Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-05-19


awful pause by saying-"And, Mr. Prcsi
dent, in that catcchism which my mother
taught, me, learned 10 heep--to Keep my
hands from, pich;ng and stealing, and my
tongue from erH sTenking."
| prayed for Leigh again. looked
around aud saw Rives = could not deslst
from speaking to him. | did tell him
"Slr, would so God that this cup had to
humbled, and he replied in substance, aud
nearly in words-"I { any one supposcs that
| this scene is gotten up by me, it is great
mistake" He said more, the amount ot
which was, as I supposed, that he never
| expected to be brought up actually to the
damned deed. could not pity, him he fell
below contempt. Benton knew he had
played the bypocrite, he knew he was con
| sclcnce-strcken. he knew he had before
| the respect Of many men Of worth in the
opposition, Of which he Bcnton) had none.
he knew it would be the bitterness Of ashes
to his taste to be forced to vote actually for
eypunging, and he was determined that
Rivcs, his rival, should be as odous as
himsef-he dragged the cup for him. held
it to his lips, held him to it, and made him
drink it to the dregs. He made more gri.
maces, showed more nausea than sick
man. Benton calculated rightly: he has
sunk in self esteem and in the respect OF
others ever since. He DULLES him and
blofs him and his friends, and Rves is al.
ready playing second fiddle to Benton
The latter is ashamed o. noihing-hc Clio
ries in his total want Of principle and shame.
When Webster concluded, there was for
moment dead silence, which was soon
however, broken by the harsh tones Of Ben
ton, who rose and asked if the question was
dvisble. No, said the chair, it is one
entire resolution. Yes, the whole or none
had to be swallowed-the faithful seemed
10 be feeling their outlets for the attempt,
The question was called for and taken by
yeas and NAYS. The vote has been pub
shed, and the names are doomed to their
fame and lnfamy. 1t was decided that the
deed should be done. When was asked.
Now, now, said Benton. No time for re-
enting was 10 be given. Then or never.
Benton asked it the blanks we're filled, and
named the 18th for the day of the date. -
No, no, was exclaimed, it is the 10Th
The 9th them" said he. The blank was
flied, and the Secretary was sent for the
journal. He was out but a moment. lie
returned through the door in front Of the
Vice Presidents chair, bearing the book,
the journal, in his hand. 1t seemed to me
to speak | pcrsontied it u human vIctr
A truth was 10 be blo'tci f-nrl - 'ha 49,
was q forbidden deed. Benton appeared
the fiend god of the scene of sacrlege. He
alone seemed erect, chuckling and trium
phing over truth The Secretary Of the
Senate looked like an eXccutioncr. lie
laid the book down upon the clerks table.
he bore it open and pressed it down as if
he book was resisting his ruthless violence.
Pressed open wide, he took the pen, dipped
the accursed instrument in gall Of bells
b|ackncss, and wrote across the face Of
Truth the words "Expunged, &c. silence
!, had regned until at this moment he raised
the ruler by which the black lines were to
be drawn, silence then became unsutferable
-gronns and Kisses came burning hot from
the indignation Of galleries and Hobbies and
every place. Hearts swelling with unu,-
terable agony spoke on, in tones Of human
suffering which could no longer be endured.
The tiend god sprang to his feet and grated
harshIy in tones Of thunder--"RuIlians!
Ruflians - Bank Ruffians !"--clear the
galleries! Order! Order" were the
sounds which reverberatcd through the
hall ;--"No, no, don't clear the galleries, -
said Benton "the innocent thus are punish
ed--seze the Ruilians, seize the bank Ruf
fans and bring them to the bar"
1t was sir, at this moment, that | too
was in danger OF being seized for it re-.
, CURED all my self possession to refrain from
telling the Infamous wretch that he was
the vllest ruian in the nation. The ser
gcant-at-arms rushed to the gallery. The
|
for victim, and there was one found a
gcntcel, well dressed and intelligent look
ing gentleman, from the State of Ono,
was seized and dragged before the Senate,
, Some question arose about quorum, and
he was taken from the bar to place be.
hind the seals of Senators, The question
about the quorum was set.led--the victim
, 1.-The citizen, was not ordered 10 be brol
again to the bar; he was not asked It he
: was guilty of contempt; no witness was
: examined as to his guilt or innocence but
Benton again arose, and with all his infer
nal and maIign eil'routery about hun, com,
menccd homy about decency and good
behaviour--he said nothing about honesty
= and probty. He then imputed the act TO
the man, without proof or examination,
imputed The intention Of guilt TO him, fixed
; the pnnlshmen,--to wit: a most CALLING
and offensive lecture from his polluted &,
Impous lips---luillcted the punishment
without waiting to know If a single Senator
agreed with him IN opinion, and then moved
tor his iguominious discharge, without
,, giving him an opportunity of being heard
IN his defence.
G To his credit, the Senator (Mr. Morris,
f of Ohio vouchcd for the gentemen's re
/ spectab,lity and claimed for him the RICH,
y of being heard, This was denied him, I'M
T loss he womb nnrrn him.nlf on onlh of O