“‘I have said I am perfectly willing, so far as I am concerned, to let the memorial be referred; but I wish to ask the honorable Senator from Massachusetts who presented it [Mr. ROCKWELL] a question, and I believe, from the impression which he made on me to-day, that he will answer it. If we repeal the Fugitive Slave Law, will the honorable Senator tell me that Massachusetts will execute the provision of the Constitution without any law of Congress? Suppose we should take away all laws, and devolve upon the different States the duties that properly belong to them, I would ask that Senator, whether, under the prevalence of public opinion there, Massachusetts would execute that provision as one of the constitutional members of this Union? Would they send fugitives back to us, after trial by jury, or any other mode? Will this honorable Senator [Mr. SUMNER] tell me that he will do it? “‘MR. SUMNER. Does the honorable Senator ask me if I would personally join in sending a fellow-man into bondage? “Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this thing?” “‘MR. BUTLER. _These are the prettiest speeches that I ever heard._ [_Laughter._] He has them turned down in a book by him, I believe, and he has them so elegantly fixed that I cannot reply to them. [_Laughter._] _They are too delicate for my use._ [_Renewed laughter._] _They are beautiful things_, made in a factory of rhetoric, somewhat _of a peculiar shape_, but, I must be permitted to say, not of a definite texture. Now what does he mean by talking about his not being a dog? [_Continued laughter._] What has that to do with the Constitution, or the constitutional obligations of a State? [_Laughter._] _Well, Sir, it was a beautiful sentiment, no doubt, as he thought, and perhaps he imagined he expressed it with Demosthenian abruptness and eloquence._ [_Laughter._] I asked him whether he would execute the Constitution of the United States, without any Fugitive Slave Law, and he answered me, is he a dog---- “‘MR. SUMNER. The Senator asked me if I would help to reduce a fellow-man to bondage. I answered him. “‘MR. BUTLER. Then you would not obey the Constitution. Sir [_turning to Mr._ SUMNER], standing here before this tribunal, where you swore to support it, _you rise and tell me that you regard it the office of a dog to enforce it. You stand in my presence, as a coëqual Senator, and tell me that it is a dog’s office to execute the Constitution of the United States?_ “‘MR. PRATT. Which he has sworn to support. “‘MR. SUMNER. I recognize no such obligation. “‘MR. BUTLER. I know you do not. _But nobody cares about your recognitions as an individual; but as a Senator, and a constitutional representative, you stand differently related to this body._ But enough of this.’