Congressional.Springfield, Illinois, State Journal [Republican](16 June 1856)
Washington, June 13. -- Senator Butler concluded
his remarks, in reply to Mr. Sumner's
speech, by claiming he had convicted Sumner of
error, misrepresentation and calumny. Wilson
replied, maintaining Sumner's position, by stating
that from the 29th of May, Sumner had been confined to his room for the greater part of
the time in consequence of the assault, and would
be unable to attend to business for some time.
Butler had taken full revenge for the speech delivered by Sumner. This is the way it should
have been met, and not by blows. Mr. Wilson
indorsed Sumner's remarks, relative to South
Carolina, and referred to former speeches of Butler,
to show that ever since he has been in the
Senate, his replies to Sumner have been in offensive
epithets, calculated to injure the feelings of
any man, and insisted that Butler was the first
aggressor. Wilson said he would speak his feelings
freely. No one held over him plantation
whips. He would speak the more freely in debate,
because his colleague had been stricken
down. Butler said Wilson had no right to go
back to old reports, to show cause for Sumner's
speech, because Sumner, in affidavit, said his
speech was in reply to Butler's speeches of this
session. He asked Wilson how many battles
there were in Massachusetts during the Revolution.
He replied not many, because the enemy
considered it safer to go to South Carolina. --
They met them at Concord, Bunker Hill, Lexington,
and Dorchester Heights, and would have
met them elsewhere, but the enemy took good
care to keep out of sight. Evans obtained the
floor, when the Senate adjourned till Monday.
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