The SPEAKer and the House, thof, ” characterize the opinions of a memb, ". legislative body as monstrous, as untenable, as opinions wo, if carried out into po would be subversive of the character of.” Government of the U.S., could properly construed into personal abuse: E. constitutional, and legal opinions: e pressed upon the floor of this House." course of the transaction of the publico: are fair subjects for criticism and remark; d words “monstrous, ” “extraordinary: “horrible, ” are terms and expo. which the extent and degree of our QPP”. to those opinions may be made manifest. does not amount to personal abuso ide 0 often have gentlemen upon the other si o is the House characterized gentlemen o’. side as “traitors” and "rebels" and i. copperheads, ” and characterized their Pro How and views as “falacious, ” as the views of “factionists, ” as the views of “secessionists, ” as “revolutionary, ” “rebellious, ” and all that, without even being called to order for it? Now, I intended no personal disrespect to the Gentfrom Massachusetts, none whatever; but I looked upon him as being an educated man, and as belonging to that extreme latitudinarian school of politicians which encourages and entertains views somewhat similar but not nearly as ultra as the views which he seemed to express today. The views which he expressed today tended, it seemed to me, simply to this: that the legislative dept of . Government is supreme, and that the executive and judicial depts are subservient, to be ruled by it without regard to constitutional checks and limitations on their power. That, I thought, was the tendency of is views, and I characterized them as mon strous, but I did it with no intention of personal disrespect toward the gentleman, none whatever. I brought it in in connection with my excuse for my absence, and I really and conscientiously believe I was not out of order in reverting to his remarks today in making my excuse. What effect must it not have had upon a man of my political opinions to hear such views expressed upon this floor? Sir, it saddened me. It produced a feeling of melancholy and sadness which I could not control. I had no chance to speak, and no opportunity of expressing my views or explaining my position to the House. There was a struggle apparently going on, on the one side for delay, in the hope of getting an opportunity to discuss hereafter this most important and dangerous measure, and upon the other side to maintain their position in passing this measure without discussion or debate, so that the country may not be enlightened in regard to it, though we may be. I had no intention to be out of order; but in this state of mind and feeling, when I had been here desiring to speak and hoping to get an oppor: tunity to speak and express my strong and indignant opposition to the doctrines expressed by that gentleman and their tendency, and despairing of that opportunity and having ex‘hausted myself by my anxiety and attention to business, after the hour of 4 o'clock had arrived, inasmuch as my age and time of life make it necessary that I should have some repose, I retired from the Chamber without intending any disrespect to the Hourse or to the authority of the House, and the very moment the Sergeant at Arms came to me and notified me that there was a call of the House and that my presence was demanded, I came up here. The Gentfrom Ohio is totally mistaken in supposing that I have voluntarily gone out of my way to indulge in any personal abuse of the Gentfrom Massachusetts. I adverted to his opinions only to show the great anxiety I had to respond to them and oppose them. I despaired of an opportunity of doing so, and in that way, my j". feelings being affected by the scenes that occurred here today, I retired from the Chamber under the idea that my presence would be of no service to my side of the House, that no opportunity for discussion would be allowed, and that the vote would not be taken this afternoon. Now, sir, I never have departed and I never will depart from the subject matter in hand. I desire to treat all subjects before the House in a legitimate, fair, and argumentative manner. It has been my habit all my lifetime, when I have been called to the discussion of any subject, either in legislative halls before the people or at the bar, to confine myself to the subject matter in hand. I have never allowed myself to go out of the way and indulge in personal abuse of men opposed to me, either in the Legislature, before the people, or at the bar. Therefore, if the gentleman understood me as designedly or voluntarily going out of the way and departing from the proper rules of deco rum in making the allusion I did to the Gentfrom Massachusetts, [Mr. Boutwell, 1 he M misunderstood my motives at least, if he did not put a wrong construction upon what I said. I care but little about being fined.. I suppose I have furnished about as good and reasonable an excuse for my departure from this Chamber as any other delinquent who was absent when the roll was called.