Defence of Massachusetts.. SPEECH OF HON. ANSON BURLINGAME, OF MASSACHUSETTS IN THIE HOUSE OF IREPRESENTATIVES, JUNE 21, 1856. The House being in the Committee of the Whole on the and specific charges. a I am sorry to find at the state of the Union, head of the list of her assailants the President Mr. BURLINGAME said: of the United'States, who not only assails Mass Mr. C-AIRMAN: The House will bear witness sachusetts, but the whole North. He defends that I have not pressed myself upon its deliber- one section of the Union at the expense of the ations. Inever before asked its indulgence. I other. He declares that one section has ever have assailed no man; nor have I sought to been mindful of its constitutional obligations bring reproach upon any man's State. But, and that the other has not.. He declares that, while such has been my course, as well as the if one section of our country were a foreign course of my colleagues from Massachusetts, country, the other would have just cause of war upon this floor, certain members have seen fit against it. And to sustain these remarkable to assail the State which we represent, not only declarations, he goes into an elaborate perver. with words, but with blows. sion of history, such as that Virginia ceded her In remembrance of these things, and seizing lands against the interests of the South, for the the first opportunity which has presented.itself benefit of the North; when the truth is, she for a long time, I stand here to-day to say a ceded her lands, as New Yoirk and other States word for old Massachusetts-not that she needs did, for the benefit of the whole country. She it; no, sir; for in all that constitutes true great- gave her lands to Freedom, because she thought ness —in all that gives abiding strength-in Freedom was better than Slavery-because it great qualities of head, and heart-in moral was the policy of the times, and events have power-in material prosperity-in intellectual vindicated that policy. resources and physical ability-by the general It is a perversion of history, when he says judgment of mankind, according to her popu- that the territory of the country has been aclation, she is the first State. There does not quired more for the benefit of the North than live the man anywhere, who knows anything, for the South; he says that substantially. Sir, to whom praise of Massachusetts would not be out of the territory thus acquired, five slave needless. She is as far beyond that as she is States, with a pledge for four more, and two beyond censure. Members here may sneer at free States, have come into the Union; and her-they may praise her past at the expense one of these, as we all know, fought its way of her present; but I say, wila full convic- through a compromise degrading to the North. tion of its truth, that Massachusetts, in her The North does not object to the acquisition present performances, is even greater than in of territory, when it is desired, but she desires her past recollections. And when I have said that it shall be free. If such a complexion had this, what more can I say? been given to it, how different would have been Sir, although I am here as her youngest and the fortunes of the Republic to-day! This mav humblest member, yet, as her Representative, I be ascertained by comparing the progress of feel that I am the peer of any man upon this Ohio with that of any slave State in the Missisfloor. Occupying that high stand-point, with sippi valley. It will appear more clearly by modesty, but with firmness, I cast down her comparing the free with the slave regions. j glove to the whole band of her assailants. have not time to do more than to presents. She has been assailed in the House and out general picture. of the House, at the other end of the Capitol, Freedom and Slavery started together in the and at the other end of the avenue. There great race on this continent. In the very year have been brought against her general charges the Pilgrim Fathers landed on Plymouth Rock, 9 slaves landed in Virginia. Freedom has gone say the quicker we try the streTginl of this great on, trampling down barbarism, and planting Government the better. Not only has lie said States-building the symbols of its faith by that, but members have said on this floor, aain every lake, and every river, until now the sons and agsan, that if the Fugitive Slave Law, of the Pilgrims stand by the shores of the Pa- which has nothing sacred about it —which I cific. Slavery has also made its way toward deem unconstitutional- which South Carolina the setting sun. It has reached the Rio Grande deems anconstitutional-if that law be repealon the South; and the groans of its victims, ed, that this Union will then cease to exist. and the clank of its chains, may be heard as it Mr. KEITT. I wish to know from the genslowly ascends the Western tributaries of the tleman from Massachusetts, by what authority Mississippi river. Freedom has left the land he says South Carolina holds the Fugitive Slave bespangled with free schools, and filled the Law to be unconstitutional? whole heavens with the shining towers of re- Mr. BURLINGAME. By the authority of the ligion and civilization. Slavery has left deso- Charleston Mercury. lation, ignorance, and