Speech #470003630

I will suppose that the President of the United States may have been a party to a scheme like that which has been laid before the Senate of the United States. and I will suppose that in the execution of that purpose he has made a nomination to this body which he asks us to advise and consent to as a part of the appointing power of this Government. who is it that will charge us with treason if believing as we do that the nomination would be a reward for a corrupt undertaking we should refuse to advise and consent to the confirmation ? Snppose it goes further than that and gets into legislation. it finds its way into bills introduced into the House and into the Senate. and laws are to be enacted here for the purpose of carrying into effect other parts of such a combination. are we to be taunted with treason if we do not give our consent to the enactment of laws like that ? And yet those who charge us with this sort of treason. who seem to take a delight in making imputations upon the motives of gentlemen as worthy as they are. or some of them arise on this floor and interpose an objection to the receiving of a petition when a Senator states that it is in behalf of a naturalized American citizen who now languishes in a foreign prison under an unjust accusation and without the authority of law. If that be stalwartism. or if that be republicanism. it is not that sort of action provided for by the Constitution of the United States. The first article of the amendments of the Constitution of the United States. adopted within twoyears after the time of the adoption of the original body of the instrument. reads as follows: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. or pro. hibiting the free exercise thereof. or abridging the freedom of speech. or of the press. or the right of the people peaceably to assemble. and to petition the Gev. eacment for a redress of gnevances.