he has evidently amused
himself; and if he could afford the sacrifice, I admit he has
amused the galleries and probably the most of us; but that he has
convinced anybody that he was arguing to enlighten the Senate or
the public mind on a question which he says is important, he does
not believe and he does not expect anybody else to believe it. If
it is true, as he intimates, that he is desirous of becoming a
Radical, I am not clear that I should not be willing to accept
his service, although there is a good deal to be repented of
before he can be taken into full confidence. [Laughter].

When a man has seen the error of his ways and confesses it, what
more is there to be done except to receive him seventy and seven
times? Now if this is an indication that the honorable Senator
means to out-radical the Radicals, "Come on, Macduff," nobody
will object provided you can show us you are sincere. That is the
point. If it is mischief you are at, you will have a hard time to
get ahead. While we are radical we mean to be rational. While we
intend to give every male citizen of the United States the rights
common to all, we do not intend to be forced by our enemies into
a position so ridiculous and absurd as to be broken down utterly
on that question, and whoever comes here in the guise of a
Radical and undertakes to practice that, probably will not make
much by the motion. I am not surprised that those of our friends
who went out from us and have been feeding on the husks, desire
to get in ahead; but I am surprised at the indiscretion and the
want of common sense exercised in making so profound a plunge at
once! If these gentlemen desire to be taken into companionship
and restored to good standing, I am the first man to reach out
the hand and say, "Welcome back again, so that you are repentant
and regenerated;" but, sir, I am the last man to allow that you
shall indorse what you call radicalism for the purpose of
breaking down measures which we propose!

So much for the radicalism of my honorable friend. Now, sir, what
is the sincerity of this proposition? What is the motive of my
honorable friend in introducing it? Is it to perfect this bill?
Is it to vindicate a principle in which he believes? Not a bit of
it. It is the old device of the enemy--if you