death, in its path. When Taking that paper from his pocket, Mr. B. we look at these things; when we see what the read the following: country would have been, had Freedom been "Of the action of Massachusetts in the abrogation of the given to the Territories; when we think what Fugitive Slave Law, we have no complaint to make. It it would have been but for this blight in the was from the first a miserableillusio; and worse infact, for it was an frinfrineentl upon one of the most cherished bosom of the country; that the whole South- principles of the Constitution. which provides that fiugi that fair land God has blessed so much-would tives from labor,' upon demand. shall be delivered up,' but have been covered with cities, and villages, gives no power to Congress to act ii this affair. The tenti h.ave been covered with cities, and villages, anemtment to the Conqtitution provides that'the powers and railroads, and that in the country, in the not delegated to the United States are reserved to the place of twenty-five millions of people, thirty- Staes or to the ple he cuse above confers ive millons w d have haid the ring mn power, but is the naked declaration of a right; and the five millions would have hailea the rising morn power, not being conferred, results to the St-te s as one of exulting in republican liberty-when we think the incidents of sovereignty too dear to be trusted to the of these things, how must every honest man- G rm ers srove for he passage of the... Our Southern menbers strove for the passage of the how must every man with brains in his head, law, and strove houestly; but it shows the evils of our or heart in his bosom-regret that the policy unfortuilate colldition, that, in the urgelcy of our contest with aii aggressive adversary, we lose the landmarks of _'f otld Virginia, in her better days, did not be- principle-to obtain au illusive triumph, we pressed the come the animating policy of this expanding Government to assume a power not conferred by the inRepub}~lic o i strument of its creation, and to establish a precedent by ipiR epubl ~ ^ ic. I_ which, in all after time, it will be authorized to assume It is a perversion of history, I say, when the whatever right may have no constitutional ri.ght of enPresident intimates that the adoption of the forcement; and, wearied with so many efforts to conlfine Constitution abrogated the Ordinance of d~7 the Government to its limits of legitimnate powers, we are Constitution abrogated the Ordinance of 1787. pleased to have assislince from another quarter; and if It was recognised by the first Congress which the question shall be determiined in her favor, we will tinassembled under the Constitution; and it has cerely rejoice in such a vindication of tie Constitution." been sanctioned by nearly every President, from That is my authority, but I do not wish to be Washington d.own. It is a perversion of his- interrupted; I have not time. I say that it is tory when the Pre-icdeirti4ntimates that the Mis- not for the President and members on this floor souri Compromise was made agaifist-the inter- to determine the life of this Union; this Union ests of the South, and for the benefit of the rests in the hearts of the American people, and North. The truth-the unmistakable truth is, cannot be eradicated thence. Whenever any that it was forced by the South on the North. person shall lift his hand to smite down this It received the almost united vote of the South. Union, the people will subjugate him to Liberty It was claimed as a victory of the South. The and the Constitution. I do not wish to dwell men who voted for it were sustained in the on the President, and what he has said. NotSouth; and those who voted for it in the North withstanding all this perversion of historypassed into oblivion; and though some of them notwithstanding his violated pledges-and notare physically alive to-day, they are as politi- withstanding his warlike exploits at Greytown cally dead as are the President and his imme- and Lawrence-his servility has been repaid diate advisers. Not only has the President per- with scorn. I am glad of it. The South was verted history, but he has turned sectionalist. right. When a man is false to the convictions He has become the champion of sectionalism. of his own heart and to Freedom, he cannot be He makes the extraordinary declaration, that trusted with the delicate interests of Slavery. I if a State is refused admission into the Union cannot express the delight I feel in the poetic because her Constitution embraced Slavery as justice that has been done; but, at the same an institution, then one section of the country time, I am not unmindful of the deep ingratiwould of necessity be compelled to dissolve its tude that first lured him to ruin, and then deconnection with the people of the other section I serted and left him alone to die. [Applause.] What does he mean? Does he mean to say that If I were not too much of a Native American, there are traitors in the South? Does he mean I would quote and apply to him the old Latin to say, if they were voted down, that then they words, "De mortuis nil nisi bonum"-speak ought not to submit? If hedoes, and if they nothing but good of the dead. I can