NO BUST FOR AUTHOR OF DRED SCOTT DECISION.
Speech in the Senate, on a Bill Providing for a Bust of the late Chief Justice Taney, February 23, 1865.
February 23d, Mr. Trumbull moved to proceed with the consideration of a bill from the House of Representatives requiring the Joint Committee of the two Houses on the Library to contract with a suitable artist for the execution in marble, and delivery in the Supreme Court Room of the United States, in the Capitol, of a bust of the late Chief Justice Taney, and appropriating one thousand dollars for this purpose. On the question of taking it up, Mr. Sumner said: “I object. An emancipated country should not make a bust of the author of the Dred Scott decision.” The motion to take up prevailed, when Mr. Sumner said:—
MR. PRESIDENT,—I objected to this joint resolution, when it was reported by the Senator from Illinois [Mr. Trumbull], and he was disposed to hurry it upon the Senate, to the exclusion of important business. I objected to it again to-day; but it was from no indisposition to discuss it.
I know well the trivial apology which may be made for this proposition, and the Senator from Maryland [Mr. Johnson] has already shown something of the hardihood with which it may be defended. In the performance of public duty I am indifferent to both.
The apology is too obvious. “Nothing but good of the dead.” This is a familiar saying, which, to a certain extent, is acknowledged. But it is entirely inapplicable, when statues and busts are proposed in honor of the dead. Then, at least, truth must prevail.
If a man has done evil during life, he must not be complimented in marble. And if indiscreetly it is proposed to decree this signal honor, then the evil he has done must be exposed; nor shall any false delicacy seal my lips. It is not enough that he held high place, that he enjoyed worldly honors, or was endowed with intellectual gifts.