Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-01-31
DEBATES IN THE U. S. SENATE.

a
Mr. Benton sometimes attempts TO play the
bully in the U. S. Senate. On Thursday last,
while the bill 10 limit the sales of public lands
was under consideration, Messrs. Calhoun,
Buchanan and Clay were in favor of postpo-
ming the subject for a few days, until the return
OF Mr. Ewing, who had been called to Ohio hv
the dangerous illness of his wife =
Mr. Benton stated that he would not consent
TO the postponement. He would not sanction
the delivery Of one speech a day, and then an
adjournment. He would vote against all ad-
joprnment. The friends of the administration
had majority, and if they did not carry out
the measures before them, the public would be
at liberty to draw such differences as they NAV
think tit. -
Mr. Buchanan said he profess ed to be one Of
the friends of the administration, and he knew
his responsibility, and did not need to be re-
minded Of his duty on this floor. He did not
know how he himself should vote on this bill
He would not give party vote 10 exclude
purchasers Of public lands who were buying
lands for their children, and thereby sending
the best settlers to the west He would take
The course which his judgment indicated as tho
best, without suffering himself to be directed
by any other guide.
On the same day, while the Expunging res
olutlon was under consideration
MI Benton made some observations in de-
fence of his resolution, in which he euloeized
the administration Of Gen. Jackson as most
glorious and patriotic, and one which ought to
be especially recorded by some philosophic
pen, which would obtain immortality from the
subject.
MIR Critenden replied, and asked why il
Gen. Jackson was TO bestrde the earth like a
Colossus, the Senators must, perforce, be re-
IN IN hot
the Senators be permitted TO retain their res
Pectability while the President retained his elo-
ry? He ridiculed the idea Of expunging por-
lions OF the Journals, by drawing black lines,
ard surmised how each Senator would obtain
| portion of The fame Of the act. He knew no
other mode than that Of Senators marching up
10 the table, and each making a gwen fraction
of line, so that each and every one might be
incorporated into the black lines. The whole
project he ascribed 10 slavish adulation
which was inconsistent with our genius, and
dcrogatory to our character. He advised Sen.
ators TO pause long before they committed ar
act which would so degrade them into saves
! For himself he did not speak, because he
should be found, every where, and at all times
ready TO denounce the act, and to protes
against it, He asked where there was an A.
merican Senator who was ready 10 lend him
There could be no one. The finger OF ever
lasting scorn would mark him out TO poster
~. Such sluvish act Of this Senate woult
be precedent for similar acts hereafter, when
in the vcissltndcs Of party strife, some future
, Senate should be disposed TO surpass all il:
predecessors in adulaion. lie denied III,
ri ut OF the Senators 10 ohliieratc the publ,
records. lie called on Senator'S If they were
the successors Of the Catos', not 10 disgrace
their republican ancestors-not 10 destroy ihei
own personal 'esrectobiluy, by committing
themselves 10 such an act Of irretrievable base.
ness. Let them leave General Jackson's i'm
mortality 10 take care Of itself, founded on hi
avn great actions, and lei Senators take car,
Of Their own responsibility.
In the Senate on Wednesday last, while thu
TIeasury circular was under consideration, M
Rives of Virginia spoke at great length in sup
port oil bis own propos ton, and in opposition
10 the opinions and arguments Of MIR Benton
He declared that though the treasury circu
lar might have been perfectly juslifable at III,
time when il was issued, the adoption Of il al
the permanent policy Of the government woult
be disastrous 10 lie whole country. lie sale
1t was utterly impossible TO return 10 a circnla
ton OF specie exclusively, until the small note
should be entirely suppressed, and even thel
he doubted if il would be practicable. II,
commended that the project OF demanding gol,
and silver in the payment of the public dues
with the view of increasing the circulation o
the precious metals, was perfectly Utopan !
IL could not fail TO defeat the very object pro
posed. II would contract the specie crcula
ton, and necessarily lead to boarding the pre-
cious metals. This effect, he had learned iron
intelligent gentlemen in the west Ind been &C
tually produced in that section of the country
How could this be otherwiso2 Land ofiic
money is there The standard Of the currency.-
And il government, that formerly was ready 4
receive notes Of banks, will now only take coll
and silver, The latter will, OF course, becom