almost mean to back him in the declaration, then I forgive him, considering his condition, the blis tering words he let fall upon us the other nlght, stitutonal hope that has alays swayed thi, when he went through the ordeal of ratifying head and heart of Massachusetts, and which has the nomination of James Buchanan. He said made her look out of the gloom of the present, that we had received nothing at the hands of and anticipate a glorious future. So much in the Government, save its protection and its po- relation to the general charge against Massalitical blessings. We have not certainly re- chusetts. ceived any offices; and as for its protection There are specific charges, upon which I shall and political blessings, let the silence above the dwell for a moment. One is, that she has orgraves of those who sleep in their bloody shrouds ganized an " Emigrant Aid Society." Did you in Kansas answer. not tell Massachusetts that the people of KanThere have been general and specific charges sas were to be left perfectly free to mould her made against old Massachusetts. The general institutions as they thought best? She knew, charge, when expressed in polite language, is, and she told you, that your doctrine of squatthat she has not been faithful to her constitu- ter sovereignty was a delusion and a snare. She tional obligations. I deny it. I call for proof. opposed it as long as she could here; and when I ask when? where? how? I say, on the contra- she could do it no longer, she accepted the batry,thatfromthetimewhenthisGovernmentcame tie upon your pledge of fair play. She deterfrom the brains of her statesmen, and the un- mined to make Kansas a free State. In this conquerable arms of her warriors, she has been high motive the Emigrant Aid Society had its loyal to it. In peace, she has added to it re- origin. Its objects are two-fold-Freedom for nown; and in war, her sons have crowded the Kansas and pecuniary reward. And it is so orway to death as to a festival. She has quench- ganized that pecuniary benefit cannot flow to ed the fires of rebellion on her own soil without stockholders, except through the prosperity of Federal aid; and when the banners of nullifica- those whom it aids. The idea of the society is tion flew in the Southern sky, speaking through this: to take capital and place it in advance of the lips of Webster, in Faneuil Hall, she civilization; to take the elements of civilization, stood by Jackson and the Union. No man the saw-mill, the church, the school-house, and speaking in her name-no man wearing her plant them in the wilderness, as an inducement ermine, or clothed with her authority-ever did to the emigrant. It is a peaceful society. It anything, or said anything, or decided anything, has never armed one man; it has never paid not in accordance with her constitutional obli- one man's passage toKansas. It never askedgations. Yet, sir, the hand of the Federal Gov- though I think it should have asked-the politernment has been laid heavily upon her. ical sentiments of any man whom it has assistThat malignant spirit which has usurped this ed to emigrate to Kansas. It has invested Government, through the negligence of the peo- 100,000, and it has conducted from Massachuple, too long has pursued her with rancor and setts to Kansas from twelve to fifteen hundred bitterness. Before its invidious legislation she of the flower of her people. Such is the Emihas seen her commerce perish, and ruin, like a grant Aid Society, such is its origin, and such devastating fire, sweep throughherfieldsofindus- its action. It is this Society, so just and legal try; but, amid all these things, Massachusetts in its origin and its action, that has been made has always lifted up her voice with unmurmur' the pretext for the most bitter assaults upon ing devotion to the Union. She has heard the Massachusetts. Sir, it is Christianity organized. Federal drum in her streets. She has protect How have these legal and these proper meased the person of that most odious man-odious ures been met by those who propose to make both at the North and the South-the slave- Kansas a slave State? The people of Massahunter. She has protected him when her soil chusetts would not complain, if the people who throbbed with indignation from the sea to the differ from them should go there to seek a New York line. Sir, the temples of justice there peaceful solution of the conflicting questions. have been clothed in chains. The Federal But how have they been met? By fraud and courts in other States have been closed against violence, by sackings, and burnings, and murher, and her citizens have been imprisoned, and ders. Laws have been forced upon them, such she has had no redress. as you have heard read to-day by the gentleYet, notwithstanding all these things, Massa- man from Indiana, [Mr. COLFAX,] so atrocious chusetts has always been faithful and loyal to that no man has risen here to defend one single the Constitution. You may ask why, if she has one of them. Men have been placed over them been so wronged, so insulted, has she been so whom they never elected, and this day, as has true and faithful to the Union? Sir, because been stated by the gentleman from Indiana, she knew, in her clear