Now, MIR. Speaker,
l repeat it. Up to this point Mr.. Tai
bert had beon attracting apparently
little attention, but here he was inter
rupted by MIR. Barrett CRep.), OF NIassa>
chusetts, who called him to order and
demanded that his words be taken
down.
Almost instantly there was much con-
fusion on the floor and a. disorder. which
almost prevented Mr.. Talbert from being
heard to say: II am willing, Mr.. Speak
cr, for my words to be taken down, and
propose to stand by every word that
l utter upon this floor" tThe Speaker
vigorously welding the C--'aveD. The
gentleman will have to resume his seat"
While the words were being tran
scribed, many Republicans endeavorcd
to dissuade Mr. Barrett from prosecut-
ing;his point of order, but unsuccessfuily.
When the reporters notcs had been
transcribed Speaker Reed asked: Docs
the gentleman from Massachusetts in
sist that the words shall be taken
down."
Mr.. BARRETT ask that the words be
taken down because. as / understand
the remarks of the gentleman from
South Carolina, his statement was in di-
rect violation of the oath that he took
at the bar of this House at the opening
of this Congress" applause on Rcpub-
lican sidc0
After the Clerk had read the objection
able language the Speaker suggested to
the gentleman from Massachusetts that
the gentleman was repea ting what he
said previously for the purpose of max
ing some modification, as the Chair
understood.
Mr.. Crisp moved that the gentleman
from South Carolina be permitted to ex-
plain.
This motion precipitated n discussion
as to parliamentary procedure. the eX-
element continuing to increase despite
the efforts of the Speaker. In Its course
Mr. Barrett said:
II don't object to the gentleman from
South Carolina (Air TalberD at the
proper time being allowed to explain
the statement twice made by him with
deliberation: that under certain circum-
stances having taken the oath of office
to support the Constitution of the
United States. he would attempt to over
throw and humil!ate II, but l do claim
that the rule does not give any. right to
postpone the present consideration of
the resolution, which 1 propose to sub
NIT to the House"
The rule regarding procedure In such
cases was discussed by Mr.. Crisp with
numerous Interruptions and questions.
Mr.. Barrett explained the conse-
quence of what had occurred. He said:
'On Wednesday night l was one of
the few members of this House who
Drawing the elements was present at the
few minutes ago under discussion in
the House. To my surprise heard the
remarks made by the gentleman from
South Carolina at that time, and l sup
posed that some member older than
myself would take proper action on the
subject. But several moments having
elapsed, and the point having become
properly applicable that the attention
of the House was not promptly called TO
the subject I allowed 1T to drop think
ing that perhaps the gentleman from
South Carolina had in moment of eN-
citement made a statement OF treason
to the Constitution Of the United States
~ nhE.f of nj tfnI,
sideration would prompt him to dis
avow This morning, to my still greater
surprise he rose and reiterated that as
sertion; that under certain ctrcumstan-
ces-he having within two months taken
the oath of office, carrying with it the
oath of allegiance to the Constitution OF
the United States-he would approve
and endorse and participate in seces-
sion. The gentleman might have been
allowed to proceed under the interpreta-
tion of the rule IL he had simply vio-
lated the rules of tEds House under
which he might very properly have
made immediate explanat ton, for which
the gentleman from Georgia might have
asked leave that he be given time"
Mr.. Crisp's motion was finally agreed
to and Mr.. Talbert explained what he
called the misnterpretation rather than
the misrepresentation of his remarks.
by saying that the circumstances and
conditions that existed when South
Carolina seeded could not and never
would exist any more, and he was glad
of 1t. (ApplauSe) He added that