Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-05-11
G0N@DMgS I0MAEe
THE DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
FEBRUARY 90. 1880.
SPEECH OF MIR LIVINGSTON.

presented to our consideration, and the ability with
which the question arising out Of them have heen hi
thcro discussed, cannot but have excited very con-
siderable interest; which regret exceedingly that
hall be obliged to interrupt, and greatly disappon
those who eok for continuance Of the popular ha-
rangue, the tart reply, the logic, and the wisdom and
the wit" with which have been entertained. For,
81. you expect nothing fran hut very plain,
and, fear very dali exposition Of my views on some
OF the subjects comprsed in this exclusive debate
embelisheG by eloquence, uDseasoned by the pungen
cy OF personal illusions. For have no accusations
TO make of sectional hostility to the State represent,
and, OF consequence, recrimna,ions to urge IN lie
behalf personal luminosity TO indulge, and but one
yes, sir, have one personal defence to make; ne
c-ssary defence against grave accusation; nut tha'
will be- "a moderate "a know II will b, complete, sat
isfactory, and, had almost said, triumphant.
The multiplicity and nature OF the subjects that have
been considered in debating resolution with which
of them to have the slightest connection, and
the addition of subjects which every speaker has
thought il proper TO increase tho former stock, has
given me, confess, some uneasiness. feared an
rrupton OF the Cherokces, and wa not without appre
hensions tina! should be called OH to terminate .e
question OF Sunday mails; or, If the Anti Masonic Con-
vsn'ion should take offence at the secrecy Of our Exc
cuive Session, insist the expulsion Of all the in
i'iaed from councils, that should lie obliged to
contend with them for seats Indeed, had my
self serious thoughts Of Introducing the reformation OF
National code, and plan for the gradual increase
Of he Navy. and am not yet quite decided whether
b-fcr. sit down, shall not urge the abolition OF CAPT
tai pnni.hmrn's In truth, Mr.. President, the whole
brought fcrciby to my recollection an apceinte tod
IN oil the numerous memoirs written du' the
reign Of Louis XIV too trivial perhaps 10 be iutroduc
81 into this grave debate hut which, perhaps, be
excused. yourg lady had been educated in all the
LEARNING of the times. aud her progress had ten
much 10 the satisfaction OF the princess who had direct
ed her studies. that her first nrodu cion her pat.
roness used 10 address her thua: Come, Miss! dis.
course with these ladies and l.men on IN, subject
OF thsology 90 TINT will do. Now, tax of geography;
At or that, You will the subjects OF astrono
my and metaphysics, and then give your ideas logic
and the belle etres. And thus the poor girl, 20 her
Al.
put through the whole circle of the sciences in which
she hid been instructed. Sir, might not nearer of
debates for some days past, have concluded that
too, Ind been directed in similar way, an that
yon had said 10 each of the speakers. Sir, please to
RS, and speak the disposition Of the public lands;
after thai, ycu may talk Of the tariff let know al you
think the subject of internal improvem mt; and b.,
fore cit down. discuss the ST the Senate in
relation to appointments ard the right OF Safe 10
cede from the Union, and finish by letting us know
whether you approve or oppose The measures of the
present or the six preceding admin t-a.ions." The
approximation, sir OF many heterogeneous materials
Tor discussion, must provoke smile; and most OF those
who have addressed you, while they lanened tina
subjects unconnec'ed with the resolution had been in
rodnced into debate, rarely sat down without adding
To the number. For my part, think the Discus
sion may be TUNED TO useful purposes Ii may, by the
Interchange of opinon, increase own information on
al! he important points which have been examined,
while, not being called on for vote, may weigh
them at lisur' and come TO conclusions without being
iniu rnced by the warmth of debate.
useful info nation topics highly proper to b. under
stoo. in the community at large.
! The recurrence which ha' NECESSARILY been hid e
first principles is OF ncaculahle The nature, form
history, an! changes of our Governments pb'e
or Gsreg'rded al the time of their occurrence are re
marked; abuses are pointed ont; and the people ar,
brought TO reflect on the past, AMI provide for the fu
ture.
II affords favorable opportunity, by explanations
that would not otherwise have teen made, 10 remove
prejudice and doubts to political character and
duct For, instance sir, il has already produced one
| which consider very imnortant. The Senator from
Massachusetts, who so eloqnenuy engaged the a'ten.
ton OF his auditors in the beginning OF the debate took
that occasion to dsavow any xion with the Hart
ford Convention; TO declare, in nnequvoca terms tta
he :" had nothing 10 do with the Hartford Conven-
ton" Sir, heard this explicit declaration with great
pleasure, because, on nv arrival here az member oil
the oher House. in which first had the satisfaction oil
being acquainted, and assocating with that Senator,
received an impression (from whom, how, where
II would be impossible for II tell) that, al.
though not ember of that Convention, he had, in
some Sort favored, promoted approved Of its meet
| ing; and, being only such terms OF social inter-
course enc gentleman has with another, without
| that intimacy which would have justified my making
personal inquiry, remained in doubt the subject.
II gave me- therefore, repeat great satisfaction 10 hear
declaration which has compi, tely eadicated
ry suspicion that the Senator from Massachusetts lent
his countepanue that nudicons i'll timed and dar
gerous measure TO which others have given stronger
| epithets OF dsapprobaon, and which probably
not unmeri'ed. Sir, happen TO know something, not
nj the proceedings or views OF that bcdy but OF the
effect its existence had in encouraging enemy in
exciting hopes o. disunion, nay, Of dsgraceul a5her
ence 10 their cause. While these worthy citizens
were occupied in celebrating the plans, whatever
they were, which drew them together in the East;
while they and others associated with them in party
! feeling, were devising means OF putting end TO the
war, by vili'yng those who declared, and deractng
from the merit of those who conducted j., by opposing
every for prosecuting il with vigor and oh.
sructDg our means Of defence, by denouncing the
war itself unjust and the gallant exploits Of Ar
my and Navy unfit subjects for rejocing--while
these thus employed at extremity OF the
! Union, others differently engaged at the other
small but gallant band. directed by their heroic Lead
er, we're striving al to pnt end TO the hut by
Tar different means; by means Of brave, uGcompromis-
ing, undertaking resistance their attacks made
upon the enemies OF their country, not upon its g W.
frnment; among them were mitanen, who, without
any constitutional scruples about passing The boundary
of their State, had marched more than thousand
miles beyond those hcuuda les In search Of the enemy
They found him, and glorious victory at The mo.
meni; joined TO my brave constituents, they gave a
mot signal defeat TO than three tines their
Der; and sgnazed The close OF the war by action in
itself capable Of putting end 10 the contest Imme-
dlaely after this great event, WAS cent on mission
to The Briish feet Circumstances prniracted my stay
on board The Admirars ship for several days; during
which, having been formerly acquainted with off,
Ger high in command, discovered not Only from his
conversation, hut that Of almost all the officers, that
he utmost reliance placed on the Hartford Con.
venton, for esciing dissolution Of the Union, and the
neutrality Of New England. I have no evidence
that these hopes and expectations derived from
any communication with any member Of that body.
| But know that the enemy were, ~ must naturally
have been The case encouraged by the appearance Of
divsion which that meeting calculated 70 pf0duce