head, that these outrages civil war rages from one end of Kansas to the came not from the generous hearts of the Amer- other. Men have been compelled to leave their ican people. She knew that, when Justice should peaceful pursuits, and starvation and death finally assume the reins of Government, all stare them in the face, and yet the Government would be well. She knew that, when the Gov- stands idle-no, not idle; it gives its mighty ernment ceased to foster the interests of Slavery arm to the side of the men who are trampling alone, her interests would be regarded, and the down law and order there. The United States whole country be blessed. It was this high con- troops have not been permitted to protect tbh 4 Free State men. When they have desired to ernment. I believe, with her great statesmer do so, they have boen withdrawn. I cannot and with her peop!e, that the Furitire Slav( enter into a detail of all the facts. It is a fact Law is unconstitutional. Mr. Webs-er, as ar that war rages there to-day. Men kill each original question, thought it, was not constitu other at sight. All these things are known, tional; Mr. Rantoul, a brilliant statesman o: and nobody can deny them. All the Western Ma&sachusetts, said the same thing; they botL winds are burdened with the news of them, thought that the clause of the Constitution was and they are substantiated equally by both addressed to the States. Mr. Webster bowed sides. to the decision of the Supreme Court in the Has the G-ove-?nment' no power to make Prigg. case; Mr. Rantoul did not. Massachu. peace in Kansas, and to protect citizens there setts believes it to be unconstitutional; but under the organic law of the Territory? I ask, whether it be constitutional or not, she means, in the name of old Massachusetts, if our honest so long as the Federal Government undertakes citizens who went to Kansas to build up homes to execute that law, that the Federal Gov. for themselves, and to secure the blessings of ernment shall do it with its own instruments, civilization, are not entitled to protection-? vile or otherwise. She says that no one She throws the responsibility upon this Admin- clothed with her authority shall do anything istration, and holds it accountable; and so will to help in it, so long as the Federal Government the people, at the polls, next November. undertakes to do it. But, sir, I pass from this. Another charge is, that Massachusetts has I did intend to reply seriatim to all the attacks passed a personal liberty bill. Well, sir, I say which have been made upon the State, but I that Massachusetts, for her local legislation, is have not half time enough. The gentleman not responsible to this House, or to any mem- from Mississippi, [Mr. BENNETT,] after enumnerber of it. I say, sir, if her laws were as bad as ating a great many things he desired Massathose atrocious laws of Kansas, you can do chusetts to do, said, amongst other things, that nothing with her, I say, if her statute-books, she must tear out of her statute-book this perinstead of beino filled with generous legisla- sonal liberty law. When she had done that, tion —egislation which ought to be interesting and a variety of other things too numerous to to her assailants, because it is in favor of the mention, then he said " the South would forgive idiotic and the blind-[laughter] —were filled, Massachusetts." The South forgive Massachulike those of the State of Alabama, with laws setts I Sir, forgiveness is an attribute of Dicovering the State with whipping-posts, keep- vinity. The South has it not. Sir, forgiveing half of her people in absolute slavery, and ness is a higher quality than justice, even. The nearly all of the other half in subjection to South-I mean the Slave Power-cannot colntwenty-nine thousand slaveholders; if the slave- prehend it. Sir, Massachusetts has already forholders themselves were not permitted to trade given the South too many debts and too many with or teach their slaves, as they choose; if insults. If we should do all the things the gen-.gnorance were increasing faster than the pop- tleman from Mississippi desired us to do, then ulation-I say, even then, you could not do the gentleman from Alabama [Mr. SHORTER] anything here with the local laws of Massa- comes in, and insists that Massachusetts shall chusetts. I say, the presumption is, that the do a great variety of other things before the law, having been passed by a sovereign State, South probably will forgive her. Among other is constitutional. If it is not constitutional, things, he desired that Massachusetts should then, sir, when the proper tribunal shall have blot out the fact that General Hull, who surrendecided that question, what is there, I ask, in dered Detroit, had his home in Massachusetts. the history of Massachusetts, which will lead us Why, no, sir; she does not desire even to do to believe that she will not abide by that result? that, for then she would have to blot out the fact I say, there is nothing in the history of the State that his gallant son had his home there-that of Mississippi, or of South Carolina, early or gallant son who fell fighting for his country, in recent, which makes Massachusetts desirous of the same war, at Lundy's Lane-that