Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-02-11
pWETT0AE.

A most interesting debate has beer going on in the
Senate Tor the last fortnight, which has been marked
by some very extraordinary and interesting circurn
satc-s On the resolution offered by MIR. Foot o,
Conncecut, 70 suspend the surveys OF public lands,
Mt Benton Of Missouri delivered long and power
iul speech, protesting against any measures which
might prejudice the interests Of the Western States
and con,ending that il the duty Of the Gene al
Government TO legisate the public lauls rot for
svenue but for their speedy settlement and forma-
ton into new states. In the of hi. argument
he uded 10 the past policy of the general
Wet and accused the Eastern States in particular of
hostility to the growth and prosperity of the West =
Mr.. Hayne OF S,uth Carolina in the Of the de-
bate, supported the views OF Mr. Benton but i'm the
courss OF his argument sustaining that policy abstain
ed iJm any such illusions to the East, "a Mr. Benton
had made, and supported his opinions uron broad na-
onal e ounds IL was, therefore, considered little
remar kabe, that Mr.. Webster i'm reply should have
passed over Mr.. Benton, by whom the provoc alton
had been given, and made direct and personal, at
the same time that il was vehement and even elo
quent attack upon Mr. Haynes southern principles,
and especially the disunion' principles Of South
Carolina. The attack oceasOned great excitement,
particularly as coming from Mr. Webster, whose poirt-
zeal GOODNESS and sagaciiy proverbial and who /.
considered 10 be the chief of the opposition party in
the Serate. Among the Southern and Western mem
bers In both houses the sensation produced was so
great that on the next day, when Mr.. Hayne ex-
pected TO reply, there scarcely a quorum left in
the House OF Representatives keep up the appear
ance of business, and the galleries and floor OF the
Senate were crowded with numerous and fashion,
able audience, 10 listen TO the expected report. So
he
city, that during the whole debate between these dis
tngushed men, there was more brilliant asscmblage
OF beauty and fashion collected in the Senate Cham
Dor, than remember to have seen belore-The
ladies, with that spirit Of conquest which belongs
to them, actually invaded the seats of the Senator'S
and took possession OF every convenient spot except
the Clerks DESK ana the Chair of the Vice Pre- sident
do not pretend TO give you synopsis of the debate
you will much, mos, OF the argument, in the pub
lie papers of this city.
But no report possibly give you an idea OF the
CEN he cuIia al
the two eloquent and eminent who were contend
ing for the mastery There was much of personality
which il is impossible TO transmit to paper or even
TO arrest upon the memory, great deal OF the dumb
show OF eoquence, the expression of the eve and th
significant gesture, which to be appreciated in their
proper forco. must be Mr. Webster repli I'd to
Mr. Haynes second speech, in an argument which &C.
cupled two days in the delivery; mean two Congress
siouai days which consists OF about three hours Zach
to viii MIR. Hayne rejoned in another argument
in support OF his own constitutional doctrre, and the
debate was closed between them by Mr.. Webster in a
brief speech of about half hour, Wednesday last
The opinions TO the victory in this strife are OF
course much divided s are the parties whose diff
ferent views OF the constitution have been severaly
maintained, and by worthy champions. The opposi-
ton party generally contend that Mr.. Webster over
threw Mr. Hayne, while the other hand the result
is iumphantly hailed by the friends of the Admins
traon IS decisive and complete victory the
Eastern Giant. They say that the Southern Orator is
more than match for the New England LAWYER
n OF inclinng decidedly to either of these opinions
think those two words fifty characterize the eminence
vehe-
mence, eoquence and passion, correct and powerful
reasoner, with most vivid Imagination, which is I'M
der the guidance OF study and correct taste
graceful IN person and action, and with musi
cal voice. Mr. Webster on the other hand, il law
YER and great lawyer, who has at his nme diate
command all the logic, and all the warness OF COO
and practised debater OF extensive reading and much
learning, of perfect epcssesson and always master
Of the subject least Of all the arguments on his
own side OF the subject add ready with GOODNESS and
circumspecion to seize rapidly upon the weak points
oil his adversary As speaker he is calm, collected
and dgnihed, sometimes energetic, but never impas-
stoned or vehement His voice i. clear and firm and
he manages with much ability; his gestures few
and not always graceful, but generally forcibe and
impressive. material contrast between these two
men is IN the e''on and m biIity of their features
Mr.. Websers counte nance is generally cold,
and Impressive. which makes the occasional sar-
casm when accompanied by a smile, ex-
ceedingiy effective The face OF Mr.. Hayne ION the
contrary constantly in play; every varying emotion
rushes TO s counenanc- aud is there distinctly legi-
BILE. He is, however, ten fifteen years the junior OF
Mr. Webster, and may acquire that hardhood OF coun-
enance, aay so express it, which necessary for
pub lie debater.
do not, however, think that Mr. Hayne completely
overlhr.w Mr. Webs or, but am decidedly of opinie
that Mr.. Webster did not overthrow Mr. Hayne. Mr..
Hayne sustained the constitutional views which
hrmly believe 10 be correct. and which COME 'sed
TO be correct by many who deny the South Carolina
application Of them aud he sustained them with pow
er Of eloquence and force OF argument which to me
are perfectly conclusive. cannot admit the Justice OF
Mr.. Webster's reply yet / can admire the force and
ingenuity with which he urged them, and the powerful
appeal with which he enforced them, upon the Senate
aud the Country-He sustained his reputation well, but
he has found Southern rival who certainly goes
beyond him in all external requisites Of orator,
and whose intellectual powers OF order make
him III every sense formidable rival in the public
tina'ion.
The debate Mr. Foo's resolution was continued
by MIR. Benton who occupied the floor on the whole
OF Thursday, and is 10 continue his speech on Mon
day, Friday being spent in the extraordinary conside
ration OF the resolution 10 subscribe for The printing of
certa public documents by Messrs. Gales g. Seaton
This is understood to have been political entire
ly, aud the in which il was forced through
presents an anomaly in legislation The same sub
ject j. e. the re-printng OF the documents has been re-
ferred 10 joint committee by the House of Repesen
tatives. Proposals before the Senate, at various
prices. BY Gales & Seaton, at $1lS 600 and upwards,
by Duff Green and others, at from $50 TO 800. 900, U
don't recoIlec the price eXactly but the highest price
Of the other offers with good security is $3.50, 900 less
than Messrs Gales Seaton. 10 this stage the oppo.
sition finding themselves by the absence OF number
OF the Senators, lferdy to the administration, to be
in the majority, pushed the resolution through without
granting moments delay, permitting any inquiry
1t was avowed by Mr.. Noble that they had the pow err
and had better ,Or tauamount expression IL
urged that the whole contingent fund Of tie Senate
six years would not pay this subsc ipion, that the
House had made reference # the subject 10
joint Committee and that appropriation would be
necessary, it but proper TO refer it to the same
Joint Committee, when the majority refused. II was
urged that the amount charged proven to be al
least fifty thousand dollars TOO high and reference
was moved to committee, to inquire into the expense
which was refused by the majority. Mr.. Cham