Page:The Barbarism of Slavery - Sumner - 1863.pdf/60

 54

And

fearful examples.

here, again, facts shall speak, as noth-

ing else can.

In proceeding with this duty, to which, as you will perceive, I am impelled by the positive requirements of this debate, I crave the indulgence of the Senate, while, avoiding all allusions to private life or private character, and tou6hing simply of record, and already " enrolled in the Capitol," I present a few only of many instances, which, especially during these latter days, since Slavery has become paramount, have

what

is

taken their place in our national history. Here is an instance. On the 15th February, 1837, E. M. before the

Whitney was arraigned for contempt,

House of Bepresentatives,

in refusing to attend,

when

required, before a

Committee of investigation into the administration of the ExecHis excuse was, that he could not attend without utive office. exposing himself thereby to outrage and violence in the committee-room and on examination at the bar of the House,

Mr. Fairfield, a member of the Committee, afterward a member of this body, and Governor of Maine, testified to the actual It appeared that Mr. Peyton, a Slave-master from Tenfacts. nessee, and a member of the Committee, regarding a certain answer in writing by Mr. Whitney to an interrogatory propounded by him as offensive, broke out in these words " Mr. Chair:

man, I wish you

me

to inform this witness, that he

in his answers

his life



on the spot!"

if

he does,

The

is

God damn him

I

not to insult I will take

witness, rising, claimed the protec-

on which Mr. Peyton exclaimed tion of the Committee " God damn you, you shan't speak ; you shan't say one word

if you do, I will put you to while you are in this room from Virginia, ChairSlave-master another Wise, Mr. death." of Virginia, then Governor latterly and Committee, the man of

" Yes, this damned insolence is insufferMr. Peyton, observing that the witness was him, cried out " Damn him, his eyes are on me him, he is looking at me ; he shan't do it damn

intervened, saying able."

Soon

looking at

God damn



after,







him, he shan't look at me." These things, and much more, disclosed by Mr. Fairfield, in reply to interrogatories in the House, were confirmed by other witnesses



and Mr. Wise himself, in a speech, made the was armed with deadly weapons, saying

mission, that he



ad" I