great batemulating their example. I, sir, agree with tie, where Colonel Miller, a Massachusetts man the South Carolina authority I have quoted by adoption, when asked if he could storm cerhere in regard to the legislation of Massachu- tain heights, replied, in a modest Massachusetts setts. manner, "I will try, sir." He stormed the Sir, my time is passing away, and I must has- heights. ten on. The State of Massachusetts is the The gentleman desires, also, that we should guardian of the rights of her citizens, and of the Iblot out the history of the connection of Massainhabitants within her border line. If her cit- chusetts with the last war. Oh, no I She cannot izens go beyond the line, into distant lands or do that. She cannot so dim the lustre of the upon the ocean, then they look to the Federal American arms. She cannot so wrong the Rearm for protection. But old Massachusetts is public. Where, then, would be your great seathe State which. is to secure to her citizens the fights? Where, then, would be the glory of inestimable blessing of trial by jury and the Old Ironsides," whose scuppers ran red with writ of habeas corpus. All these things must Massachusetts blood? Where, then, would be cor.e from her, and not from the Federal Gov- the history of the daring of those brave fisher 5 men, who swarmed from all her bays and all her questions and answers explode. He answers, ports, sweeping the enerny's commerce from hotly and tauntingly, that the South wants the most distant seas? Ah, sir! she cannot none of our vagabond philanthropy. Sir, when afford to blot out that history. You, sir, cannot the yellow pestilence fluttered its wings over afford to let her do it-no, not even the South. the Southern States, and when Massachusetts She sustained herself in the last war; she paid poured out her treasures to a greater extent in her own expenses. and has not yet been paid proportion to her population than any other entirely from the Treasury of the nation. The State, was that vagabond philanthropy? I ask enemy hovered on her coast with his ships, as the people of Virginia and Louisiana? numerous, almost, as the stars. He looked on But, sir, the gentieman was most tender and that warlike land, and the memory of the olden sir, the get n he descrbe te nder and time came back upon him. He remembered mos plaitie when he described the starving c -operatives. Why, sir, the eloquence was most how, more than forty years before, he had trodden overwatives.lmg some eloquence was most on that soil; he remembered how vauntingly he overwhelming upon some of my colleaues. I invaded it, and how speedily he leftit. He turned thought I saw the iron face of our Speaker his glasses towards it, and beheld its people soften a little, when he listened to the unexpectrashing from the mountains to the sea to de- ed sympathy of the gentleman with the hardfend it; and he dared not attack it. Its capi- ships of his early life. Sir, he was an operatal stood in the salt sea spray, yet he could not tive from boyhood to manhood-and a good,. yet he cu no i -sone, too. Ah, sir, he did not appreciate, as be take it. He sailed south, where there was an, o., sir he did not appreciate, as he other capital, not far from where we now stand, tasted the sweet bread of honest toil, his sad forty miles rom the sea. A few staggering, ccondition; he did not think, as he stood in the forty miles from the sea. A few staggering, music of the machinery which came from his worn-out sailors and soldiers came here. They music f the machinery which came fom his took it. How it was defended, let the heroes cunning hand, how much better it would have took it. How it was defended, let the heroes of 1Badensburg answer! [Laughter.] been for him, had he been born a slave, [laughSir, the gentleman from South Carolina r.ter,] and put under the gentleman from South KEITh] gena p peec; and may be Carolina-a kind master, as I have no doubt he KEITT] made a speech; and if I may be allow- is —where he would have been well fed and ed to coin a word, I will say it had more cntan cohed would have on none e clothed, and would have known none of the kerosity in it than any speech I ever heard on wh oul h on every hand. this floor. [Renewed laughter.] It was certrials h doubtless met him on every hand this floor. [Renewed laughter.] lt was cer- How happy he would have been, if, instead of tainly very eloquent in some portions-very How happy he would have been, if, instead of eloquent indeed, for the gentleman has indisbeig a Massachusetts operative, he had been putably an eloquent utterance and an eloquent a slave in South Carolina, fattening, singing temperament. I do not wish to criticize it and dancing, upon the banks of some Southern much, but it opens in the most extraordinary river. [Great laughter.] manner with a "weird torchlight," and then Sir, if the gentleman will go to my district, he introduces a dead man, and then he galvan- and look upon those operatives and mechanics; izes him, and puts him in that chair, and then if he will look upon some of those beautiful he makes him " point his cold finger" around models which come from their brains and hands, this Hall. Why, it almost frightens me to al- and which from time to time leap