Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1836-02-16
eth COngress---1st Session
CONGRESSIONAL DEBATES.

CONGRESSIONAL DEBATES.
III is unnecessary TO say TO our readers thu, the
limits of our paper will admit but small share of
the numerous speeches in Congress on the various
subjects before it.. for they are all aware of IT,
Hence, only course is to give the substance in
condensed FORMS and even in doing this, and keep
up the regular journal of sketches Of the proceed
ings and the current news Of the day, we necessa-
ry often get behind hand, that is, behind the large
semi weekly foreign papers, is the case now -
This is dilemma the more notifying when there
subjects before Congress of great interest; but
we will endeavor ultimately to bring up the rear
and hope our readers will exercise all due patience
Mr. BENroN's resolutions in the Senate, to mp
propra,e all the surplus Of the U. States
to means of defence, being deemed somewhat Of a
War measure, has elected torrent of debate far
from being undressing.
On the introduction of these resolutions Mr. b.
reviewed the state of affairs with France, in which,
he said in order to give efficacy to his motion and
stimulate its immediate adoption. pictured out n
powerful French fleet on coast, menacag Ms,
lie referred also to the Treaty by which France
h.- h.o" enjoying extraordinary benofts while che
fails TO fulfil her part. He had never spoken
unkndly Of France, but must be prepared for
the worst He then changed his theme, and spoke
of the loss of the forgcation bill last session re-
counting it's extensive provisions, and charging the
loss of the bill, with the three million amendment
of the House on the evening before Congress rose
to the Senate. AS specimen of his matter, We
give his closing remarks -
"The fourth circumstance on which Mr. Benton
relied to show that the Senate was responsible for
the present naked and defencless condition Of the
country, and for the humiliation to which We were
subjected in being superintendent by The heroes
81 Algiers and Navarno, the project Of certain
Senators to apply the public moneys in different
direction. namely, TO divide them among the States
and which requires them to keep the for dis
trhution as large as possible, in order to present
| captivating dividends to each distribute The plan
Of putting the country in posture of defence was
incompatible with these plans of distributing the
revenues. The two plans cannot 60 on together;
one or the other must give way, aud he had pur-
posely drawn the resolution under consideration to
make an issue between them, and TO draw the line
between those who will put their country in state
of defence and those who will leave it naked aud
J
belp less.
"Ar b. had felt ii his duty to bring TO the no
tce of the Senate the approach Of the French
squadron of obserya ion, and 10 show that il came
because '9meried had not force capable Of being op
posed 10 H. 1t was subsidiary argument, and a
alr illustration OF the dangers, and humiliation Of
deienceess position. Il should stimulate us 10 in
slant aud vigorous aciIop;-to the conceni ration
of all money and all our forces, to the sacred
+ task Of national defence. For himself he did not
believe there would be war, because he knew that
there ought not to be Sar; but that belief would
Z have no effect upon his conduct"
The correspondent Of the Portland Advertiser
has given the substance Of Mr. Webster's reply 10
the charges Of Col Benton, and some notice o.
the remarks of previous speakers. The debate has
been continued siace, and The House. as party IN
teresied were by he ears. on Friday and Saturday
! (22d and 23J) on the subject Of this bill. We
quote from the Advertiser under date of Washing
ton Jan. Is.
This morning Mr. Beutoa's proposition to ap-
proprinte the entire surplus revenue Of the country
10 its defence, which introduced the other day
came up for consideration. II will be remembered
( that Mr. Webers had given notice that he should,
I 0tlsr the Sena,e had ones more been IN EreosHye
sesnoa be enabled to give such reply 10 Mr. Ben
tons inputstiiion, that It was to the Senate that
the present deenceless state OF the country shs
10 he attributed would satisfy the most ineredo-
| lous that such impItssOn was far from The
fact That very day he moved TO GO into Esecu'
tive session, and there made a motion that tie
injunction " secresy be removed from the proceed
inps OF the Senate IN Executive session on the lsst
night of the last Congress. IL Was carried. and
thos obtained the power derived by Mr. Webster 10
set the matter alluded to by Mr. Benton. the other
day. clearly before The nation.
Sir Ewing had the floor. aud replied to the re-
I MARKS Of Mf Benion made ou the introduction VI
be mo,ion, few 6s.s since. NJ T.. En. /" 10