Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-21
NhTlDEAI. DEEENCE

WAsurxGroy, Jan. l4.-lr. Benton yesterday intro
duced general resolution to take the sense OF the Sc
nate upon the proprey OF dcdlcaiIng the surplus rrvc.
the purpose of completing Qualifications III all
quarters of The umion und making ciieclua tie vast
which have already been expended on halt finished
works, which exposed 10 rum rs well from The
elements as from public enemy. Mr. Dcnton molly
proclaimed that he presented his system in lis broadcast
FORM for the express purpose Of taking with the
vc1a projects introduced by Mr. Clay and Mr. Calhoun
the first proposing 10 scatter the whole revenue arising
from the sale Of public lands among the ars: to feed The
schemes Of specializing politicians the last, to give the
entire surplus similar scrambrs in the Stale LegIsla-
lures These bids for vrpaI popularity are met BY Mr.
Benton, wlo with Roman tirmncss shuts the door OF
the Treasury in The uccs Of men who would buy the
people with their money The honest object Tor
which the surplus set apart-lhe payment OF the
debt of the two wars-being accomplished, MIR. Benton
would now apply il to the sacred purpose OF providing
for the national defence and Of preventing the rccur
renee of wars.
In the course Of The discussion Mr.. Benton adycIcd
TO the present naked and dcrncclcss condition of the
country which, it made manifest from the decara-
ton of the French themselves had prompted their pre-
sent rncnac;ng attitude towards He alluded to the
Senacs vote against the three millions appropriation,
which passed the House, to provide for the contingent
~ which has happened This called forth MeSsr..
Webster Leigh, Preston, and some others, whom we
did not stay to hear. Each had an explanation 10 cX
cuse course which, at this moment, involves so deeply
the interests of the country. But 1t Is rcnal kabe,
whole country understands have actuatcG their con-
duct The Opposition in the Senate lad taken ground
aeanst the President the French question They
had resolved to cmbarrass the Administration i'll its
difficulty with France, as it had done every question
on which it was staked They knew that if it appear
cd to the world that councils were not divided on
the great point Of maintaining the national rights and
honor by insisting the treaty, the whole treaty, and
nothing but the treaty, ii would have been performed in
rood faith and the President would have had the glory
Of retiring from the Chief Magstracy, his civil admins
traon crowned with the blessings of peace, his mill
tary career had been with the honors Of This
gall and NORWOOD 10 his enemies. 1t would have
crushed those hopes which depend altogether upon
agitation, public excitement, and sectional difficulties
To have voted for tie three millions. would have been
decisive step the part Of the Senate convince
France that every branch of the Government would
stand by the President the alternative of left
as the only means Of preserving national character. As
the Opposition had at the threshold determined to make
the most of the French difficulty, they refused to give
vote at the close of the session. which would increase
the moral influence, we'll as the physical power of
the head of the nation accomplish the great object for
which he labored This is the trusfsuse OF the defeat
of the appropriation; but now the ingenuity of the re-
cusant Senators will be tortured to invent some paus
bic prcences 10 conceal what has been perfectly plain