upon the walude to it. And then he turns it into a theatre, ters of the Atlantic, out-flying all other clipand then he changes or trawnsmogrifies the pers, bringing home wealth and victory with all gentleman from Indiana, [Mr. COLFAX,] who the winds of heaven, he might have reason to has just spoken, into a snake, and makes him change his views. Let him go there, and, even "wriggle up to the foot-lights;" and then he after all he said, he may speak to those men, gives the snake hands, and -then "mailed and convince them, if he can, of their starving hands," and with one of them he throws off condition. I will guaranty his personal safety. Cuba, and with the other clutches all the Cana- I believe the people of Massachusetts would das. Then he has men with "glozing mouths," pour forth their heart's blood to protect even and they are "singing psalms through their him in the right of freedom of speech; and that noses," and are moving down upon the South is saying a great deal, after all that has hap"like an army with banners." Frightful-is pened. Let him go to the great county of it not? He talks about rotting on dead seas. Worcester-that bee-hive of operatives and AboHe calls our party at one time a "toad," and litionists, as it has been called-and he will find then he calls it a'lizard;" "and more, which the annual product of that county greater, in e'en to mention would be unlawful." Sir, his proportion to the population, than that of any rhetoric seems to have the St. Vitus's dance. other equal population in the world, as will be [Laughter.] He mingles metaphors in such a found by reference to a recent speech of exmanner as would delight the most extravagant Governor Boutwell, of our State. The next Milesian. county, I believe, in respect to the amount of But I pass from his logic and his rhetoric, products in proportion to population, is away and also over some historical mistakes, much of up in Vermont. Sir, let him go and look at the same nature as those made by the Presi- these men-these Abolitionists, who, we are dent, which I have already pointed out, and told, meddle with everybody's business but their come to some of his sentences, in which terrific own. They certainly take time enough to a' 6 tend to their own business, to accomplish these ishness and utter i-becility of a great portion results which I have named. of the people of South Carolina. The gentleman broke out in an exceedingly But, Mr. Clhairnan, all these assaults upon explosive question, something like this: I do the State of Massachusetts sink into insignifinot know if my memory can do justice to the cance, compared with the one I am about to language of the gentleman, but it was some- mention. On the 19th of May, it was anthing like this: "Did not the South, equally nounced that Mr. SUM.NER would address the with the North, bare her forehead to the god of Senate upon the Kansas question. The floor battles?" I answer plainly, No, sir, she did of the Senate, the galleries, and avenues leadnot; she did not. Sir, Massachusetts furnish- ing thereto, were thronged with an expectant ed more men in the Revolution than the whole audience; and many of us left our places in South put together, and more by ten-fold than this House, to hear the Massachusetts orator. South Carolina. I am not including, of course, To say that we were delighted with the speech the militia-the conjectured militia furnished we heard, would but faintly express the deep by that State. There is no proof that they were emotions of our hearts awakened by it. I need ever engaged in any battle. I mean the regu- not speak of the classic purity of its language, lars; End I say that Massachusetts furnished nor of the nobility of its sentiments. It was mnore than ten times as many men as South heard by many; it has been read by millions. Carolina. I say, on the authority of a standard There has been no such speech made in the historian, once a member of this House, (A!r. Senate since the days when those Titans of Sabine, in his history of the Loyalists.) that American eloquence-the Websters and the more New England men now lie buried in the Haynes-contended with each other for massoil of South Carolina, than there were of South tery. Carolinians, who left their State to fight the It was severe, because it was launched battles of the country. I say, when General against tyranny. It was severe as Chatham Lincoln was defending Charleston, he was cor: was severe when he defended the feeble colopelled to give up its defence, because the peo- nies against the giant oppression of the mother pie of that city would not fight. When General country. It was made in the face of a hostile Greene, that Rhode Island blacksmith, took Senate. It continued through the greater porcommand of the Southern army, South Caro- tion of two days; and yet, during'that time, the lina had not a Federal soldier in the field; and speaker was not once called to order. This fact the people of that State would not furnish sup- is conclusive as to the personal and parliaplies to his army; while the British army in mentary decorum of the speech. He had provthe State were furnished with supplies almost ocation enough. His State had been called exclusively from the