He says, Sir, that I undertook to compare my political character and conduct with his.  Far from it.  I attempted no such thing.  I compared the gentleman’s political opinions at different times with one another, and expressed decided opposition to those which he now holds.  And I did, certainly, advert to the general tone and drift of the gentleman’s sentiments and expressions for some years past, in their bearing on the Union, with such remarks as I thought they deserved; but I instituted no comparison between him and myself.  He may institute one if he pleases, and when he pleases.  Seeking nothing of this kind, I avoid nothing.  Let it be remembered, that the gentleman began the debate, by attempting to exhibit a contrast between the present opinions and conduct of my friends and myself, and our recent opinions and conduct.  Here is the first charge of inconsistency; let the public judge whether he has made it good.  He says, Sir, that on several questions I have taken different sides, at different times; let him show it.  If he shows any change of opinion, I shall be called on to give a reason, and to account for it.  I leave it to the country to say whether, as yet, he has shown any such thing.

But, Sir, before attempting that, he has something else to say.  He had prepared, it seems, to draw comparisons himself.  He had intended to say something, if time had allowed, upon our respective opinions and conduct in regard to the war.  If time had allowed!  Sir, time does allow, time must allow.  A general remark of that kind ought not to be, cannot be, left to produce its effect, when that effect is obviously intended to be unfavorable.  Why did the gentleman allude to my votes or my opinions respecting the war at all, unless he had something to say?  Does he wish to leave an undefined impression that something was done, or something said, by me, not now capable of defence or justification? something not reconcilable with true patriotism?  He means that, or nothing.  And now, Sir, let him bring the matter forth; let him take the responsibility of the accusation; let him state his facts.  I am here to answer; I am here, this day, to answer.  Now is the time, and now the hour.  I think we read, Sir, that one of the good spirits would not bring against the Arch-enemy of mankind a railing accusation; and what is railing but general reproach, an imputation without fact, time, or circumstance?  Sir, I call for particulars.  The gentleman knows my whole conduct well; indeed, the journals show it all, from the moment I came into Congress till the peace.  If I have done, then, Sir, any thing unpatriotic, any thing which, as far as love to country goes, will not bear comparison with his or any man’s conduct, let it now be stated.  Give me the fact, the time, the manner.  He speaks of the war; that which we call the late war, though it is now twenty-five years since it terminated.  He would leave an impression that I opposed it.  How?  I was not in Congress when war was declared,