I considered to be an improper act of his
--namely, the recommendation of that book. So far as that affects
his political or social character, he must of course bear it."

I replied as follows:

"The gentleman from Missouri, for the first time, I believe, has
announced that it was his purpose, in introducing this resolution,
to give gentlemen an opportunity to explain their relations to the
Helper book. I ask him now whether he is willing to withdraw the
resolution for the purpose he has indicated, temporarily, or for
any time?"

Mr. Clark said:

"I will endeavor to answer the gentleman. I avowed my purpose
frankly at the time I introduced the resolution, in the remarks
with which I accompanied its introduction. The gentleman from Ohio
propounds the question more directly whether I am willing to withdraw
the resolution for the purpose which I avow? Sir, at the very
instant it was offered, I gave the gentleman that opportunity and
I have given it to him since. I say to the gentleman that he has
had two opportunities to make that explanation; but he has failed
to relieve himself of the responsibility he took when he signed
that book and recommended its circulation."

I replied:

"I will say that that opportunity has never been rendered to me.
When the gentleman introduced his resolution, offensive in its
character, at an improper time, in an improper manner, he cut off
--what he says now he desires to give--an opportunity for explanation.
It is true that three days afterward, when the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Millson) appealed to me, I stated to him frankly how
may name became connected with that paper. I did not sign the
paper; but it seems that the Hon. E. D. Morgan, a Member of the
last Congress, and a friend of mine, came to me when I was in my
place, and asked me to sign a recommendation for the circulation
of a political pamphlet, to be compiled by a committee, of which
Mr. Blair, a slaveholder of Missouri, was one, from a large book
by Helper, a North Carolinian. I said to him that I had not time
to examine the book; but if there was nothing offensive in it, he
might use my name. Thereupon, this gentleman attached my name to
that paper. This information I did not have at the time the
gentleman from Virginia addressed me, but I said to him I had no
recollection of having signed the paper, but presumed I had, from
my name appearing in the printed list. I subsequently acquired it
from Mr. Morg