people of South Carolina. hypocritical. He himself had been called "a While the American army could not be recruit- puppy," " a fool," "a fanatic," and "a dishoned, the ranks of the British army were rapidly est man." Yet he was parliamentary from the filled from that State. beginning to the end of his speech. No man The British post of Ninety Six was garrison- knew better than he did the proprieties of the ed almost exclusively from South Carolina. place, for he had always observed them. No Rawdon's reserve corps was made up almost man knew better than he did parliamentary entirely by South Carolinians. Of the eight law, because he had made it the study of his hundred-prisoners who were taken at the battle life. No man saw more clearly than he did of King's Mountain-of which we have heard the flaming sword of the Constitution, turning so much-seven hundred of them were South- every way, guarding all the avenues of the Senern Tories. The Maryland men gained the ate. Buthe was not thinking of these things; he laurels of the Cowpens. Kentuckians, Virgin- was not thinking then of the privileges of the ians, and North Carolinians, gained the battle Senate nor of the guarantees of the Constituof King's Mountain. Few South Carolinians tion; he was there to denounce tyranny and fought in the battles of Eutaw, Guilford, &c. crime, and he did it. He was there to speak They were chiefly fought by men out of South for the rights of an empire, and he did it, braveCarolina; and they would have won greater ly and.grandly. fame and brighter laurels, if they had not been So much for the occasion of the speech. A opposed chiefly by the citizens of the soil. word, and I shall be pardoned, about the speakWell might the British commander boast that er himself. He is my friend; for many and he had reduced South Carolina into allegiance. many a year I have looked to him for guidance But, sir, I will not proceed further with this and light, and I never looked in vain. He history, out of regard for the fame of our comi- never had a personal enemy in his life; his men country; out of regard for the patriots- character is as pure as the snow that falls on the Sumters, the Marions, the Rutledges, the his native hills; his heart overflows with kindPinckneys, the Haynes-truer patriots, if pos- ness for every being having the upright form sible, than those of any other State. Out of of man; he is a ripe scholar, a chivalric genregard for these men, I will not quote from a tleman, and a warm-hearted, true friend. He letter of the patriot Governor Mathews to Gen- sat at the feet of Channing, and drank in the eral Greene, in which he complains of the self- sentiments of that noble soul. He bathed in 7 the learning and undying love of the great cially do I notice the conduct of that Senator jurist, Story; and the hand of Jackson, with its recently from the free platform of Massachuhonors and its offices, sought him early in life. setts, *ith the odor of her hospitality on him, but he shrank from them with instinctive mod- who stood there, not only silent and quiet while esty. Sir, he is the pride of Malassachusetts. it was going on, but, when it was over, approved His mother Commonwealth found him adorning the act. And worse: when he had time to cool, the highest walks of literature and law, and she when he had slept on it, he went into the Senbade him go and grace somewhat the rough ate Chamber of the United States, and shocked character of political life. The people of Mas- the sensibilities of the world by approving it. sachusetts-the old, and the young, and the Another Senator did not take part because he middle-aged-now pay their full homage to the, feared his motives might be questioned, exhibitbeauty of his public and private character. ing as extraordinary a delicacy as that individual Such is CHARLES SuNER. who refused torescue a drowning mortal, because On the 22d day of May, when the Senate and he had not been introduced to him.' [Laughter.] the House had clothed themselves in mourning Another was not on good terms; and yet, if for a brother fallen in the battle of life in the rumor be true, that Senator has declared that distant State of Missouri, the Senator from himself and family are more indebted to Mr. Massachusetts sat in the silence of the Senate Sumner than to any other man; yet, when he Chamber, engaged in the employments apper- saw him borne bleeding by, he turned and went taining to his office, when a member from this on the other side. Oh, magnanimous SLIDELLI House, who had taken an oath to sustain the Oh, prudent DOUGLASI Oh, audacious ToomBrsl Constitution, stole into the Senate, that place Sir, there are questions arising out of this which had hitherto been held sacred against which far transcend those of a mere personal violence, and smote him as Cain smote his nature. Of those personal considerations I brother. shall speak, when the question comes properly Mr. KEITT, (in his seat.) That is false. before us, if I am permitted to do so. The Mr. BURLINGAME. I will not bandy epi- higher question involves the very existence of thets with the gentleman. I am responsible the Government itself. If, sir, freedom of fbr my own language. Doubtless he is respon- speech is not to