80
ISHMENT
howling through the world, yelping fresh cries of slander and malice. These are the reasons, which I feel it due to myself and others to give to the Senate and the country, why we have quietly listened to what has been said, and why we can take no other notice of the matter.
In these words, Mr. Chesnut refers to the assault upon Mr. Suma bludgeon on the floor of the Senate, by a Represent-
nek with
from South-Carolina, since dead, aided by another Represame State, and also a Representative from Virginia, on account of which- Mr. Sumner had been compelled to leave his seat vacant, and seek the restoration of his health by As Mr. Chesnut spoke, he was surrounded by the Slavetravel. masters of the Senate, who seemed to approve what he said. There was no call to order by the Chair, which was occupied at the time by Mr. Biglee, of Pennsylvania. Mr. Sumner obtained the floor with difficulty, while a motion was pending for the postponement of the question, and said ative
sentative from that
Mr. President, before this question passes away, I think I ought to make (though perhaps there is no occasion for it) a ["No!" from response to the Senator from South- Carolina. Only one word. I exposed today the several Senators.] Barbarism of Slavery. What the Senator has said in reply to me, I may well print in an Appendix to my speech as an addiThat is all. tional illustration. Mr. Hammond, of South-Carolina, said I
hope he
will
do
it.
The following letter, from a venerable citizen, an ornament of our legislative halls at the beginning of the century, and now the oldest survivor of all who have ever been members of Congress, is too valuable, in its testimony and its counsel, to be omitted in this place Boston, June
5,
1860.
Dear
Sir: I have read a few abstracts from your noble speech, but must wait for it in a pamphlet form, that I may read it in such type as eyes, in the eightyBut I have read enough to approve, and ninth year of their age, will permit. rejoice that you have been permitted, thus truly, fully, and faithfully to expose the "Barbarism" of Slavery on that very floor on which you were so cruelly and brutally stricken down by the spirit of that Barbarism. I only hope that in an Appendix you will preserve the vera effigies of that insect that attempted to sting you. Remember that the value of amber is increased by the insect it preserves. Yours, very truly,
JOSIAH QUINCY.
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