remain to us, what is all this sible for his. Government worth? If we from Massachusetts, Mr. KEITT. I am. or any other State-Senators, or members of Mr. BURLINGAME. I shall stand by mine. the House-are to be called to account by some One blow was enough; but it did not satiate "gallant nephew" of some "gallant uncle," the wrath of that spirit which had pursued him hen we utter something which does not suit through two days. Again and again, quicker their sensitive natures, we desire to know it. If and faster fell the leaden blows, until he was the conflict is to be transferred from this peacetorn away from his victim, when the Senator fl, intellectual field, to one where, it is said, fromn Massachusetts fell in the arms of his "honors are easy and responsibilities equal," friends, and his blood ran down on the Senate then we desire to know it. Massachusetts, if floor. Sir, the act was brief, and my corn- her sos and representatives are to have the ments on it shall be brief also. I denounce it rod held over them, if these things are to conin the name of the Constitution it violated. I tinue, the time may come-though she utters denounce it in the name of the sovereignty of no threats-when she may be called upon to Massachusetts, which was stricken down by the withdraw them to her own bosom, where she blow. I denounce it in the name of civilization can furnish to them that protection which is not which it outraged. I denounce it in the name vouchsafed to them under the flag of their comnof humanity. I denounce it in the name of that mon country. But while she permits us to refair play which bullies and prize-fighters re- main, we shall do our duty-our whole duty. spect. What strike a man when he is pin- We shall speak whatever we choose to speak, ioned —when he cannot respond to a blowl when we will, where we will, and how we will, Call you that chivalry? In what code of honor regardless of all consequences. did you get your authority for that? I do not Sir, the sons of Massachusetts are educated believe that member has a friend so dear who at the knees of their mothers, in the doctrines must not, in his heart of hearts, condemn the of peace and good will, and, God knows, they act. Even the member himself; if he has left desire to cultivate those feelings-feelings of a spark of that chivalry and gallantry attribu- social kindness, and public kindness. The ted to him, must loathe and scorn the act. God House will bear witness that we have not vioknows, I do not wish to speak unkindly, or in lated or trespassed upon any of them; but, sir, a spirit of revenge; but I owe it to my man- if we are pushed too long and too far, there are hood, and the noble State I in part represent, men from the old Commonwealth of Massachuto express my deep abhorrence of the act. But setts who will not shrink from a defence of much as I reprobate the act, much more do I freedom of speech, and the honored State they reprobate the conduct of those who were by, represent, on any field where they may be and saw the outrage perpetrated. Sir, espe- assailed. BUELL & BLANCNHARD, Printers, Washington. TO THE OPO07ENTS OF SLLAVER -EXTENSION. A Presidential Canvass of unusual signifcance is about to open —one of which the result must go fir to determine whether Liberty r Slaveriy is to b the polostT of r O r.Ltioa' l courseo whether the vast unpCopled regiDon., conl- fiecd by Providence to our Lreepino, shall be subdued alcn cuniiva-te, by intellion, hppy firee ni or lasi1 eu blaind ed b slaves Ii. is most impoiporin tat t ht t true bearl.in-gs of this contes be set forth and diff'used not in the heat of thle stru'lie, after eve-ry one shall have taken his position and resolved to maintain it, but now, whliie the popular mind is lecasurlably calm and unprei udiced. d n view of thee. c onsU on the N'ttlonal P ublishin Committee ar e issue, and w il continue froml time to time to publish, the m vnost important Spe echets and Essay;s which Ihave appeared and shall appear on the side of Pree Lab'or atnd i umn. hights, whichi, vwe trust, those who love the cause will purchase for gratuitous circulation among their fiiends and neighbors, with an eye to the struggle before us. Eir ght page documents will be fiurnisled -t the rate of G62ts. per 100 copies, and i6 pagce docunments at $1."25 per 100 copies, fiee of posta e. VWhere 500 or more copies are ordered of any one docunent, a discounat of 20 per cent. vill be miade from these rates. In oerder to facilitate their circulation, no extra charge will be made for enveloping and directing them to such names as nay be furnished. The very low price at which these documents are furnished, puts it within the reach of every one to aid in their distribution. Address, L. CElPIHT I AN, secretary, Ws as'ia1gton, D. C. 14 LST' OF DOCU.,ENTS ALREADY PTU3LTIED. Alt 62 cents per 100 copies —(free of postage.) Defence of Kansas. By Rev. Ht. WT. Reasons for Joining the Bepublican Beecher. Party. By Judoge Foote of Iew York. Letter of Francis P. Blair to the Rle- Kansas Contested Election. Speech of pubtlican Association.. Hon. John A. Binlotha of Ohio. The PI oor Whites of the South. By Kansas Contested Ewlection. 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